Last updated: July 2, 2025
In the idyllic Haapu, French Polynesia, staying informed about the UV Index is crucial for maintaining your skin health and preventing sunburn. Understanding the daily UV levels—particularly with peak exposures ranging from 7 to 8 between noon and early afternoon—allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy the beautiful tropical climate while minimizing the risks associated with harmful UV rays. With its Af climate offering abundant sunshine, knowing how to protect yourself from intense UV exposure is essential to fully enjoy the stunning beaches and outdoor activities that Haapu has to offer.
At sunrise, the UV Index starts gently at 1, peaking at 8 during the midday hours of 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, indicating the sun's intensity is at its highest. As the day progresses, the index climbs steadily from 3 at 9:00 AM to its maximum of 7 at 11:00 AM, encouraging everyone to seek shade and wear sunscreen. By 2:00 PM, it begins to decline to 6, and continues to decrease, settling back to 1 by 5:00 PM and fading to 0 by 6:00 PM, signaling that the day is winding down. This fluctuation highlights the importance of being sun-smart during the 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 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
11:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
12:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
13:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
14:00 | 6 | high | 25 min |
15:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
As the data reveals, the UV Index exhibits extreme levels from January to April, peaking at 16 in January and gradually decreasing to 13 in April, with a rapid transition to a very high exposure category from May through August. High-risk months for UV exposure are concentrated from January through April, and again in September through November, where the burn time remains at just 10 minutes. Visitors and residents are advised to take necessary precautions, such as applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during these high-risk months. Even during the very high exposure months of May to August, a burn time of 15 minutes highlights the continued need for vigilance against UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Haapu | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 |