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Visas & entry
French Polynesia is outside the Schengen Area, so a standard Schengen visa does not automatically cover entry. U.S., Canadian, UK, Australian, New Zealand and EU citizens are generally visa-exempt for tourism stays of up to 90 days, subject to passport validity and onward-travel requirements; other nationalities should use the France-Visas checker for a visa explicitly valid for French Polynesia/overseas France before booking.
Getting in
- Tahiti-Faa’a International Airport, Tahiti: The only international gateway that matters. Arrive here, build in a buffer, then connect on Air Tahiti; every practical Austral or Gambier itinerary starts through Tahiti.
- Rurutu Airport, Rurutu: A limited-frequency Air Tahiti arrival for the most accessible whale-and-cave island in the Australs; expect guesthouse pickup rather than taxis or independent transport waiting outside.
- Tubuai Airport, Tubuai: The key air gateway for Tubuai and a practical Austral base. Flights from Tahiti take roughly 1.5 hours, but schedules—not map distance—determine the trip.
- Raivavae Airport, Raivavae: The air entry for Raivavae’s lagoon and motu excursions. It is a small-island arrival with very limited rooms and boats, so lock in a pension before flying.
- Totegegie Airport, Gambier Islands: The Gambier airport sits on a motu, not in Rikitea: after the roughly 3-hour-40-minute flight from Tahiti, take the public boat shuttle for about 40–45 minutes to Mangareva’s main village.
Getting around
Between Tahiti, the air-served Australs and Mangareva, Air Tahiti is essential; limited flight frequencies should dictate the itinerary. Rapa has no airport and is reached by cargo/passenger ship from Tahiti, taking about six days each way. On the Australs, bicycles, guesthouse transfers and occasional rental cars or scooters are the practical options; on Mangareva, Rikitea is walkable or bikeable, while Taravai, Aukena and other lagoon islands require a pre-arranged boat.
Money
The currency is the CFP franc (XPF), fixed to the euro at €1 = XPF 119.33. Cards work far better on Tahiti than in this region, so withdraw enough cash in Papeete or at Faa’a for pensions, guides, crafts and small shops; do not rely on ATMs outside Tubuai. Tipping is not customary.
Book before you land
Rurutu whale-watching outings in July–October, when the small number of boats and guides can fill. · Private or pension-arranged Gambier lagoon excursions to Taravai, Aukena and the motu, especially if they are central to a short stay.
- Book domestic flights and pensions before committing to international flights; capacity, not sightseeing crowds, is the constraint.
- Keep Tahiti buffer nights before and after remote-island flights—weather, infrequent schedules and boat transfers make tight connections foolish.
- Carry cash in XPF from Tahiti; remote pensions, artisans and guides may not accept cards.
- Treat your pension as the local logistics desk: it often arranges airport transfers, meals, guides, boat trips and vehicle rental.
- Do not assume a lagoon outing will run on a chosen day. Build weather-flex days, especially in Raivavae and the Gambiers.
- Dress and behave as a village guest rather than a resort guest: ask before photographing people, crafts or private property, and expect a quieter, more personal pace.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.