French Polynesia in May

Dry season starts; one of the best value months.

• 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, Raivavaefine

  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.

• French spring holidays

  1 May, 8 May, Ascension, Whit Monday

  Long weekends; local families head to Moorea and the islands.

Crowds · French Polynesia

Medium

Prices · French Polynesia

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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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

  Drier, cooler; good walking.