French Polynesia, Oceania & Pacific

Tahiti in August

Still peak season. Humpback whales begin arriving, and big surf season at Teahupo'o.

GoodDry, the coolest month, highs near 81F (27C)

Overwater bungalows in the Bora Bora lagoon — TahitiPhoto: Didierlefort, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

August is a good month to visit Tahiti. Still peak season. Humpback whales begin arriving, and big surf season at Teahupo'o.

Weather: Dry, the coolest month, highs near 81F (27C)
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Tahiti

August is the coolest month, with highs near 81F (27C), and still dry and sunny. It remains peak season, with busy resorts and top prices. Humpback whales begin arriving around Tahiti and Moorea, and big swells hit Teahupo'o, where the pro surf contest is often held this month.

It suits families on summer break, surf fans, and whale watchers who want an early look. If you want the full whale season with thinner crowds and lower prices, September is better. Budget travelers should look at May or November instead, when rates drop and crowds thin.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Tahiti this month.

Whales arrive

Humpbacks begin arriving to calve and mate in the warm waters around Tahiti and Moorea. Book with a licensed operator.

Teahupo'o surf contest

The pro surf contest at Teahupo'o is often held in August. Watching from a boat channel is a highlight for many visitors.

Comfortable, cooler days

The coolest weather of the year makes hiking and exploring Moorea's peaks more pleasant.

What to pack for August

A light sweater for cooler evenings
Binoculars for whales
Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
Seasickness tablets for boat trips

Our timing tip

Book whale trips for the second half of August, when more humpbacks have arrived, and reserve early since licensed spots are limited.

Book Tahiti for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Tahiti
Opens a hotel search for Tahiti in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Tahiti
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Tahiti
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Tahiti for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Humpback whale season

Roughly August to October, sometimes into November

Humpbacks come to the warm waters around Tahiti, Moorea, and the Austral Islands to calve and mate. Licensed operators run in-water encounters in some areas.

Big-wave season at Teahupo'o

Roughly May to September, with the pro surf contest often held in August

Southern hemisphere swells reach Tahiti's south coast, where Teahupo'o's famous wave was the surf venue of the 2024 Olympics.

Things to do in Tahiti

Full guide

Bora Bora's lagoon

Snorkel with rays and reef sharks, or take a lagoon tour to see Mount Otemanu from the water. Stay on a motu for the classic views.

Tickets and tours →

Moorea

Just a 30-to-45-minute ferry from Papeete, with dramatic peaks, Belvedere Lookout, and some of the best whale watching in season.

Tickets and tours →

Rangiroa and Fakarava diving

Drift dive through the passes with sharks and dolphins. Fakarava's south pass hosts a famous grouper spawning aggregation with hundreds of sharks, usually around June or July.

Tickets and tours →

Heiva i Tahiti

Competitive dance, song, and sports in Papeete in July. Book tickets and accommodation early.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Papeete market

The municipal market for flowers, pareos, vanilla, and local food. Best early in the morning.

Tickets and tours →

Taha'a vanilla and pearls

A quiet island known for vanilla plantations and black pearl farms, easily reached from Raiatea.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Choose May, June, September, or October: dry-season weather, whales in the later months, and better rates than July and August.
Visit smaller islands like Taha'a, Huahine, or the Tuamotus for fewer visitors and more authentic island life.
Book overwater bungalows early for peak dates or look for multi-island packages and inter-island air passes, which can cut costs.
Explore Moorea on a weekday; Papeete residents head there on weekends.

Know before you go

Most businesses close on Sundays outside resorts, and many shops close at midday. Plan groceries and markets accordingly.
Inter-island flights by Air Tahiti can be affected by weather in the wet season; build buffer days before international departures.
During cyclone alerts, resorts and ferries may suspend activities; direct hits on the Society Islands are uncommon but possible.
Whale-watching activities are regulated, with seasonal permits and strict approach rules; book with licensed operators.

Tahiti in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Tahiti?

August is a good month to visit Tahiti. Still peak season. Humpback whales begin arriving, and big surf season at Teahupo'o.

What is the weather like in Tahiti in August?

Dry, the coolest month, highs near 81F (27C).

Is Tahiti crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Tahiti; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Tahiti in August?

Humpback whale season (roughly august to october, sometimes into november); Big-wave season at Teahupo'o (roughly may to september, with the pro surf contest often held in august).