Health & Safety in the Tuamotus: Tuamotu Islands

Health Information

Protect your health with appropriate vaccinations. Consult your doctor well before your trip. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary only if you arrive from a country with a yellow fever transmission risk. Check current World Health Organization guidelines for affected regions.

A doctor or travel clinic consultation at least 4-6 weeks before travel provides personalized recommendations. Common recommendations may involve Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Verify your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.

Common Health Concerns

Sunburn & Dehydration: The equatorial sun holds intense power. Wear high-SPF (Reef-safe sunscreen 50+), Wide-brimmed hats, and UV-protective clothing. Drink ample Water.
Mosquito-borne Diseases: Dengue fever is present. Use Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin.
Marine Hazards: Sharp coral (Water shoes/Reef shoes help), jellyfish, stonefish. Do not touch marine life. Ciguatera fish poisoning sometimes happens from certain reef fish.
Ear Infections: Common for divers/snorkelers. Rinse ears after water activities.

Water and Food Hygiene

Protect yourself from food and water-borne illnesses.

Tap water is generally not potable on most Tuamotu atolls. Drink Bottled water exclusively. Alternatively, use a Portable water filter or Purification tablets.

Medical Facilities

Extremely limited in the Tuamotu Islands.

Rangiroa:

Small medical center (dispensary) with a doctor and nurse for basic care.

Serious Medical Emergencies:

Require evacuation to Tahiti (Papeete). The main hospital is in Papeete. This highlights comprehensive Travel insurance.

Crime & Safety

Very low crime rates.

Main Concerns:

Petty theft. Keep valuables secure. Use hotel safes. No specific "neighborhoods" with higher crime rates on small atolls.

Natural Disaster Risks:

Cyclones (November-April). Monitor forecasts. Tsunamis (rare, but in seismically active region). Move to higher ground if an earthquake happens near the coast.

Emergency Contacts

Know these numbers.

Medical SAMU:

Dial 15

Police Gendarmerie:

Dial 17

Fire Pompiers:

Dial 18

Maritime Rescue:

Dial 16

Travel Insurance

Recommendation

Comprehensive Travel insurance acquisition is necessary for a trip to the remote Tuamotu Islands. Limited local medical facilities give this particular importance. Medical evacuation to Tahiti or beyond registers as extremely expensive without coverage.

Coverage Areas

Your policy should cover emergency medical treatment and hospitalization. Emergency medical evacuation is especially useful. Trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage offer protection for unforeseen events. Lost or stolen baggage and personal items warrant consideration. Diving activities, if planned, should merit specific coverage, including hyperbaric chamber treatments if needed. Organizations like DAN (Divers Alert Network) put forth specialized dive insurance.

Providers to Consider

World Nomads:
A strong choice for adventurous travelers. Visit World Nomads
SafetyWing:
Insurance built for digital nomads and remote teams. Visit SafetyWing
Insubuy:
Offers medical and travel-related coverage. Visit Insubuy
DAN (Divers Alert Network):
Specialized coverage for diving incidents.
AirHelp:
Helps with flight compensation. Visit AirHelp

Emergency Contact Details

Medical Emergency (SAMU - Urgences médicales): Dial 15
Police (Police nationale / Gendarmerie): Dial 17
Fire Brigade (Pompiers): Dial 18

Important Tip

Carry copies of your passport, visa, and insurance details separately from the originals. Leave a copy with someone at home. This helps you if your originals are lost or stolen.

Budgeting & Costs

Plan your budget for the Tuamotu Islands with a realistic understanding of expenses. This destination offers beauty but can be costly due to its remote location and reliance on imported goods.

Currency & Exchange

The local currency in French Polynesia is the Pacific Franc (XPF or CFP Franc). It has a fixed exchange rate with the Euro: 1 Euro equals 119.33 XPF. This fixed rate maintains stability.

Practical Points

Currency exchange is possible at Faa'an International Airport (PPT) in Tahiti. Major banks in Papeete also facilitate exchange.
ATMs appear in Rangiroa and Fakarava, but are less common on smaller, more remote atolls. Withdraw sufficient cash when opportunity strikes.
Major credit cards are accepted at larger resorts. Many smaller pensions, local shops, and vendors prefer cash.
Carry enough cash, especially for excursions, local meals, and purchases on smaller atolls.

Daily Cost Ranges Per Person

Prices register as estimates. They vary significantly based on your specific choices, season, and booking timing. The Tuamotus generally surpass Tahiti in expense due to transport and supply logistics.

Budgeting Tiers

Budget Traveler: 8,000 - 23,000 XPF (approx. $70 - $200 USD). This covers stays in pensions (often with breakfast), simple local eateries, walking, cycling, and free activities.
Mid-Range Traveler: 28,000 - 60,000 XPF (approx. $250 - $540 USD). Includes comfortable pensions, mixed dining, occasional taxis/transfers, and regular paid excursions.
Luxury Traveler: 70,000 - 100,000+ XPF (approx. $600 - $900+ USD). Includes luxury resorts, fine dining, private transfers, and bespoke experiences.
These figures are per person, per day.

Price Ranges for Elements

Accommodation & Meals

Guesthouses/Pensions: 5,000 - 15,000 XPF (approx. $45 - $125 USD) per night, often with breakfast and dinner.
Mid-range Bungalows/Hotels: 15,000 - 40,000 XPF (approx. $125 - $340 USD) per night.
Luxury Resorts: 40,000 XPF and above (approx. $340+ USD) per night.
Meals: Local snack: 800-1,500 XPF ($7-$12 USD). Casual restaurant: 1,500-3,000 XPF ($12-$25 USD). Mid-range: 3,000-6,000 XPF ($25-$50 USD). Resort dining: 5,000-10,000+ XPF ($45-$85+ USD) per dish.

Transportation & Activities

Domestic Flights (Air Tahiti Pass): 40,000-70,000 XPF ($340-$600 USD) for a multi-island pass.
Airport Transfer: 500-2,000 XPF ($4-$17 USD), often included by accommodation.
Bicycle Rental: 1,000-2,000 XPF ($8-$17 USD) per day; many guesthouses offer free bikes.
Diving/Snorkeling: Intro dive: 8,000-10,000 XPF ($70-$85 USD). Certified single tank: 7,000-9,000 XPF ($60-$75 USD). Two-tank: 13,000-16,000 XPF ($110-$135 USD). Snorkeling excursion: 3,000-6,000 XPF ($25-$50 USD). Pearl farm tour: often free, plus transport.

Money-Saving Strategies

Utilize an Air Tahiti Pass: For inter-island travel, passes significantly cut flight costs compared to individual tickets. Evaluate pass options based on your itinerary.
Stay at Pensions: Choose family-run guesthouses. Many pensions feature demi-pension, including breakfast and dinner, which saves on meal expenses. Pensions also give a more authentic local experience.
Self-Catering: If your accommodation has kitchen facilities, buy groceries from local markets to prepare some meals. This approach noticeably lessens food expenses. Be aware that grocery options are limited on remote atolls; stock up in Tahiti if possible.
Limit Alcohol: Imported alcohol in French Polynesia stands as very expensive due to high taxes. Curtail your consumption of alcoholic beverages for savings. Opt for local fruit juices or water.

Tipping Culture and Expectations

Tipping is not customary or expected. Service charges are usually part of prices. You do not need to add an extra percentage.

What to Know

No expectation for tips in French Polynesia.
Service charges are often included.
No need to add extra percentages.
A small gratuity for exceptional service is a welcome gesture.

Best Practice

Genuine appreciation is welcome.
This is not an obligation.
Locals do not anticipate it.
Your generous attitude is what matters most.

Final Budget Tip

Withdraw sufficient cash in Tahiti or at the main atolls like Rangiroa and Fakarava. ATMs are scarce on smaller islands.

Health & Safety in the Tuamotus