Vairao Travel Guide

City Coastal village on Tahiti's west coast, French Polynesia

On Tahiti’s southern coast Vairao draws surfers and skippers to its reef-protected bay, black sand fringes and quiet marina. Visitors linger for reef snorkeling, informal food stalls selling poisson cru, and walks past coconut groves toward village marae and small cafés.

Costs

USD 100-180 per day

Similar to Tahiti Iti prices - lodging and travel add up.

Safety

Generally safe, outdoor-aware

Calm village environment; respect strong surf and uneven coastal roads.

Best Time

May-October

Drier months offer better surf and clearer water for snorkeling.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

3:24 PM

GMT-10

Weather

83°F

Light Drizzle

Population

2,423

Infrastructure & Convenience

Very limited public transit, small harbor, few tourist services.

Popularity

Quiet, loved by local fishermen and surfers rather than mass tourists.

Known For

Vairao Bay, fishing harbour, black sand beaches, reef snorkeling, surfing nearby, coastal views, local plantations, laid-back village life

Vairao fronts a sheltered bay used by local fishermen and small boats.

Why Visit Vairao? #

Vairao sits on Tahiti Iti’s coast and brings travelers close to surf, reef lagoons, and village life around Vairao Bay. Surfers and spectators often head to nearby Teahupoʻo for its world-famous break, while calmer waters suit snorkeling and outrigger canoe outings. Food and culture arrive in the form of poisson cru and regular community gatherings that showcase Tahitian song and dance. Expect black-sand beaches, neighborly guesthouses, and easy access to secluded coastal scenery.

Best Things to Do in Vairao

All Attractions ›

Tahiti

Largest Society Island in French Polynesia with lagoons

Island

Mont Orohena

Tahiti's highest volcanic peak and rainforest summit

Mountain

Papeete Cathedral

Catholic cathedral in Papeete with colonial architecture

Church

Vairao Bucket List

Best Time to Visit Vairao #

Vairao on Tahiti's coast is nicest in the dry months (May-October) for clearer skies and calmer waters. The wet/cyclone period (November-April) brings heavy rain and occasional dangerous storms.

Dry Season

May - October · 22 - 28°C (72 - 82°F)

Pleasant, drier days on Tahiti's coast - great for beaches, boat trips and hikes with fewer sudden showers.

Wet Season

November - April · 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)

Hotter and very humid with regular heavy showers; the island is lush but outdoor plans get soggy often.

Cyclone Season

November - April · 24 - 30°C (75 - 86°F)

Elevated risk of tropical cyclones and rough seas - expect cancellations and stronger winds during major systems.

Best Time to Visit Vairao #

Climate

Vairao's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1755 mm/year), wettest in January.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustMay

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

30°

Warmest Month

21°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (236 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Warm

24°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

236 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.9h daylight

February

February is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (190 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

190 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.8

UV Index

Extreme

12.6h daylight

March

March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (149 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Warm

24°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

149 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

21° – 27°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

145 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

11.6h daylight

May

May is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

20° – 26°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

122 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

11.2h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

18° – 25°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

11.0h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

18° – 24°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

88 mm

Rainfall

5.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

11.1h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

18° – 25°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

99 mm

Rainfall

5.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.8

UV Index

Very High

11.4h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

18° – 25°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

100 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

19° – 26°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

122 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.5

UV Index

Extreme

12.4h daylight

November

November is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (185 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

20° – 26°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

185 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

12.8h daylight

December

December is mild with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (216 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

24°

Feels Like Mild

24°C

Temperature

20° – 27°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

216 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.7

UV Index

Extreme

13.0h daylight

How to Get to Vairao

Vairao (on Tahiti's windward/south coast) is reached from Faa'a (PPT) by road. There is no rail-use taxis, car hire or the island's bus services to get around.

By Air

Faa’a International Airport (PPT): Faa’a in Papeete is the main airport for reaching Vairao on Tahiti’s windward coast. Road travel from PPT to Vairao generally takes about 35-60 minutes depending on exact location and traffic; taxis and car hire are common choices.

No other major airports: Access to Vairao is by road from PPT; inter-island flights are not relevant for intra-Tahiti travel.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no train service on Tahiti.

Bus / Minibus / Taxi: Local buses and shared minibuses (and private taxis) run along the coastal road that links Papeete with villages such as Vairao. Buses are inexpensive but slower due to many stops; taxis or a hired car are quicker and more practical for luggage or tight schedules.

How to Get Around Vairao #

Vairao is a coastal village on the Windward side of Tahiti and is compact enough to walk around. Paths and seaside areas are best explored on foot. For day trips and island travel, people typically use rental cars or taxis; ferries and water taxis run from larger ports for inter-island travel, with Papeete serving as the main connection point.