What’s more, active travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to hitting the outdoors and soaking up Samoa’s diverse and fascinating landscapes.
You can expect gorgeous palm tree-lined beaches, incredible hiking and biking routes, volcanic landscapes, jungles, and coral reefs – and a whole lot of waterfalls. By following this 7-day Samoa itinerary, you can make sure you see the best that this tropical paradise has to offer and fully enjoy your Samoa getaway.
Day 1:
Arrival, transfer to Savai’i
Spend the first part of your stay in Samoa on the island of Savai’i. Cloaked in a pristine rainforest teeming with birdlife, Savai’i is often referred to as the “real Samoa” where locals enjoy a laid-back, traditional way of life.
Day: Ferry from Upolu to Savai’i
Catch one of the two ferries servicing the Upolu to Savai’i route – a journey that takes approximately one-hour. You can also take your rental vehicle with you on the ferry, but you’ll need to book at least two days in advance.
Evening: Fiafia Night
Don’t leave Samoa without experiencing a fiafia night. Fiafia means gathering or celebration, and visitors can expect to experience just that. You’ll watch traditional dancing as it’s been performed for more than 3000 years (and have a go yourself), and you’ll also have the chance to eat from a traditional umu cooked (earth oven) feast. Your resort or hotel will often have their own fifia night, but if not, your concierge can arrange bookings and transfers to the nearest festivity.
Day 2:
Uncover Gorgeous Waterfalls and Blowholes
Morning: Afu Aau Waterfall
The Afu Aau Waterfall, also known as Olemoe Falls, is a spectacular waterfall in south-eastern Savai’i that plunges from the rainforest deep into a fresh-water swimming pool. Access is along a dirt road which is maintained by the village. The pool is deep but gets shallow towards the outer rim. The fall eventually flows into three other smaller separate falls offering a truly enchanting experience for visitors.
Afternoon: Alofaaga Blowholes
Also known as the Taga Blowholes, these powerful blowholes are in the district of Palauli. The entrance to the blowholes is in the village of Taga and are well worth making time for. As strong waves are pushed through the lava tubes, explosions of water reach dozens of metres high. The locals like to throw coconuts into the streams where they explode dramatically.
Day 3:
Discover Samoa’s Most-Recently Active Volcano
All Day: Hike the Mt. Matavanu crater
All you need is a 4WD and a sturdy pair of boots to visit the volcano responsible for the devastation that fell upon north-eastern Savai’i a century ago when this volcano erupted for six years.
To get to Mt. Matavanu, drive from the village of Safotu through the jungle that leads to the start of the walking track. From the top, you’ll have a breathtaking view over the whole northern and eastern part of the island. Here, you’ll see Savai’i’s glistening shorelines and rugged volcanic landscape.
The drive to the walking track takes about 20 minutes and the walk is around 2-3 hours return (6km). At the peak of the crater is a magnificent and breathtaking view of Savai’i’s western villages. In addition to the views, you’ll also get to meet ‘Da Craterman’, who maintains the track and collects the fee for his village (which shouldn’t be any more than ST20 per person).
Day 4:
Samoa’s underwater and treetop sights
Morning: Dive Savai’i’s crystal-clear waters
Samoa is one of the best places in the world to learn to dive because of the range of beginner dive sites, the great visibility of the water and its year-round water temperature of between 26 and 29C. Dive sites are located either inside the safety of the lagoons or just outside the reef where you can access shipwrecks, coral gardens, and sea canyons, and see green turtles, eagle rays, and reef fish.
Afternoon: Salelaula Lava Fields
Explore and take photos at the site of the 1905 volcanic eruption which lasted for 6 years and devastated the northeast part of Savaii island. Highlights include the half-buried church amongst the forest, an untouched virgin grave and lava mounds.
Day 5:
Transfer back to Upolu, uncover Samoa’s most scenic sites
Catch the ferry back to Upolu but keep in mind that times depend on the day of departure, particularly Sundays which have different ferry departure times than during the week. The south east coast is home to many of Samoa’s must-dos.
Afternoon: To Sua Ocean Trench
This giant swimming hole is one of the most unique historical sites located on the south coast side of Upolu in the village of Lotofaga. To-sua means ‘giant swimming hole’, and this one is 30-metres deep and accessible via a ladder to a long platform which has been built for easy access in the pool.
Evening: Lalomanu Beach
For the rest of the afternoon, grab your towel and beach bag and relax on Lalomanu Beach. The white sandy shoreline is one of the most popular beaches in Samoa and it’s even voted by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten beach destinations in the world.
Day 6:
National Park hikes and a waterfall tour
Morning: O Le Pupu-Pue National Park
The combination of a tropical climate and fertile soil means Samoa’s rainforests are thick, lush, and teeming with wildlife. One of the best rainforest expeditions is O Le Pupu-Pue National Park which runs from the southern coast up into the mountainous interior of the island.
Evening: Waterfall exploration across the south coast
Samoa has some of the South Pacific’s best waterfalls, from thundering falls to swimming-friendly cascades. Take a waterfall tour of Upolu’s south coast visiting Papapapaitai, Sopoaga and Fuipisia Falls. A must-see stop is the Togigagiga Waterfall, but make sure you bring your swimwear because the pool under this waterfall is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in the water.
Day 7:
Departure
Relax and enjoy the spoils of your accommodation before catching your return flight. Be sure to allow ample travel time to arrive at the Faleolo International Airport at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time. The south east corner of Upolu is approximately 2 hours from the airport.
