Major city · French Polynesia
Tikehau
Go for 3–4 nights if you dive or want a quiet atoll with pink sand and a bird sanctuary; skip if you need nightlife or land activities.
Tikehau is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Islands with one village, one luxury resort and a handful of pensions. The main draw is the lagoon: snorkelling and diving with sharks, rays and fish, plus a day trip to Bird Island. There are no roads beyond the village, no shops and no nightlife. Most visitors stay 3–4 nights and fly in from Tahiti.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XPF
- Best months
- All year; May–Oct for drier weather
- avoid Dec–Mar (wetter, but still possible)
- Airport
- TIH
- Nights
- 3–4
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 Tikehau17 ▾
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 Tikehau, 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
- SafetyTikehau is very safe; the main risks are sunburn, dehydration and boat accidents.
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.
- AirportTIH Tikehau Airport (Daily flights from Tahiti (PPT), 55 min; also connects to other Tuamotu atolls).
- Getting aroundNo roads outside the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beer (imported)XPF 500–800
- Budget bedPension guesthouse, per person, a night, per personXPF 6,000
- Mid-range bedTikehau Pearl Beach Resort, overwater bungalow, a night, per roomXPF 70,000
- High-end bedTikehau Pearl Beach Resort, overwater bungalow, a night, per roomXPF 100,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XPF 8,000 · Mid XPF 15,000 · High XPF 30,000
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
- TIH Tikehau Airport (Daily flights from Tahiti (PPT), 55 min; also connects to other Tuamotu atolls)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tikehau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 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
No roads outside the village. All transport by boat: arrange with your accommodation or hire a local skipper. The airport is on the southern tip; most pensions meet you with a boat.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bird Island
goDoor to door: Half-day trip
Boat from Tuherahera, about 30–45 min
Bird sanctuary with a dock; no facilities, take water and sun protection.
Rangiroa
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h including check-in
Air Tahiti, about 20 min flight
Worth a day trip only if you have a full day; flights are limited.
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.
Tuherahera village
The only village; pensions and guesthouses, basic but comfortable.
Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort
The only luxury option, with overwater bungalows; on its own motu, boat transfer from the airport.
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 8,000–15,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XPF 15,000–30,000 excl. bed
- High
- XPF 30,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pension guesthouse, per person2 × 3 nights × XPF 10,000 | XPF 60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × XPF 15,000 | XPF 90,000 |
| Boat transfer airport → pension (return)2 × XPF 2,000 | XPF 4,000 |
| Half-day boat trip to Bird Island2 × XPF 5,000 | XPF 10,000 |
| Dive (single tank, incl. gear)2 × XPF 10,000 | XPF 20,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XPF 18,400 |
| Trip total≈ XPF 33,730 per person per day, bed included | XPF 202,400 |
2026 estimate in XPF; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Baguette or basic meal at a pension | XPF 800–1,500 |
| Bottle of beer (imported) | XPF 500–800 |
| Boat transfer airport → village | XPF 1,000–2,000 per person |
| Half-day snorkelling trip | XPF 4,000–6,000 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs on the atoll: bring enough cash (XPF) from Tahiti.
- Mosquitoes at dawn and dusk; bring repellent.
- The lagoon can be windy; check conditions before a boat trip to Bird Island.
- Flights can be delayed or cancelled due to weather; build a buffer day.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical (SAMU)
- 15
- Fire
- 18
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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TikehauTikehau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I tēia vahi, faʻaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical (SAMU)15
- Fire18
- From mobiles112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tahiti (PPT) → Tikehau (TIH), one way: about XPF 20,000–30,000 (check)
- Boat transfer airport → pension: XPF 1,000–2,000 per person
Say or show
- Ia ora na — Hello (ee-ah oh-rah nah)
- Māuruuru — Thank you (mah-oo-roo-roo)
- E / Aita — Yes / No
- E hia? — How much?
- Nānā — Goodbye (nah-nah)
Tahitian is widely spoken alongside French; English is common at the resort and dive shops.
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 Tikehau. 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: All year; May–Oct for drier weather · avoid Dec–Mar (wetter, but still possible) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tikehau
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