# Southern Stars Observatory, French Polynesia: what it is and when to go

> Southern Stars Observatory is an observatory in French Polynesia (Papeete). Interests: Stargazing. The best time to visit is March to November. In December there are 13 h 03 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 57. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/southern-stars-observatory/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-12
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Observatory · Stargazing
- **Where:** French Polynesia
- **You can go:** March to November.
- **Nearest airport:** PPT Papeete, 2.0 km as the crow flies
- **Website:** [southernstars-observatory.org](https://southernstars-observatory.org)
- **Run by:** Roland Santallo
- **Coordinates:** -17.55149, -149.58786

## What it is and where

Southern Stars Observatory is an observatory in French Polynesia (Papeete).

It is in [Papeete](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/papeete/), where this site lists 40 more places to see, 3.0 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are -17.55149, -149.58786; the nearest main airport is Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT, Papeete), 2.0 km as the crow flies. How to get around French Polynesia (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-17.551492%2C-149.587858)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=-17.551492%2C-149.587858)

- **Run by:** Roland Santallo

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

Months when you can visit Southern Stars Observatory: **March to November**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Better not | 12 h 57 |
| February | Better not | 12 h 34 |
| March | Possible | 12 h 07 |
| April | Possible | 11 h 36 |
| May | Possible | 11 h 11 |
| June | Possible | 10 h 57 |
| July | Possible | 11 h 03 |
| August | Possible | 11 h 24 |
| September | Possible | 11 h 54 |
| October | Possible | 12 h 25 |
| November | Possible | 12 h 50 |
| December | Better not | 13 h 03 |

In December there are 13 h 03 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 57. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

When to go to French Polynesia in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to French Polynesia

To enter French Polynesia there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Inter-island flights, bought before you leave home”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the French Polynesia checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/#antes-de-salir). Currency: CFP franc (XPF), pegged to the euro; plugs: Type C and E · 220 V · 60 Hz; emergencies: 112 · 15 ambulance · 17 police · 18 fire.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Epave Catalina](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/epave-catalina/): Dive site · 2.4 km
- [Papeete Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/cathedrale-notre-dame-de-papeete/): Cathedral located in Polynésie française, in France · 2.5 km
- [Observatoire d'astronomie de la S.A.T.](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/observatoire-d-astronomie-de-la-s-a-t/): Observatory · 2.7 km
- [La zelée](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/la-zelee/): Dive site · 2.8 km
- [La virgule](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/la-virgule/): Dive site · 2.9 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the French Polynesia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Southern Stars Observatory?

It is an observatory in French Polynesia.

### When is the best time to visit Southern Stars Observatory?

March to November. In December there are 13 h 03 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 57.

### How do you get to Southern Stars Observatory?

The nearest main airport is Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), 2.0 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=-17.551492%2C-149.587858) opens the route on the map, and how to get around French Polynesia is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the French Polynesia map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Epave Catalina](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/epave-catalina/), [Papeete Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/cathedrale-notre-dame-de-papeete/), [Observatoire d'astronomie de la S.A.T.](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/observatoire-d-astronomie-de-la-s-a-t/). The rest is in [the French Polynesia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/oceania/polinesia-francesa/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/7888453152), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/), CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).