★★
Budget
Four Seasons Hot Spring Hotel (Da'an Nenjiangwan Wetland Park High-speed Railway Station)
From $16 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Things to Do in Papeete in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Papeete
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
86°F (30°C)
High Temp
73°F (22°C)
Low Temp
15.6 inches (396 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Flash-flood risk on Fautaua trail after overnight rain
⚠ UV index 8 causes rapid burns even under thin cloud
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + From December 15th onward, Moorea's coast becomes a theater where humpbacks breach within 200 m (656 ft) of the shoreline, turning every ocean view into prime seating for whale season's grand finale.
- + Christmas markets take over Papeete's waterfront, where Tahitian crafts mingle with poisson cru scooped straight from coconut shells, creating a holiday scene that could only happen here.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak July-August while the weather remains warm enough for swimming, making December the sweet spot for budget-conscious travelers who refuse to compromise on tropical bliss.
- + Mango season hits its stride - roadside stands overflow with golden drops that taste like someone bottled sunshine and wrapped it in fruit skin.
Considerations
- − Afternoon deluges arrive like clockwork at 3 PM, transforming streets into ankle-deep rivers for 45 minutes before vanishing as quickly as they appeared.
- − Cruise ships dock three days per week in late December, turning Marché de Papeete into a shoulder-to-shoulder maze of cruise passengers hunting for souvenirs.
- − Mosquitoes turn aggressive after sunset when the trade winds that normally keep them offshore disappear in December, transforming evening beach walks into bug buffet situations.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°C | 23°C | 12.5 inches (318 mm) |
| Feb | 31°C | 23°C | 10.9 inches (277 mm) |
| Mar | 31°C | 23°C | 9.5 inches (241 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C | 23°C | 5.6 inches (142 mm) |
| May | 31°C | 22°C | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C | 21°C | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C | 21°C | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Aug | 30°C | 21°C | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 30°C | 21°C | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Oct | 30°C | 22°C | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Nov | 30°C | 22°C | 6.1 inches (155 mm) |
| Dec | 30°C | 22°C | 15.6 inches (396 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Moorea Lagoon Snorkeling with Humpback Whales
December marks the start of whale season when humpbacks migrate to Moorea's warm waters to calve. The lagoon stays glass-calm until 11 AM, good for snorkeling alongside mothers teaching calves to breach. Afternoon storms improve visibility by stirring up plankton that attracts more marine life.
Booking Tip: Book licensed operators 7-10 days ahead through the booking widget below. Morning departures (7-9 AM) deliver the calmest conditions and active whale behavior before afternoon weather turns moody.
Papeete Municipal Market Food Tours
December humidity amplifies every scent at Marché de Papeete - Tahitian vanilla, grilled mahi-mahi, and fresh pineapple create an intoxicating mix. Morning tours beat both cruise ship crowds and the 3 PM rain. Sample poisson cru prepared in coconut milk while watching vendors weave palm frond baskets for Christmas shoppers.
Booking Tip: Start tours at 6 AM when the market opens - vendors flash genuine smiles and the selection hasn't been picked over. Licensed guides know which stalls rotate weekly versus permanent fixtures worth bookmarking.
Fautaua Valley Trekking
The valley's 300 m (984 ft) waterfall runs strongest in December's rains. Morning hikes start cool at 24°C (75°F) and reach the falls by 9 AM before clouds build into afternoon storms. The granite pools below the falls stay warm enough for swimming despite the rain.
Booking Tip: Requires permits from Papeete town hall - obtain 48 hours in advance. Guided treks include river crossings that become dangerous after heavy rain. Book through insured operators shown in the widget.
Christmas Eve Traditional Canoe Parade
Local families decorate outrigger canoes with palm fronds and Christmas lights for the December 24th evening parade along Papeete's waterfront. The humidity makes the air thick with frangipani scent as drums echo off the harbor walls.
Booking Tip: Free to watch - claim spots on the waterfront wall 90 minutes before sunset. Many restaurants offer fixed menus overlooking the parade route, turning dinner into front-row seats.
Tahitian Pearl Farm Visits
December's variable weather creates perfect lighting for pearl grading - overcast skies reveal the true luster of black pearls. Farm tours on neighboring lagoons combine boat rides through pearl cultivation areas with workshops on traditional stringing techniques.
Booking Tip: Morning tours include pearl harvesting demonstrations. Book through licensed operators who work with sustainable farms - see current tours in the booking section below.
Where to Stay in Papeete in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early to Mid December
Papeete Christmas Market
The waterfront transforms into Tahiti's largest holiday market from December 1st-23rd. Wooden stalls sell vanilla-scented monoi oil, black pearl jewelry, and grilled breadfruit while traditional dance groups perform nightly at 6 PM and 8 PM.
Mid December
Fete de la Terre
Tahitian harvest festival celebrates breadfruit season with traditional umu earth oven cooking demonstrations in Papeete's Paofai Park. Local families share imu-cooked pork and taro while teaching visitors to weave coconut leaf plates.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Papeete Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Local families eat Christmas dinner on the beach at 2 PM - bring a dish to share and you'll get invited to join tables that stretch across the sand.
The ferry to Moorea runs every 30 minutes but fills with weekend shoppers - book the 6 AM sailing on Saturdays to beat the shopping rush.
Taxi drivers quote in Pacific Francs but prefer USD - negotiate in CFP before getting in to avoid awkward currency conversion arguments.
Marché de Papeete vendors discount produce after 11 AM when cruise ship passengers leave, creating prime bargaining time for locals and savvy travelers.
December's humidity makes hotel air conditioning feel Arctic - request rooms away from the pool pump unless you enjoy sleeping to mechanical lullabies.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking beachfront resorts for whale watching - the animals stay in Moorea's lagoon, visible from shore, making expensive boat tours optional rather than essential.
Wearing jeans in 70% humidity - denim takes days to dry and feels like wearing wet cardboard that slowly molds to your legs.
Planning sunset activities at 6 PM - December sun sets at 6:30 PM behind Tahiti's mountains by 6:15 PM, cutting golden hour shorter than most visitors expect.
Book Experiences in Papeete
Top-rated things to do in Papeete this December
Explore More Activities in Papeete
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Papeete.
See All Papeete Tours on Viator