Oceania
Is French Polynesia safe?
L1Exercise normal precautions
Is French Polynesia safe?
Very safe for visitors. Petty theft and drink spiking are the main crimes, mostly in Papeete; nature poses the bigger risks: currents, sharks, cyclones and stray dogs.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2024-12-01.
- Homicide rate: 0.4 per 100,000 people (2009, UNODC via World Bank).
- Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18.
- Solo women: Generally safe for solo women; avoid isolated beaches and walking alone after dark in Papeete.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Strong currents even in lagoons; no beaches are patrolled
- Dengue, chikungunya and leptospirosis
- Stray dogs on beaches and hiking trails
- Cyclones November–April and tsunami alerts
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry photo ID at all times; it's required by law
- Drug possession, even small amounts, brings fines or prison
- Marae (sacred sites) and shore land beyond public beaches may need permission
Safety by place in French Polynesia
Quick answers
Is French Polynesia safe for tourists?
Very safe for visitors. Petty theft and drink spiking are the main crimes, mostly in Papeete; nature poses the bigger risks: currents, sharks, cyclones and stray dogs.
Is French Polynesia safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women; avoid isolated beaches and walking alone after dark in Papeete.
What is the emergency number in French Polynesia?
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: French Polynesia
- Smartraveller: French Polynesia
- Tahiti Tourisme
- France-Visas
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.