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As of September 3, 2021
Dear Traveler,
As of September 20, 2021, the temporary COVID-19 restrictions that have been in place have ended. There is a lighter, modified version in place that, we believe, should not be very noticeable to tourists.
In an effort to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 among the islands, the High Commissioner and President of French Polynesia recently announced a lighter, temporary restriction on the Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Taha'a, Tetiaroa, and Huahine) and a continued curfew for all of French Polynesia.
From September 20th, all of French Polynesia will remain under an evening curfew (guests must be back at their resorts by 8pm). For the Society Islands, listed above, guests will be restricted to their resorts on Saturday afternoon and on Sundays (from 2pm Saturday to 4am Monday).
As most shops, restaurants, excursions and other activities on Tahiti and Moorea are usually closed on Sundays, we do not anticipate this will have a major impact on a visit to the islands.
Travelers will continue to be able to travel between islands (and reserved accommodations) as confirmed on their travel itineraries even on Saturdays and Sundays. However, guests on the islands mentioned above will need to stay on resort property during these hours.
When traveling between islands on for previously confirmed inter-island flights or accommodations, visitors will need a special travel authorization from the High Commissioner's website. Travelers will also need to show their Vaccination Cards prior to inter-island travel.
Resort services, beaches, and pools will remain available for the guest to enjoy, unless specifically stated otherwise. You can access the full Press Release from Tahiti Tourisme through this link.
Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions published by Tahiti Tourisme regarding these temporary restrictions.
If you are a Venture Tahiti client, your Tahiti Specialist will inform you of any restrictions that may impact your stay. Please feel free to contact us for additional information.
Tahiti Tourisme has just announced a few changes to the Entry Protocols for Tahiti that make the process a little easier on travelers.
As of August 11th, an overnight curfew on the islands of Moorea and Tahiti from 9pm to 4am local time. As well as restrictions for Sunday.
On June 25th, Tahiti began accepting a specific type of Antigen test (as an alternative to the RT-PCR test). The Antigen test MUST allow for the detection of the "N" protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unlike the RT-PCR test which must be taken within 3 days of departure, the Antigen test must be taken within 48 hours of departure.
On June 10th, as the next phase of French Polynesia's "Gradual Reopening" process, Tahiti Tourisme announced several major changes to the current entry protocols.
These changes bring good news and streamlined procedures for vaccinated travelers, non-US travelers, and families traveling with children.
However, for those planning on traveling to Tahiti with natural immunity (antibodies) from a previous Coronavirus infection, this is not welcome news at all. After June 16th, travelers with natural immunity will no longer be allowed to enter without restrictions.
Continue reading for the highlights of the new announcement. For additional detail, we have updated our article titled, “Tahiti | COVID-19” Entry Requirements”. We have also updated our popular "Venture Tahiti Pre-Flight Checklist". Please let us know if you would like access to the latest version.
The temporary travel restriction for Bora Bora and The Islands of Tahiti ended on April 30, 2021. Since that time, dozens of happy Venture Tahiti clients have finally been able to take their long-awaited vacations and honeymoons. Some of these trips have been years in the making.
The authorities in France have made it clear that this is a “gradual” reopening. It appears we are now entering Phase II of this process. This new milestone allows travelers from other countries (not just the USA) to travel to Tahiti.
Vaccinated travelers that have resided for at least 15 days prior to departure in one of the following countries are now allowed to visit Bora Bora and The Islands of Tahiti:
Prior to June 9th, only travelers who had resided in the US for 30 days prior to departure were allowed. This opens the door to many more travelers. International travel from countries not on the list remains restricted and requires a 10-day quarantine.
We have summarized the new entry protocols for your convenience. These procedures have evolved substantially over the past month. We have just updated them again as of June 11, 2021. Please see our post titled, “Tahiti | COVID-19” Entry Requirements”. Also, bookmark this page for real-time updates when they happen.
After June 16, 2021, only vaccinated travelers (and their unvaccinated children) will be able to enter without restrictions. The CDC card obtained after full vaccination (or the EU equivalent) is adequate proof. Please see our full Entry Requirements article for more information and descriptions of the required online forms.
Travelers with natural immunity from prior COVID-19 infections will not be allowed to visit without restrictions after June 16th. Currently, these "immune" travelers had to demonstrate that they had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last six months and possessed antibodies. We have had clients travel under this provision and view the elimination of this allowance as a major step backward. The reported COVID-19 situation in France and Europe undoubtedly influenced these policies. France continues to be extremely cautious.
The good news is that unvaccinated children can now travel without restriction, as long as they are accompanied by vaccinated parents or guardians. We were able to surprise some very happy clients with this good news this morning. They are thrilled they will be able to take their summer vacations after all.
Every traveler over the age of 11, must test negative on a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within three days of travel. The authorities also added an antigen test upon arrival for an extra measure of safety against COVID-19.
Masking and Social Distancing remain in place, as well. Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Protocols section for more information.
Also, several hotels and resorts in Tahiti have provided detailed, enhanced sanitation procedures. You are welcome to download these materials from the Resort Health and Safety section below.
All of these new and everchanging requirements may seem daunting at first. But, we are here to help. Our Tahiti Specialists have been working hard to simplify and organize everything for you.
We have combined the requirements published by Tahiti Tourisme, Air Tahiti Nui, the High Commissioner of French Polynesia, Los Angeles County, and the CDC, into a one-page document named, The Venture Tahiti Pre-Flight Checklist. The checklist also contains supporting information, links, and explanations to simplify each of the new protocols and procedures.
Our checklist is available to all Venture Tahiti clients. For a limited time, we are also making the checklist available to subscribers on our newsletter mailing list. Please click here to request a copy of our new Pre-Flight Checklist.
Tahiti Tourisme has released another updated infographic to help clarify these new regulations and the recent changes.
Venture Tahiti continues to work directly with Tahiti Tourisme to address specific scenarios as they arise. Please contact your Tahiti Travel Specialist with any questions specific to your situation.
Our new Coronavirus Travel News section contains more information on these travel restrictions. We also update our Frequently Asked Questions section on a regular basis.
Tahiti has managed the COVID-19 crisis very well. Coronavirus cases in the islands remain very low and are trending lower each month.
The CDC and the US State Department have validated these efforts by recently lowering travel risk assessment for French Polynesia to "Level I - COVID-19 Low" and "Level I - Exercise Normal Precautions", respectively.
Please let us know if you believe these new entry protocols will impact your upcoming trip. We designed our new Book with Confidence! policy to protect you in situations like these. The policy, described in detail below, allows you to apply 100% of your prior payments to new travel dates. We will be glad to help you reschedule your trip once you have new dates in mind.
Please scroll down for more Coronavirus Travel News. We constantly add new articles related to Bora Bora, The Islands of Tahiti, and international travel. You may also find our Packing Considerations for travel in the time of COVID-19 very helpful.
As always, feel free to contact us with any questions. Our team of Certified Tahiti Specialists is always happy to help.
Kind regards,
At the time of this writing, French Polynesia requires that you comply with one of the following:
1) Purchase Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 medical expenses; or
2) Personally assume ALL expenses related to the cost of your healthcare including potential hospitalization, quarantine, or medical evacuation/ repatriation, should you fall ill during your stay in the Islands.
Although you are presented with a choice, Venture Tahiti strongly recommends that you do purchase an independent insurance policy. Please see our Tahiti Travel Tip entitled, "Should I Buy Insurance" for more information or click this link to sort, compare, and purchase travel insurance from multiple providers.
Yes, the entry requirements for French Polynesia, as of the date above, require proof of a negative COVID-19 test carried out within three days prior to your international departure. Even if you are fully-vaccinated. In addition, you will be tested upon arrival under the new entry protocols.
As June 25th, Tahiti began accepting a specific type of Antigen test (as an alternative to the RT-PCR test they have been accepting since July 2020). The Antigen test MUST allow for the detection of the "N" protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Unlike the RT-PCR test which must be taken within 3 days of departure, the Antigen test must be taken within 48 hours of departure.
You will also be required to carry out a self test on the fourth day of your stay. Please see our Tahiti | COVID-19 Entry Requirements and Tahiti | COVID-19 Self Test Instructions articles located below in our COVID-19 Travel Protocols section for more details including which tests are acceptable, and other entry requirements.
You can find a list of testing centers through this website. There are locations across the country, please make sure they offer the "RT-PCR" test or an Antigen test which allows for detection of the "N" protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
A list of acceptable RT-PCR tests can be found here.
For additional information on testing centers, please see our Air Tahiti Nui's COVID-19 policies article located below in our COVID-19 Travel Protocols section for more details, including information on the new testing center located at Los Angeles International Airport.
It is the responsibility of the traveler to make sure the test results are available prior to their international flight. Please remember to discuss this with your potential test facility to see if results will be available online or via email to ensure you receive them prior to check-in for your international departure.
If you will be taking the newly approved Antigen Test (must detect the "N" protein in the SARS-CoV-2 virus), then your test must occur within 48 hours of your departure.
For the RT-PCR test, your test must be carried out within three days prior to your departure. According to the examples provided by Tahiti Tourisme, the following days are the earliest you could get tested based on which day of the week you will be departing. Any time of day will suffice, regardless of your actual time of departure.
- Sunday Departure = Preceding Thursday (This is the earliest day you could be tested.)
- Monday Departure = Preceding Friday
- Tuesday Departure = Preceding Saturday
- Wednesday Departure = Preceding Sunday
- Thursday Departure = Preceding Monday
- Friday Departure = Preceding Tuesday
- Saturday Departure = Preceding Wednesday
Please note, if departing early in the week, you will need to verify that the lab actually works over the weekend and results will be available on time. It is the sole responsibility of the traveler to make sure their test results are available in time for their international flight.
For additional information, please see lease see our Tahiti | COVID-19 Entry Requirements page. It is updated on a regular basis.
On January 26, 2021 the CDC announced that all travelers flying to the United States from foreign countries (including US Citizens) will need to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight to the US. Upon this announcement, the government in French Polynesia implemented quick and convenient testing procedures available to all US bound passengers. Testing facilities that comply with US testing requirements have been set up at the Faa'a International Airport in Tahiti, as well as three other sites on the Island of Tahiti and one site on Moorea. It is our expectation that additional sites on different islands will be opened as time goes on.
Your Venture Tahiti Specialist will make sure that your travel itinerary allows for testing at Faa'a International Airport prior to your flight back to the United States, with minimal disruption to your current itinerary. More details are provided below in our COVID-19 Travel Protocols section.
Venture Tahiti strongly recommends that you purchase a third-party travel insurance policy that protects you in the scenarios covered below. You can compare coverage and pricing and purchase a policy through this link.
Prior to Leaving the United States: If you are unable to travel to Tahiti because you tested positive for COVID-19 prior to departure, you will be able to apply 100% of your payments toward new travel dates. Venture Tahiti will work with your airline and resorts to reschedule your trip once new dates have been selected.
During Your Stay: If you test positive during your stay, you will be put in contact with the Health Monitoring Bureau and Ministry of Tourism. They will assist you with a mandatory 10 day quarantine from the date of your positive test.
If you require medical assistance, you will be transferred to the nearest hospital. If you are asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms, you can stay at your reserved hotel if health conditions permit. Otherwise, you will be transferred back to Tahiti and placed in a dedicated accommodation (most likely a villa rental or a designated hotel) at your expense, if not covered by an insurance policy.
Prior to Returning to the US: If you test positive prior to departing Tahiti at the end of your stay, after taking the required self-test, you will be expected to quarantine for 10 days as described above, at your own expense, if not covered by an insurance policy.
As of June 16, 2021, the High Commissioner and the President of French Polynesia and the authorities in France are mandating that only vaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter French Polynesia without restrictions. All other travelers must quarantine on the Island of Tahiti for 10 days, upon arrival.
This requirement is part of the gradual reopening protocols. It is subject to change and we do not know how long they will be in place.
If you have already been vaccinated, you will still need to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding your flights to, or from, Tahiti. Please see our detailed Entry Requirements for Tahiti and the United States below.
If borders are closed for your future travel dates due to COVID-19, your Venture Tahiti Specialist will assist you in rescheduling your trip with new travel dates. Under our Book with Confidence! policy, 100% of your payments will be applied to your amended travel itinerary.
We understand you may be concerned about making a final payment toward your Tahiti vacation or honeymoon if the borders are currently closed. Please contact our Client Services team to inquire about flexibility on your final due date.
If borders remain closed, rest assured that 100% of your payments can be applied to new travel dates under our Book with Confidence! policy, detailed below.
Tahiti reopened to tourists on July 15, 2020. We have sent many happy clients to Tahiti since July, prior to the recent, temporary border closing. Since the second reopening on May 1, 2021, dozens of our clients and colleagues have overwhelmingly provided good feedback mentioning that the new health and safety protocols did not detract from their overall experience. You can read recent feedback in our Client Testimonials section.
Venture Tahiti has also curated a collection of recent articles written by Travel + Leisure and other travel writers about the experience of traveling to French Polynesia during COVID-19. You can find these first-hand accounts in our Tahiti Travel Trends, News & Articles section.
Postponing or rescheduling is a more favorable option financially than completely cancelling a trip. If borders are open and the airlines and hotels are operating, we will need to defer to the terms and conditions of the suppliers that were provided at the time of your booking. Many resorts will require a certain amount of advanced notice, but they may also be operating under special conditions with more flexible rules.
Assuming borders are closed or adequate advanced notice has been given (usually 30 days), your prior payments and pre-purchased airfare are held as credits to be applied to your new travel dates, once dates have been selected and new reservations have been confirmed. You can read more about this under our Book with Confidence! policy,
If you have booked through Venture Tahiti, we will work with your resorts and airline to reschedule your itinerary for you. You would not have to select your dates immediately.
Should you prefer to cancel in full, Venture Tahiti will work with the resorts and airlines to cancel your reservations and request any available refunds. We will also work with your suppliers to preserve any credits associated with your non-refundable airfare, insurance policy premiums and non-refundable deposit.
Below you will find a collection of comprehensive resources concerning many COVID-19 related travel topics including recent news articles on the subject. In addition, we recommend checking your airline’s website as well as Tahiti Tourisme.
Importantly, prior to any international travel, we always recommend visiting the State Department travel website for safety information related to your travel plans. For medical and health information, we recommend visiting the Centers for Disease Control website as well as consulting with your family physician.
If you have specific questions related to Tahiti travel and would like to speak to a Certified Tahiti Travel Specialist, feel free to schedule a call below. This is complimentary for Venture Tahiti clients.
If you have booked elsewhere, or on your own, we still welcome your questions. However, a small advisory fee will apply.
