Major city · French Polynesia
Manihi
Stay 2–3 days for diving or pearl‑farm visit; otherwise skip – flight from Papeete 1 h 30 min, $11 per person airport‑to‑resort transfer.
Manihi is a remote coral atoll in the Tuamotu group with a single resort, limited services and daily Air Tahiti flights. Its main draws are pristine dive sites, black‑pearl farms and quiet village life. Because of the travel time and limited activities, a short stay of 2–3 days is enough to experience the atoll without wasting time.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XPF
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry season, calmer seas)
- avoid Feb–Mar (higher rain and wind)
- Airport
- XMH
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Polynesia ↗In much of Polynesia Sunday is kept for church and family: expect shops, tours and some flights to stop, and dress and behave quietly in villages.
- French Polynesia ↗Entry rules are set by France but separately from Schengen: EU citizens enter freely, other passports should check the French government's rules for French Polynesia, and an onward ticket is required.
- French Polynesia ↗Declare food, plants and animal products on arrival; moving plants and soil between islands is also restricted.
- French Polynesia ↗Drive on the right, as in France; scooters and cars can be hired on the main islands.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Manihi17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Manihi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the CFP franc (XPF), also used in New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, pegged to the euro (€1 (≈ US$2) = 119.33 XPF)…French Polynesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMVini (OPT) is the main network, with Vodafone (Onati) as the other; tourist SIMs at Faa'a airport and Vini shops need a passport.French Polynesia-wide
- Tap waterTap water in Papeete and many Tahiti and Moorea communes is treated; on atolls it is rainwater.French Polynesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; service is included.French Polynesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.French Polynesia-wide
- SafetyManihi is safe for tourists; main risks are limited medical facilities and occasional strong winds.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; few public ones — use cafés, malls and the ferry terminal.French Polynesia-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 15 Medical (SAMU) · 18 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close around 11:30–13:30 on many islands and most close Sunday afternoon; the Papeete market is busiest on Sunday dawn.Shops close around 11:30 AM–1:30 PM on many islands and most close Sunday afternoon; the Papeete market is busiest on Sunday dawn.French Polynesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportXMH Manihi Airport (Domestic airstrip, single daily Air Tahiti flight from Papeete (≈1 h 30 min).).
- Getting aroundBicycles (free for resort guests) and water taxis (free between resort and village).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeSnack bar coffee$2–$4
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Water taxi (resort‑village)Free
- Budget bedResort bungalow, a night, per personXPF 300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XPF 9,000 · Mid XPF 13,000 · High XPF 20,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- XMH Manihi Airport (Domestic airstrip, single daily Air Tahiti flight from Papeete (≈1 h 30 min).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Feb–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Mar (7 rain days), driest May (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Manihi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bicycles (free for resort guests) and water taxis (free between resort and village). No motorised traffic.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rangiroa
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h total
Air Tahiti 1 h 30 min from Manihi, then local transport
Longer flight and limited connections; consider only if extending trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Manihi Pearl Beach Resort
Only commercial lodging, 50 rooms, $300–$600 per night (2026 estimate).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XPF 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XPF 12,000–18,000 excl. bed
- High
- XPF 18,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort bungalow2 × 2 nights × XPF 450 | XPF 1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × XPF 13,000 | XPF 52,000 |
| Air Tahiti flight Papeete → Manihi (round‑trip)2 × XPF 350 · 2026 estimate, check airline for exact fare. | XPF 700 |
| Resort airport‑to‑resort transfer2 × XPF 10 · USD, one‑way, includes luggage handling. | XPF 20 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × XPF 30 · USD, check local providers. | XPF 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XPF 5,460 |
| Trip total≈ XPF 15,010 per person per day, bed included | XPF 60,040 |
USD per night, includes basic meals.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Snack bar coffee | $2–$4 |
| Coconut water (fresh) | $1–$2 |
| Bicycle rental (free for guests) | Free |
| Water taxi (resort‑village) | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Power and fresh water are limited; rely on generators and rain‑water tanks.
- Supplies are scarce; bring essentials or buy at the village mini‑market (no fresh fruit).
- Weather can change hourly; be prepared for wind, rain and sun in the same day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical (SAMU)
- 15
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ManihiManihi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Mai tei tei, ‘aita.To this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical (SAMU)15
- Fire18
Embassy
US consular services are in Papeete; French Polynesia uses French diplomatic representation.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Papeete → Manihi (Air Tahiti): about $250–$350 one‑way, 1 h 30 min (check airline).
- Resort airport‑to‑resort transfer: $11 per person, one‑way electric cart.
Say or show
- Ia ora na — Hello (ee‑ah‑oh‑rah‑nah)
- Mauruuru — Thank you (mah‑roo‑roo)
- Eaha te moni? — How much? (eh‑ah‑hah‑teh‑mo‑nee)
- Ehia te ta‘a vai? — Where is the water taxi? (eh‑hee‑ah‑teh‑tah‑ah‑vai)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Manihi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry season, calmer seas) · avoid Feb–Mar (higher rain and wind) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a dive‑only package with local operator (check availability).
- Combine Manihi with a stay on Rangiroa for a longer Tuamotu itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Manihi
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