Tahiti's dengue epidemic is over, and 2026 has been quiet.
WHO counted 38 confirmed dengue cases in French Polynesia in 2026 through early October, after an epidemic that ran from late 2024 to late 2025. There is no malaria. Overwater bungalows tend to be the calm end of the bite scale; inland trips, Moorea's hills and the Marquesas' nonos are the busy end.
Tahiti and its islands have mosquitoes, including the daytime Aedes that spreads dengue, and the territory has a history of recurring dengue epidemics. The last one ended in late 2025, 2026 has been quiet, and there is no malaria. Overwater bungalows tend to be the calmest place to be; the bites come on inland excursions, in Moorea's hills and, in the Marquesas, from the biting nonos.
A quiet 2026 after the epidemic
French Polynesia's most recent dengue epidemic began in late 2024, peaked in the first half of 2025 and ended in late 2025, according to the territory's health bulletin. 2026 has been calm. The World Health Organization counted 38 confirmed dengue cases in 2026 as of October 4, with none in the last week of that count, and reports of dengue-like illness have been near zero all year. The territory has no CDC travel notice and isn't on the CDC's global dengue list.
Epidemics have come back before, so the routine stays. Aedes mosquitoes bite in daylight, with peaks after sunrise and in the late afternoon, and they breed in the standing water rain leaves behind. Put repellent on over sunscreen in the morning, reapply after swimming and again before sunset, especially on excursions. Our dengue & Zika routine has the full schedule. The CDC also lists Zika for French Polynesia, with no current outbreak, so if you're pregnant, talk to a healthcare provider before the trip.
Bungalows, hills and the Marquesas' nonos
Overwater bungalows at resorts that spray, on Bora Bora, Moorea or elsewhere, tend to be the quietest rooms in the islands. The Bora Bora and Papeete airports have a reputation for mosquitoes, and travelers report more of them in Moorea's mountain areas than on Bora Bora. Inland and brush excursions on Tahiti and Moorea call for repellent, more so at dusk and after rain.
"Nono" is the local name for two small biters, and the Marquesas are where they're notorious. The white nono, or nono blanc des plages, is a biting midge (Leptoconops albiventris) recorded in the Marquesas. The black nono (Simulium buissoni) is a black fly recorded on Nuku Hiva and Eiao. Neither is known to spread disease to travelers. The bites itch, though, and can become infected.
Both go for legs and ankles, and they tend to bite in daylight on beaches. Wear light long pants, or put repellent on feet, ankles and calves before beach time. Our guides to biting midges and to New Zealand's sandflies explain each insect.
Timing by season
May to October, the cooler and drier months, tends to be the easier time to go. January to April brings the most rain, mosquitoes and dengue, and in 2025 dengue reports ran highest from January to June. Travelers tie bug levels to rain and standing water more than to the calendar, so a wet spell in the dry season can still bring bites.
Where you're staying
Here is how the main islands compare across the year.
Tahiti & Papeete
Dengue is low in 2026. The Papeete airport area and inland excursions have a reputation for mosquitoes, so put repellent on before you head into the hills.
Moorea
Lush and mountainous, with more mosquitoes reported in the mountain areas than on Bora Bora. Repellent for inland hikes, especially after rain.
Bora Bora
Overwater bungalows at resorts that spray see few mosquitoes. The airport motu has a reputation as a mosquito spot, so keep repellent handy on arrival day.
The Marquesas: Nuku Hiva & Hiva Oa
Home to both white and black nonos, which go for legs and ankles on the beaches. Long pants or repellent on the lower legs before beach time.
The French Polynesia kit
- Picaridin 20% travel sprays: odorless, layers over sunscreen and easy to aim at ankles and calves. One 3.4 oz bottle covers about a week of daily use for one person.
- A full-size backup in the checked bag for a two-week trip or a family, so you're not paying resort-shop prices on a far-flung island.
- Light long pants for Marquesas beaches, where nonos go for the skin you leave out at ankle level.
What travelers report
Paraphrased from a TripAdvisor thread and linked so you can read it in full. Rain, wind and the island you're on change the picture from one trip to the next.
- Bora Bora and Tahaa · late February · 2024
In a 2024 thread asking for a mosquito update, one reply said mosquitoes were not an issue on Bora Bora in late February, while another 2024 reply from Tahaa reported bugs and mosquitoes. TripAdvisor ↗
One rule outlasts the trip. Any fever during or after your trip means a doctor visit, and you tell them you were in French Polynesia, especially if it comes with rash, headache or body aches.
Traveler questions
Is there dengue in Tahiti right now?
Very little. WHO counted 38 confirmed dengue cases in French Polynesia in 2026 as of October 4, with none in the last week of that count, after an epidemic that ran from late 2024 to late 2025. Dengue returns in epidemics, so daytime repellent is still worth the habit.
Are there mosquitoes in Bora Bora's overwater bungalows?
Few, at resorts that spray. Overwater bungalows tend to be the quietest rooms in French Polynesia. The Bora Bora airport motu, inland excursions and Moorea's mountain areas have more, so carry repellent when you leave the lagoon.
What are nonos, and do they carry disease?
Nonos are small biters found in the Marquesas: the white nono, a biting midge, and the black nono, a black fly. Neither is known to spread disease to travelers. The bites itch and can become infected, so cover legs and ankles on the beach.
Do I need malaria pills or a yellow fever vaccine for French Polynesia?
No. The CDC lists no malaria for French Polynesia and doesn't recommend the yellow fever vaccine, and you don't need proof of vaccination flying from the US. The territory does require it from travelers aged 1 and older arriving from a country with yellow fever risk, including airport transits or layovers of more than 12 hours there.
Sources
Health authorities, surveillance reports and news coverage of official bulletins used for this briefing, last checked October 2026. Traveler reports are linked where they appear. This page summarizes public-health guidance and is not medical advice.