Key takeaways
French Polynesia spans 118 islands and atolls across an ocean expanse the size of Europe, but most of the population and infrastructure sits on five main islands. Vini (operated by OPT) is the principal network with the widest 4G reach across Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea and the Tuamotus. Faa'a International Airport in Papeete has no free wifi, so install your Roamix French Polynesia eSIM before departure to arrive already connected. Budget 6 to 10 GB for a two-week island-hopping trip and download offline maps for remote atolls where data is unavailable.
- Vini (OPT) is the primary carrier with the widest 4G coverage across the main islands and some Tuamotu atolls.
- Faa'a International Airport in Papeete has no free wifi, making a pre-installed Roamix eSIM essential for arrival day connectivity.
- 5G is live on Tahiti around Papeete; outer islands are 4G LTE only.
- Remote atolls in the Tuamotus and the Marquesas have patchy or no mobile signal. Download offline maps before every inter-island flight.
- French Pacific franc (XPF) is the currency; cards are accepted on main islands, but remote atolls and village guesthouses are often cash only.
Best way to get data in French Polynesia
For most visitors island-hopping through French Polynesia, a Roamix eSIM on Vini is the most reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected, especially given the absence of free airport wifi at Faa'a.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers island-hopping | Instant activation on Vini before you leave home. Works on Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea and Rangiroa. No kiosk visit required. |
| Local Vini physical SIM | Best for: Longer stays needing a local Polynesian number | Available at Vini stores in Papeete and at the Vodafone kiosk at Faa'a Airport. Requires in-store purchase; no home delivery. |
| Resort wifi | Best for: Light browsing at luxury resorts | Often slow and unreliable in overwater bungalows. Do not depend on resort wifi for important bookings or navigation. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short stays with no setup time | French Polynesia is outside the EU roaming zone, so EU SIM holders pay roaming charges. Expensive from most home carriers. |
Resort wifi in French Polynesia is often slow and expensive, especially on outer islands. Overwater bungalows over the lagoon can have very weak wifi. Mobile data via Vini is more reliable in village areas and on the coast.
How much data you need
Data needs depend heavily on which islands you visit. A Papeete-Moorea-Bora Bora itinerary is data-friendly. Tuamotu and Marquesas travel requires heavy offline preparation because remote atolls have no signal.
4 to 6 GB
One week on Tahiti and Moorea
Navigation, daily social uploads, messaging and dining bookings in well-covered islands.
8 to 10 GB
Two week Society Islands and Tuamotu island hop
Heavy offline map pre-loading for remote atolls, dive operator bookings, Air Tahiti check-ins and photo uploads from Bora Bora.
20 GB or more
Remote work and longer stay in Papeete
Video calls, cloud uploads, tethering a laptop and reliable high-speed 5G in the capital.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB per hour of active navigation
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Before each Air Tahiti inter-island flight, download offline maps for the destination island. Atoll villages are not always on Google Maps offline; use Maps.me for remote locations.
How to set up a French Polynesia eSIM
Install your Roamix French Polynesia eSIM over wifi before leaving home. Since Faa'a Airport in Papeete has no free wifi, a pre-installed eSIM is the only way to arrive already connected.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix French Polynesia eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Install the eSIM profile via QR code or app over home wifi.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and SMS.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land at Papeete Faa'a Airport and the eSIM connects automatically to Vini.
Works on unlocked eSIM-capable phones including iPhone XR and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models.
Roamix configures the APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start on arrival, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
If no connection on arrival, check data roaming is on for the Roamix line, then manually select the Vini network in your phone settings.
Visa and entry for French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity. Citizens of the European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and most other developed countries do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Citizens of some countries require a visa obtainable from French embassies.
- eVisa or ETA
- There is no eVisa system for French Polynesia. Visa-exempt travellers simply present a valid passport on arrival. A proof of onward or return ticket and sufficient funds are required.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel is required and checked at check-in and on arrival. A round-trip ticket or confirmed onward booking satisfies this requirement.
Keep your return flight confirmation and hotel bookings accessible on your phone. Use your Roamix eSIM at the border if you need to pull up documentation.
Entry conditions change. Confirm requirements with the French consulate or the Haut-Commissariat de la Republique en Polynesie francaise before booking.
When you land in French Polynesia
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How people message here
Tahitians use WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for most communication. SMS is common for brief messages. French and Tahitian are the daily languages.
Do you need a local number?
A local French Polynesia number is rarely needed for a tourist stay. Tour operators, boat charters and hotels communicate via WhatsApp.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS authentication while using your Roamix eSIM for data. WhatsApp calls replace most expensive international call needs.
Airports in French Polynesia
PPT
Tahiti Faa'a International Airport
Papeete
No free public wifi at Faa'a Airport. A paid wifi service may be available but is unreliable. Install your eSIM before departure.
With your Roamix eSIM installed before landing, you step off at Papeete already connected to Vini. Use data to book your ferry to Moorea or check your Bora Bora flight time without needing airport wifi.
BOB
Bora Bora Airport
Bora Bora
Limited wifi at the small island airport on Motu Mute. Boat transfer to the main island takes 20 minutes.
Confirm your resort boat shuttle is arranged over Roamix data before landing. The lagoon transfer to your resort bungalow has no connectivity once on the water.
RGI
Rangiroa Airport
Rangiroa
No public wifi at the small Rangiroa domestic terminal.
Download your dive operator schedule and lagoon tour bookings over Roamix data before boarding in Papeete. Vini 4G is available in Avatoru village near the airport.
RFP
Raiatea Airport
Uturoa
No free public wifi. Small domestic terminal with basic facilities.
Raiatea is the sailing charter hub of French Polynesia. Confirm your boat charter schedule and provision list over Roamix data in Uturoa before departing for the lagoon.
Apps and internet access in French Polynesia
French Polynesia has a fully open internet. All common apps including WhatsApp, Google Maps, FaceTime and social media work normally on a Roamix eSIM with no restrictions.
There is no internet censorship. No VPN is required for any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over 4G, 5G and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions. Download offline maps for outer islands.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok all work.
Getting around French Polynesia
Getting around French Polynesia means mastering the domestic air and ferry network. Air Tahiti links 47 destinations across the archipelago. Inter-island ferries connect the Society Islands. Within islands, rental cars, bicycles and boats are the main options.
Air Tahiti domestic flights
Air Tahiti connects 47 islands from Papeete. Check in online with Roamix data, download boarding passes and track delays. Book early as seats fill on popular routes.
Inter-island ferries
The Aremiti and Moorea ferries run frequently between Papeete and Moorea. Use Roamix data to check sailing times and book tickets on the ferry app.
Rental car and scooter
Available on Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Use Google Maps with offline maps downloaded. Bora Bora's single road loops the island and is easy to navigate.
Lagoon boat tours
Essential for reaching outer motu islets and dive sites. Book over Roamix data before arriving at your island, as popular tours fill weeks ahead in peak season.
Le Truck, the traditional Tahiti local bus service, connects Papeete suburbs. Rental scooters and le truck are the most affordable ways to explore Tahiti and Moorea. Bora Bora has a single road and bicycles are sufficient.
Money and payments in French Polynesia
French Polynesia uses the XPF (CFP franc), pegged to the euro at a fixed rate. Cards are widely accepted in Papeete, resorts and main island shops, but remote atolls and village pension guesthouses are often cash only.
- Cards and cash
- Cards work well in Papeete, Bora Bora resorts and Moorea. Carry enough XPF cash for smaller islands, local markets and dive operators who may not take cards.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available in Papeete, Bora Bora's Vaitape village and Uturoa on Raiatea. Remote atolls have no ATMs. Withdraw cash in Papeete before flying to the Tuamotus or Marquesas.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at some Papeete businesses. Local mobile money is not widespread. Cash remains essential outside main islands.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not customary in French Polynesia and can sometimes be perceived as condescending. Service charges are included in resort pricing. A genuine compliment to a local guide is appreciated more than cash.
Daily budget
French Polynesia is expensive. Budget travellers staying in pensions spend 15,000 to 25,000 XPF per day. Mid-range resort stays run 30,000 to 80,000 XPF per day. Overwater bungalows at luxury resorts cost significantly more.
Local tips for French Polynesia
- Language
- French is the official language. Tahitian (Reo Tahiti) is widely spoken and used in greetings and daily life. English is understood at tourist-facing businesses in Papeete, Bora Bora and major resorts, but French skills help on outer islands.
- Food
- Poisson cru, raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime, is the national dish. Fresh tuna, mahi-mahi and lagoon fish are staples. The Papeete roulotte food trucks along the waterfront serve affordable Chinese and Tahitian food every evening.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type A and E plugs
Apps worth having
Air Tahiti
transport
Book inter-island flights, manage bookings, check schedules and download boarding passes for all 47 Air Tahiti destinations.
Maps.me
navigation
Offline maps covering remote atolls and Marquesas tracks not always available in Google Maps offline mode.
WhatsApp
communication
The primary communication tool for tour operators, pension owners, dive centres and boat charter captains throughout French Polynesia.
Safety and health in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is very safe for tourists. Ocean hazards including strong currents in passes and sharks in dive sites are the main risks. Stay connected to receive cyclone and weather alerts November to April.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to receive meteo alerts from Meteo France Polynesie and to communicate with boat tour operators about sea conditions. For sailing charters, carry a VHF radio as backup.
- Health
- Medical facilities are good in Papeete. Outer islands have only basic clinics and serious emergencies require evacuation to Tahiti. Travel health insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe in Papeete and on main islands. On remote atolls, drink bottled or filtered water only. Fresh water is scarce on low-lying atolls.
Networks and coverage in French Polynesia
French Polynesia has three mobile operators: Vini (the state-backed OPT subsidiary), Vodafone and Ora. Vini is the dominant player with 4G across all main islands and 5G in central Papeete. Vodafone is strong on Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea and Huahine. Ora covers only Tahiti and Moorea. A Roamix French Polynesia eSIM connects to Vini on arrival at Faa'a Airport, the most reliable choice for island-hopping travellers.
Vini (OPT)
Principal operator with the widest footprint. Covers Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, Rangiroa and many Tuamotu atolls. The only operator with meaningful rural and inter-island coverage.
Vodafone French Polynesia
Covers Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea and Huahine with reliable 4G. Good in resorts and village centres. Does not extend to remote atolls.
Ora
The smallest operator, covering Tahiti and Moorea only. Offers competitive pricing but unsuitable for island-hopping beyond these two islands.
- Typical speeds
- 5G delivers 50 to 150 Mbps in Papeete. 4G LTE delivers 20 to 60 Mbps on main outer islands.
- 5G
- 5G is live on Tahiti in and around Papeete. All other islands are 4G LTE only.
For Bora Bora overwater bungalows, Vini delivers the strongest signal. Download your resort map and boat shuttle schedule before checking in, as water bungalows 50 metres from shore can lose a bar of signal.
Remote atolls in the Marquesas archipelago and the far Tuamotus often have no coverage or only 2G. Signal disappears entirely on open ocean between islands. Even on main islands, resort bungalows over the lagoon may have patchy signal. Vini uses standard 4G LTE bands and 5G NR on Tahiti. Most recent unlocked iPhones and Android phones are compatible.
Where to go in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an archipelago dream: turquoise lagoons, overwater bungalows, black-sand volcanic beaches and some of the best diving on the planet. Getting around means domestic flights on Air Tahiti, inter-island ferries and lagoon boat shuttles. Data is reliable on the main Society Islands but becomes unpredictable in the Marquesas and remote Tuamotus.
Best time to visit
May to October is the dry and cool season with the best conditions for diving, snorkelling and outdoor activities. July sees the Heiva festival. November to April is warmer and wetter with occasional tropical cyclone risk in the southern groups.
Tahiti and Moorea
The twin Society Islands that form the gateway to French Polynesia. Papeete is the cosmopolitan capital with markets, restaurants and nightlife. Moorea is 17 km across the strait with dramatic volcanic peaks, a pristine lagoon and no high-rise development.
- Papeete market
- Moorea lagoon
- Belvedere Lookout Moorea
- Vaipahi Gardens
- Papenoo Valley waterfall
Best connectivity in French Polynesia. 5G in Papeete, solid 4G across Tahiti and Moorea including the coast roads and most valley interiors. Vini is strongest; Vodafone and Ora also cover these islands.
Bora Bora and Raiatea
Bora Bora is the most famous island in the Pacific, ringed by a translucent lagoon and presided over by the volcanic Mont Otemanu. Raiatea, 40 km to the northwest, is the spiritual heart of Polynesia and the departure point for sailing charters.
- Mont Otemanu
- Matira Beach
- Bora Bora lagoon tours
- Taputapuatea Marae
- Faaroa River Raiatea
Vini 4G covers Bora Bora's main village, Vaitape, and the airport islet. Resort bungalows over the lagoon can be patchy. Raiatea has solid 4G in Uturoa town.
Huahine, Maupiti and the Leeward Islands
The quieter Society Islands beyond Bora Bora. Huahine has vanilla and melon plantations, ancient marae temples and a slower pace. Maupiti is tiny, car-free and dramatically beautiful.
- Huahine ancient marae
- Avapeihi Pass Maupiti
- Maeva village fish traps
- Maupiti lagoon
- Fiti'i village
Vini covers Huahine's main villages with 4G. Maupiti has very limited signal; download everything before the Air Tahiti flight from Bora Bora.
Rangiroa and the Tuamotu Atolls
A vast chain of low coral atolls east of Tahiti. Rangiroa is the second-largest atoll lagoon in the world and among the best drift dive sites on the planet. Fakarava is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. More remote atolls are among the most isolated places accessible to travellers.
- Tiputa Pass drift dive
- Pink Sand Beach Rangiroa
- Fakarava South Pass
- Blue Lagoon Rangiroa
- Manihi pearl farm
Vini covers Rangiroa's two main villages, Avatoru and Tiputa, with 4G. Fakarava has limited signal at Rotoava village. Most remote atolls have no coverage at all.
Marquesas Islands
The most remote island group in French Polynesia, lying northeast of Tahiti in the intertropical zone. Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa are the main islands, famous for their volcanic landscapes, tiki sculptures and as the burial place of Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel.
- Taiohae Bay Nuku Hiva
- Hakaui Valley waterfall
- Paul Gauguin Museum Atuona
- Hanamenu Bay
- Hatiheu marae
Connectivity is patchy and unreliable. Vini covers Taiohae on Nuku Hiva and Atuona on Hiva Oa with varying 4G. Jungle valleys and remote bays have no signal. Download everything before arrival.
Off the beaten path
One of the world's great drift dives, where the incoming tide flushes through a narrow atoll pass carrying hundreds of grey reef sharks, hammerheads, dolphins and manta rays past divers hovering at the channel edge.
Signal: No signal on the water or in the pass. Avatoru village 2 km away has Vini 4G. Download your dive briefing and tidal chart before going in.
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve pass where up to 700 grey reef sharks gather in the channel for the annual grouper spawning. The wall of sharks in the current is one of the most spectacular sights in the ocean.
Signal: Very limited signal at Tetamanu village near the south pass. Download your dive operator details and accommodation confirmation before leaving Papeete.
A UNESCO World Heritage site and the most sacred marae (temple) in all of Polynesia, from which the entire Pacific was settled by Polynesian voyagers. The complex of coral stone altars on the edge of a lagoon is among the most spiritual places in the Pacific.
Signal: Vini 4G covers Uturoa town and the main road to the marae, about 20 km south. The marae site itself has adequate signal.
A remote valley accessible only by boat from Taiohae, leading to the Vaipo waterfall, one of the world's tallest at 350 metres. Dense jungle, wild horses and absolute silence reward the two-hour hike.
Signal: No mobile signal in the valley. Taiohae Bay has variable Vini 4G. Download topographic maps and the boat transfer schedule before the trip.
Consistently rated among the most beautiful beaches in the world, Matira is the only public beach on Bora Bora, where the lagoon's extraordinary turquoise-to-emerald gradient meets powder-white sand open to all visitors.
Signal: Vini 4G coverage along the main road from Vaitape to Matira. Signal is adequate for photo uploads and navigation on the beach.
A lush agricultural valley flanked by volcanic peaks where vanilla plantations, tropical fruit farms and restored marae stone platforms sit beneath the dramatic profile of Mount Rotui. Accessible by car in 30 minutes from the ferry pier.
Signal: Orange Caraibe and Vini both cover the Moorea coastal road. Coverage in the upper Opunohu Valley is patchy.
A shallow inner lagoon within Rangiroa's enormous atoll where the water reaches a blinding luminescent blue. The boat trip passes through a narrow motu channel and the Blue Lagoon's waters are calm enough for swimming with blacktip reef sharks and rays.
Signal: No signal at the Blue Lagoon motu, 50 km from Avatoru. Bring a fully charged phone and download the boat operator contact before departure.
Hiva Oa is where Paul Gauguin spent his final years and is buried. The Espace Culturel Paul Gauguin houses faithful reproductions of his major works alongside Jacques Brel's grave and aircraft in the same village cemetery.
Signal: Patchy Vini 4G in Atuona. Download your Hiva Oa map and museum details before the Air Tahiti flight from Papeete.
A tiny village of 30 people at the southern tip of Fakarava, accessible only by Air Tahiti or boat. The old French colonial church, pristine motu beaches and the famous South Pass are within walking distance. Near-total silence and no crowds.
Signal: No mobile signal at Tetamanu, one of the most remote inhabited spots in French Polynesia. Stock up on XPF cash and download everything before leaving Papeete.
The Taravao Plateau on the narrow isthmus of Tahiti Iti offers sweeping views over both coasts of Tahiti simultaneously, with the north coast's calm lagoon and the south coast's wild Atlantic surf visible at once.
Signal: Vini 4G covers the Taravao town and the main road onto the plateau. Signal is available at the plateau viewpoint.
Events and seasons in French Polynesia
May, one week
Tahiti Pearl Regatta
Society Islands waters
A blue-water sailing race through the Society Islands passing Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora Bora. The regatta combines competitive sailing with nightly shore parties at each island stop.
June
Aito Individual Outrigger Race
Tahiti
The most prestigious individual outrigger canoe race in Polynesia, where solo paddlers race 44 km around Tahiti's north coast. The Aito is considered the ultimate test of Polynesian paddling endurance.
June
Tahiti Nui Marathon
Tahiti
An international marathon along the south coast of Tahiti Nui, combining competitive road running with extraordinary Pacific scenery. Attracts international runners alongside local Polynesian athletes.
July
Heiva i Tahiti
Papeete, Tahiti
The most important cultural festival in French Polynesia, running throughout July with traditional dance competitions, outrigger canoe racing, javelin throwing, stone lifting and fruit-carrier races. Traditional Polynesian costumes, drumming and chant reach their peak in the Grand Gala evening performances.
July to August
Rangiroa Shark Festival
Rangiroa
A period of exceptional shark activity in Tiputa and Avatoru passes during the peak dive season, when dive centres offer special dawn and dusk drift dives to witness the highest shark concentrations of the year.
August
Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Festival
Papeete waterfront
A waterfront festival celebrating ocean sports, Polynesian culture and family activities on the Papeete seafront, with stand-up paddle competitions, beach volleyball, traditional food stalls and live music.
November, three days
Hawaiki Nui Va'a Outrigger Canoe Race
Huahine to Bora Bora
The most prestigious outrigger canoe race in the Pacific, covering 130 km over three stages from Huahine to Raiatea to Tahaa and finishing at Bora Bora. The finish in Bora Bora's lagoon draws enormous crowds and a major celebration.
November
Black Pearl Queen Contest
Papeete
The annual beauty and cultural contest that celebrates the Tahitian black pearl industry, crowning the ambassador of French Polynesia's most famous luxury export in a gala evening in Papeete.
December, every four years
Marquesas Festival
Alternates between Nuku Hiva and Hiva Oa
A grand gathering of Marquesan communities from all six inhabited islands, celebrating traditional tattoo, tapa cloth, woodcarving, dance and chant. One of the most authentic indigenous Pacific festivals, drawing Polynesian communities from Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island.
December 31
New Year in Papeete
Papeete
Papeete celebrates New Year with fireworks over the waterfront, a major open-air concert on the Place Vai'ete and dancing until dawn at the roulotte trucks along the port. One of the most vibrant New Year celebrations in the Pacific.
Through the year
- Spring
- September to November is a warm shoulder season with low rainfall and calmer seas. The Hawaiki Nui Va'a outrigger race peaks in November. Cyclone season begins in late November for southern atolls.
- Summer
- In the Southern Hemisphere, December to February is the wet and hot season. This is French Polynesia's summer, with temperatures reaching 32C, high humidity and frequent afternoon tropical downpours. Cyclone risk is present for southern groups. Carnival in Papeete brings festive energy.
- Fall
- March to May is the tail of the wet season transitioning to dry conditions. Seas can be choppy through April. The Tahiti Pearl Regatta sails in May and the Aito outrigger race follows in June.
- Winter
- June to August is the cool dry season, the best time to visit. Temperatures drop to a pleasant 26C, humidity falls and the Heiva cultural festival fills July. Shark diving in Rangiroa peaks in July and August.
Working remotely from French Polynesia
Papeete is a workable remote base with 5G speeds and coworking options. Outer island connectivity is too unreliable for consistent remote work. A Bora Bora working holiday is romantic but impractical for video-call-heavy schedules.
- Connection
- 5G in Papeete delivers fast speeds for video calls and cloud uploads. Outside the capital, 4G works for moderate use on main islands but becomes patchy on outer atolls.
If combining remote work with French Polynesia travel, plan work days for Papeete or Moorea and save outer island excursions for days when you can go offline.
