Samoa: Now is the Time Your South Pacific Adventure Begins

Found just a few hours from Australia and New Zealand, Samoa offers an exciting alternative for globetrotters eager to explore a new corner of the South Pacific. While Samoa’s culture has been around a good 3000 years or so, the country has remained something of a hidden treasure, offering all that’s great about a South Pacific vacation without the drawbacks of heavy tourism. 

Where is Samoa and how do I get there? 

Samoa is located in the Pacific Ocean, just north east of Fiji. A two-hour flight from Fiji’s international gateway, Nadi, a four-hour flight from Auckland or a five-hour flight from Brisbane or Sydney will all land you at Faleolo International Airport, which services Apia, the capital of Samoa, located on its second-largest island, Upolu. Samoa’s only larger island, Saval ‘I, lies to the north west, though it contains less than a third of Upolu’s population. 

To the east, things get really interesting, especially if you want to be one of the first people in the world to greet the new day. Simply wait for it on one beautiful Lalomanu Beach, where the only dry land between you and the international date line is the uninhabited Aleipata Islands, also belonging to Samoa. On the other side of that line, American Samoa sits a full day behind. And no, they’re not the same country. American Samoa remains a US territory while Samoa is independent. 

Explore Nature and Culture Away from the Tourist Resorts  

Adventurous travellers swear by Samoa for reasons we’ll get into soon, but you might ask why a country so blessed with beautiful waterfalls, mountains, secluded beaches and swimming trenches, not to mention a rich Polynesian culture, saw less than 175,000 international guests during a record year for international tourism. To be clear, it’s perfectly safe, unless you plan to tackle its surf swells as a beginner. Is it hard to get to? Well, no. Like we said, it’s just a few hours from either New Zealand or Australia and is serviced internationally by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand. 

Samoa has simply never been kitted out for mass tourism, and that’s how the locals like it. Until 1984, jets larger than a Boeing 737 couldn’t even land there, and while the decades since have made a difference, life for many Samoans remains largely unchanged by globalization. Whatever the reason, those who make it to Samoa today will find an island paradise where the tourism is sustainable, local encounters are genuine, the landscape is breathtaking, and you’re unlikely to meet more than a handful of fellow travellers. 

So many reasons to visit Samoa 

Samoa’s natural beauty is perhaps its biggest draw. If the country has one standout attraction, it’s To Sua Trench… and name that’s far more inviting when accompanied with pictures. To Sua Trench is in fact a photogenic swimming hole near Utopu’s southern coast, accessed via ladder, surrounded by greenery and beloved by Samoa converts.  Looming in the mists above it is Mount Savai’i, one of the volcanos that define Samoa’s dramatic landscape.  

As you work your way around Utopu, you can also visit a variety of secluded beaches, protected hiking areas like Uafato Tiavea, and friendly townships like Lufi-lufi, where you might stop for a picnic at Pula Cave Pool. To the south, O Le Pupu-Pue National Park invites you to walk coastal trails used by Samoans for centuries. Even close to Apia, you can dive or snorkel the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve for a close encounter with Samoa’s colourful reef fish. Apia itself supports a population of only 36,000 people, so even Samoa at its most developed offers an uncrowded, laid-back approach to life. 

The island of Savai’i represents Samoa’s wilder side, with a relatively small population and a more dynamic volcanic landscape. Nowhere is this better demonstrated that at Saleaula Lava Field, which froze five villages in time following the 1905 eruption of Mout Matavanu. You can also follow the Peapea Cave Track leading to lava tubes that now harbour batlike swiftlets, or if you fancy a caving adventure, visit Paia Dwarfs Cave, best seen with a guide due to its immense size.  

Tips and fun facts for visiting Samoa 

Whether you’re scaling volcanic hills for unbeatable views over the island, finding a secluded spot at a hidden cove, or trying delicious Polynesian delicacies at a local restaurant, Samoa rewards a slow schedule and an open mind. Make sure your itinerary leaves a few days at leisure to simply explore. Samoa might have its well-loved attractions, but its hidden discoveries are just as compelling.  

For foodies, there are plenty of Samoan specialties to try, including creamy palusami made from taro leaves, oka, the island nation’s marinated raw fish dish, breakfast favourite koko alaisa, highly addictive keke saiga (or ‘Chinese cookies’), sweet panikeke and so many others. German influence is prevalent here, dating back to Samoa’s days as a Germany colony, but you’ll also find many dishes reminiscent of Chinese cuisine, and of course, tropical fruit and ice cream are ubiquitous across Samoa. 

There’s no bad time to visit Samoa, per se. It’s simply at the whim of its dry and wet seasons. Generally, the best dry weather can be found from June to September, while the ‘wet’ season usually amounts to a tropical downpour late in the day. This can come as a welcome refresher in the hotter months, particularly further inland, so you might find the lower prices during this season to be worth it. 

Finally, here’s a note for history buffs and bookworms. Robert Louis Stevenson, best known as the author of Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde fell in love with the island, died there, and is buried on the Stevenson Family Estate Grounds, where his home has been converted to a museum.  

Discover Samoa today.