Is French Polynesia Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

What comes to mind when you hear “Tahiti” or “Bora Bora”?

You probably think of picturesque black sand beaches, lush jungles, and a romantic ambiance.

As you may well know, Tahiti and Bora Bora are some of the world’s most popular vacation spots for beachgoers, surfers, divers, and people who just enjoy the outdoors.

What you probably don’t know, however, is that these islands are part of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France made up of more than 100 islands.

Its five archipelagos, Austral, Gambier, Society, Marquesas, and Tuamoto, are prized worldwide for their coral-covered lagoons and overwater bungalows.

The indigenous people of French Polynesia, known as Tahitians, are known for their warmth, friendliness, and hospitality.

Their family-centered culture ensures that no one in their clan ever goes hungry or goes to sleep without a roof over their head.

Perhaps, you’re thinking of spending a vacation in French Polynesia.

If this is the case, read on for more information about this gorgeous, breathtaking place.

Warnings & Dangers in French Polynesia

OVERALL RISK: LOW

With an incredibly low crime rate, French Polynesia is an extremely safe place for visitors. Of course, petty crimes do occur, but they’re few and far between. Although crimes aren’t an issue, visitors must be aware of the health risks involved. Dengue fever is sometimes rampant, and tourists cannot always rely on medical personnel to arrive on time if they’re located on one of the more remote islands. But French Polynesian hospitals are up-to-par with international standards, meaning patients can expect to receive decent medical treatment. With French Polynesia’s low crime rate and adequate hospitals, it’s a low-risk place when it comes to physical health and safety.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

According to reviews on Tripadvisor, taxis in French Polynesia are, for the most part, safe. However, like in most other places, taxis can be quite expensive, costing tourists as much as 3,000 French Polynesian francs (or $28) for one short trip. But the findings above indicate that the overall transport and taxis risk is very low.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Minus the odd pickpocket and the occasional robbery, the pickpocket's risk in French Polynesia is quite low. That being said, if you’re staying in a pricier hotel and have valuable possessions with you, you’d probably be best served by keeping your belongings in a hotel safe. Also, avoid leaving anything of value inside a rental car. Although pickpockets are very rare on the islands, that doesn’t mean you’re completely immune to theft or robbery.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Located in an active earthquake zone, French Polynesia is also prone to tropical storms, such as cyclones, from November to April. But casualties related to natural disasters are notably rare, so it can be concluded that the islands have a low-to-medium natural disasters risk.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Although a few reports of theft can be found on Travel Advisor, mugging isn’t a particularly common occurrence on the islands. But, despite the low mugging risk, the possibility of mugging is present everywhere in the world, so you should always practice caution when vacationing in French Polynesia.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

According to the UK government, “there is no recent history of terrorism in French Polynesia,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. Threats of terrorist attacks against UK and US nationals, in particular, have long been an issue worldwide, so American and British visitors should always stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Given the UK government’s update, French Polynesia has a low terrorism risk.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Some people say that because French Polynesia is already very expensive, most people there don’t feel the need to overcharge visitors. Thus, no serious scams have been reported on the islands. Although someone on Quora did claim to receive a suspicious call from French Polynesia once, the risk of scams on the islands is currently quite low and not a major cause for concern.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

In the past, walking alone as a woman on a deserted beach in French Polynesia was seen as an invitation for sex. But nowadays, with a low women's travelers risk, women can travel to the islands solo with little concern for their safety. But no traveler is completely safe no matter where they are, so discretion is key.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

In Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea, as well as all the international resorts throughout French Polynesia, tap water is safe to drink. It’s usually safe to drink on the other islands as well, but you should confirm with the hotel or restaurant hosts first just in case. On some of the islands made of coral (known as atolls), tap water may taste somewhat salty, but that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to drink. Overall, the tap water risk in French Polynesia is low.

Safest Places to Visit in French Polynesia

Nearly all the islands in French Polynesia are safe for tourists.

However, the two most visited islands are Bora Bora and Tahiti.

These places offer plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, jet skiing, scuba diving, walking tours, nature and wildlife adventures, and even yoga.

If you prefer going off the beaten path, you can go to more secluded places like Moorea, Rangiroa, Raiatea, and Taha’a, enjoying the same activities that can be found on the larger, more popular islands, but without the massive crowds.

Some of the most popular French Polynesian dishes include Pura toro (a variety of canned corned beef), Pahua taioro (a Tahitian delicacy based on turbot snails or clams), and poulet fafa (which is also known as “Polynesian spinach”).

Whatever island(s) you choose to visit and whatever activities you decide to do, you’re bound to get the sunny, paradise-like experience you’ve been dreaming of.

Places to Avoid in French Polynesia

French Polynesia, as a whole, is a safe place to vacation.

Crimes are infrequent, but when they do happen, they usually take place in Papeete, the capital.

If you happen to be in Papeete in the evening, you should avoid wearing expensive jewelry, carrying large amounts of cash, or getting into confrontations with others.

But crimes in Papeete are typically petty, and violent crimes are an extreme rarity.

The worst crime a tourist would most likely fall victim to would be pickpocketing.

Once you leave the city, crimes against tourists are almost non-existent, but you should still be careful since no person is 100% safe no matter where they are in the world.

Safety Tips for Traveling to French Polynesia

So... How Safe Is French Polynesia Really?

All things considered, French Polynesia is an extraordinarily safe place for tourists to visit.

With low crime rates, decent medical services, reliable transportation, and clean drinking water, tourists can rest assured that they’ll be safe on the islands.

When crimes do occur, they’re usually limited to Papeete, French Polynesia’s capital.

And even then, the criminal acts are mostly petty and very rarely violent.

Once tourists are outside the capital, crimes against tourists rarely happen.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s currently a US State Department Level 4 Travel Advisory against traveling to French Polynesia.

But US citizens and permanent residents can travel to the islands if they choose to do so.

As long as they practice safety measures, they should be able to travel without too much concern for their safety.

How Does French Polynesia Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

American tourists don’t need a visa for stays in French Polynesia for up to 90 days. For those traveling to the islands for non-tourism reasons (business, scientific research, etc.) on the other hand, a visa may be required.

Currency

The main currency is the French Polynesian franc (CFP). Since only the local currency is accepted, you must exchange your currency at a bank, an ATM, or the airport as soon as you arrive. You can even have your currency exchanged at the departure airport (e.g., in the US) if you prefer to prepare well ahead of time.

Weather

The Polynesian latitudes mean year-round summers. This means you should pack lightly, only bringing clothes like shorts, sundresses, T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, and, of course, bathing suits. Additionally, make sure you’re equipped with sunglasses and sunscreen since chances are you’ll be having a sun-filled vacation.

Airports

Faa'a International Airport, which is also known as Tahiti International Airport, is French Polynesia’s international airport. If you’re staying on an island other than Tahiti, you’ll likely have to take a flight from that airport to your island’s regional airport.

Travel Insurance

Because unexpected situations, such as lost luggage, medical emergencies, and canceled flights, can happen, you can never go wrong by purchasing travel insurance. By buying this type of insurance, you can rest easy during your trip to French Polynesia, knowing you’re protected against significant financial loss.

French Polynesia Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

French Polynesia - Safety by City