qFrench Polynesia – a country that consists of 118 islands scattered across the South Pacific Ocean.
The nation is mostly known for its beautiful beaches, water sport activities, and nightlife.
It would be a shame if you only stay on one Island, as you would be missing out. Even visiting the big islands, Tahiti, Mo'orea, and Bora Bora, would be better than staying on solely one of them. However, there are more than 100 islands to explore, so get started!
You most likely want to share your adventures online – and that is your right. French Polynesia has a lot of beauty to show off.
However, you should know that international roaming can be costly. French Polynesia is already an expensive travel destination, so there is no need to make things even more costly.
Moreover, as French Polynesia is not part of the European Union (EU), those with SIM cards issued in the EU cannot roam for free in French Polynesia.
Luckily, you can get a SIM card from Vini or Vodafone Polynesia, the local operators, as a traveler and tourist. But how expensive are SIM cards in French Polynesia?
You can get a French Polynesian SIM card for as little as 500 XPF (4.45 USD) to 850 XPF (7.60 USD) in Vini and Vodafone stores. Tourist SIM cards are available from 4000 XPF (35.80 USD).
That may not sound cheap; it is not. However, roaming in French Polynesia can be compared to daylight robbery – it is crazy.
There are some essential things to be aware of when getting a SIM card in French Polynesia.
In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in French Polynesia. Let's get started, shall we?
Original publication: 30th of January 2020. Last updated: 14th of January 2024.
Table of Contents
What is the Best SIM Card in French Polynesia?
If you want to buy the best SIM card in French Polynesia, I recommend going with either Vini or Vodafone with their tourist SIM cards. Their regular SIM cards are poor options for those wanting to use data. Vini has the best coverage and the fastest speeds. Vodafone is the cheaper option.
French Polynesia has two mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:
- Vini by OPT (Office des Postes et Telecommunications)
- Vodafone Polynesia
Everyone is allowed to buy a French Polynesian SIM card, including tourists and visitors.
You do need to be aware that you have to go through a SIM card registration procedure. Additionally, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in French Polynesia). Finally, you need to have a SIM-lock-free (unlocked) phone to use local SIM cards.
- Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
Where Can You Buy a French Polynesian SIM Card (+Prices)?
You can get a French Polynesian SIM card in Vini's and Vodafone's official stores. Some airports may sell (tourist) SIM cards (at higher prices).
You can expect to pay the following for French Polynesian SIM cards:
- Vini: 850 XPF & 1750 XPF (both regular)
- Vodafone Polynesia: 650 XPF (regular), 1500 XPF (regular) or 1800 XPF (data-only)
The following French Polynesian mobile operators also have SIM cards targeting tourists:
- Vini: 4000 XPF & 8000 XPF
- Vodafone Polynesia: 5000 XPF
Be aware that SIM cards sold at airports can be more expensive than the prices mentioned earlier.
Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date XPF (French Pacific Franc) to your currency (let's say NZD – New Zealand Dollar) exchange rates.
For reference, below are some exchange rates between XPF and USD (US Dollars):
- 1 XFP = 0.90 USD
- 10 XFP = 0.90 USD
- 100 XFP = 0.90 USD
- 1000 XFP = 8.95 USD
- 10 000 XFP = 89.50 USD
For any other currency, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
(Travel) eSIMs for French Polynesia
The use of (travel) eSIMs has exploded in recent years.
Not only do more phones have eSIM capability (some US-sold iPhones are eSIM-only), but the number of providers adopting technology has proliferated as well.
This includes local mobile operators offering eSIM and platforms selling eSIMs (travel eSIMs).
If you want a local French Polynesian eSIM, you are out of luck because the mobile operators do not sell them (to prepaid customers).
If you do not wish to deal with registration for whatever reason, like privacy, consider getting a travel eSIM for French Polynesia.
Many eSIM providers have eSIMs for French Polynesia and even global eSIMs, which I discuss in my French Polynesia eSIM buying guide.
Here is a quick introduction to your French Polynesia travel eSIM option:
- Airalo: Polynet
Use these discount code when getting this travel eSIM:
- Airalo: APR15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, APR10 for 10% (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
If you want to know about all the prices, data options & covered countries (for the regional and global eSIMs), check out my French Polynesia eSIM buying guide.
French Polynesian Prepaid SIM Cards Explored
Below, I will guide you through Vini & Vodafone Polynesia, and go through:
- Background information
- Mobile coverage
- SIM card types, prices, and availability
- Recharge/top-up information
- Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs)
Let's see what French Polynesian mobile operators can offer us.
Vini
Vini by Office des Postes et Telecommunications is the largest operator in French Polynesia. It held a monopoly position until Vodafone Polynesia, then Pacific Mobile Telecom, entered the market.
Vini uses the following frequencies:
- 2G: 900 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)
This is what you will learn about Vini:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Vini SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Vini
Vini has the best coverage in French Polynesia.
Vini provides 4G/LTE coverage on the 65 largest or most inhabited islands throughout French Polynesia, including Tahiti, Mo'orea & Bora.
Below is Vini's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
However, click here to see Vini's official coverage map.
SIM Card Price – Vini
You can get a Vini SIM card for 850 XPF with 160 MB of data or 27 local minutes and unlimited local SMS and 1 GB of bonus data in Vini stores.
It is also possible to buy Vini SIM cards at Tahiti/Faa'a International Airport (Aéroport international de Tahiti Faa'a).
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get a Vini Travel SIM – Vini's tourist SIM card.
They are sold in these two variants:
| SIM Card | Price | Data | Local Minutes/Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vini Travel Card 9 Go | 4000 XPF/36 USD/33 EUR | 9 GB | 30 minutes/87 local SMS | 30 days |
| Vini Travel Card 30 Go | 8000 XPF/73 USD/67 EUR | 30 GB | 60 minutes/174 local SMS | 30 days |
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vini
Vini top-up vouchers are sold in Vini stores and many other stores throughout French Polynesia, including post offices, kiosks, and grocery stores.
The following top-up options are available:
| Top-Up | Bonus Data/Local SMS | Validity | SIM Card Validity Extension 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 XPF | N/A | 15 days | 3 months |
| 1000 XPF | 40 MB/20 local SMS | 1 month | 6 months |
| 2000 XPF | 100 MB/50 local SMS | 1 month | 6 months |
1 does not apply to Vini Travel Cards
To top up your Vini SIM card, dial *87391222*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *87391222*123456#.
The same can be done by calling 87391222 and then entering the Voucher Code. However, the voice instructions are in French only.
You can also recharge online with (international) debit and credit cards.
Text conso to 7100 to check your Vini balance.
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Vini
Vini has three data-featured prepaid plans:
- Internet Mobile à la Demande/Mobile Internet on Demand
- Les Recharges Vini/Vini Recharges (combo)
- Les Recharges Vini/Vini Recharges (data)
I will list all the prices in XPF (French Pacific Franc).
To convert XPF to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
Internet Mobile à la Demande (Mobile Internet on Demand) – Vini
The Internet Mobile à la Demande (Mobile Internet on Demand) are bonus data allowances (without 5G NR access) given with most recharges are minuscule.
The speeds on those plans are restricted to 3G (speeds).
The following Internet Mobile à la Demande are available:
| Price | Data | Validity | Activation Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 XPF | 10 MB | 1 hour | IM10 |
| 350 XPF | 50 MB | 24 hours | IM50 |
If you, for some reason, want to activate Internet Mobile à la Demande (IMD), text the Activation Code to 7071.
Les Recharges Vini (Vini Recharge) – Vini
The Les Recharges Vini (Vini Recharge) are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS. For Vinicard Prepaid SIM.
The following Les Recharges Vini are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 XPF | Recharge 200 F | 40 MB | 6 minutes | Unlimited | 3 days |
| 500 XPF | Recharge 500 F | 100 MB | 17 minutes | Unlimited | 15 days |
| 1000 XPF | Recharge 1000 F | 240 MB | 41 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 2000 XPF | Recharge 2000 F | 500 MB | 86 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 5000 XPF | Recharge 5000 F | 1250 MB | 215 minutes | Unlimited | 60 days |
Les Recharges Vini (Vini Recharge) – Vini
The Les Recharges Vini (Vini Recharge) are data plans (without 5G NR access). For Vinicard Prepaid SIM data recharges.
The following Les Recharges Vini are available:
| Price | Plan | Data | Welcome Bonus Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 XPF | Recharge 200 F | 200 MB | N/A | 3 days |
| 500 XPF | Recharge 500 F | 1 GB | 2 GB | 15 days |
| 1000 XPF | Recharge 1000 F | 3 GB | 2 GB | 30 days |
| 2000 XPF | Recharge 2000 F | 8 GB | 2 GB | 30 days |
| 5000 XPF | Recharge 5000 F | 28 GB | 2 GB | 60 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Vini
- Name: internet
- APN: internet
- MMC: 574
- MNC: 20
- APN type: default OR internet
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
Vodafone Polynesia
Vodafone Polynesia, just Vodafone, is the other player in French Polynesia. It is on average the cheapest option.
- 2G: 900 MHz
- 3G: 900 MHz
- 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 2100 MHz (Band 1)
This is what you will learn about Vodafone:
* Coverage
* How to Get a Vodafone SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings
Coverage – Vodafone Polynesia
Vodafone has good coverage throughout French Polynesia.
Vodafone covers the majority of islands in French Polynesia. However, prepaid customers are often restricted to Tahiti, Mo'orea, and Bora Bora. Postpaid customers have full access to Vodafone's network. Unfortunately, travelers cannot become Vodafone subscribers.
Below is Vodafone's coverage map produced by Speedtest:
SIM Card Price – Vodafone Polynesia
You can get a Vodafone SIM card, called Vodacard, for 500 XPF in Vodafone stores.
It is also possible to buy Vini SIM cards at Tahiti/Faa'a International Airport (Aéroport international de Tahiti Faa'a).
Vodacard 500 features 2 GB of data, 30 on-net minutes and unlimited local SMS.
You can also get the Vodafone Internet SIM card, which is a data-only SIM card. It costs 1800 XPF and featured 5 GB of data valid for 30 days. They can be recharged with Vodafone Internet Plans.
Short-term visitors and tourists can also get a Vodafone Travel SIM – Vodafone's tourist SIM card.
For 3800 XPF (or 32 EUR), you will get 20 GB of data, 30 local minutes, and 18 international minutes – all for 30 days.
You can pre-book the Vodafone Travel SIM before departure, but that is not mandatory.
Although the initial Vodafone Travel SIM plan is valid for 30 days, the SIM card itself is valid for 3 months. The validity cannot be extended.
The Vodafone Travel SIM has exclusive top-up benefits, which are shown below:
| Top-Up | Data | Local Minutes | International Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 XPF | 500 MB | 10 minutes | 6 minutes | Unlimited | 7 days |
| 500 XPF | 3 GB | 30 minutes | 18 minutes | Unlimited | 14 days |
| 1000 XPF | 6 GB | 60 minutes | 37 minutes | Unlimited | 21 days |
| 2000 XPF | 12 GB | 120 minutes 1 | 75 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
| 5000 XPF | 32 GB | 240 minutes 1 | 151 minutes | Unlimited | 30 days |
1 Unlimited Calls to #89 in the evening and during the weekend from Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora
Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Vodafone Polynesia
Vodafone top-up cards are sold in Vodafone stores and many other stores, such as convenience stores, electronic shops, and supermarkets.
The following top-up options are available:
| Top-Up | Bonus Credit | Data | Local Minutes | Local SMS | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 XPF | N/A | 40 MB | 7 minutes | 22 SMS | 7 days |
| 500 XPF | N/A | 100 MB | 17 minutes | 55 SMS | 15 days |
| 1000 XPF | 200 XAF | 240 MB | 42 minutes | 133 SMS | 30 days |
| 2000 XPF | 500 XAF | 500 MB | 89 minutes | 277 SMS | 30 days |
| 5000 XPF | 1000 XAF | 1200 MB | 214 minutes | 666 SMS | 30 days |
To top up your Vodafone SIM card, dial *1111*VoucherCode#.
For example, if your voucher code is 123456, you would dial *1111*123456#.
Dial *1122# to check your Vodafone balance.
You can also use the Mon Vodafone (My Vodafone) app to refill and check your balance (Android/iOS).
Plans, Packages, Bundles & Offers – Vodafone Polynesia
Vodafone has two data-featured prepaid plans:
- VodaCard Prepaid Internet (data)
- VodaCard Prepaid Internet Recharges (data)
I will list all the prices in XPF (French Pacific Franc).
To convert XPF to your currency (let's say EUR – Euro) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.
Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.
VodaCard Prepaid Internet – Vodafone Polynesia
The VodaCard Prepaid Internet are data plan (without 5G NR access). With own recharges package to choose on.
The following VodaCard Prepaid Internet are available:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 XDF | 10 GB | 30 days |
VodaCard Prepaid Internet Recharges – Vodafone Polynesia
The VodaCard Prepaid Internet Recharges are data plan (without 5G NR access). Exclusively for VodaCard Prepaid Internet
The following VodaCard Prepaid Internet Recharges are available:
| Price | Data | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 200 XDF | 1 GB | 7 days |
| 500 XDF | 4 GB | 14 days |
| 1000 XDF | 8 GB | 21 days |
| 2000 XDF | 16 GB | 30 days |
| 5000 XDF | 40 GB | 30 days |
APN/Internet Settings – Vodafone Polynesia
- Name: Vodafone Internet
- APN: internet
- MMC: 574
- MNC: 14
- APN Type: internet
- APN Protocol: IPv4
- APN Roaming Protocol: IPv4
Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.
Jump back to the Table of Contents.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in French Polynesia
Getting a SIM card from Vini or Vodafone would do you well when considering a French Polynesian SIM card.
Going to other places around the world? You should also check out my SIM card buying guides for other destinations worldwide.