French Polynesia in December: Weather, Events & Travel Tips

December is hot, humid and, on Tahiti, the wettest month on average. Highs sit in the upper 80s °F, nights in the low 70s. Rain often falls in heavy bursts, then clears to sunshine, though some weeks bring several overcast days in a row.

The cyclone season is under way, with the highest risk from December to March. Low atolls usually see less rain than the mountainous islands, a point worth weighing if sunshine matters most.

Christmas is a family and church holiday in French Polynesia, with services full of himene singing and Papeete decorated for the season. Resorts host festive dinners on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, which often need reserving in advance.

Divers welcome the start of the great hammerhead window in Rangiroa’s Tiputa Pass, roughly December to March. Humpback whales have left for Antarctic waters.

Bora Bora is the classic holiday choice, with overwater bungalows, beach villas and festive resort programs. Tetiaroa offers total privacy at The Brando, a 20-minute flight from Tahiti.

Families often prefer Moorea, where beach villas with kitchens make a longer holiday stay easier. Our guide to French Polynesia with kids covers resorts and activities by age.

For Christmas and New Year, book nine to twelve months ahead. Holiday weeks at top resorts often carry minimum-night stays, and Air Tahiti flights fill with local families visiting relatives. Early December is the opposite: quiet, good value and often bookable three to six months out.

Keep a buffer night on Tahiti before your flight home, since wet-season weather can delay small planes and boats. Families should also ask about holiday kids’ programs and babysitting when booking, as both fill early.

Pack for heat, rain and a celebration or two; our packing list has the basics.