Tahiti family-friendly travel guide

Because Tahiti is quite close to the equator, the temperature is consistently mild throughout the year and there can be heavy rainfall. Tahiti is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the temperatures are slightly cooler in June to August and the most rain falls in December to February.

Between the months of December and February, the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius and the average monthly rainfall is 220 millimetres.

Between the months of March and May, the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius and the average monthly rainfall is 120 millimetres.

Between the months of June and August, the average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius and the average monthly rainfall is 60 millimetres.

Between the months of September and November, the average temperature is 26 degrees Celsius and the average monthly rainfall is 100 millimetres.

You will need a valid passport to travel to French Polynesia. Make sure the passport is valid for at least six months after the date you intend to return to Australia and that it has at least two blank pages.

You are unlikely to need a visa for travelling to French Polynesia for tourism.

Faa’a International Airport is Tahiti’s main airport. It’s only a short taxi ride from the airport to Papeete and most of the major hotels.

Domestic flights with Air Tahiti can take you from Faa’a International Airport to other French Polynesia islands. These other islands can also be reached by yacht or ferry.

Modern Tahitian food is a mix of French, Chinese and Polynesian influences; soy sauce and coconut milk are commonly used ingredients.

Some local dishes that the whole family will enjoy include:

Poisson Cru/Ia Ota – a dish consisting of raw fish marinated in lime juice, served in coconut milk.
Chevreffes – native shrimp.
Kato – coconut milk biscuits.
Po’e – a pudding made of taro roots flavoured with tropical fruits, topped with coconut sauce.
Noni juice – juice from the Noni tree.
Hinano – Tahitian beer.

The nearby Jus de Fruits de Moorea factory is also worth a visit for fans of freshly made fruit juices.

Tahiti has lots of unique souvenirs for you to buy on your holiday from sarongs and monoi oil to black pearls. If you’re in search of pearls, try one of the bijouteries (jewellery shops).

Papeete Market is the best place for a shopping trip. If you want a more standard shopping centre, try Vaima Shopping Centre or Centre Moana Nui.

Stop by the Tahiti Vanilla Market for something different – almost all the products contain vanilla and the market ends up having a very pleasant aroma!

Tipping is not expected in Tahiti, although larger hotels have started adding a service charge for accommodation and dining.

Bargaining and haggling is not customary.

Pack light, comfortable clothing to suit the warm weather. Casual clothing is always acceptable in Tahiti, even in restaurants. Make sure you take everything you might want – finding items can be difficult and expensive, given how remote Tahiti is.

Most of the Tahitian population is religious and they have their own unique culture which is significant to them, so it is important to be respectful of their local customs and beliefs.

Greetings are similar to Western culture, Tahitians usually greet each other with a handshake or kiss on the cheek.

Remove shoes when entering someone’s home. If you are a guest at a meal, don’t be surprised if your host doesn’t eat.

Electricity mainly operates on 110 or 220 volts, with type A, B or E plugs.

Outbreaks of water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases can occur in Tahiti. Be particularly careful to avoid dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, Filariasis and Leptospirosis. To prevent these sorts of diseases, wear insect repellent, avoid raw food and practise good personal hygiene.

Tap water is safe to drink in Papeete but otherwise boil water or drink bottled water.

Cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis can occur in French Polynesia.

Although French is the official language throughout French Polynesia, Tahitian is spoken frequently. Below are some basic phrases in Tahitian.

Hello – Ia Orana
Goodbye – Nana
Thank you – Maururu
How are you? – Maita’i oe?
I’m fine thanks – Maita’i roa
What’s your name? – O vai to oe i’oa?
My name is… – O… to’u i’oa
I don’t understand – Aita i papu ia’u
How much is this? – E hia moni teie?

Most of the popular photo spots in Tahiti are in Papeete: the Papeete Market, Place Jacques Chirac, Bougainville Park and the Black Pearl Museum. Point Venus lighthouse and beach and Faarumai Waterfalls are also popular for photographers.

Outside of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora are also very popular photo places in French Polynesia.