Praktisch · Kapitel 6
By the HolidayGenie editorial team ·
Everything you need before and during the trip.
Entry
French Polynesia is an EU overseas territory. For German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens: no visa for up to 90 days. Passport with at least 6 months validity required. When traveling via the USA: ESTA mandatory.
Money
- Currency: CFP Franc (XPF); fixed rate 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF (no exchange rate risk)
- Credit cards: common in hotels and larger restaurants, often cash only on remote islands
- ATMs: many in Papeete, available on Moorea and Bora Bora, limited on Tuamotu/Marquesas
- Get cash before flying to remote islands
Transportation
Inter-Island
Flights are the main mode of transportation. Air Tahiti offers Multi-Island Passes — book from Europe before the trip (cheaper).
On Islands
- Tahiti: public buses (“Truck"), rental cars, taxis
- Moorea, Raiatea, Huahine: rental car, rental scooter or bicycle advisable (approx. 60 km circuit of Moorea)
- Bora Bora: many hotels offer transfers; otherwise rental car or boat
- Tuamotu: limited; bicycle, often hotel transfer
Ferry Tahiti–Moorea
The Aremiti ferry runs several times daily from Papeete to Moorea, approx. 30-45 min., affordable.
Safety
French Polynesia is very safe — violent crime against tourists is practically non-existent.
- Papeete: usual caution with valuables
- Sharks: Blacktip reef sharks and lemon sharks in the lagoon — harmless to humans, observable in shallow water
- Stonefish, sea urchins: water shoes recommended when snorkeling
- Sun: tropical intensity, UV protection critical
- Ciguatera: rare fish poisoning, mostly in less touristy regions; not a problem in guesthouses
Health
- Tap water in Papeete and on Moorea usually drinkable; bottled water on remote islands
- Standard vaccinations (Tetanus, Hepatitis A recommended)
- No malaria risk, no yellow fever
- Medical care: good hospitals in Papeete; only health centers on small islands
- Travel health insurance with repatriation highly recommended — extremely important due to the isolated location
Useful Information
Emergency Numbers
- 15 — Rescue/Hospital
- 17 — Police
- 18 — Fire Department
- 112 — general (from mobile phones)
Embassy
German Embassy in Wellington (New Zealand) is responsible; honorary consulates on Tahiti. Austria and Switzerland: consular support through German/French representations.
Websites
- Official Tourism: tahititourisme.de (German)
- Air Tahiti: airtahiti.pf
- Aremiti Ferry: aremiti.pf
Language Tips
- Hello: “Ia ora na" (Tahitian) / “Bonjour" (French)
- Thank you: “Mauruuru" / “Merci"
- Goodbye: “Nana" / “Au revoir"
- Welcome: “Maeva" / “Bienvenue"
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