French Polynesia, Oceania & Pacific
Tahiti in November
The wet season begins. Whale season tails off, and prices soften.
The straight answer
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Tahiti. The wet season begins. Whale season tails off, and prices soften.
- Weather
- Warm and humid, highs near 84F (29C), rains starting
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What November is like in Tahiti
November is when the wet season begins. It is warm and more humid, with highs near 84F (29C) and showers becoming more frequent, though many days are still bright. Crowds are light and prices soften. Whale season is tailing off, and the Hawaiki Nui Va'a canoe race sometimes falls in early November.
This month suits budget travelers and couples who want warm lagoons at shoulder prices, and can live with some rain. Whale fans may catch the last sightings early in the month. If you want reliable dry days, September and October are the better bets.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Tahiti this month.
Last whales of the season
Some humpbacks linger into early November. Sightings are less certain but still possible.
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
The outrigger canoe race between Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, and Bora Bora sometimes runs in early November.
Softer prices
Rates drop as the wet season begins, making it a good time to upgrade your room.
What to pack for November
- A light rain jacket
- Breathable clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Our timing tip
Travel in the first half of November for the best chance of whales and drier days before the rains settle in.
Book Tahiti for November.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in TahitiOpens a hotel search for Tahiti in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in TahitiWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in TahitiTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Tahiti for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
What's on in November
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.
Hawaiki Nui Va'a
Usually late October or early November
A multi-day outrigger canoe race between Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'a, and Bora Bora, one of the Pacific's great sporting spectacles.
Things to do in Tahiti
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.
Moorea
Just a 30-to-45-minute ferry from Papeete, with dramatic peaks, Belvedere Lookout, and some of the best whale watching in season.
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.
Heiva i Tahiti
Competitive dance, song, and sports in Papeete in July. Book tickets and accommodation early.
Papeete market
The municipal market for flowers, pareos, vanilla, and local food. Best early in the morning.
Taha'a vanilla and pearls
A quiet island known for vanilla plantations and black pearl farms, easily reached from Raiatea.
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 November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Tahiti?
November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Tahiti. The wet season begins. Whale season tails off, and prices soften.
What is the weather like in Tahiti in November?
Warm and humid, highs near 84F (29C), rains starting.
Is Tahiti crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Tahiti; most sights can be done without long waits.
What is happening in Tahiti in November?
Humpback whale season (roughly august to october, sometimes into november); Hawaiki Nui Va'a (usually late october or early november).
Keep planning Tahiti.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Visit Faye
Travel insurance.
FayeA missed connection, a bag that never turns up, a hospital abroad: far cheaper to cover before departure than to argue about after.
- Visit Saily
eSIM data.
SailySet up an eSIM before you fly so your phone has data the moment you land, without roaming charges.
Our top-rated travel gear
Whatever you decide, this is the gear we actually travel with: verified, priced, and ranked. Live price check on each.
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.