French Polynesia sits in the South Pacific between 8° and 27° south latitude, giving it a tropical climate with two broad seasons.
Dry season (May–October) is the best time to visit. Trade winds keep the air moving, humidity is lower, temperatures are comfortable (24–28°C), and rain is infrequent. This is peak tourist season, especially July–August (French school holidays) and the Heiva festival period in July. Book flights and accommodation well ahead.
Wet season (November–April) is hotter (28–32°C), more humid, and brings regular heavy showers — usually brief, intense, and followed by blue sky. The risk of cyclones exists from December through March, though Bora Bora is less exposed than islands further south. Prices are significantly lower, the island is less crowded, and the rain rarely ruins a trip — you are in the lagoon most of the time anyway.
The lagoon is swimmable and diveable year-round. Water temperature stays between 26°C and 29°C regardless of season. The manta ray aggregation in the pass tends to peak from July to October.