The climate of Tahiti
Located in
French Polynesia,
Tahiti boasts an Af Köppen climate classification, an indicator of a tropical rainforest climate. Devoid of a discernable winter season, the island experiences warm temperatures and a significant amount of rain throughout the year.
A conspicuous trait of this climate type is temperature consistency, a phenomenon evident in Tahiti. Sea temperatures remain warm throughout the year, fluctuating between a minimum of 26.4°C (79.5°F) and peaking at 28.9°C (84°F). This warm ocean temperature is instrumental in maintaining the tropical conditions on the island.
As for daylight hours, there's only slight variation throughout the year. Ranging from 11.1 to 13.2 hours, the longest days are found in
June and the shortest in
December. This minimal variation in daylight hours is a significant characteristic of an equatorial location.
Notable weather patterns include a slight but distinct seasonal alteration marked by a change in sea temperature; the warmest months are
March and
April, and the months from
September to
November register the lowest values.
The best time to visit Tahiti
From an overall climate perspective, the optimal time to visit
Tahiti would be between
March and
April, when sea temperatures reach a warm 28.7 to 28.9°C (84°F) coupled with longer daylight hours, making it perfect for outdoor activities including sunbathing and swimming in the warm ocean.
The worst time to visit Tahiti
Despite
Tahiti’s year-round warm temperatures, the period from
September to
November could be slightly less desirable for a visit. During these months, sea temperatures drop to their lowest, from 26.4°C (79.5°F) to 27°C (80.6°F), and daylight hours shrink to approximately 11 to 12 hours. Despite the slightly cooler conditions, temperatures are still warm, and it’s worth noting that there are no freezing temperatures on this tropical island.
Spring weather in Tahiti
While the concept of spring might not apply to
Tahiti in the traditional sense due to its tropical climate, the months of
March,
April, and
May present particular weather characteristics. Sea temperatures rise gradually from 28.3°C (82.9°F) in March to a peak of 28.9°C (84°F) in April, before starting to drop in May. Daylight hours experience a similar pattern, decreasing gradually from 13 hours in March to 11.7 hours in May.
Summer weather in Tahiti
The summer period in
Tahiti, stretching across
June,
July, and
August, exhibits a gradual decrease in sea temperature and daylight hours. The sea temperature falls from 27.8°C (82°F) in June to 26.4°C (79.5°F) in August, while the daylight hours dip from 11.1 hours in June to 11.5 in August.
Autumn weather in Tahiti
Tahiti’s tropical ‘autumn’, spanning
September through
November, registers the lowest sea temperatures of the year. In September, temperatures hit 26.4°C (79.5°F) in the ocean before rising slightly to 27°C (80.6°F) in November. Daylight hours begin to increase in this period, going from 12 hours in September up to 12.9 in November.
Winter weather in Tahiti
The 'winter' months in
Tahiti,
December through
February, see sea temperatures boosting from 27.7°C (81.9°F) in December to 28.3°C (82.9°F) in February, marking a gradual return to warmer conditions. The amount of sunlight experienced per day rises similarly in this period, achieving levels from 13 hours in December to 13.2 hours in February, offering plenty of sunshine for activities.
Weather in January
Tahiti, the crown jewel of
French Polynesia, welcomes the New Year with warm, sunny weather. The island experiences an average sea temperature of 28.3°C (82.9°F), depicting a calm and cozy sea and arrival of the summer. Comparatively warmer than
December, the weather includes more daylight hours, making outdoor activities and beach-going particularly appealing.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February continues the tropical summer weather pattern that began in
January. The similar average sea temperature in February, 28.3°C (82.9°F), hints at equable weather conditions predominantly taking center stage in
Tahiti.
Weather in February » Weather in March
As
Tahiti marches into the third month of the year, the tropical climate continues to dominate the scene. However, a small spike in sea temperature to 28.9°C (84°F) becomes noticeable, signaling the peak of the summer season. Compared to
February, the number of daylight hours also decrease, offering more time for star-gazing and nocturnal activities.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April marks the arrival of slightly cooler weather in
Tahiti. With the sea temperature falling to 28.7°C (83.7°F), a moderate decrease signals the gradual retreat of summer. April witnesses a drop in daylight hours compared to the preceding months, offering a favorable environment for nocturnal exploration.
Weather in April » Weather in May
In
Tahiti,
May brings a clear sense of transformation as the sea temperature falls to 27.8°C (82°F). An evident decrease from the highs of summer, this marks a significant turn in the island’s climate. Further reduction in daylight hours continues, making late-evening activities and gatherings more enjoyable.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June ushers in cooler sea temperatures in
Tahiti, with an average programming down to 27.2°C (81°F). The continued decrease in temperature confirms the departure from the summer highs experienced earlier in the year. Despite a minor increase in daylight hours, the overall climate pattern remains consistent with that of
May.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Tahiti continues the cooler sea-temperature trend, showcasing an average of 26.7°C (80.1°F). The waning influence of summer is now evident as the tropical island experiences a noticeable dip compared to
June. Yet, the arrival of increased daylight hours hints at a slight shift in the day-night balance.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August in
Tahiti witnesses a further drop in sea temperature, displaying an average of 26.4°C (79.5°F), the coolest experienced so far this year. The island preserves a steady climate trend, observable when comparing the data with
July.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September embraces a steady weather pattern, preserving the
August sea temperature of 26.4°C (79.5°F) in
Tahiti. Long-lasting daylight hours imply extended time for tropical excursions and activities. Notably cooler than the summer months, this consistency offers the charm of predictability.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Tahiti greets a slight rise in sea temperature, recording an average increase to 27°C (80.6°F). The island starts to gradually retrieve its summer warmth, differing subtly from the cooler
September. Additional daylight hours indicate an overall shift towards brighter and warmer weather conditions.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The island of
Tahiti in
November experiences an increase in sea temperature, reaching 27.7°C (81.9°F), effectively reinstating the warmer weather pattern exhibited earlier. The addition of longer daylight hours carries into November, bringing more sunshine and warmth.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December brings the year to a close with an elevated sea temperature of 28.2°C (82.8°F) in
Tahiti, mirroring the ideal conditions of a tropical paradise. As the warmest month since
September, this confirms the return of summer weather.
Weather in December »