In French Polynesia, call JRCC Tahiti on 16. Second 24-hour line: JRCC Tahiti, +689 40 54 16 16. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Météo-France Polynésie française publishes the official marine forecast bulletin by sea zone, with special bulletins (BMS) when mean wind reaches 28 knots or more.
Météo-France Polynésie française · Météo-France Polynésie française ▾
meteo.pf (2026-10-14): “ZONE BMS: VENT MOYEN A 10M >= 28KT”
meteo.pf (2026-10-14): “Bulletin de prévision marine”
In the southern hemisphere the cyclone season runs from November to April, sometimes into May (Météo-France); the UK FCDO says tropical storms can occur in French Polynesia from November to April.
Météo-France Polynésie française · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
meteo.pf (2026-10-14): “la saison cyclonique s'étend de NOVEMBRE à AVRIL , voire MAI.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Tropical storms including cyclones can happen from November to April.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
French Polynesia's maritime affairs directorate publishes Division 224 as the pleasure-boat safety rule: there must be as many approved lifejackets on board as there are people.
Direction polynésienne des affaires maritimes (DPAM) ▾
service-public.pf (2026-10-14): “Il doit y avoir à bord de tous les navires de plaisance visés au présent chapitre, autant de brassières de sauvetage approuvées que de personnes à bord”
Official warnings
Beaches are not patrolled and there may be strong currents, even in the lagoons.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel) ▾
safetravel.govt.nz (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Beaches in French Polynesia are not patrolled and there may be strong currents, even in the lagoons.”
Divers: recompression
French Polynesia's only hyperbaric chamber is in Papeete (Tahiti).
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “ask about safety precautions, including the ability to transfer divers to the only hyperbaric chamber in French Polynesia, which is in Papeete”
Arriving by boat
Yachts arriving from abroad must first berth at a designated 'first-touch' port, bay or roadstead for customs, immigration and biosecurity formalities, and must send a maritime health declaration (DMS) at least 48 hours before arrival. After entry, a yacht may stay under duty-free temporary admission for up to 12 months (36 months if over 24 m).
Direction polynésienne des affaires maritimes (DPAM) · Direction polynésienne des affaires maritimes (DPAM) · Direction régionale des douanes de Polynésie française ▾
service-public.pf (2026-10-14): “Les navires de plaisance arrivant par la mer de l’étranger doivent impérativement accoster dans les ports, baies ou rades, dits de « première touchée » pour y effectuer les formalités d’entrée sur le territoire polynésien : Douane, immigration et biosécurité.”
service-public.pf (2026-10-14): “Tous les navires (croisières, yachts ou de plaisance) doivent transmettre une déclaration maritime de santé (DMS) a minima quarante-huit (48) heures avant l’arrivée.”
service-public.pf (2026-10-14): “pour une durée maximale de 12 mois (navires de moins de 24m) ou 36 mois (navires de plus de 24m)”
What number do I call for help at sea in French Polynesia?+
In French Polynesia, call JRCC Tahiti on 16. Second 24-hour line: JRCC Tahiti, +689 40 54 16 16. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in French Polynesia?+
16 is the number the authorities in French Polynesia give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for French Polynesia.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in French Polynesia?+
In the southern hemisphere the cyclone season runs from November to April, sometimes into May (Météo-France); the UK FCDO says tropical storms can occur in French Polynesia from November to April.
Are life jackets compulsory in French Polynesia?+
French Polynesia's maritime affairs directorate publishes Division 224 as the pleasure-boat safety rule: there must be as many approved lifejackets on board as there are people.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for French Polynesia?+
Météo-France Polynésie française publishes the official marine forecast bulletin by sea zone, with special bulletins (BMS) when mean wind reaches 28 knots or more.
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