French Polynesia in July

Heiva i Tahiti and European holidays: book flights and pensions early; humpbacks arrive.

• Society Islands · Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiateabest weather

  Dry season May–October with trade winds (the maraamu can blow hard for days in July–August); December–March brings heavy showers, humidity and the main cyclone risk.

• Tuamotu atolls · Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehaubest weather

  Drier than the high islands; diving is good all year, with hammerheads Dec–Mar and the Fakarava grouper spawning around June–July.

• Marquesas · Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Poufine

  Close to the equator, hot all year with no clear wet season; September–December is usually the driest and seas calmest for the Aranui.

• Austral Islands · Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavaecool

  Cooler and windier; humpback whales at Rurutu from July to October.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Heiva i Tahiti big impact

  Late Jun – late Jul

  Dance and song contests at To'ata in Papeete, sports and craft fairs; Papeete beds and flights fill.

• Bastille Day

  14 Jul

  Parades and fireworks in Papeete.

Crowds · French Polynesia

High

Prices · French Polynesia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Society Islands

  Best weather of the year (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea)

• Tuamotu atolls

  Best weather of the year (Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau)

• Papeete

  Heiva festival: book ahead, town is busy.