The travel guide, issue 03
Slow Islands is a slow, local and surprisingly affordable route through French Polynesia, from the markets of Papeete to the car-free lagoon of Maupiti.
A slow travel guide
Slow Islands
21 days island hopping through French Polynesia
The route
Tap an island on the map to see how long you stay, how you get there and the one thing you should not miss.
Stop 2 of 7, days 4 to 6
Inside the guide
Every day mapped out, with a lazy version for when you just want the beach.
Island maps that work without a signal, marked with every stop in the book.
Timetables, booking tips and the order to book everything in.
Family pensions, guesthouses and the occasional splurge, all visited.
Roulottes, markets and where the locals actually go for lunch.
The Tahitian and French phrases that will get you a warmer welcome.
A page from the guide
Each island opens with a short essay, then gets practical fast: costs, timings, bookings and the honest truth about which famous spots are worth your time.
Day 9, Huahine
Rent a bike in Fare before the heat arrives and ride the coast road clockwise. By noon you will have passed more horses than cars.
Clara's tip
Bring cash. Most roulottes and pensions on Huahine do not take cards.
Postcards from readers
We followed the route almost exactly and it was the best trip of our lives. The Maupiti tip alone was worth the price.
I was nervous about doing the islands on a budget. Clara's pension picks were warm, clean and full of character.
The ferry and flight chapter saved us from a two-day mistake. Everything was exactly as described.
Pricing
The full route, day by day, in your pocket.
$17
Shape the route around your own dates.
$29
Yes. The guide includes a 10-day and a 14-day version of the route, with notes on which islands to keep.
It is written for travelers who want local stays over resorts. Every island has a budget, a mid-range and a treat option.
Yes. The guide and every map download to your phone, so you can use them on islands with no signal.
The guide is updated every season with new timetables and prices. Updates are free for every reader.
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