French Polynesia: High — Serious, Well-Documented Hazards.
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High — Serious, Well-Documented Hazards. Resort lagoons are generally calm, but currents at reef passages and channel entries can be genuinely strong, and lifeguard coverage is limited outside major resorts — ask your resort about local conditions before swimming beyond the shallows.
French Polynesia: High — Serious, Well-Documented Hazards. Resort lagoons are generally calm, but currents at reef passages and channel entries can be genuinely strong, and lifeguard coverage is limited outside major resorts — ask your resort about local conditions before swimming beyond the shallows.
French Polynesia has well-documented, serious ocean hazards — read the note above carefully and always follow local flag warnings.
Rip currents — they cause more beach deaths worldwide every year than sharks, jellyfish, and every other ocean hazard combined. If caught in one, don't swim against it; swim parallel to shore until you're free, then head back in at an angle.
This is general orientation, not real-time data — conditions vary enormously by specific beach, season, tide, and even time of day. Always check local flag warnings and lifeguard advice on the day, and never swim beyond your ability or alone at an unfamiliar beach.
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