Best Times & Seasons to Fish in French Polynesia (Complete Guide)

French Polynesia offers some of the best fishing in the tropics. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in French Polynesia are from May to October, particularly early morning and late afternoon, for species such as tuna, mahi-mahi, and snapper.

Month	French Polynesia Fishing Location
January	In the deep saltwater off the southern coast of Tahiti, you’ll find excellent opportunities to catch Sailfish.
February	The bountiful inlets of Moorea’s east coast offer great chances to hook Bigeye Tuna.
March	The rich waters on the western coast of Tahiti are perfect for catching Yellowfin Tuna.
April	The beautiful bays of Bora Bora’s west coast are teeming with Mahi-Mahi.
May	Over in the coastal spots of Bora Bora’s east coast, Grouper are plentiful.
June	The tidal areas around Rangiroa’s west coast offer a great fishing experience, especially for Wahoo.
July	For barracuda, head to the north coast of Bora Bora.
August	The southern coasts of Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago are rich with Giant Trevally.
September	The inlets and bays of Tahiti’s east coast are fantastic spots to catch Dogtooth Tuna.
October	The stunning saltwater spots on the Marquesas Islands’ east coast are teeming with Striped Marlin.
November	Rangiroa’s northern coastline offers superb opportunities to catch Black Marlin.
December	For Swordfish, the western coastal spots of the Marquesas Islands are unparalleled.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in French Polynesia. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in French Polynesia

For Yellowfin Tuna, Tahiti’s west coast is excellent, especially in March and April.

Over on Tahiti’s east coast, you can find plenty of Dogtooth Tuna in September and October.

The north coast of Tahiti is great for catching Bigeye Tuna, particularly in November and December.

In the south of Tahiti, Sailfish are a common catch, with the best chances in January and February.

Bora Bora’s west coast is a hotspot for Mahi-Mahi, especially in March and April.

Bora Bora’s east coast is known for Groupers, with high catch rates in May and June.

You can find plenty of Barracuda on the north coast of Bora Bora, especially in July and August.

Bora Bora’s south coast is great for Sailfish, particularly in September and October.

Rangiroa’s west coast is an excellent spot for Wahoo, with high catch rates in November and December.

The east coast of Rangiroa is known for Bluefin Trevally, best fished in January and February.

The north coast of Rangiroa is a top spot for Black Marlin, especially in March and April.

Over in the south of Rangiroa, Giant Trevally are a common catch in May and June.

The Marquesas Islands’ west coast is great for Swordfish, particularly in July and August.

The east coast of the Marquesas Islands is known for Striped Marlin, with best fishing in September and October.

Blue Marlin are plentiful on the north coast of the Marquesas Islands, especially in November and December.

In the south of the Marquesas Islands, you can find plenty of Sailfish in January and February.

Moorea’s west coast is an excellent spot for Wahoo, particularly in March and April.

The east coast of Moorea is known for Bigeye Tuna, with high catch rates in May and June.

The north coast of Moorea is a great spot for Yellowfin Tuna, especially in July and August.

Moorea’s south coast is the place to be for catching Mahi-Mahi, particularly in September and October.

Recommended Fishing Guides in French Polynesia

These French Polynesia-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Moorea Fishing Adventures	Moorea-Maiao, French Polynesia
Bora Bora Fishing Charters	Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Tahiti Fish in a Barrel	Puna’auia, French Polynesia

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Marlin

The best times to fish for marlin in French Polynesia are typically during June to October when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Marlin fishing is often done during early morning or late afternoon when the fish are more likely to feed near the surface.

Some of the best locations in Bora Bora for fishing marlin are the offshore waters near the Motu Piti Aau, the deep drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass, the channels around the Matira Point, and the areas near the Motu Tapu island.

Sailfish

The best times to fish for sailfish in French Polynesia are usually during May to September when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Sailfish are often caught during early morning or late afternoon fishing trips while actively feeding near the surface.

Some of the best locations in Bora Bora for fishing sailfish are the offshore waters near the Motu Piti Aau, the drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass, the channels around the Matira Point, and the areas near the Motu Tapu island.

Yellowfin Tuna

The best times to fish for yellowfin tuna in French Polynesia are generally during May to September, when the water is warmer, and the fish are more active. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to try catching yellowfin tuna as they tend to feed near the surface during these times.

Some of the best locations in French Polynesia for fishing yellowfin tuna are the deep waters around the Teavanui Pass, the outer edges of the Motu Toopua area, the Piti Aau channel, and the waters near the Motu Tapu island.

Mahi-Mahi

The best times to fish for mahi-mahi in French Polynesia are usually during November to March when the water is warmer, and the fish are more plentiful. Mahi-mahi are often active throughout the day, but early morning and late afternoon are great times to catch them as they tend to be more active.

Some of the best locations for fishing mahi-mahi are the waters around the Motu Tevairoa area, the Matira Point region, the outer edges of the Motu Piti Aau, and the offshore reefs near the Motu Toopua island.

Wahoo

The best times to fish for wahoo in French Polynesia are usually during the months of April to June and September to November, when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Wahoo are known to be fast swimmers and are often caught during early morning or late afternoon fishing trips.

Some of the best locations in for fishing wahoo are the drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass, the deeper waters around the Motu Piti Aau, the offshore reefs near the Matira Point, and the channels near the Motu Toopua.

Swordfish

Swordfish fishing in French Polynesia is best during December to March when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Swordfish are usually caught during nighttime fishing expeditions when they come up to the surface to feed.

Some of the best locations for fishing swordfish are the deeper offshore waters, the areas near the Motu Piti Aau, the drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass, and the channels around the Matira Point.

Barracuda

The best times to fish for barracuda in French Polynesia are typically during the months of June to September when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Barracuda are known to be most active during the early morning and late afternoon when they hunt for prey near the surface.

Some of the best locations for fishing barracuda are the reefs near the Motu Tevairoa, the channels around the Motu Piti Aau, the rocky areas near the Matira Point, and the drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass.

Giant Trevally

The best times to fish for giant trevally in French Polynesia are typically during the months of May to October when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Giant trevally are known to be aggressive predators and can be caught throughout the day.

Some of the best locations for fishing giant trevally are the reefs near the Motu Tevairoa, the drop-offs near the Motu Piti Aau, the channels around the Matira Point, and the deeper waters near the Teavanui Pass.

Grouper

The best times to fish for grouper in French Polynesia are generally during June to October when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. Grouper are often more active during the early morning and late afternoon when they come out to feed.

Some of the best locations for fishing grouper are the coral structures near the Motu Tevairoa, the deeper drop-offs near the Motu Piti Aau, the rocky areas around the Matira Point, and the submerged ledges near the Teavanui Pass.

Snapper

The best times to fish for snapper in French Polynesia are typically during the months of April to November when the water is warmer, and the fish are more active. Snapper are often more active during low-light conditions, so early morning or late afternoon can be great times to catch them.

Some of the best locations for fishing snapper are the reefs near the Motu Tevairoa, the outer edges of the Motu Piti Aau, the coral structures near the Matira Point, and the submerged rocks near the Teavanui Pass.

Bonefish

The best times to fish for bonefish in French Polynesia are generally during May to October when the weather is warm and the fish are more active. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for bonefishing as the fish tend to be more active during these cooler parts of the day.

Some of the best locations for fishing bonefish are the flats near the Motu Piti Aau, the lagoon around the Motu Tapu island, the shallows near the Teavanui Pass, and the sandy areas around the Motu Toopua.

Dogtooth Tuna

The best times to fish for dogtooth tuna in French Polynesia are during April to October, when the water is warm, and the fish are more active. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times to go fishing as the fish often feed near the surface.

Some of the best locations for fishing dogtooth tuna are the deep drop-offs near the Teavanui Pass, the waters around the Motu Toopua area, the Piti Aau channel, and the Motu Tapu island.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Mauritius. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Indonesia. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Phuket. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Bora Bora. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Vanuatu.

Best Fishing in French Polynesia on Seasonal Basis

Winter (June to October)

Tahiti is a good location for catching Skipjack Tuna in the winter months.
In Bora Bora, you can find a significant population of Groupers, particularly abundant during the winter.
Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago is known for its Bluefin Trevally, especially during the winter season.
The Marquesas Islands are an excellent place to catch Swordfish in the winter.

Spring (September to November)

In Tahiti, the spring season is a great time to catch Dogtooth Tuna, a species that’s abundant during this time of year.
Bora Bora is known for its rich population of Barracuda in the spring.
Over in Rangiroa, part of the Tuamotu Archipelago, you can find Giant Trevally, especially during the spring months.
Lastly, the Marquesas Islands offer a great opportunity to catch Striped Marlin in the spring.

Summer (November to April)

Tahiti is an excellent location for catching Bigeye Tuna during the summer months.
In Bora Bora, you’ll find a significant population of Sailfish, particularly in the summer.
Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago is known for its Black Marlin, especially during summer.
The Marquesas Islands are a good place to catch Swordfish in the summer.

Fall (March to May)

In Tahiti, you’ll find a good population of Yellowfin Tuna, especially in the fall.
Bora Bora is well-known for its Mahi-Mahi. They’re particularly abundant during the autumn months.
If you’re interested in catching Wahoo, Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago is an excellent location in the fall.
To catch Blue Marlin, consider a trip to the Marquesas Islands during the fall months.