🏥 Healthcare Overview

System: French overseas territory with a French-standard healthcare system. Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie Française (CHPF) in Tahiti is modern and well-equipped. Outer islands have dispensaries with limited capabilities. French social security system applies to residents; tourists pay out of pocket.

Quality: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Healthcare in Tahiti is good by Pacific Island standards with modern facilities at CHPF. Bora Bora and Moorea have medical centers for routine care. Remote atolls have basic dispensaries only. For very complex cases, patients are evacuated to metropolitan France, New Zealand, or Australia.

💡 Medical Tourism

French Polynesia is not a medical tourism destination, though it is a major wellness and honeymoon destination. Spa and wellness treatments at luxury resorts are popular.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers — English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Centre Hospitalier de la Polynésie Française (CHPF) ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Pirae, near Papeete, Tahiti

📞 +689-40-486-262

Main hospital for all of French Polynesia. Modern facility with emergency, surgical, and specialist departments. French-speaking; limited English. Handles trauma, cardiac, and complex cases.

Clinique Paofai ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Papeete, Tahiti

📞 +689-40-469-090

Private clinic in Papeete. Good general care and some specialties. French-speaking staff.

Centre Médical de Bora Bora ⚠️ Limited English

📍 Near: Bora Bora (Vaitape)

📞 +689-40-677-070

Small medical center on Bora Bora. Handles routine care and minor emergencies. Serious cases transferred to Tahiti by air.

💊 Pharmacy Guide

Access: moderate

Hours: Pharmacies in Papeete open 7:30am-6pm weekdays, Saturday mornings. A duty pharmacy system operates for after-hours needs. Outer islands have limited pharmacy access — major resorts may have basic supplies.

Prescription rules: French prescription rules apply. Antibiotics and many medications require a prescription (ordonnance). Pharmacists can advise and sell appropriate OTC medications. French medical standards are followed.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • paracetamol
  • ibuprofen
  • antihistamines
  • sunscreen (high SPF)
  • after-sun gel
  • oral rehydration salts
  • anti-nausea/motion sickness pills
  • insect repellent

🗣️ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

💡 Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • : J'ai besoin d'un médicament pour le mal de tête
  • : J'ai mal au ventre
  • : J'ai besoin d'un médicament contre les allergies
  • : Où est la pharmacie la plus proche?
  • : J'ai besoin de voir un médecin

💡 Tips

Pharmacies in Tahiti are well-stocked and follow French pharmaceutical standards. Pharmacists speak French; some speak English in tourist areas. Medications may use French brand names. Bring essential medications — outer islands have very limited supplies. Look for the green cross (croix verte) pharmacy sign.

🏪 Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Look for these storefronts:

  • Pharmacie de Tahiti — Look for the green cross (croix verte) sign. Papeete and surrounding Tahiti
  • Pharmacie de la Cathédrale — Green cross sign near Papeete cathedral. Central Papeete

💊 Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Doliprane / Efferalgan / Dafalgan
    French brand names used. Doliprane is the most common. Widely available.
  • ibuprofen → Advil / Nurofen / Ibuprofène
    Readily available at pharmacies.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Lopéramide
    Available at pharmacies. French packaging.

💉 Medications & Restrictions

Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with generic names, ideally translated into French. Keep medications in original packaging. French customs may inspect medications. An 'ordonnance' (French prescription) format is ideal but English documentation is accepted.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products — Illegal under French law. Strict enforcement.
  • ⚠️ Narcotic painkillers — Controlled under French regulations. Carry a doctor's prescription, ideally in French, and original packaging.
  • ⚠️ Psychotropic medications — Carry a doctor's letter. French regulations may differ from your home country — check before travel.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Several dental practices in Papeete and surrounding Tahiti. Very limited on outer islands.

Typical cost range: $60-200 for basic procedures

Dental care in Tahiti follows French standards and is of good quality. French-speaking dentists. Costs are higher than mainland France. Outer islands have no dental services.

🦷 Dental emergency?

For dental emergencies, private dental clinics in Papeete can handle most urgent issues. CHPF has an oral surgery department for severe cases.

🛡️ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $30-55/week

💡 Tip

Travel insurance is highly recommended. Healthcare costs follow French pricing which can be expensive for tourists without coverage. Medical evacuation from remote atolls can be very costly. Ensure coverage for water sports and diving if planned.

📋 How to File an Insurance Claim

Keep all receipts (feuilles de soins) and medical reports. French-style itemized bills are standard. Facilities may accept credit cards; some require upfront payment. Submit claims with documentation to your insurer. EU EHIC cards are NOT valid in French Polynesia. CFP franc (XPF) is the local currency.

💵 Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $50-100
  • ER visit (no admission): $150-500
  • Overnight hospital stay: $300-800
  • Ambulance call-out: $100-300

Healthcare costs follow French pricing and can be significant. CFP franc (XPF) is the local currency. Credit cards accepted at major facilities. Inter-island medical transfers add substantial cost.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Evacuation from remote atolls to Tahiti is the primary concern. Air Tahiti operates inter-island flights. For cases beyond CHPF's capacity, evacuation to New Zealand or France is arranged. French military aircraft may assist in emergencies.

Primary destination: Papeete, Tahiti (from outer islands)

Secondary destination: Auckland, New Zealand or metropolitan France

Typical cost band: $10,000-60,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS — compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

💉 Vaccinations

Required

  • 🔴 Yellow Fever (only if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)

Recommended

  • 🟡 Hepatitis A
  • 🟡 Hepatitis B
  • 🟡 Typhoid (for extended stays or outer island travel)
  • 🟡 Routine vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio)

No major vaccination concerns for most travelers. There is no malaria in French Polynesia. Dengue fever outbreaks occur periodically — use mosquito repellent. Zika and chikungunya have also been reported.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

✅ Tap water is safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink in Tahiti and Bora Bora. Water quality on some smaller and more remote atolls may vary — use bottled water when uncertain. Hotels and resorts provide safe drinking water. Bottled water is widely available.

Food Safety Tips

Food safety standards are generally good, following French norms. Fresh fish (poisson cru, the national dish) is safe at established restaurants. Be cautious of ciguatera fish poisoning — locals know which reef fish to avoid. Tropical fruit is abundant and safe. Resort dining meets international standards.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

🆘 Crisis Line: SOS Amitié: +689-40-422-222

International crisis support: International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/

English-speaking therapists: Very few English-speaking therapists. Most mental health services are in French.

Mental health services follow the French model. CHPF has a psychiatric department. Private psychologists and psychiatrists available in Papeete. Services on outer islands are minimal.

♿ Accessibility

Accessibility varies significantly. Luxury resorts on Tahiti and Bora Bora may have good accessibility features. Public infrastructure and outer islands have limited accessibility.

Hospital accessibility: CHPF is a modern hospital with wheelchair access. Smaller medical centers may be less accessible.

Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Resorts may offer accessible shuttle services. Overwater bungalows are generally not wheelchair accessible.

💡 Accessibility tips

Contact your resort in advance about accessibility needs. Beach access may be difficult. Boat transfers between islands and to overwater bungalows present challenges for wheelchair users.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No mask mandates. Some healthcare facilities may still require masks.

Testing availability: COVID testing available at CHPF and some private labs in Papeete.

COVID situation has stabilized. French Polynesia follows metropolitan France's health guidelines.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

🆘 Emergency: 15 (SAMU ambulance), 17 (police), 18 (fire)

📚 Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.