Papeete, French Polynesia: vitamin D, best months and travel guide
Tahiti's capital with a market and ferries to other islands. Best for: transit stays, culture travellers.
Papeete gives little vitamin D from the sun in any month for skin type III at age 30. Rainy or stormy all year.
Papeete month by month
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Bad weather | 7.6 h | 8.5 | 6 min | 29°C | 30/30 |
| February | Bad weather | 6.9 h | 7.6 | 7 min | 30°C | 26/30 |
| March | Bad weather | 8.0 h | 8.6 | 6 min | 30°C | 29/30 |
| April | Bad weather | 7.7 h | 7.7 | 7 min | 30°C | 27/30 |
| May | Bad weather | 7.1 h | 6.6 | 8 min | 29°C | 18/30 |
| June | Bad weather | 6.4 h | 5.8 | 9 min | 28°C | 23/30 |
| July | Bad weather | 6.7 h | 6.0 | 9 min | 27°C | 20/30 |
| August | Bad weather | 7.5 h | 7.2 | 7 min | 27°C | 23/30 |
| September | Bad weather | 8.2 h | 8.4 | 6 min | 27°C | 29/30 |
| October | Bad weather | 8.3 h | 8.7 | 6 min | 28°C | 23/30 |
| November | Bad weather | 9.0 h | 9.3 | 6 min | 30°C | 25/30 |
| December | Bad weather | 8.2 h | 8.6 | 6 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.
What to expect in Papeete
Tahiti's capital with a market and ferries to other islands. 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.
In Papeete afternoon highs average from 27°C in July to 30°C in March. The wettest month is January (about 30 rainy days out of 30) and the driest is May (18). Midday UV peaks at 9.3 in November, which is very strong, so protect your skin.
Capital, which is on the island of Tahiti. (Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0)
More about French Polynesia · French Polynesia in November · Best places in November
Questions about Papeete
When is the best time to visit Papeete for vitamin D?
Papeete gives little vitamin D from the sun in any month for skin type III at age 30.
What is the weather like in Papeete?
Afternoon highs average from 27°C in July to 30°C in March. The wettest month is January, with about 30 rainy days out of 30.
Which months should I avoid in Papeete?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy all year.