Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Rikitea, French Polynesia is crucial for ensuring outdoor safety and protecting your skin. With the sun’s rays intensifying, awareness of UV levels helps in preventing sunburn and promoting overall skin health. The typical climate of Rikitea, characterized by its warm, tropical weather, brings about elevated UV exposure risks, particularly from late morning to early afternoon when levels peak. Staying informed about the UV Index allows residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery while safeguarding their skin against harmful effects.
The UV index for the day shows a gradual increase in intensity, peaking at 12:00 PM with a notably high value of 7. Starting the morning with a mild index of 1 at 07:00 AM and 08:00 AM, the UV levels began to rise significantly by 09:00 AM, reaching 3. It escalated further to 4 by 10:00 AM, and by 11:00 AM, the index hit 6, indicating a need for sun protection. The most intense UV exposure occurs at 12:00 PM, where the index reaches its maximum at 7 before starting to decline in the afternoon. Post 1:00 PM, the values dropped to 6, then fell to 4 at 02:00 PM, and continued retreating to 3 by 03:00 PM. As the sun sets, the UV index returns to 1 by 04:00 PM and winds down to 0 in the evening hours, from 06:00 PM onwards. Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine, but remember to take precautions during peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 12:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 13:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
| 14:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index levels exhibit significant seasonal variation, with peak values occurring in the winter and early spring months. High-risk months for UV exposure include January, February, March, and April, each featuring an extreme exposure category with a UV Index consistently above 10 and a very short burn time of just 10 minutes. In contrast, May and August present very high UV levels, requiring careful attention, with burn times extending to 15 minutes. The summer months of June and July see a decrease in intensity, categorized as high, with a burn time of 25 minutes. As the year closes, October and November return to extreme levels. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions—such as wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak hours—especially during high-risk months, to mitigate the dangers of UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rikitea | 15 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Mahina UVI | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Pirae UVI | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Punaauia UVI | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Papeete UVI | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Faaa UVI | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 |