Practical Information for visiting French Polynesia

The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), used across France’s Pacific territories and pegged to the euro at a fixed rate — roughly 119 francs to the euro, which makes conversion awkward but predictable.

Cards are accepted in hotels, resorts, restaurants, dive centres and supermarkets on the main islands. Cash is needed on smaller islands and atolls, at markets, roulottes and family pensions, some of which take nothing else. Draw before leaving Tahiti or Moorea.

ATMs exist on the main islands and are scarce or absent on the atolls.

Prices are high and generally include tax. There is no VAT refund scheme for visitors on most goods.

Tipping is not part of Polynesian custom and is not expected, though it is accepted in the international resorts. Do not feel obliged.

Coverage for mobile networks is good on Tahiti, Moorea and the main Society Islands from Vini and Vodafone, with 4G in the populated areas. It thins across the Tuamotu and the Marquesas, where some atolls have limited service and some villages none.

Local SIMs and tourist data packages are available at the airport and in Papeete, and are cheaper than roaming.

Wi-Fi is available in hotels and pensions, often satellite-fed, frequently slow, and sometimes charged. On remote atolls it may be limited to a shared connection for an hour or two.

Power on small atolls may be solar or generator with limited hours. Bring a power bank, and download charts, maps and reading before leaving Tahiti.

French Polynesia is very safe, with low crime and no significant political or security risk. The hazards are marine and logistical.

• The lagoon passes. Water moves through reef passes at several knots on a changing tide, and a snorkeller who drifts into one is going out to sea. Only dive or snorkel a pass with an operator who knows the tide.
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• Coral and marine life: stonefish in shallow sand, cone shells, lionfish and fire coral. Wear reef shoes, touch nothing, and shuffle your feet in shallow water.
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• Sharks are abundant and incidents are very rare, but feeding dives have changed behaviour in a few spots; follow the briefing.
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• Sun is the most reliable way to ruin a trip here. The UV index is extreme year round.
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• Remoteness. On an outer atoll you may be a long flight from a doctor, and flights are not daily.
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• Cyclones between November and April, though less frequent than further west.

Healthcare on Tahiti is good and French-standard, with the main hospital in Papeete. The outer islands have small clinics or a nurse only, and anything serious means evacuation to Tahiti and sometimes onward to New Zealand or France. Insurance covering evacuation is essential, particularly if you dive.

Vaccinations: routine cover. There is no malaria.

Dengue, chikungunya and Zika all circulate with periodic outbreaks, carried by a day-biting mosquito. Use repellent through the day. Ciguatera — poisoning from toxins accumulated in certain reef fish — is a genuine local issue; follow local advice on which fish are safe, which varies island by island.

Diving: the recompression chamber is in Papeete, which can be a long way from Fakarava or the Marquesas. Dive conservatively and respect flying intervals.

Coral cuts infect quickly; clean them thoroughly at once.

Water: safe to drink on Tahiti and Bora Bora, and generally rainwater catchment on atolls where bottled or filtered is wiser. Ask locally.

Greet people. Ia orana on entering a shop or passing someone is expected, and Polynesian courtesy is unhurried — going straight to a request reads as brusque.

Dress: swimwear is for the beach and the boat. Cover up in villages, shops and especially churches, where people dress formally and hats are worn by women rather than removed.

Marae are sacred. Do not climb on the stones, move them, or treat the platforms as a photo backdrop, and follow any instruction not to enter.

Ask before photographing people, particularly at the Heiva and in villages.

Sunday is for church and family; many businesses close and the islands are quiet.

Shoes off entering a home.

French law applies, including on drugs, which carry serious penalties. Drone use requires authorisation.

Taking coral, shells or black pearls without provenance out of the country is restricted.

Emergency numbers: 15 for medical, 17 for police, 18 for fire, and 112 as the general European number, all of which work here.

Medical. The Centre Hospitalier de la Polynesie francaise in Papeete is the main hospital and is well equipped. Outer islands have infirmaries; evacuation to Tahiti is by air and depends on the schedule and the weather.

Diving emergencies: the recompression chamber is in Papeete. From a Tuamotu atoll that is a flight away, which is a strong argument for conservative profiles.

At sea, the maritime rescue coordination centre in Papeete covers the whole territory; VHF channel 16 is monitored.

Cyclone warnings come from Meteo France and are broadcast locally; follow official instructions and expect flights to stop before a storm.

Consular matters are handled through the French authorities; some countries maintain honorary consuls in Papeete.