French Polynesia Packing List

Resort casual covers almost everything. Days are swimsuits, cover-ups, shorts and sandals; evenings are linen shirts, light trousers and sundresses. No resort we know of expects a jacket or tie, and many guests buy a pareo (sarong) on the islands and wear it all week.

Bring one light sweater for air-conditioned restaurants and the overnight flight, plus a packable rain jacket. Showers are most frequent in the wetter months from November to April; our guide to the best time to visit French Polynesia breaks down the seasons.

The lagoons of Bora Bora, Moorea and the Tuamotu atolls are living coral ecosystems. Choose mineral sunscreen based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and avoid formulas with oxybenzone and octinoxate. A long-sleeve rash guard cuts the amount of sunscreen you need and protects your back while snorkeling.

Reef shoes protect your feet from coral, shells and the occasional stonefish in shallow water. Never stand on coral, even when it looks like rock.

Inter-island flights on Air Tahiti use smaller turboprop aircraft, and the baggage allowance on your ticket may be lower than on your international flight. Check your fare before you pack, and plan on one medium suitcase per person plus a small carry-on.

Island-hopping itineraries often mean several flights and boat transfers in a week, so lighter bags make every connection easier. Our island-hopping guide suggests routes that keep travel time down.