SamoaTravel Guide

Immerse yourself in Samoan culture, rub shoulders with the locals and get your entertainment fix in Apia, just 40 minutes away from the airport. Perched on a tropical hillside, Dave Parker Eco Lodge is handy to a variety of interesting attractions, including Apia Park and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. It’s small, intimate and excellent for travellers on a budget. Moanalisa Hotel is another laid-back option with bright, sunny rooms and a complimentary continental breakfast included in your room rate.

If you’re keen on a secluded holiday, but still want to be close to the action, Le Vasa Resort is one of the most sought-after resorts on the island, perfect for couples (including loved-up honeymooners) and families alike. It features a private beach and sea-facing bungalows. But when luxury is a non-negotiable, we highly recommend the four-star Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa. Imagine checking in to  your own island villa, soaking in an outdoor stone bathtub, champagne glass in hand, before enjoying  some heavenly pampering at the spa.

Looking to get as close to the beach as possible? Va-i-moana Seaside Lodge is nestled in a small cove on the island of Savai’i with gorgeous views of Asau Bay. Babysitting services are available if you're holidaying with a young familylooking for some you time to enjoy a hard-earned break. Then there’s the award-winning Savai’i Lagoon Resort offering a variety of rooms depending on your budget, from garden bungalows to beachfront bungalows. Be sure to settle into a sunset cocktail or three at its barefoot beach bar and restaurant right on the beach.

If you can manage to tear yourself away from the comfort of your towel, there are many opportunities to appreciate what lies beneath the surface of the sea. Snorkelling is the ultimate tropical island pastime, particularly when you find yourself alongside sea turtles just off the coast of the island of Savai'i. Visit Satoalepai Turtle Sanctuary and swim with endangered young green turtles – all of whom are been lovingly cared for by local villagers before they’re tagged and released into the wild.

Now this is a natural wonder guaranteed to blow your mind! Found in the village of Taga, these blowholes effortlessly puff jets of foamy sea water hundreds of feet into the air, much to the surprise and excitement of tourists gathered around. Visit at high tide for the best experience. For extra funkeep an eye out for locals selling coconuts for you to to place inside the blowholes that get catapulted skyward when the next breaker rolls in.

There’s no better place to get a feel for Fa’a-Samoa (the traditional Samoan way of life) than with a visit to the Samoan Cultural Village. Here you’ll be met with friendly hospitality and the chance to observe Samoan traditions. Watch the locals as they engage in traditional weaving and woodworking, bop along to traditional music and creative performances, take part in an ’ava ceremony (held to mark important occasions and involves the sharing of a ceremonial beverage) and fill up on mouth-watering Samoan food, including palusami (a delicious dish made with corned beef, onions and coconut cream and wrapped in nutty taro leaves).

The To Sua Ocean Trench is photographer’s dream. Instagram is practically plastered with pictures of tourists floating in the azure expanse of this gargantuan volcanic sinkhole. It’s encircled by cascading greenery that extends 30 metres down to the water. Snap a pics yourself and if you’re brave enough, scale down the swinging wooden ladder to dive in!

A volcanic eruption took place on Savai’i Island over a hundred years ago, completely obliterating everything in its path. Thankfully, the slow-flowing lava made it possible for most of the villagers to escape, but it went on to swallow up a total of five villages. The resulting charred, hardened Saleaula Lava Field is  one of the best-known attractions in Samoa. Take a trip to the Saleaula Lava Field for a glimpse into this catastrophic event and explore the remains of these buried villages.

Step into the jungle and enjoy the wet and wild Papaseea Sliding Rocks. Slide down the natural rock waterslides, perfectly smooth and safe for kids and adults alike. Talk about a great way to cool off!

Sit down to a fine feast at the family-run Paddles Restaurant in Apia. An extremely unique experience where traditional Samoan and Italian cuisine are combined to produce an eclectic menu. Aside from delicious food, you'll be treated to stunning views of the sprawling Apia harbour, and you’ll always receive a warm greeting from the owner, Papa Rossi.  Another sure-fire winner is the open-air Cocolini’s by the Sea at Le Vasa Resort. Expect scrumptious seafood and South Pacific-Mediterranean cuisine for a meal to remember.

An umu is an above-ground oven that relies on heated volcanic stones to cook food. The hot stones are placed inside the oven and the food (usually dipped in coconut cream instead of oil) is wrapped in banana leaves or placed in halved coconut shells on top. A final layer of banana leaves closes the oven and locks in the heat.  If you opt to book a tour in Samoa, the chances are pretty good that your package will include a traditional umu dining experience. Alternatively, head to Samoa Cultural Village for a taste of the locals’ favourite food hot from the umu!

Old Apia Flea Market is your one-stop shop for all your souvenirs and holiday keepsakes. Every stall is crammed with handcrafted wonders, from ava bowls to woven pandanus mats and much more. It’s also a popular spot for fresh produce, as is Fugalei Fresh Produce Market. Need a snack while you shop? Fugalei Market boasts a supply of cooked Samoan delicacies.

You’ll manage to scope out a number of boutique stores in Apia, but if you only buy from one, let it be Janet’s Samoa. This store, located inside Lotemau Mall, is brimming with classic Samoan fashion favourites, such as island dresses, patterned men’s shirts and loads of cute kids’ outfits. Then there’s House 88 Boutique, which also stocks stylish island wear, along with formal dresses perfect for a glitzy and glamorous night out on the town or a romantic dinner for two.

Enjoying a few hours of shopping at Old Apia Flea Market? You’ll find the main bus station tucked away behind it. Hop aboard a brightly painted bus to jump off at a few stops across the capital city, or in the charming surrounding villages.

Keen to travel from Upolu to Savai’i or vice versa? The MV Lady Samoa II runs between Upolu’s Mulifanua Wharf and Savai’i’s Salelologa village district every couple of hours. You can buy tickets for one-way or round trips.

A steady stream of taxis in Apia make flagging one down easy – the challenging bit comes when you have to bargain your price with the taxi driver! Samoan taxis aren’t metered, so be sure to settle on a reasonable fare before starting your journey. It’s a good idea to chat to your hotel or resort reception for an estimate on the cost to avoid opportunistic taxi drivers taking you for a ride (!).

Flanked with beach fales (thatched huts providing shade and a relaxing spot from which to enjoy the view of the ocean), you’ll find Lalomanu Beach, which is arguably the most sought-after beach in Samoa and the Pacific islands, just an hour’s drive outside Apia. The welcome sign encourages beachgoers to “come and enjoy heaven”, and you most certainly will! The beach is pristine and beautiful.

 

Lefaga Beach on Upolu Island is known as Samoa’s scuba-diving and snorkelling hotspot. Its claim to fame is that it played a starring role in the classic 1953 Gary Cooper film “Return to Paradise”. Ok, true, that was a loooong time ago, but we just thought we’d mention it.

Looking forward to surfing in Samoa? Just 15 minutes from Maota Airport on Savai’i island, Aganoa Beach is family-friendly with the chance to take part in an array of water sports, including surfing and snorkelling – but be warned: the waves can be rough and unpredictable, so surfing is only recommended for experienced board-riders!