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

What counts as nature

National parks and protected areas, volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, gorges, fjords, caves, dunes and viewpoints: the things you go to see because they were there long before anyone else. Best in good weather: the mild months are the best time, and in the tropics the rains decide.

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 76, 51 also count as mountains, 7 also count as diving and 2 also count as wildlife.

When to go

For nature 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 02 of daylight, and in June, 10 h 58. Daylight hours are those at the average latitude of these places, on the 15th of each month.

Counting place by place, in May 76 of the 76 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 Mont Orohena (2,241 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.

• Mont Orohena — mountain on the island of Tahiti (30 Wikipedias)
• Mount Otemanu — mountain on Bora Bora (11 Wikipedias)
• Mount Tohivea — mountain in France (10 Wikipedias)
• Matavai Bay — bay on the north coast of Tahiti (9 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)

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. Mont Orohena is the highest, at 2,241 m, and Moua Pihaa the lowest, at -180 m. Most of them are in Papeete (15) and Quai Paul Gauguin (9). Open whichever you like and have a look before you decide on the trip.

• Mont OrohenaMountain on the island of Tahiti2,241 m
• Mount OtemanuMountain on Bora Bora727 m
• Mount TohiveaMountain in France1,207 m
• Matavai BayBay on the north coast of TahitiPapeete
• Mount DuffMountain in French Polynesia441 m
• Mont OaveMountain in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia1,230 m
• TemetiuNature1,266 m
• Mont AoraiMountain in France2,066 m
• Cook's BayBay in FranceQuai Paul Gauguin
• Mont RotuiQuai Paul Gauguin899 m
• Opunohu BayBay in Moorea-Maiao, FranceQuai Paul Gauguin
• HitikauMountain in France887 m
• Mount RonuiShield volcano in French Polynesia1,332 m
• Tautira BayBay in Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Mount PahiaMountain on Bora Bora661 m
• Pito HitiMountain in France2,107 m
• Hana VaveBay in Fatu-Hiva, France
• Mt TautuapaeMountain in France769 m
• AraopeMountain in France
• AreaMountain in France459 m
• AteuruMountain in France1,046 m
• Baie VaïareBay in FranceQuai Paul Gauguin
• DiadèmeMountain in France1,321 m
• FataveteMountain in France687 m

And the other 52:

• Papeete: Le Pic Rouge, Mamanu, Mauru, Mont Faiere, Papaihona, Pariauta, Tahuotira, Teraiotupo, Totini, Grottes du Tahara
• Quai Paul Gauguin: Puuroa, Mont Ruahiti, Sommet Tuputupuraa
• Outside the towns: Mahire, Mapurarahi, Pic Mataihua, Matie, Matotea, Mont Matarufau, Mont Motu, Mont Ohiri, Mont Pukunia, Mont Rauiri, Mont Vavahi, Orofaamu, Orohe, Parau, Pehuea, Pihau, Tara, Tarania, Tararea, Tatara-moa, Passe Teavapiti, Mont Terua Kotuku, Tuiora, Vaipuu, Iriru, Keiaki, Manureva, Marae Moana, Mont Fareura, mont MacDonald, Mont Tekao, Moua Pihaa, Namana, Pa’ipa’i, Rahui de Teahupoo, Rauto’Anui, Tahoatikikau, Te Ava Mo’a, Te Tuatiare

More in French Polynesia

Everything else listed for French Polynesia, with how many places of each kind: Mountains (51) · 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.