French Polynesia, Dry
A curated packing list for your trip between Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora. Built for tropical heat, lagoon snorkel days, French-influenced island life, and the easy luxury of overwater bungalow afternoons.
Border & arrival
What customs and immigration expect.
On the ground
How life actually works once you arrive.
Visa-free, 90 days
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens enter visa-free. French overseas territory but not Schengen, so no ETIAS or French visa needed for short visits. Onward ticket may be requested.
Equatorial UV, all day
Tahiti sits 17° south. UV regularly hits 11-12 (extreme). SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses with strap. Apply before snorkel sessions; reapply every 90 minutes when on the water.
CFP Franc, cards in resorts
Currency is the CFP Franc (XPF), pegged to the Euro. Resorts and most restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard. Cash for taxis, market stalls, smaller pensions. ATMs in Papeete and Bora Bora, limited on smaller atolls. USD and EUR not widely accepted.
Tipping is uncommon
Service is included in restaurant prices. Tipping is genuinely not expected, though XPF $500-1,000 ($5-10) for a great guided activity is appreciated. No tipping at cafés, bars, taxis. The Polynesian "mauruuru" (thank you) carries the day.
Air Tahiti hops are long but scenic
Inter-island flights between Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, and the Marquesas run on Air Tahiti. Bookings are usually paired with resort packages. Domestic baggage limit is 23kg; some smaller atolls have lower 10-15kg caps.
Type C and E plugs at 220V
European-standard outlets (same as France). US, UK, and Australian travelers need an adapter. Most modern phone, laptop, camera chargers handle 220V; check single-voltage hair tools.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Bookings, applications, and admin for the weeks before departure. Work backwards from your trip date.
- 6 weeks out
- 4 weeks out
- 2 weeks out
- 1 week out
- Day before
- Day of
Clothing
Light, breathable, swim-ready. Resorts are casual; one nicer outfit covers everything.
Shoes
Sandals do almost everything. Reef shoes for sharp coral or rocky lagoon entries.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory in many lagoons. Bring extra; on-island prices are very high.
Health & Medications
Sunburn, mosquito bites, and reef cuts are the everyday risks.
Documents & Money
Cards in resorts, XPF cash for everywhere else. USD and EUR rarely accepted.
Tech & Electronics
Type C/E at 220V. Same as France.
Luggage & Organization
Air Tahiti weight limits run 10-23kg depending on the route. Pack light.
Comfort & In-Transit
Long-haul to Papeete (8-15 hours from US/Asia). Inter-island flights are short and scenic.
Weather & Climate Gear
Sun is the daily challenge; tropical storms in shoulder season.
Cultural & Activity-Specific
Lagoon snorkeling, Polynesian dance shows, vanilla farms each ask for something.
Safety & Precautions
French Polynesia is very safe. Resort bubbles especially so.