Why choose a holiday in Samoa?

Samoa is perfect for an untouched South Pacific escape. It is far less commercialised than French Polynesia or Fiji, and its cultural roots run really deep. If you’re looking to take the road less travelled, Samoa offers an authentic Polynesian experience full of local character. The rugged tropical beaches, hidden rainforest waterfalls, volcanic blowholes, and clear blue waters are postcard-perfect, but tourist numbers are still low. What could be better?

Getting to Samoa 

I flew to Samoa via Fiji, which is only a 2-hour flight away. Samoa works perfectly as part of a round the world trip, as you can connect from Australia or New Zealand to Fiji and then continue to Samoa. Afterwards, you can fly on to Hawai’i and then explore the rest of North America. Perfect! 

If you want to visit Samoa on a shorter holiday, it pairs brilliantly with Fiji. While they share similarities, each of these destinations has its own distinct personality. In both countries, you’ll find beautiful landscapes to explore, unique Polynesian cultures, and wonderful, welcoming places to stay. It’s an amazing combination for a twin-centre holiday in the South Pacific.

Exploring Upolu 

The main island of Upolu is a great starting point for exploring Samoa. If you have enough time, I recommend staying 4 or 5 nights here. This gives you time to balance some sun-drenched relaxation with some sightseeing. There is so much to do on Upolu, so you’re in for a treat. 

Swim in the Sua Ocean Trench

One thing you absolutely can’t miss is a visit to the iconic To Sua Ocean Trench. Here, you can climb down the ladder into the trench and swim in the clear water, gazing straight up at the sky. It’s a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Go chasing waterfalls 

There are also lots of waterfalls to discover on the island. You can view some of these from lovely viewpoints, while you can swim in the pools beneath others, such as Togitogiga Waterfall. There’s nothing that feels more tropical than swimming in a pool next to a waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery.

Giant clams and dreamy beaches 

For some unique snorkelling, I also loved exploring the Giant Clam Sanctuary, where you can swim right out over the clams to see them. Some of them are over a metre wide! I found it completely eye-opening. 

Of course, there are also dozens of gorgeous beaches to explore. My personal favourites were the wide sands of Lalomanu Beach and the tucked-away paradise of Vavau Beach, which was so idyllic it blew me away. You’re never far away from a spectacular stretch of sand in Samoa.

Explore the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Another highlight is a visit to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. The museum is housed in the home that he built when he relocated to Samoa with his family in 1890. A guide takes you through the house, where you’ll learn about the history of his time here and his affinity with the Samoan people. 

At the end of the tour, our guide sang the poem that he wrote to be carved onto his tombstone. It was very moving – there were no dry eyes in our group! From the house, you can hike up Mount Vaea to see his grave, which looks out to sea from the top of the hill. It’s quite a tricky hike, but definitely worth it!

Getting around Upolu 

Upolu Island is just 75km long and around 16km wide, making it small but perfectly formed. You can easily stay in one hotel and take tours to see the highlights of the island, but it’s also a great place to hire a car. With your own wheels, you can head out and explore, driving the scenic roads of Samoa and meeting the friendly locals.

Where to stay in Upolu 

There are plenty of fantastic places to stay on Upolu, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. One option is to split your stays between two opposite ends of the island, giving you two different perspectives on Upolu. Alternatively, you can stay in one area before visiting neighbouring Savai’i and then stay in a different area when you return to Upolu.

Almost all the hotels host a regular “Fiafia” night - a cultural show with dancing, singing and fire dancing, accompanied by a feast of local specialities cooked in a traditional earth oven. Just be sure to check which night of the week it takes place, so you don’t miss out!

Seabreeze 

This was, hands down, my favourite hotel on Upolu Island. Seabreeze was spectacular from the first moment that they blew the conch shells to mark our arrival, and the staff gathered to sing the welcome song. It was such a special start to such an extraordinary place.

Set in a tiny bay, Seabreeze has a beautiful beach with views out over little islands and coves towards the open ocean. The rooms are spacious and calming, with big hammocks outside facing the water. The whole place is fresh and green, with colourful flowers and a bright blue pool.

The really special spot is their honeymoon villa, set atop a rocky hill, with breathtaking 360-degree views over the cove. The food here is also delicious, and the atmosphere is wonderfully laid-back. For a honeymoon, this is the perfect choice.

Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa 

Down on the south coast. Saletoga Sands is a lovely hotel, down on the south coast, not far from To Sua Ocean Trench. Set right on golden sands, it’s a relaxing and palm-fringed property with a large pool and good snorkelling straight off the beach. You can paddleboard, kayak and swim in the turquoise water all day long or hire a scooter and pootle around the local area.

The rooms are spacious and airy, especially the Beachfront Villas, which are mere steps away from the sand, perfect for falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. This resort is perfect for families but also has a lovely adults-only row of bungalows for those who want a more tranquil holiday.

Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa 

Also on the south coast, you’ll find Sinalei Reef Resort, a tranquil paradise set in lush gardens with endless views out over the ocean. The rooms are just wonderful, with Polynesian décor, comfortable beds and lots of amenities. The food, which you’ll enjoy out on the water in their overwater restaurant, is delicious, with lots of fresh fish and seafood on the menu.

My favourite rooms here are the Beachfront Villas, set right on the water’s edge with sunset views to die for. They are perfect for relaxing on a sun lounger with a book or sharing a glass of fizz with your other half. 

Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel 

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's are the only hotels in Samoa owned by large brands. In the heart of Apia, the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s was the first hotel built in Samoa by the famous Aggie Grey. 

It’s easy to walk to all the main highlights of Apia and a great base if you have a rental car or you’re not too bothered about being near the beach. There’s a lovely pool area, and I particularly loved the Garden Bungalows, with traditional carved wooden roofs and peaceful gardens.

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort 

Close to the airport, the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort is perfect if you arrive late or leave early, or if you’ve arrived from a long flight from Europe and you need a couple of nights to sleep off the jet lag. The rooms are comfy, the sunset views are spectacular, and the pool is huge!

Return to Paradise 

Set on one of the wildest and most beautiful beaches in Samoa, Return to Paradise is a locally owned and authentic Samoan resort. The service here is second to none, and it’s an opportunity to experience a family-owned resort in a country where family is so important. The rooms are large and airy with a real Polynesian feel, and spending your days relaxing here under the swaying palms is such a delight.

Sailing to Savai’i 

After a few days exploring Upolu, we caught the ferry to Savai’i. It is so worth making the time to visit this totally enchanting island. With no international airport, Savai’i has an even more relaxed and peaceful vibe than Upolu, which hardly seems possible! Driving across the island and through the different villages is beautiful. Each lovely village has multiple churches and carefully manicured gardens around the main road.

Seeing the Alofaaga blowholes 

On Savai’i, we visited the Alofaaga Blowholes, which were amazing. Watching the water shoot up into the air was incredibly exciting, so make sure you visit at high tide to get the best views. 

We also explored the Saleaula Lava Field, where an old church was destroyed by the lava flows during the volcanic eruption in the early 1900s. Seeing the flowing lava, now solidified, was amazing – I’ve never seen rock like that before.

Visiting Afu Aau Waterfall 

However, my favourite experience on the island was our visit to Afu Aau Waterfall. Climbing down into the turquoise pool, swimming in the cool water and getting right up to the waterfall was a total dream come true – it was exactly how I imagined Samoa would be. Looking up at the vines and trees was magical – it was a real Pacific paradise moment.

Where to stay in Savai’i 

As Savai’i is Samoa’s lesser-visited island, there are fewer accommodation options, but still some very lovely places to stay. Here are a couple of my personal favourites. 

Le Lagoto Resort & Spa 

I stayed at the Le Lagoto Resort on Savai’i – it was such a lovely little place, laid-back and pretty. It has a small sandy cove with great snorkelling straight off the beach, and it feels wonderfully peaceful. The restaurant is excellent, with really delicious local fish and a wonderful breakfast.

Each room is an individual little bungalow, most of them with sea views and a tiny infinity pool. Finishing the evening with a cocktail watching the sun sink into the ocean was magical. For a relaxing couple of days on Savai’i, Le Lagoto is a fantastic choice.

Amoa Resort 

Another option on Savai’i is Amoa Resort. The rooms here are lovely, and the whole resort has a very relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff and a lovely pool with a swim-up bar. Although not set right on the beach, it’s just across the road from some of the most turquoise water I’ve ever seen, where you can snorkel, swim and kayak just a stone's throw from the hotel.

Ready to plan a holiday in Samoa? 

I can’t recommend a visit to Samoa enough. The scenery is out of this world, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. The Samoans are so proud and protective of their heritage, and they’re always happy to share it with visitors. With wonderful hotels, beautiful beaches, hidden waterfalls and turquoise oceans, Samoa is everything you could want from an island in the South Pacific.

Ready to plan a trip to Samoa?

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