Mountains in French Polynesia: what there is and when to go

What counts as mountains

Summits, passes and cols, high mountain huts, cable cars and climbing routes; and everything above 1,500 metres, where a path becomes a mountain path. Above 1,800 m the season shrinks to the snow-free months, June to September in the northern hemisphere: that is why each place gives its own.

Each place is included because of how its source describes it, not because of what anyone says about it: that is why a castle that is now a museum appears under history and museums at the same time. Of these 51, 51 also count as nature.

When to go

For mountains in French Polynesia, the best time is May to October, and it is also possible March to April and November.

In December there are 13 h 03 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 57. Daylight hours are those at the average latitude of these places, on the 15th of each month.

Counting place by place, in May 51 of the 51 are at their best, and in January, 0.

Mind the altitude: above 1,800 m there is snow until June and it returns in October, so Pito Hiti (2,107 m) has quite a few weeks fewer than the rest. Each place gives its own.

When to visit French Polynesia in general, with its festivals and high seasons, is on its page.

The best known

Ranked by how many Wikipedia editions have an article on them, which is the closest thing to measuring fame without asking anyone.

• Mount Otemanu — mountain on Bora Bora (11 Wikipedias)
• Mount Tohivea — mountain in France (10 Wikipedias)
• Mount Duff — mountain in French Polynesia (9 Wikipedias)
• Mont Oave — mountain in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia (9 Wikipedias)
• Temetiu (7 Wikipedias)
• Mont Aorai — mountain in France (5 Wikipedias)
• Mont Rotui (5 Wikipedias)
• Hitikau — mountain in France (4 Wikipedias)

What there is

Each one has its own page: what it is, where it lies, its altitude, its daylight hours and which months are worth it. Pito Hiti is the highest, at 2,107 m, and Mont Terua Kotuku the lowest, at 171 m. Most of them are in Papeete (12) and Quai Paul Gauguin (6). Open whichever you like and have a look before you decide on the trip.

• Mount OtemanuMountain on Bora Bora727 m
• Mount TohiveaMountain in France1,207 m
• Mount DuffMountain in French Polynesia441 m
• Mont OaveMountain in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia1,230 m
• TemetiuMountains1,266 m
• Mont AoraiMountain in France2,066 m
• Mont RotuiQuai Paul Gauguin899 m
• HitikauMountain in France887 m
• Mount PahiaMountain on Bora Bora661 m
• Pito HitiMountain in France2,107 m
• Mt TautuapaeMountain in France769 m
• AraopeMountain in France
• AreaMountain in France459 m
• AteuruMountain in France1,046 m
• DiadèmeMountain in France1,321 m
• FataveteMountain in France687 m
• Le Pic RougeMountain in FrancePapeete
• MamanuMountain in France909 m
• MahireMountain in France820 m
• MapurarahiMountain in France409 m
• Pic MataihuaSummit in France314 m
• MatieMountain in France
• MatoteaMountain in France
• MauruMountain in FrancePapeete

And the other 27:

• Papeete: Mont Faiere, Papaihona, Pariauta, Tahuotira, Teraiotupo, Totini
• Quai Paul Gauguin: Puuroa, Mont Ruahiti, Sommet Tuputupuraa
• Outside the towns: Mont Matarufau, Mont Motu, Mont Ohiri, Mont Pukunia, Mont Rauiri, Mont Vavahi, Orofaamu, Orohe, Parau, Pehuea, Pihau, Tara, Tarania, Tararea, Tatara-moa, Mont Terua Kotuku, Tuiora, Vaipuu

More in French Polynesia

Everything else listed for French Polynesia, with how many places of each kind: Nature (76) · Beaches (15) · Diving (46) · Temples (39).

And if you are looking at it the other way round —I know when I can go, tell me where— that is where to travel.

Frequently asked questions

Keep reading

• Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
• DestinationsVisas, vaccines, plugs, currency, when to go and how to get around, country by country: 105 destinations and 855 things to sort before you leave.