Travel to Samoa - Episode 952

Travel to Samoa – Episode 952

July 6, 2025 Journeyhour.net

Hear about travel to the island nation of Samoa as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his recent trip biking around the country.

Why should you go to Samoa?

Jonty says, “Samoa is a small island in the Pacific. If you imagine a tropical Pacific paradise, then something like Samoa would probably spring to mind in terms of palm trees along a beautiful sandy beach with snorkeling opportunities and some diving opportunities. The Samoan culture is very interesting. It is very much the heart of Polynesia, and they’ve done a very good job at maintaining their culture. It’s touristy enough that it’s got the infrastructure that you need as a tourist to get around and do things. But it’s not particularly touristy.”

Jonty recommends a one-week itinerary for Samoa that allows travelers to experience much of what the country has to offer, but he notes that a 10- to 14-day trip would be ideal to allow for rest, deeper exploration, and a more relaxed pace. Here’s how he breaks it down:

Start with Apia (1–2 days)

Begin your trip in Apia, the capital and only real city in Samoa. Jonty suggests spending at least a day, preferably two, exploring both the downtown and the surrounding hills.

In central Apia, highlights include:

Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a striking Catholic church rebuilt in 2014 after earthquake damage.
Friendship Park, which runs along the seawall and offers scenic strolls or morning runs.
The Fish Market and Fugalei Produce Market, both great for soaking up daily life and sampling local produce.
The Royal Samoan Police Marching Band, which performs weekday mornings with a flag-raising ceremony outside the Government Building.
If you’re in town on a Saturday, don’t miss the SWAG (Samoa Women’s Association of Growers) Market, also held in the park.

Just inland on the Cross Island Road, there’s even more to see:

The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, located in his beautifully restored former home.
The Vailima Botanical Gardens, modest but home to a waterfall and swimming hole.
A popular hike up Mount Vaea to Stevenson’s tomb offers both exercise and connection to the writer’s legacy.
The Shrine of the Three Hearts, a grand Catholic church with panoramic views of the city.
The Baha’i House of Worship, one of only eight in the world, surrounded by tranquil gardens.
For lunch or an artistic detour, visit the Tiapapata Art Centre, which includes a café, artist studios, and gallery space.

Loop Around Upolu (1–3 days)

After Apia, Jonty recommends driving (or, in his case, cycling) anti-clockwise around Upolu, the smaller of Samoa’s two main islands but home to about 75% of the population.

Key stops include:

The Lalotalie River Walk, more of a river wade than a walk, ending in a waterfall—best done with a local guide.
The Giant Clam Sanctuary, one of the few places where you can easily snorkel with meter-long, brightly colored clams in shallow water.
Outdoor Samoa’s turtle kayak trip from Vai Villas, which takes you through mangroves and into the lagoon, where you may spot sea turtles from your kayak.
O Le Pupu-Pue National Park, Jonty’s favorite spot on Upolu. It includes the massive Ma Tree, a dramatic coastal lava field walk, and the refreshing Togitogiga Waterfall for swimming.
Tafatafa Beach and Lalomanu Beach, both ideal for relaxing or snorkeling in the calm lagoon waters protected by offshore reefs.
The iconic To Sua Trench, a seawater-filled sinkhole with a steep ladder for access, set improbably within a manicured lawn.
Richardson Road, which cuts through lush inland terrain with views of Fagaloa Bay and Le Mafa Pass. At its summit, you’ll see miles of coconut plantations—an agricultural legacy of German colonial rule.
Finish the loop at Piula Cave Pool, a spring-fed freshwater pool just meters from the sea.

Driving the full loop of Upolu without stops takes about four hours, but you’ll want to spread it over a few days to swim, snorkel, hike, and unwind.

Explore Savai’i (2–3 days)

From the western tip of Upolu, take the ferry to Savai‘i, the larger and more rural of Samoa’s two main islands. Again, Jonty recommends exploring it anti-clockwise.

Start near the ferry terminal with:

The John Williams Memorial Pool, a freshwater pool near a beautiful church—one of many impressive churches across Savai‘i.
Beaches like Lano Beach and Asaga River Pool, the latter offering a chance to float with the outgoing tide through mangroves into the ocean.
The village of Mauga, built in a circle around a volcanic crater with a concrete cricket pitch at its center.
The Salea‘ula Lava Fields, where Mount Matavanu’s eruption (1905–1911) buried villages, including a London Missionary Society church now filled with rippled lava rock.
The Virgin’s Grave, where lava mysteriously split around an untouched burial site.
Regina Beach, a spot for snorkeling with turtles if the sea is calm.
The Pe‘ape‘a Cave, a lava tube inhabited by swifts that use echolocation like bats.
The haunting Cyclone Church, damaged by major storms in 1990 and 1991 and left in ruins beside its modern replacement.
Falealupo Beach, Jonty’s personal favorite, where you can enjoy solitude, top-tier snorkeling, and epic sunsets on Samoa’s western edge.
Satuiatua Beach, perfect for lazy drift snorkeling, where currents carry you over coral gardens.
The Taga Blowholes, among the most powerful in the world, shooting seawater high into the air from lava-formed coastal vents.
Afu Aau Waterfall, one of the country’s best for swimming under cascading freshwater.
Finish at Aganoa Beach, which has great snorkeling (with strong currents) and is known for advanced surf breaks.

Driving around Savai‘i also takes about five hours, but like on Upolu, you’ll want to take it slow and linger at the beaches and pools.

Optional: Manono Island (1 day or overnight)

If time allows, consider adding a visit to Manono Island, which sits in the strait between Upolu and Savai‘i. It’s only a 15-minute boat ride from Upolu’s west coast, but feels like a different world: no cars, no dogs, and a blissful quiet.

You can walk the entire island in about two hours, hike to its modest summit, snorkel offshore, or spend a night in a local fale. It’s a peaceful way to step even further off the grid before returning to the mainland.

How to Get Around

Most travelers will rent a car—roads are sealed and easy to navigate, though speed limits are low (about 56 km/h or 35 mph). Ferries connect Upolu and Savai‘i in 1–1.5 hours. Jonty did his trip by bicycle, renting from Outdoor Samoa, which offers bikes, eBikes, gear transport, and support vehicles. It’s not common, but possible for adventurous travelers.

Summary

Jonty’s itinerary encourages travelers to move anti-clockwise around both Upolu and Savai‘i, spend meaningful time in Apia and on scenic inland roads, prioritize swimming in Samoa’s many freshwater pools, and consider at least one night in a traditional fale. Whether you follow it in 7 packed days or stretch it over 2 weeks, his route delivers a cross-section of natural beauty, cultural richness, and local flavor that’s hard to match.