French Polynesia in November

Humidity and showers return; Matari'i i ni'a ceremonies.

November is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatDry season starts; one of the best value months.
• JuneGreatDry and cooler; Heiva rehearsals and the festival begins late in the month.
• JulyGreatHeiva i Tahiti and European holidays: book flights and pensions early; humpbacks arrive.
• AugustGreatPeak French holidays; trade winds (maraamu) can blow for days; whales off Moorea and Rurutu.

• Society Islands · Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiateafine

  Dry season May–October with trade winds (the maraamu can blow hard for days in July–August); December–March brings heavy showers, humidity and the main cyclone risk.

• Tuamotu atolls · Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehaubest weather

  Drier than the high islands; diving is good all year, with hammerheads Dec–Mar and the Fakarava grouper spawning around June–July.

• Marquesas · Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Poubest weather

  Close to the equator, hot all year with no clear wet season; September–December is usually the driest and seas calmest for the Aranui.

• Austral Islands · Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavaebest weather

  Cooler and windier; humpback whales at Rurutu from July to October.

• Marquesas Islands: Marquesas Islands · Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa and the smaller islandsbest weather

  Hot and humid year-round; the drier, cooler stretch runs roughly September to November. Rain is possible in any month, and the islands sit outside the main cyclone belt but can still be hit.

• Society Islands: Society Islands · Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea, Taha'afine

  Dry season roughly May–Oct, cooler and breezier; wet season Nov–Apr is hotter, humid and cheaper, with cyclone risk Jan–Mar.

• Tuamotu Islands: Tuamotu atolls · Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau, Manihibest weather

  Hot and humid all year, water around 27–29 °C (81–84 °F). The drier, cooler months are roughly May to October; November to April is the wet season and the cyclone season, and a passing system can cancel inter-island flights for a day or more.Hot and humid all year, water around 81–84 °F (27–29 °C). The drier, cooler months are roughly May to October; November to April is the wet season and the cyclone season, and a passing system can cancel inter-island flights for a day or more.

• Papeete31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
• Bora Bora30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Fa'a'ā30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 11 rain days
• Fakarava30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• Hiva Oa27 °C (81 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
• Manihi28 °C (82 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 6 rain days
• Rangiroa30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• Tikehau30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 9 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• French public holidays

  15 Aug, 1 Nov, 11 Nov

  Shops and offices close.

• Matari'i i ni'a

  About 20 Nov

  Start of the season of abundance at the rise of the Pleiades; ceremonies at marae; public holiday since 2024 — check.

• Wet season begins check

  Nov onward · Papeete

  More rain; better hotel rates.

• Hawaiki Nui Va'a

  Late Oct or early Nov (check) · Papeete

  Outrigger canoe race between the islands; town sees the crews but the race is elsewhere.

• Wet and cyclone season

  Nov to Apr · Papeete

  Heavy rain; check weather warnings and ferry status.

Crowds · French Polynesia

Low

Prices · French Polynesia

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in French Polynesia, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Tuamotu atolls

  Best weather of the year (Rangiroa, Fakarava, Tikehau)

• Marquesas

  Best weather of the year (Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou)

• Austral Islands

  Best weather of the year (Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivavae)

• Hiva Oa

  Best months: Sep–Dec

• Rangiroa

  Best months: All year (dry season Oct–Apr offers calmer seas)