Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

French Polynesia with a baby?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tahiti & French Polynesia

Hi there!

We are planning a honeymoon vacation to FP in October, but I'm wondering if that is a place you can go with a 4 months old baby. I have not seen any posts where anybody has brought a baby, so I'm wondering if we should rather choose somewhere else to go. I am an ex backpacker, and have been to Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea before, and loved it. The only problem was that we were there during Christmas, and it was pretty much pooring down for 10 days straight.. This time we would like to go a little bit earlier. But, I'm just a little conserned, also since I know that Dengue fever occurs every now and then. Met one that had the disease when we were there last time. Also, if we go, we will have about 2 weeks there, and were wondering if we should go to more places than Bora Bora and Moorea, and 1 day in each end to Tahiti? Would it be too long 5-6 nights in each place? I would really appreciate your advice!
Thank you!
Elin! c",)

French Polynesia is doable with a baby.
Just remember that the Sun in French Polynesia is NOT to be fooled with.

This will be especially important when bringing an infant to FP.

You will have to carefully plan to be out of direct sunlight most of the time, or keep baby covered.

Bring plenty of medications you THINK you may need, like tylenol for infants or whatever it is. (you know the one I mean lol)
These things are not easily found, and usually time is of the essence with a sick baby.

If you don't speak French, it is advisable to sort out English speaking doctors before going down.

If you're staying in pensions, find out beforehand if the windows have screens.

I know the Cook Islands has an accomodation listing where they list who has screens and who doesn't.

I don't know if French Polynesia offers the same. (they should if they aren't)

Either way, with careful planning it's doable, just realize that you won't/shouldn't be taking the baby out in such harsh sunlight too much.

French Polynesia "says" it understands it has issues with Dengue. However the adoption of screens in this country is horribly slow on some islands.

Having said all that, I personally wouldn't bring a baby into FP.

To each his/her own I suppose.

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