Highlights
To Sua Ocean Trench
A deep, round swimming hole on Upolu's south coast, open to the sea through a lava tube, reached by a steep wooden ladder and surrounded by gardens. It is privately run, with an entry fee paid to the landowners.
Lalomanu Beach
A long stretch of white sand at the south-eastern tip of Upolu, lined with open-sided beach fale where guests sleep metres from a lagoon, with meals usually included.
Apia
The small capital on Upolu's north coast has a busy produce and craft market, a harbourside promenade and the white Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, in the author's former home at Vailima, is just inland.
Saleaula lava fields, Savai'i
Lava from eruptions in the early twentieth century flowed through villages on Savai'i's north coast, leaving the ruins of a church and a 'virgin's grave' that the lava flowed around.
Alofaaga Blowholes
On Savai'i's south-west coast, waves force water through lava tubes into tall jets of spray. Local guides throw coconuts into the holes to be shot into the air.
Papase'ea Sliding Rocks and Piula Cave Pool
Two freshwater swimming spots on Upolu: natural rock slides into pools near Apia, and a clear spring-fed pool in a cave beneath a Methodist church on the north coast.
Afu Aau Waterfall
A waterfall plunging into a deep, cool pool in the forest on Savai'i's south-east coast, one of the best places for a freshwater swim on the island.
Interesting facts about Samoa
- Samoa switched from driving on the right to driving on the left in 2009.
- At the end of 2011, Samoa skipped 30 December and moved to the west of the International Date Line, aligning its days with Australia and New Zealand.
- The English word 'tattoo' is linked to Polynesian words such as the Samoan tatau, and traditional tattoos are still a central part of Samoan culture.
- Samoa became independent in 1962, the first Pacific island country to do so in the twentieth century.
- Many villages observe a short evening prayer curfew called sa, when visitors are expected to stay quiet and stop walking through the village.
Best time to visit
The drier season, roughly May to October, has less humidity and calmer weather and is the most popular time to visit. The wet season, from November to April, brings heavy downpours and the risk of tropical cyclones, mainly from December to March. Temperatures are warm year-round. The Teuila Festival in September celebrates Samoan culture with dance, music and fire-knife performances.
Practical information
| Capital | Apia |
|---|---|
| Currency | Samoan tālā (WST) |
| Languages | Samoan, English |
| Plugs | Type I |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 911 for police, ambulance and fire |
| Driving | On the left |
| Tipping | Not part of Samoan custom and not expected. A small gift or donation to a village or church is a respectful way to say thank you. |
Getting around
Colourful wooden buses run from Apia to villages around Upolu, cheaply but without fixed timetables, and are an experience in themselves. Taxis are inexpensive; agree the fare first. Renting a car gives the most freedom; a temporary local licence is required and can usually be arranged through the rental company. Car and passenger ferries cross between Upolu and Savai'i several times a day. Many beaches and swimming spots are on customary land, and a small fee is often charged by the village or family.
Staying connected in Samoa
Mobile coverage is good in Apia and most villages along the coasts of Upolu and Savai'i, with 4G in many areas. Signal weakens in the mountainous interior, at some remote beaches and in parts of Savai'i. Wi-Fi is available in hotels and some cafés in Apia, but beach fale accommodation often has slow or no internet. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, and download maps offline before exploring.
See Samoa eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Samoa
- Google Maps: Download Upolu and Savai'i offline before travelling around the islands.
- Windy: Rain, wind and swell forecasts, useful for ferry crossings and planning beach days.
- XE Currency: Converts tālā prices.