Julie Samoa 2 Comments

Relax on the beach, slide down a waterfall, go snorkeling, learn about Samoan culture, photograph Samoa’s breathtaking waterfalls, and hike through a lava field. These are some of the best things to do in Samoa.

Samoa, often overlooked in the South Pacific, is a hidden gem in this region of the world. This beautiful country contains some of the most picturesque beaches we have seen, as well as a rich cultural heritage, lush tropical landscapes, and unique destinations to visit.

In this guide, we will share with you the beauty of Samoa and its people.

About Our Visit

We visited Samoa in May 2023. We arrived on a Saturday and were here until Wednesday. Our visit coincided with Mother’s Day, so many places were closed on Sunday and Monday (Monday is when Mother’s Day is celebrated and most places on the island were closed). That left us with just one day to visit sights in Samoa that were closed on Sunday and Monday.

Because of this, we were not able to get to Savai’i (we spent all of our time on Upolu). We had planned to visit Savai’i but did not realize until we got to Samoa the impact Mother’s Day would have on our schedule.

In this guide, I’m sharing things to do in both Upolu and Savai’i, since we put quite a bit of research into things to do and how to get to Savai’i.

Interesting Facts about Samoa

Samoa is made up of two main islands, Savai’i and Upolu, as well as several smaller, uninhabited islands.

Samoa is located in the South Pacific. It sits just to the west of the International Date Line, about 130 km (80 miles) west of American Samoa. Tonga is located to the south of Samoa and Fiji is located southwest of Samoa.

Apia, on the island of Upolu, is the capital of Samoa.

Roughly 3,000 years ago, Samoa was discovered by the Lapita people who traveled here from Island Melanesia (near Papua New Guinea). Samoa is thought to have one of the oldest Polynesian cultures.

Samoan tattoos, called tatau in Samoan, is an important part of the Samoan culture. It is thought that the tattoo was introduced by two women from Fiji. Men get their first tattoos starting at puberty. It is very painful and there are stages to the tattoo process, so this takes several months. Some people cannot complete the process because of the pain. Women get tattoos as well, typically on the thighs. You can learn more about the history and significance of tattooing in Samoan culture here.

Apia Clocktower

The clocktower in Apia

Best Things to Do in Samoa

Below we list the best things to do in Samoa, starting with Upolu island and ending with Savai’i island. You can see the location of all these on a map at the end of this section.

Things to Do on Upolu

1. Visit Lalomanu Beach

Let’s get started with one of our favorite experiences in Samoa.

There is no shortage of gorgeous beaches on Samoa and Lalomanu is one of the best. Lonely Planet called it one of the top 10 beach destinations in the world.

This long stretch of white sandy beach is lined with palm trees and fales. This is a great place to spend at least a few hours, if not all day.

Lalomanu Beach Samoa | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Lalomanu Beach | Best Things to Do in Samoa

There are several groups of fales along Lalomanu Beach. We spent the afternoon at Taufua Beach Fales, paying 50 tala for parking and 20 tala to rent a fale for the day (both were paid with cash). We were here on a Sunday and their restaurant served umu, a traditional meal that is served for lunch on Sundays.

This was one of our most memorable experiences in Samoa. To dine on a traditional Samoan meal, lounge in a fale, and enjoy the views of this breathtaking spot created a perfect afternoon.

If you want to have the same experience, plan on getting here by late morning so you can get a fale and then spend at least a few hours here. We paid in cash for the parking and fale but could use a credit card at the restaurant.

Lalomanu Beach Fales | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Taufua Beach Fales | Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

Umu Samoa

Umu, the traditional Samoan meal

 

Samoa Fale | Best Things to Do in Samoa

2. Namu’a Island

Namu’a Island is a small island that sits just off the east coast of Upolu. It’s not far from Lalomanu Beach.

To get here, you will hire a boat to take you out to the island and once at Namu’a Island, you can rent a fale and relax on the beach. At low tide, you can walk around the island and go snorkeling. It’s also possible to spend the night on Namu’a Island, staying in one of the fales.

We were not able to do this since boats were not running on Sunday. But if you like the idea of spending time on a tranquil, secluded beach, put Namu’a Island on your list.

Samoa Dock

Dock and boats to Namu’a Island

 

Namua Island Samoa | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Namu’a Island. If you look closely, you can see a small stretch of beach. This is where the fales are.

HOW TO VISIT NAMU’A ISLAND: In the village of Muiatele, you can hire a boat to take you on a 5-minute ride out to Namu’a Island. On Google Maps, this spot is labeled Namua Island Ferry and here is the cellphone number listed for the boats: 758-8209. It costs approximately 50 tala for transportation out and back to the island.

3. Spend the Night in a Fale

One of the best things to do in Samoa is to spend the night in a fale. A fale is a beach hut. Some of these are enclosed, similar to a cabin on the beach, while others are more open.

Taufua Beach Fales has enclosed fales you can stay in, or you can stay in one of the fales on Namu’a Island for a more secluded, off the beaten path experience.

Samoa Fales | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Fales on Lalomanu Beach

4. Photograph Sopo’aga Falls

Sopo-aga Falls is one of the impressive waterfalls in Samoa. From the parking area, it’s a one-minute walk through beautiful gardens to get to the viewpoint. In 2023, we paid 10 tala to visit this waterfall.

The Sopo’aga Falls viewpoint is located on Main South Coast Road near the intersection with Le Mafa Pass Road.

Sopo’aga Falls

Sopo’aga Falls | Best Things to Do in Samoa

5. Fuipisia Waterfall

Fuipisia is another notable waterfall to visit in Samoa. It’s just a short drive from Sopo’aga Falls, on Le Mafa Pass Road.

This waterfall is located on private property. We parked at the house and paid 20 tala for the three of us to visit the waterfall. From the house, it is about a 5-minute walk to get to the viewpoint of Fuipisia Waterfall (photos below). You can also continue walking past this viewpoint for a closer view of the waterfall.

Fuipisia Waterfall Trail | Best Things to Do in Samoa

The trail to Fuipisia Waterfall

 

Fuipisia Waterfall Samoa | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Fuipisia Waterfall | Best Things to Do in Samoa

6. Go Snorkeling at the Giant Clam Sanctuary

The Giant Clam Sanctuary is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Samoa. Clustered together on the sea floor are Giant Clams.

This sanctuary is located in Safa’atoa, on the south coast of Upolu. There are a few parking areas on Main South Coast Road next to the sanctuary. We paid a small fee and were offered a mask and snorkel, but we had our own.

Giant Clam Sanctuary Samoa

Giant Clam Sanctuary | Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

Giant Clams

Giant Clams

The Giant Clam Sanctuary is located about 75 meters from the shoreline. You can walk the first part of this, as it is very shallow here, even during high tide. But you will have to swim about 40 meters to get to the clams and, at high tide, the water is about 5 meters deep, so you will swim and tread water while looking at the clams.

The area to see the clams is marked with a pole. It is best to visit the Giant Clam Sanctuary at high tide in order to see the clams. This sanctuary is closed on Sunday.

7. Go for a Stroll along the Volcanic Cliffs

This is another one of our favorite things to do in Samoa.

Located in O Le Pupu-Pue National Park is the Lava Field Coastal Walkway. This hiking trail takes you through a tropical forest and out to the black lava cliffs pounded by the sea.

To get here, you will drive on a 3-kilometer single lane gravel road lined with shrubs and trees. This road has two-way traffic although we did not meet any oncoming cars coming or going.

Road to Lava Field Coastal Walkway

Road to the Lava Field Coastal Walkway

The road ends at a small parking area. This is where the walking trail begins.

The Lava Field Coastal Walkway is a 1.8 km (1.1 mile) out-and-back walk that is mostly flat. This walk takes 45 minutes to an hour, which includes time to do the walk and stop for photos.

The hike starts in a tropical forest. At the first viewpoint you have a great view of the dramatic lava cliffs.

Lava Field Coastal Walkway First Viewpoint

First Viewpoint on the Lava Field Coastal Walkway

The trail follows along the edge of these cliffs until it dumps you out onto an enormous lava field. From this spot, you get spectacular panoramic views of the south coast of Upolu.

Lava Field Coastal Walkway Trail | Best Things to Do in Samoa

The Lava Field Coastal Walkway trail | Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

Lava Field Coastal Walkway Arch | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Lava Field Coastal Walkway Samoa

Lava Field Coastal Walkway | Best Things to Do in Samoa

8. Take a Dip at Togitogiga Waterfall

This cascading waterfall is a great spot to go for a swim. It is located on the south side of Upolu, inside of O Le Pupu-Pue National Park. This waterfall is free to visit. There are changing rooms near the falls.

Togitogiga Waterfall

Togitogiga Waterfall | Best Things to Do in Samoa

9. To-Sua Ocean Trench

The To-Sua Ocean Trench is one of the most popular things to do in Samoa.

To Sua translates to “big hole.” This idyllic saltwater pool is surrounded by tropical gardens and it is filled with sea water through the ocean trench.

To-Sua Ocean Trench

To-Sua Ocean Trench | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Descend into the swimming hole on the long, wooden ladder or leap into the water from the cliff. For the best experience, visit at high tide, when the water is the deepest.

It costs 20 tala per person to visit the trench. There is a minimart at the entrance where you can purchase snacks. It is open 7 days a week from 8:30 am to 5 pm, with a 12:30 pm opening time on Sunday.

10. Papase’ea Sliding Rocks

One of the most thrilling things to do in Samoa is to slide down a waterfall.

At Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, there are two natural rock waterslides. Both of these plunge into a small swimming area. We slid down the larger of the two waterfalls, which is the first one you will see at the bottom of the stairs.

Papase’ea Sliding Rocks | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Tyler sliding down the larger of the two waterfalls

 

Papase’ea Sliding Rocks Photo

The smaller waterfall

This was my first time sliding down a waterfall and it is tons of fun. The first time it is a bit unnerving, not really knowing what to expect. When you are sitting at the top of the slide, it looks like it’s a long way down. But the slide is relatively smooth, it is an exhilarating experience, and it’s hard to do it just once.

Papase’ea Sliding Rocks is a short drive south of Apia. It costs 5 tala per person. They are open from 8 am to 4:30 pm and when we were here, they were open on Sundays. There are toilets at the parking area. To get to the waterfall, it’s about 200 steps down (and a tiring walk back up all of those stairs when it is time to go).

Papase’ea Sliding Rocks Stairs

The steps that lead down to the waterfalls

11. Papapapaitai Falls

At 100 meters, Papapapaitai Falls is the tallest waterfall in Samoa. To get a view of this beauty, cross Upolu on Cross Island Road. About halfway across the island you’ll reach the Papapapaitai Falls viewpoint. It’s simply a turn off on the side of the road marked by a sign. It is free to visit and just takes a few minutes of your time.

Papapapaitai Falls | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Papapapaitai Falls | Best Things to Do in Samoa

12. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Robert Louis Stevenson is a Scottish novelist who is best known for writing Treasure Island and the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

He moved to Samoa when he was 39 years old. He and his wife, Fanny, built Samoa’s first two-story house. During his short time here, Stevenson immersed himself in the Samoan culture. He died at the young age of 44.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Samoan home is now a museum. It is located in Vailima, a 10-minute drive from Apia. The museum is open every day except Sunday. You can either take a guided tour or walk through the house self-guided. For hours and pricing, click here.

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum | Best Things to Do in Samoa

13. The Samoa Cultural Village

To learn more about the Samoan culture and traditions, visit the Samoa Cultural Village. Located in Apia, tours are offered where you will learn about Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan Way) and get to see traditional tattooing, dancing, and preparation of the “umu,” which is the Earth oven.

Get hours, pricing, and tour times here.

Samoa Cultural Village

Samoa Cultural Village | Best Things to Do in Samoa

14. Attend a FiaFia Night

A fiafia night is similar to attending a luau in Hawaii. During a fiafia night, guests dine on traditional Samoan cuisine during a buffet dinner. The food is typically seafood, vegetables, and meat that are cooked in an “umu,” which is an above ground oven heated by volcanic rocks. Also served is Oka, which is fresh fish mixed with lime juice and coconut milk (similar to ceviche).

After dinner, there is traditional dancing…the slow siva dance by the women and the much faster paced dancing by the men. This can be interactive, with guest joining the dancers on stage.

The night ends with the Siva Afi, which is the fire dance performed by the men.

Fiafia Night

Fiafia Night | Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

Siva Afi Samoa | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Many resorts in Samoa hold a fiafia night once per week. We stayed at Taumeasina Island Resort and it was held on a Saturday night. The Samoa Culture Village also hosts fiafia nights.

15. The Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral

This Catholic cathedral is located in Apia. The current cathedral dates back to June 2014, replacing the original cathedral that was constructed in the mid-1800’s. Inside, you can see Samoan paintings and beautiful stained-glass windows. On Sundays, you can attend a church service here.

Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral Samoa

Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral Samoa | Best Things to Do in Samoa

16. Fugalei Fresh Produce Market

This market sells fresh produce, home goods, clothing, and souvenirs. If you like to visit markets, this is a good one. Vendors sell fresh coconut juice and you can purchase some fruit or snacks to have with you as you tour the island.

We also visited the Apia Fish Market and thought that the Fugalei Fresh Produce Market was a much more interesting experience.

Fugalei Fresh Produce Market

Fugalei Fresh Produce Market | Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

Coconut Water

17. Piula Cave Pool

The Piula Cave Pool is similar to the To Sua Ocean Trench. This swimming hole has an underwater cave that connects to a second cave. We missed out on seeing this, since it was closed during our visit.

It is located on Main East Coast Road, on the north side of Upolu, a 35-minute drive east of Apia. The cave pool is open Monday through Saturday. Get hours and pricing here.

18. Cape Utumau’u Overlook

On the drive between Apia and the Piula Cave Pool, be sure to stop at the Cape Utumau’u Overlook for this beautiful view of the coastline. It’s free to visit and only takes a minute or two.

Cape Utumau’u Overlook

Cape Utumau’u Overlook | Best Things to Do in Samoa

Things to Skip in Upolu

Here are a few more things that we did that we weren’t big fans of. I’m mentioning them because they come up on other lists and for the most part, we do not think they are worth the time or effort.

The Palolo Deep Marine Reserve

This marine reserve is located in Apia so it is easy to get to. Other online information raves about the snorkeling here but things must have changed in recent years.

This is a very popular spot for locals to go swimming. We rented snorkels from the small shop but noticed the insides were covered with black mold, so we didn’t use them. Fortunately, we had one pair of our own goggles with us.

The area around the shoreline is covered with dead coral. To get to the better snorkeling spot, it is 150-meter swim from shore. It’s a long way to go and you need to be a strong swimmer to get here. The snorkeling area is marked with a sign, “Palolo Deep.” It gets dramatically deeper here and the coral does look more interesting. We saw a few fish but nothing all that spectacular. We don’t think it is not worth the effort to get here.

We recommend the Giant Clam Sanctuary over the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve. The Clam Sanctuary is a more beautiful, less crowded spot and an all-around better experience.

Palolo Deep Marine Reserve

Palolo Deep Marine Reserve

Tafatafa Beach

This is another spot where the beach and fales get rave reviews. The beach is nothing special and the fales were covered with old advertisements. Plus, it’s a long, rough drive on a one lane road to get here. Skip it and spend your time at Lalomanu Beach instead.

Tafatafa Beach

Tafatafa Beach

Return to Paradise Beach & Resort

This is worth it if you stay here. The beach is beautiful and the resort gets good reviews.

However, during our visit in 2023, they did not permit visitors onto the property. To go to the beach, or to have a drink and/or lunch, you had to be a guest of the hotel.

How to Visit Savai’i

To visit Savai’i, you can take a day trip on your own or join a tour that handles your transportation. From what we learned on our visit to Samoa, joining a tour eliminates much of the hassle of doing this self-guided.

How to Get to Savai’i

Ferries from Upolo run to and from Savai’i Monday through Saturday. The first ferry of the day is at 6 am with a second ferry at 8 am. From Apia, it is a one-hour drive to get to the ferry station in Mulifanua.

If you will be taking a car on the ferry, it is advised that you get in line no later than one hour before the ferry departs, because check-in time is one hour before departure (for example, be in line no later than 5 am for the 6 am ferry).

If you do the math, you will have to leave Apia no later than 4 am for the 6 am ferry and no later than 8 am for the 10 am ferry.

It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to travel to Savai’i on the ferry.

To return to Upolu, ferries from Savai’i run at 2 pm and 4 pm. Again, if you have a car, you need to be in line at least one hour before departure. That doesn’t leave you much time on Savai’i.

If you don’t plan on taking a car to Savai’i, you do not have to get to the ferry ports an hour in advance. But you do need to get here in time to purchase ferry tickets and from what we saw, lines can be long.

Get the ferry timetables and pricing here.

For the best experience, plan on taking a guided tour or spend the night on Savai’i.

Places to Go on Savai’i

Swim with Sea Turtles. At the Sato’alepai Turtle Sanctuary, you can swim with green sea turtles before they are released into the wild.

Saleaula Lava Field. See an old lava field from an eruption in the early 1900’s and the church that sat in the path of the lava flow.

Manase Beach. Manase Beach is one of the best places in Samoa to go snorkeling. There is also a chance that you will see sea turtles here.

Falealupo Rainforest Reserve. Walk the Falealupo Rainforest Walkway, which are suspension bridges, that takes you to giant Banyan trees and views over the forest.

Alofaaga Blowholes. See one of the largest blowholes in the world at this spot. For the best experience, visit near high tide to see the largest water spray.

Afu Aau Waterfall. Visit this combo swimming spot and waterfall to go swimming and plunge into the water. It is surrounded by a rainforest, so it is a beautiful spot to visit.

How to Day Trip to Savai’i

Samoa Holidays and Events is a tour company that offers day trips to Savai’i. Booking a day trip with them takes out a lot of the hassle of ferry schedules and transportation, plus you still get to see the best of Savai’i.

Here are their two tour options. At the time that I am writing this guide, I don’t see them listed on their website but they did let us know about them through an email.

Option 1: Full Day Trip

  • Catch the 6:00 am ferry from Mulifanua Wharf and return by the 4:30 pm ferry from Savaii
  • Note: Pick up time from Resort will depend on the boat confirmed for the tour, this would be at least an hour and a half before the boat time. The scenic drive to the wharf will leave you mesmerized in the nature, the beauty, traditional and modern structures along the way.
  • Arriving in Savaii, you will be taken back in time to what Upolu used to be many moons ago, with narrow roads, less houses and rich forestation.
  • First stop will be the Lava Field.
  • Second stop at feeding the turtles. Take a 1/2 hour drive towards the west coast and stop Sina’s legendary fresh water spring and the Swiftling Cave. Lunch will be served on the return drive through the south coast. Then visit the Alofaaga Blow Holes.
  • Last stop will be at the Afu Aau Waterfall for a freshwater swim before heading back to Salelologa Wharf for the return ferry trip at 4.30pm.

Tour Cost: 580 tala per adult (in 2023)

Cost Includes: Total transfer costs, all entry fees, cold pack lunch plus cold bottle water

Option 2: Spend One Night on Savai’i

  • Catch the 8:00 am ferry from Upolu and return by the 2:00 pm ferry the next day
  • Note: Pick up from Taumeasina at 6:20 am and drive to Mulifanua Wharf to catch the 8:00 am Ferry
  • Arrive in Savaii approximately at 9:30 am. First stop at the Lava Field. Second stop feeding the turtles. Take a half hour drive towards the west coast and stop at the Swiftling Cave. Check in at the Vaimoana Lodge. Take a drive to Falealupo and visit The House of Rock.
  • Return to Vaimoana Lodge to spend the night.
  • On day 2, leave Vaimoana Lodge at 9:00 am and drive down to the Tana Blow Holes. Last stop will be at the Afu Aau Waterfall for a freshwater swim before heading back to Salelologa Wharf to catch the 2.00pm return Ferry.

Tour Cost: 890 tala per adult (in 2023)

Cost Includes: All transfers, all entry fees, cold pack lunch plus cold bottle water, 1 night accommodation, dinner and breakfast.

Best Things to Do in Samoa: On a Map

How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Our 10 Favorite Things to Do in Samoa

Narrowing down the long list above, here are our ten favorite experiences in Samoa.

  • Lalomanu Beach
  • Giant Clam Sanctuary
  • The Lava Field Coastal Walkway
  • Papase’ea Sliding Rocks
  • Fuipisea Waterfall
  • To Sua Ocean Trench
  • Relaxing in a fale
  • Driving around the island (Samoa is gorgeous!)
  • Fiafia Night
  • Togitogiga Waterfall

Lava Field Coastal Walkway

Lava Field Coastal Walkway | Best Things to Do in Samoa

How to Get to Samoa

Flights to Samoa arrive in Faleolo International Airport.

For those coming from the United States, you will first have to fly to Honolulu, Hawaii and then to Pago Pago International Airport on American Samoa (at the time that I am writing this, there are three flights per week from Honolulu to American Samoa, on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). Then it is a 30-minute flight from American Samoa to Samoa. On this flight, you will cross the International Date Line.

There are direct flights from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji to Samoa.

You can also get to Samoa on a cruise.

How to Get Around Samoa

The best way to get around Samoa is by car.

We rented a car from Avis. The pick-up process was fast and efficient. However, the car was in terrible shape. It was dirty on the inside, the radio did not work (although it would play an odd, vibrating, staticky sound whenever we drove under power lines, which was quite a bit), and some of the gears of the car did not function properly. We would go on to have a very similar car rental experience with Avis in American Samoa, so don’t expect a spotless car like you would from Avis in other parts of the world.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can use the public bus system. Called “aiga” or family buses, for a small fee you can be driven from point to point on the island.

Best Time to Visit Samoa

Samoa has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid all year.

The summer season (October through April) is the wet season and the time when tropical storms are more likely to occur. During these months, the average temperature is 86°F (30°C) with about 12 inches (30 cm) of rain per month. December tends to be the wettest month of the year.

The winter season (May through September) is the dry season. It is also slightly cooler this time of year. During these months, the average temperature is 84°F (29°C) with about 8 inches (20 cm) of rain per month. September tends to be the driest month of the year.

Our visit was in mid-May. We had mostly sunny skies with a few rain showers.

85°F may not sound hot, but factor in the high humidity and it feels like 100°F. Samoa is located near the equator, so the sun also feels quite warm on your skin.

The best time to visit Samoa is during the winter season. Tropical storms in the summer can disrupt travel plans, not only in getting around Samoa but also getting to and from here.

Lalomanu Beach Photo

Lalomanu Beach | Best Things to Do in Samoa

How Much Time Do You Need in Samoa?

If you only plan to visit Upolu, plan on spending a minimum 3 days in Samoa. To also visit Savai’i, you will need at least one more day to do this.

If you love beaches, you could easily spend a week here, lounging on the beaches, visiting the swimming holes, and day tripping to Savai’i.

Our 5 Day Samoa Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Midday arrival from Auckland, New Zealand. Check in at our hotel, attend fiafia night.

Day 2 (Sunday): Most places were closed. We drove around the west side of Upolu, visited a few waterfalls, had lunch and spent the afternoon at Lalomanu Beach.

Day 3 (Monday): It was Mother’s Day, so most places were still closed. We slid down the waterfall at Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, went snorkeling at Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, and relaxed at the resort.

Day 4 (Tuesday): Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, sites in Apia, the Giant Clam Sanctuary, the Lava Field Coastal Walkway, and visited a few more waterfalls.

Day 5 (Wednesday): Took a morning flight to American Samoa, landing in American Samoa on Tuesday morning (that is not a typo).

Samoa + American Samoa Itinerary

If you want to combine Samoa and American Samoa in one trip (they are separated by a 30 minute flight), learn how to plan your visit with our Samoa and American Samoa itinerary. This also has suggestions on how to add on Hawaii and Fiji.

Where to Stay

Taumeasina Island Resort. This is where we stayed and had a fantastic experience. This property is located about 5 minutes from Apia and an hour from the airport. Rooms range from double rooms to three-bedroom apartments.

There are two sections to the hotel: the main section on the island and a group of newer builders on the mainland, which a 5-minute walk to the main section. We stayed in the newer section since Tim read online about noise issues staying in the main section (every night the hotel hosts some sort of entertainment). We had no noise, our apartment was very clean, and overall, we had a fantastic stay. However, the WiFi was poor and the meals were mediocre. Even so, this is one of the nicest places we saw in Samoa and still highly recommend it. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again. Plus, they host a fiafia night.

Where to Stay in Samoa

The view from our room at Taumeasina Resort

 

Our Room Taumeasina Resort

Our room at the Taumeasina Resort

Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa. This property is located on the south side of the island and is one of the highest reviewed hotels in Samoa. Stay in an over water bungalow, a fale, a treehouse suite, or a beach front bungalow. Onsite is a restaurant, bar, and swimming pool.

Dave Parker Eco Lodge Hotel. This hotel is located inland, in the hills above Apia. It has an onsite restaurant, bar, and pool. Just be aware that rooms are fan-cooled and air conditioning is extra.

Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa. This property also gets excellent reviews. It is located on the south coast of Upolu and has a variety of room types, including beach front villas, family bungalows, and a honeymoon bungalow. It has a pool with a swim-up bar, a fitness center, and a spa. The beaches on the south side of Upolu are gorgeous so you may find it hard to leave this resort!

Where to Eat

We ate a lot of our meals at the Tauseamina Island Resort, despite the food here being very mediocre.

We had our best meal in Samoa at the Taumeasina Restaurant & Bar, which is located next to our hotel, and even though it has the same name, is not associated with the resort. They serve a wide variety of food and we loved the Island Chicken Curry.

The traditional Sunday lunch we had at Taufua Beach Fales (Lalomanu Beach) was also good.

We heard good things about the Forest Café, which is located on Cross Island Road in the center of the island, but it was closed during our visit.


If you have any questions about the best things to do in Samoa, or if you would like to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Samoa & the South Pacific

AMERICAN SAMOA: We cover the best things to do in our article Best Things to Do in American Samoa and have a guide to 20 things you should know before visiting American Samoa. Learn how to visit one of the most remote national parks in the USA in our Guide to the National Park of American Samoa and how to hike the Mount ‘Alava Trail.

SAMOA & AMERICAN SAMOA ITINERARY: In our Samoa and American Samoa Itinerary, learn how to plan your trip and include Hawaii or Fiji.

FIJI: Read about our experience spending one week in Fiji and how to visit Modriki Island, filming site for the movie Castaway.

BALI: Learn more about Bali in our guide to the best things to do in Bali, how to visit the Aling-Aling Waterfalls, what it is like to visit Bali on Nyepi Day, and how to do the Mount Batur Sunrise Hike. Get suggestions on how to plan your time with our 7 Day Bali Itinerary and 10 Day Bali Itinerary.

OCEANIA: For all of our articles about New Zealand and Australia, take a look at our New Zealand Travel Guide and Australia Travel Guide.

BEST OF HAWAII: Plan the perfect visit to Maui, visit Hawai’i Volcanoes and Haleakala National Parks, get a history lesson at Pearl Harbor, take a doors off helicopter ride of the Napali Coast, and learn about the best things to do in Kauai.

Read all of our articles about Samoa in our Samoa Travel Guide.

 

Best Things to Do in Samoa

 

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Comments 2

  1. Avatar for Rakesh Swaroop
    Rakesh Swaroop

    Hey, I met you guys at The Farm Lodge/Lake Clark Resort earlier this week. Just wanted to leave a comment and say hi. Thanks again for this blog. It is invaluable to hikers planning their own trips. Hope the rest of your trip is going well. Safe travels.

    1. Avatar for Julie Post
      Author
      Julie

      Hello Rakesh! Thanks for writing in! It was great meeting you too! I hope you have a wonderful time on the rest of your trip through Alaska and have a great time checking off your remaining national parks. Cheers, Julie and Tim

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