The climate on the
Island of Tahiti and Papeete is considered tropical and can be divided into
two basic seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The wet season (Polynesian Summer), is between the
months of November to April, receiving approximately 3/4ths of the annual rainfall
of French Polynesia between these months. The humidity during this time
can be quite heavy and muggy and cloud cover is common. Storms are frequent,
brief, and unpredictable.(Average rainfall for Papeete is 1800mm). Temperatures
will range from 27 - 30 degrees C, with the hottest months being February and
March. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal.
This "wet season" is considered the "off season" for tourism.
From a travelers standpoint, this "off
season" may not be the most favorable weatherwise, however the benefits
may tip the scales to the travelers advantage in many other ways: There's
less competition for lodging, activity
and sightseeing schedules. With the additional advantage
of lower average pricing for most products and services, it can be considered
that this wet season is easier to travel, explore, and generally, get things
done. There's always the trade-offs to consider...
For you sunworshippers out there, keep in mind that the sun is not on vacation,
but merely less commonly seen than in the drier months. Being a French Polynesian
Island, and tropical, even in the "wet season" you'll definately get
your fair share of sun on Tahiti Island. (There are between 2500- 2900 Sunshine
hours per year.)
By contrast, the "dry season" - May
through October, is the "on season" for tourism. This is the Polynesian
winter. Temperatures generally range from between 24-28 degrees C, and rain
is rare. Day to night temperature fluctuations are minimal.
As to be expected, these favorable weather conditions
also bring out the tourists. July is most likely the favorite and most heavily
traveled month for all the Tahitian Islands because of its many festivals and
celebrations during the month long holiday that occurs at that time known as Tiurai. For those interested in Scubadiving
in Tahiti and her surrounding islands, the dry season is favorable due to increased
visibility.
Tradewinds-
Winds will be present in Tahiti Polynesia
no matter the season. The basic geography of all the French Polynesian islands
will always insure this. Most days in Tahiti will include some type of light
wind, oftentimes picking up toward the latter part of the day. For the most
part, these winds will always be considered a blessing. The feeling of a nice
pacific breeze on a hot day is very refreshing and will always be appreciated.
There are two common trade winds affecting Tahiti Polynesias
weather and travelers: The dry season's mara' amu, and the wet
seasons toerau. The mara' amu is a southeasterly blowing tradewind
most common during the winter months (dry season), of June, July, and August.
These winds can be a bit more persistant than you may be prepared for, bringing
with them sudden downpours and cooler temperatures. Be advised to pack an extra
windbreaker...
As for the toerau, these winds are less common and blow
in a north- northeast direction and occur during the wet season months.
Cyclones-
The Pacific Ocean surrounding all the Tahitian
Islands, with it's thermal currents interacting with the various jetstreams
(air currents) can produce winds of terrific magnitude. Cyclones (another word
for Hurricanes) are always a cause for concern for those inclined to worry.
Take heed. French Polynesia has had its share of cyclones. (although the frequency
of them seems to be far less than other parts of the world which are prone to
them, such as the southeastern seaboard or midwest states of the United States).
The last powerful cyclone that caused considerable
damage to Tahiti and many surrounding islands was in 1982. Tahiti Sun
Travel provides you with this telephone number to check on weather
updates for the region: (689) 36.65.09
(We are working on providing an online weather checker for the future.)
There are two common trade winds affecting Tahiti Polynesias weather and travelers:
The dry season's mara' amu, and the wet seasons toerau.
The mara' amu is a southeasterly blowing tradewind most common during the
winter months (dry season), of June, July, and August. These winds can be
a bit more persistant than you may be prepared for, bringing with them sudden
downpours and cooler temperatures. Be advised to pack an extra windbreaker...
(For more info. on what to pack, see the Travel Tips section)
As for the Toerau, these winds are less common and blow in a north- northeast
direction and occur during the wet season months.
BEACHES
Because of relentless marketing efforts, one of the most common tourist perceptions about Tahiti is that the entire island is a white sand beach paradise. Although there are indeed some truly wonderful sandy beaches on the island, the fact of the matter is that they are not always as "vacationer friendly" or accessable as many would hope.
The reality and facts of the beach situation on Tahiti are as follows:
1) Tahiti is the only Society Island (besides Moorea) that has both black and white sand beaches along it's coast.
2) If you aren't staying at a hotel with it's own beach, you'll be best off to rent a car or scooter (or you could take Le Truck), to gain access to the beaches described below.
3) Of the entire Tahitian coastline, the most useable,
desireable and accessable "sandy beaches" on the island can be divided into 2 basic categories: Public or private.
NOTE: PUBLIC BEACHES:
All beaches in French Polynesia are technically public property, although, as mentioned in detail below in the private beaches section, getting to them is often the difficulty.
That said, here are a few recognized or easily accessed "public beaches" on Tahiti:
PLAGE DE TOAROTO
Near the Hotel Meridien: Decent stretch of white sand beach open to the public running nearly a half mile in the area of the Hotel Meridien. (The Meridien has its own small private beach for its clients.)
Located at approximately PK 15,5, (West of Papeete) this beach is an excellent place to hang out if you're staying at any of the pensions in this area. (Armelle, Te Miti, Taaroa, and others). Snorkeling is excellent here and laying about is the norm.
Access: Off the main road, look for a truck stop called "Tapeara'a Pereo'o Mataeinaa" near PK 15. You'll see a little parklike area where there is parking and public toilets and showers available. Ask someone about it or your hotel or pension if you need to. Notes: This area looks as if the Tahitian government might eventually develop something here. Between the sand and road are some old building foundations, dirt piles, etc. that lead one to this thought, but who knows?
|
SOFITEL BEACH
(We're calling it that, but its exact name is unknown)
Just past the Faaa airport, (West) there's a small public beach near the Sofitel Resort.
Access: Pretend like you're going to the Sofitel Resort and get off at the "Outumaoro" Le Truck stop. Just head for the water from there. A nice place for swimming, relaxing and snorkeling. |
FROM PK 3 TO AROUND PK 10...
EAST OF PAPEETE, there are a few different public beach areas that one can explore from within a fairly close range of Papeete. In the suburb of Pirae, (at around PK 3), there's a stretch of black sand beach by the Royal Tahitien Hotel, and farther along at PK 7 there is a better beach leading up to the Hyatt Hotel.
Another beach can be found at Point Venus located at approximately PK 10. You should be able to see signs for Venus Point from the main coastal road. |
In addition to these public beaches, there are various other nice stretches along the coastal road of Tahiti and its lessor developed Tahiti-Nui coastline to explore. If you make a day or project out of finding them, and you keep the right attitude, you will have an enjoyable time of it! Don't forget your towels and swimming shorts!
NOTE: PRIVATE BEACHES:
There are quite a few beautiful beaches on Tahiti that are situated on private property! Many are located on resort, hotel, or private Pension or homeowner's property. If there's not a beach on the location you're staying, then getting to these private beaches can be a frustrating experience. Their entrances are often difficult or impossible to find and often as not involve asking a hotel's or family's permission to pass through. (If you can find the owners, their answer is not always a guaranteed yes).
If you insist on pursuing these private beaches, your choices include:
1) Just going for it and walking across someone's property to get to the sand. This method is successful roughly 50% of the time without being busted. (If you do encounter an owner, speaking French and smiling a lot definately helps...)
2) Swimming or walking to them on the lagoon or ocean side... (not always an easy task)
3) Staying at the owner's facilities. (always the recommended method)
|
TST
Comment and Advice: BEACHES
Don't be dismayed by the above information on private beaches on Tahiti! Your first day may have you searching around for beach access, but after a little quality time on the island, if you ask around, you'll figure out where to go. Most people are quite content to stay on the beach of their own hotel, pension or resort, but if you want to go exploring and search for the elusive "perfect beach"- just go for it! It's there, just not always easy to find...
So what if you end up on someones property looking for a beach entrance! If you're not rude, you'll probably end up making friends with the owner anyway... Just keep smiling! |
Nudity Note:
Many ask about nude or topless beaches on Tahiti. It's the same here as anywhere else in Polynesia: accepted and quite common to go topless. Bottomless is seldom seen except for on private or hard to find beaches, but not unheard of on the public beaches either. Of course this is a European thing. (Remember, Polynesia is a french owned territory.) At this time, TST is unaware of any "official" or especially marked "nude beaches" on Tahiti.
FAUNA- (WILDLIFE IN GENERAL)
Bad
news for all you animal lovers... you'll not be photographing many wild or
fascinating South Sea mammals here. The Polynesian islands don't have a lot
of natural wildlife, aside from birds and of course, a magical array of Marine
life creatures. Why is this? The islands are so lush and their interiors so
undeveloped, you may wonder...
The answer lies within the origins of the islands
themselves. Volcanic in nature, these islands literally sprang up in the middle
of nowhere, far from any surrounding land masses where any other land creatures
could habitate from. The only mammals on the islands today are those that
were brought over by the human navigators who populated these islands, both
native Polynesian, and Europeans.
The list of land mammals is rather short. All the
usual suspects are here: horses, cows, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, and of course,
rats. It seems there is one exception to this mundane list: the wild pig...
some of 'em must have got away from their captives long ago and hankered for
life on the wild side... good for them!
On the other hand, there are quite a number of bird
species here, with some of the less inhabitated islands such as Tetiaroa,
Mehetia, and others having breeding grounds for future health of the species.
Thankfully, most of the critical habitat bird breeding grounds are protected
by the government and looked after with care.
Dogs
Dogs, dogs, dogs, and more dogs! All Tahitian islands boast a fairly healthy dog population and "The big island" is no exception. As with most dogs of Polynesia, no matter what island they're on, they ALL SEEM 
TO HAVE THE SAME PARENTS! They all have that "generic dog" look common in many third world countries.
Basic browns, or spotted of a thousand colors, most are classic mutts, many of which seemingly wander around carefree and owner-free amongst the homes and businesses of the populace.
Most locals seem to regard them with a casual nonchalance- not unfriendly, but not particularly worried about their well being either... Occasionally, (more so on Tahiti than the other islands), you will see a purebred animal as a family pet, but not often.
So be it. Woof, woof. In Polynesia, compared to other countries, a dog's life could be worse...
Crabs
Yes, crabs- Coconot and Hermit crabs, that is...
Q: Why a separate section for crabs, you may ask? A: 'Cause we like the little buggers... we'll have lots of interesting facts and crab trivia in the future.
Marine Life
Of course, any time spent in Polynesia will reveal
to the animal lover the true source of wildlife fascination here: the exquisite
marine life.
There are nearly 500 species of fishes within the Tahitian waters,
along with other amazing creatures such as sea turtles, dozens of sharks species,
and the ever so popular dolphin (the "flipper" kind), porpoises,
and the hugely popular humpback whale topping the list of marine mammals.
Interestingly, there are no pinnepeds (seals or other flippered mammals) in Polynesian waters.
See Tahiti's scuba section for more specific information on Tahiti marine.
FLORA- PLANTS & FLOWERS
Information on this subject coming soon including information about the famous and sought after Noni plant...
ECONOMY
Information on this subject coming soon...
SOCIETY & PEOPLE
Information on this subject coming soon...
LEGENDS & MYTHS
Information on this subject coming soon...
ABOUT
THE OTHER ISLANDS
Explore the FACTS, INFORMATION
and CULTURE of the other islands of
An Internetwork of Travel and Tourism Guides for the Main Islands of Tahiti
Polynesia.
