Part of French Polynesia
Quick answer
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May opens French Polynesia’s dry season. Humidity eases, rain becomes less frequent and days stay hot, with highs in the upper 80s °F, while the July and August crowds are still weeks away. That combination makes May one of the best months of the year, especially for Bora Bora, Maupiti and sailing in the Leeward Islands. Book six to nine months ahead for the best bungalows.
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- Season
- Start of the dry season
- Typical weather
- Sunnier, less humid; highs in the upper 80s °F
- Rainfall
- Moderate and falling through the month
- Crowds & pricing
- Shoulder season; good availability before June
- Best islands this month
- Bora Bora, Maupiti, Raiatea
- Don’t miss
- Tahiti Pearl Regatta (usually held in May)
Best this month
Bora Bora
Society Islands · Dry season begins
Clear lagoons and better overwater availability than July and August.
ExploreMaupiti
Society Islands · Pensions and peaks
A dramatic little island for hiking, manta rays and real village life.
ExploreRaiatea
Society Islands · Sailing base
Start a yacht charter in steady trade winds, with Taputapuātea ashore.
ExploreSailing and yacht charters
Experience · Leeward Islands
A week of lagoons and short passages between Raiatea, Taha’a, Huahine and Bora Bora.
ExploreSurfing Teahupo’o
Experience · South-swell season
The first big swells of the season reach Tahiti Iti’s famous reef.
Explore
What is French Polynesia’s weather like in May?
May is the hinge between seasons, and it usually lands on the good side. Showers grow less frequent through the month, humidity falls and the southeast trade winds return, taking the edge off the heat. Highs remain in the upper 80s °F, and nights slip toward the low 70s.
The lagoons are at their clearest after the summer rains, and boat transfers tend to be smooth before the stronger midwinter winds arrive. Our best time to visit guide explains why May and October are the sweet spots.
What’s happening in French Polynesia in May?
The Tahiti Pearl Regatta, an international sailing regatta, is usually held in May, traditionally among the Leeward Islands around Raiatea and Taha’a; the venue and dates vary by year, so check before planning around it. Around May 20, Matari’i i raro, the setting of the Pleiades, marks the traditional start of the season of scarcity in the Polynesian calendar.
Surfers watch the south: the big swells that make Teahupo’o famous start arriving around May and continue through September. Memorial Day weekend adds a brief bump in US demand.
Which islands shine in May?
Bora Bora is superb: clear water, dry weather and better overwater availability than midsummer. Maupiti suits travelers who want hiking and family-run pensions, with the summit climb at its most pleasant in drier conditions.
Sailors should look at Raiatea, French Polynesia’s main charter base, where steady trade winds make a Leeward Islands loop a joy. Our guide to sailing and yacht charters covers bareboat versus crewed options.
How should you book a May trip?
Six to nine months ahead gives you the widest choice of overwater bungalows on Bora Bora, and crewed catamarans for May are popular with sailors who know the season. Maupiti’s pensions are few, and flights there are less frequent than to the larger islands, so lock in both together.
Because May sits before US school holidays, it’s a smart month for couples and retirees. If you’re chartering, build a spare day into the route so one breezy morning doesn’t force a rushed passage.
What should you pack for May?
May calls for sun protection with a light layer for breezy evenings:
- A light sweater or long-sleeve shirt for boat rides and dinners by the water.
- Sailing gloves and non-marking deck shoes if you’re chartering.
- Polarized sunglasses for spotting coral heads and rays in the shallows.
- A soft-sided bag, which is easier to pack into small planes and boats.
Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit French Polynesia?
When is the Tahiti Pearl Regatta?
Can you see whales in French Polynesia in May?
Is May good for sailing in French Polynesia?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.