French Polynesia, Oceania & Pacific

Tahiti in December

Rain and cyclone season, but the Christmas and New Year weeks still bring peak prices.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), rainy

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

The straight answer

December is a month of real tradeoffs in Tahiti. Rain and cyclone season, but the Christmas and New Year weeks still bring peak prices.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), rainy
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Tahiti

December is hot and humid, with highs near 86F (30C), frequent rain, and the start of cyclone season. Early in the month is quiet and fairly priced, but the Christmas and New Year weeks bring peak rates and busy resorts. Many shops outside resorts close on Sundays and holidays.

It suits families and couples who can only travel over the holidays and want a warm, festive escape. Book well ahead and expect some rainy days. If you have flexible dates, September and October give you far better weather at lower prices.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Tahiti this month.

A warm Christmas in the lagoon

Resorts on Bora Bora and Moorea make a festive, warm-weather holiday, with lagoons at bath temperature.

Early-December value

The first two weeks of December are quieter and cheaper than the holiday stretch.

Moorea for families

Moorea has more family-friendly lodging than Bora Bora, with lower prices and easy ferry access from Tahiti.

What to pack for December

A compact umbrella or rain shell
Breathable, quick-dry clothing
Reef-safe sunscreen
Travel insurance that covers weather delays

Our timing tip

Book holiday-week bungalows many months ahead, and stock up on groceries before Sundays and Christmas Day, when many shops close.

Book Tahiti for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Tahiti
Opens a hotel search for Tahiti in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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 December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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.