Packing list: how to pack your luggage before flying to Tahiti
What to pack when traveling to The Islands of Tahiti? It is the first question that comes to mind before leaving. In your bedroom, a few days before your big trip to Tahiti, Bora Bora and many other islands, hesitations bloom like Tiare flowers after the rain: what to bring and, most importantly, what not to forget? Let me help you with a travel packing list and some useful tips for your vacation.
Once tagged and weighed at the check-in desk, your checked suitcase will be collected and retrieved upon arrival in French Polynesia. Your carry-on bag, on the other hand, will be your true travel companion: it won’t leave your side throughout the trip. Please be careful about its size. It cannot exceed the specified weight and dimensions (115 cm in total (45 inches): sum of the three dimensions – height + width + depth – typically 55 cm high × 35 cm wide × 25 cm deep). For more information, please check our baggage policy.
The weather during your stay
First, before packing your suitcase, it is important to consider the time of year you are planning to visit The Islands of Tahiti. Indeed, our maritime climate is tropical and humid. There are therefore two quite distinct seasons in French Polynesia:
The cool or dry season (May to October) with a lot of sun, which doesn’t prevent some beneficial rains. The nights are cooler and a light jacket, sweater or cardigan will come in handy at this time of the year.
The warm or wet season (November to April) is often more humid, with sometimes heavy rain. A light raincoat and waterproof shoes will be useful, especially if you enjoy walking and hiking.
Don't overpack your carry-on bag
Firstly, because on Air Tahiti Nui flights, you will be provided with a comfortable pillow, an in-flight magazine (in paper or digital format), and, of course, your complimentary travel kit. Although these differ for each of the three travel classes, they all ensure optimal comfort: headphones or earbuds, sleeping mask, socks, noise-canceling earplugs, etc.
Secondly, because with the many bars and restaurants, vending machines, shops, and food kiosks in the airport waiting areas, not to mention the snacks and refreshments or meals (depending on flight duration) served during your Air Tahiti Nui flight, you won't go hungry or thirsty: there is no need to pack bottles of water and food, that would be confiscated at security checkpoints anyway.
What to pack in your checked baggage
This is what will carry the weight of your stay in French Polynesia. Bring what you like, knowing that you will find, in Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, and on most islands, local shops to get what you need (T-shirts, shorts, sandals, hat, flip-flops, sunscreen) or to equip you during your stay (beach towel, diving mask and gear, snorkel, fins, etc.).
Keep in mind that you will want to bring back souvenirs from your trip. While I'm not talking about a giant tiki sculpture that would have to be shipped by boat (sea freight), on the return trip your suitcase will probably be filled with rum, vanilla, curios, mother-of-pearl and pearls, jams, woven hats, pareo, and more. Therefore, packing lightly on the outward journey to Tahiti is a good idea: we advise you to save some space in your bag to ensure you don't exceed 23 kg* (50.7 pounds) per checked luggage on the return. Also while packing, remember to roll your clothes to save space in your suitcase (around 15%).
* 32 kg (70.5 pounds) in the Poerava Business Class
However, be sure to pack:
comfortable beachwear or light summer clothes for everyday wear and a hat for the sun,
a swimsuit for the beach (you'll undoubtedly fall in love with a second nice one in Tahiti) and a long sleeved swim shirt for your overwater and underwater activities (snorkeling sessions, water sports, etc.),
some nice casual outfits for evenings out,
one or two warmer outfits for cool evenings, especially between May and October.
a light raincoat if you’re traveling during the wet season or for your mountain excursions,
toiletries in small formats to avoid overloading,
a pair of good walking shoes (lightweight nevertheless) if you plan to hike during your vacation,
a backpack for your daily outings,
a reusable water bottle to avoid buying plastic bottles every day,
and the health essentials: a small first-aid kit with bandages, motion sickness medication if you tend to get seasick, etc.
Other items also available in Tahiti:
If you don’t want to buy them during your stay, you can also add the following products and clothing items to your packing list:
high SPF sunscreen suitable for tropical areas and, more importantly, respectful of coral and marine life,
mosquito repellent,
a pair of sandals for everyday wear, flip-flops for the beach, and water shoes for the reef or lagoon to protect your feet from coral and stonefish.
Packing sports equipment
Want to enjoy the lagoon and tropical landscapes while doing water sports in French Polynesia? For a comfortable sports trip, Air Tahiti Nui offers you free transportation of some sports equipment in the hold (scuba-diving gear, surfboard, paddleboard, golf equipment, etc.). To travel in the best possible conditions and take advantage of this complimentary benefit, please consult and follow the special baggage transport requirements.
What to pack in your carry-on luggage for Tahiti
Your carry-on bag (10 kg or 22 pounds), along with a small personal bag under 3 kg (6.6 pounds), must contain everything you’ll need during the flight and upon arrival, before retrieving your checked luggage. Here is the list of these essentials to have at hand:
Your important documents (your passport and driver's license, as well as tickets and travel reservations if you print them out),
Your means of payment (cash, credit cards),
A small toiletry kit, with containers under 100 ml (this is an international rule),
Your medications, with the corresponding prescriptions, and translated if they are syringes: customs officers may ask to see them,
Your 110v/220v adapter so you can plug your electrical devices into French standard outlets,
Your camera (keep the lithium batteries for your electronic devices with you if you have packed them in your checked luggage),
Light clothing so you can change upon arrival before going to your hotel, if necessary,
A scarf, a light jacket or sweatshirt for the plane, for the sometimes slightly cool air conditioning,
During your trip, you will have access to a complete entertainment program, as well as the in-flight magazine, in paper or digital format. This doesn’t prevent you from bringing a good book, your e-reader, tablet, smartphone or laptop, especially since you can connect to in-flight Wi-Fi aboard Air Tahiti Nui’s Tahitian Dreamliner. Don't forget to pack your chargers and various cables.
Have you forgotten something? Your Hotel & Resort shops, or the many local stores, shops, pharmacies, opticians, sports equipment retailers, and supermarkets in The Islands of Tahiti will provide you with gear, clothes, health care products and everything you need for your daily activities.
Is your suitcase packed yet? We look forward to welcoming you and helping you explore the wonders of French Polynesia.
