Oceania
Can you drink tap water in French Polynesia?
Boil itFilter or boil
Can you drink the tap water in French Polynesia?
Tap water is treated, but filter or boil it. Tap water in Tahiti is usually safe to drink; on other islands drink boiled, filtered or bottled water.
Key facts
- Safely managed drinking water: 90% of people (2024, WHO/UNICEF JMP).
Tap water by place in French Polynesia
| Place | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bora Bora | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or filtered water; most pensions provide it. Ice at restaurants is usually made from safe water. |
| Tahiti | Filter or boil | Tap water in Papeete is generally safe, but many locals and visitors drink bottled or filtered water, especially after heavy rain. |
| Moorea | Filter or boil | Drink bottled or filtered water; tap water varies by village and is often not recommended for visitors. |
| Rangiroa | No, drink bottled | Drink bottled or rainwater-filtered water supplied by pensions; tap or well water is not drinkable. |
Tap water by place
Sources
- World Bank: safely managed drinking water
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: French Polynesia
- Smartraveller: French Polynesia
- Tahiti Tourisme
- France-Visas
- World Bank open data
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