Vitamin D in French Polynesia: best months for sun and a travel guide

The best months for vitamin D in French Polynesia are July. In July, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 8 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 6.8 usable sun hours a day. For a beach stay it is rainy or stormy from August to June.

See French Polynesia on the interactive map Find stays in French Polynesia

French Polynesia month by month

French Polynesia is rated at its median coastal place, for skin type III at age 30. Click a month for the details.

Month	Rating	Sun window	Peak UV	Full dose, age 30	Full dose, age 65	Afternoon high	Rainy days
January	Bad weather	7.5 h	8.4	6 min	12 min	28°C	28/30
February	Bad weather	7.4 h	8.1	7 min	12 min	29°C	26/30
March	Bad weather	8.3 h	8.7	6 min	11 min	29°C	19/30
April	Bad weather	7.7 h	7.7	7 min	13 min	30°C	27/30
May	Bad weather	7.1 h	6.6	8 min	15 min	29°C	18/30
June	Bad weather	6.4 h	5.8	9 min	17 min	27°C	20/30
July	Good	6.8 h	6.3	8 min	16 min	26°C	17/30
August	Bad weather	7.2 h	7.2	7 min	14 min	26°C	20/30
September	Bad weather	8.1 h	8.4	6 min	12 min	27°C	27/30
October	Bad weather	8.3 h	8.7	6 min	11 min	28°C	23/30
November	Bad weather	9.0 h	9.3	6 min	11 min	30°C	25/30
December	Bad weather	8.2 h	8.6	6 min	12 min	30°C	29/30

Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.

Travel guide: why go to French Polynesia

Why go

French Polynesia is the postcard South Pacific, with overwater bungalows, Bora Bora's lagoon and warm, clear water.

Best for

Honeymooners, couples, divers and luxury travellers.

What to expect

A drier season from May to October and a wetter, hotter season from November to April. It is among the most expensive places in the world, and getting between islands needs flights or ferries.

Compare stays in French Polynesia

Places in French Polynesia

Each place has its own climate, so its best months can differ from the country as a whole.

Bora Bora best: Good

Iconic lagoon, overwater villas and a green volcano.

Best for honeymooners, luxury travellers

Best months July · Avoid rainy or stormy from August to June

Papeete

Tahiti's capital with a market and ferries to other islands.

Best for transit stays, culture travellers

Best months none · Avoid rainy or stormy all year

Capital, which is on the island of Tahiti.

Moorea best: Excellent

Heart-shaped island of jagged peaks and quiet beaches.

Best for couples, families, hikers

Best months April to November · Avoid rainy or stormy from December to March

Rangiroa best: Excellent

One of the world's largest atolls, with big shark dives.

Best for divers

Best months May to September · Avoid rainy or stormy from October to April

Huahine best: Good

Quiet green island with an authentic village feel.

Best for couples, nature lovers

Best months July · Avoid rainy or stormy from August to June

Some short descriptions come from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Questions about vitamin D in French Polynesia

When is the best time to visit French Polynesia for vitamin D?

The best months for vitamin D in French Polynesia are July. In July, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 8 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 6.8 usable sun hours a day.

Can you get vitamin D from the sun in French Polynesia in June?

Yes, but slowly. In June a full dose takes about 9 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 6.4 usable hours a day.

How long do I need in the sun in French Polynesia?

In July, the best month, about 8 minutes at midday with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III at age 30; about 16 minutes at age 65. Darker skin needs longer and fair skin burns sooner, so keep sessions short. This is an estimate for planning, not medical advice.

Which months should I avoid in French Polynesia?

For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy from August to June.

What is the best place in French Polynesia for vitamin D?

In July the strongest sun of the places we rate is around Rangiroa. Each place has its own rating, so open the place list to compare them.