Major city · French Polynesia
Rangiroa
Spend 3–4 days on Rangiroa for diving and lagoon sights; a short stay is enough if diving only.
Rangiroa is the second‑largest atoll in the world, known for drift dives in Tiputa Pass, shark and dolphin encounters, and a pink‑sand lagoon. Most visitors stay 3–4 nights to combine diving, a day trip to the Blue Lagoon and a visit to the pearl farm, with easy bike travel around the main motu.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XPF
- Best months
- All year (dry season Oct–Apr offers calmer seas)
- avoid Feb–Mar (higher rain days, check local forecast)
- Airport
- RGI
- 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 Rangiroa17 ▾
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 Rangiroa, 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
- SafetyRangiroa is low‑risk; main hazards are marine (sharks, currents) and limited medical facilities – carry basic first‑aid and know the local clinic…
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.
- AirportRGI Rangiroa Airport (Air Tahiti flights from Papeete, Bora Bora, Fakarava).
- Getting aroundBike hire is common; the main road on Avatoru motu is only a few kilometres.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedFamily-run pension, a night, per roomXPF 6,000
- Mid-range bedHotel or resort room, a night, per roomXPF 20,000
- High-end bedHotel or resort room, a night, per roomXPF 35,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XPF 8,000 · 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
- RGI Rangiroa Airport (Air Tahiti flights from Papeete, Bora Bora, Fakarava)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Avoid: Feb–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Feb (14 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rangiroa: 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
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)
14 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 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
Bike hire is common; the main road on Avatoru motu is only a few kilometres. Boats are needed to reach Tiputa motu and dive sites.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tikehau
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Air Tahiti flight, about 20 min
Nearby Tuamotu atoll, good for a quick change of scenery.
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.
Kia Ora
Luxury resort with overwater bungalows; near Avatoru motu
Hotel Maitai Rangiroa (formerly Novotel Lagoon Resort)
High‑range hotel on lagoon, close to airport
Pension Loyna
Family‑run pension, offers free bike rental
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
| Hotel or resort room1 × 3 nights × XPF 20,000 | XPF 60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × XPF 13,000 | XPF 78,000 |
| Air Tahiti round-trip flight Papeete ↔ Rangiroa2 × XPF 30,000 · check | XPF 60,000 |
| Bike rental (full day)2 × XPF 800 · check | XPF 1,600 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × XPF 2,500 · check | XPF 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XPF 20,460 |
| Trip total≈ XPF 37,510 per person per day, bed included | XPF 225,060 |
2026 estimate in XPF; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurant | XPF 1,200–2,500 |
| Bottle of local rum | XPF 800–1,200 |
| Bike hire (full day) | XPF 800 |
| Shark-watch dive (incl. gear) | XPF 12,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sharks are common but generally harmless; follow dive‑guide instructions.
- Limited nightlife; plan meals early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical (SAMU)
- 15
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RangiroaRangiroa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
I te hoê fare, aitaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical (SAMU)15
- Fire18
Embassy
US consular services are in Papeete (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Air Tahiti Papeete → Rangiroa: ≈ XPF 25,000–38,000 round-trip (check)
- Bike hire per day: ≈ XPF 800 (check)
Say or show
- Ia ora na — Hello / Excuse me (ee-ah-oh-rah-nah)
- Māuruuru — Thank you (mah-oo-roo-roo)
- E hia te utu? — How much? (eh-hee-ah-teh-oo-too)
- E hea te one? — Where is the beach? (eh-heh-ah-teh-oh-neh)
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 Rangiroa. 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 (dry season Oct–Apr offers calmer seas) · avoid Feb–Mar (higher rain days, check local forecast) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for a guided pearl‑farm tour.
- Combine with a dive trip to Fakarava (see /fakarava).
Sources
- officialDiscover Rangiroa
- officialAir Tahiti
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rangiroa, revision 5330119 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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