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10 Incredible Things to Do in Samoa: Best Beaches & Waterfalls

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Samoa is truly one of those rare corners of the globe where photos simply cannot do the real thing justice. Tucked right in the heart of the South Pacific, it has this effortless, untouched magic that hits you the second you step off the plane.

Imagine dramatic volcanic cliffs, water as clear as glass, dense rainforests and beautiful waterfalls. And to top it all off it has a pace of life so deliciously slow that you forget what day of the week it is. I fell completely in love with Samoa and I’m already dreaming of my next visit.

If you are putting together your itinerary and trying to figure out how to spend your days in Samoa, this guide covers the 10 best things to do in Samoa across Upolu and Savai’i.

Top Things to Do in Samoa

As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in Samoa. If you also want more practical information like where you should base yourself, how to get around and more practical information, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Swim in To Sua Ocean Trench

"To Sua" literally translates to giant swimming hole, and that is exactly what it is. It’s a 30 meter deep hole formed by ancient collapsed lava tubes, filled with crystal-clear seawater fed directly by the ocean outside.

To get down to the water, you have to climb a rather steep, wooden ladder. To be honest it looked a little intimidating from the top, but it really wasn’t so bad. I do however, recommend using water shoes because it does get rather slippery.

To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

You can spend the whole day here swimming and relaxing. There’s a small kiosk and all the facilities you need to spend the day if you want. Or you can opt to come in the evening like we did to have the place almost to yourself. No matter when you come it wont be packed with people, but it was still such a cool experience to swim around there alone.

Relax on Lalomanu Beach

If your definition of paradise involves powdery white sand, bath-warm water, and curling up with a book under a palm-tree, Lalomanu Beach will steal your heart in seconds. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to so it’s no wonder it regularly ends up on various "world's best beaches" lists.

The outer reef keeps the lagoon incredibly calm, so it’s the perfect spot for long afternoon swims and easy snorkelling right from the sand. If you’re lucky you might even spot turtles here.

Lalumano beach

What made our time here truly special, though, was staying overnight in a traditional Samoan beach fale (an open-sided wooden hut right on the water's edge). We stayed at Litia Sini Beach Resort for a couple of nights and it was amazing to wake up with views of the beach. It’s rather rustic and simple, but we loved it for a couple of nights.

Our view every morning
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Snorkel with Giant Clams at the Savaia Marine Sanctuary

This is one thing I sadly didn’t have time for while in Samoa, but I’m still adding it here because it sounds like so much fun and I will definitely add it to our next visit.

Located on the south-west coast of Upolu you’ll find the Giant Clam Sanctuary. This marine reserve is home to hundreds of massive giant clams (Tridacna gigas) resting in the shallow lagoon. You can snorkel here to get up close to them if you want. Some of them can get as big as a meter wide so it sounds super fun to see. You’ll also be able to see coral, reef fish, sea anemones and blue sea stars.

Relax and Swim With Turtles on Namu’a Island (Turtle Island)

For anyone craving an authentic, off-the-grid adventure where you feel like you’ve stumbled onto your own private island, a day trip to Namu’a Island is an absolute must-do. It might have been my favourite day in Samoa to be honest.

Turtle Island, Samoa

Namu’a is a tiny, uninhabited island sitting just across the water from mainland Upolu. Because the surrounding reef is a sanctuary for wild sea turtles, you’ll often hear locals call it Turtle Island. The water here is ridiculously clear, the sand is soft, and the only sounds you’ll hear all afternoon are rustling palms and gentle waves. You can spend your hours snorkelling with turtles, hiking the short dirt trail up to the island's peak for panoramic views of Upolu, or just napping in the shade.

Snorkelling at Turtle Island
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How to Get Across to Namu’a

This wasn’t the easiest spot to figure out how to get to, and we drove around for quite some time before we finally figured it out. But this is how you get there:

Turtle Island, Samoa

You can actually arrange to stay overnight on Namu’a in their very basic, open-air fales. I didn't know this was an option before our visit, but if I had, I would have booked a night in a heartbeat, it is pure, peaceful isolation. However, you need to know that there are zero shops, cafes, or water on Namu’a Island. So you need to bring whatever you need with you. You can grab some light refreshments from the mainland kiosk before you board the boat.

Vsit Sopo’aga Falls

Sopo’aga Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Samoa and a must visit in my opinion. It has a practical viewing platform located inside a small, but beautiful botanical garden. From there you get amazing views of Sopo’aga falls. The waterfall in itself is about 54 meters high and surrounded by thick jungle.

Sopo’aga Falls, Samoa

When you pull in to the parking area, there is a small honesty box at the gate to drop in a few Tala for entry. There are also clean public restrooms on-site, making it the perfect pit stop while road-tripping around the south coast.

Sopo’aga Falls, Samoa

Explore Papapapaitai (Tiavi) Falls

Papapapaitai is another stunning waterfall in Samoa with a drop of over 100 meters down into an ancient volcanic gorge. The lookout point sits on family-owned land just off the Cross Island Road. When we pulled up, the local family came out to greet us, and the kids were thrilled to walk us along the path to point out the best vantage points while we took photos.

Papapapaitai (Tiavi) Falls, Samoa

We first took in the views from the lookout platform, but the kids also convinced us to walk through the jungle to the top of the actual waterfall. If they’re not there, you can just follow the narrow jungle path and you’ll find it. Just be careful as you’ll end up surprisingly close to the edge of the waterfall.

Papapapaitai (Tiavi) Falls, Samoa

Hike the Wild Coastal Lava Field in O Le Pupū-Puē National Park

This is Samoa’s first established national park, and it spans all the way from the central mountain peaks down to the rugged southern coastline. While many people just pop into the park for a quick dip in the freshwater pools at Togitogiga Waterfall, I think the real highlight is the Coastal Lava Field Trail.

Hiking the Wild Coastal Lava Field in O Le Pupū-Puē National Park

To get there, you drive down the national park access road. When you feel like the road is turning into a rough dirt track and you must have gone too far, just keep going! You'll eventually reach a marked parking area. From there, you’ll find a narrow, but easy-to-follow trail that takes you through the lush rainforest before opening up into the dramatic lava fields.

Standing on the edge of the ancient lava fields with the wild ocean crashing against the black cliffs was an amazing experience and something I definitely recommend adding to your Samoa itinerary.

Hiking the Wild Coastal Lava Field in O Le Pupū-Puē National Park

Slide Down the Natural Chutes at Papase’ea Sliding Rocks

I didn’t spend so long in Samoa’s capital Apia so I never made it here, but if you have more time and want a little bit of adventure this might be a fun thing to add to your itinerary. Located only about 15 minutes inland from Apia, you’ll find the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks, which essentially is Mother Nature’s version of a water park.

As I didn’t visit I can’t give personal tips, but based on my research it might not be worth visiting during dry season as the water levels drop significantly. I would double check with your accommodation first to make sure the pools are deep enough before you decide to visit.

Samoa
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Want to make the most of your trip to Samoa?

Compare the best tours and activities around Samoa here

Soak Up Culture & History in Apia

While I think the real charm of Samoa lies in its wild coastlines and charming coastal villages, spending a morning or afternoon exploring the capital city of Apia is still worthwhile during your trip. Apia is tiny and very easy to navigate on foot, so you don’t need more than a few hours to check out the best spots.

Apia, Samoa

Visit Savai’i Island

I personally decided to spend all my time in Samoa on Upolu island because I didn’t have time to visit both island properly and didn’t want to rush through either of them. But if you have more time in Samoa, I think a visit to Savai’i Island would be super fun.

I plan on coming bak later and explore that side of the country as well. Below are a couple of highlights I would add to my trip if I were going to Savai’i:

Sunset in Samoa

Where is the best place to stay in Samoa?

Below are the three best hotels in various parts of Samoa. No matter if you choose to splurge on a fancy hotel or spend a night or two in a beach fale, these spots are all nice in my opinion.

Litia Sini Beach Fales
Litia Sini Beach Fales

The property combines traditional Samoan accommodation with a strong emphasis on local culture. You can stay in traditional fale bungalows, enjoy home-cooked meals and experience Samoan song and dance in the evenings.

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Seabreeze Resort Samoa - Exclusively for adults
Seabreeze Resort Samoa - Exclusively for adults

This adults-only resort sits between a secluded beach and a crystal-clear lagoon. It has ocean-facing villas and suites designed around the tropical surroundings, rather than feeling like a large conventional hotel. There is an infinity pool, restaurant and bar, spa, private beach, kayaks and snorkelling equipment.

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Taumeasina Island Resort
Taumeasina Island Resort

Taumeasina is Samoa's only island resort, sitting on a private island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It's only around five minutes from central Apia, so you get the best of both worlds: you can easily go into town, but when you return to the resort, you're surrounded by ocean..

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Map of Best Places to Stay in Samoa

Below you'll find a map where I've pinned my favourite hotels in Samoa to make it easier for you to navigate when you're looking for where you want to base yourself.

How To Get Around in Samoa

Getting around Samoa is relatively easy, although you need to embrace island time. The two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, are connected by regular ferries, while on the islands themselves you can get around by rental car, local bus, taxi or scooter. If you want to explore Samoa independently and visit beaches, waterfalls, swimming holes and more remote parts of the islands, I would recommend renting a car.

Renting a Car in Samoa

For most travellers, renting a car is the easiest way to explore Samoa. You can pick up a car at Faleolo International Airport or in Apia, and having your own vehicle means you aren't dependent on the relatively flexible local bus schedules. This is particularly useful if you're planning a road trip around Upolu or want to explore Savai'i beyond Salelologa.

Samoa drives on the left-hand side of the road, and the speed limits are deliberately low: around 40 km/h in towns and villages, and 60 km/h on open roads. The main roads are generally paved, but you should expect potholes, pedestrians, children and animals wandering onto the road. Fuel can also be harder to find outside the main towns, and many petrol stations close on Sundays, so it's worth filling up before heading off on a longer drive.

One thing you need to arrange before driving is a temporary Samoan driver's licence. Rental companies can arrange this for you, or you can get one through the Land Transport Authority or Samoa Tourism Authority. This was no problem for us, we just got it at the rental car company at the airport.

Taking the Local Buses

If you're travelling on a budget, or simply want a more local experience, you can take the bus around the island. The brightly painted buses are a quintessential part of travelling around Samoa and are inexpensive, but they're not the best option when you need to be somewhere at a specific time.

There are few formal bus stops. Instead, stand beside the road and wave a bus down, then pull the cord inside when you want to get off. Buses generally display their destination on the front, and you can always ask the driver if you're unsure.

The buses operate on what can generously be described as Samoan time, so don't plan a tight itinerary around them. They can make unexpected stops, wait for passengers and generally take things at a relaxed pace. But that's part of the experience, and one of the best ways to see everyday life in Samoa.

If you don’t have plenty of time in Samoa I personally wouldn’t recommend this. And if your main goal is seeing waterfalls and exploring the island, it will be pretty hard to get around by bus unfortunately.

Taxis in Samoa

Taxis are available on both Upolu and Savai'i and are a convenient option if you don't want to rent a car. They aren't metered, so always agree on the price with your driver before setting off. Taxis are particularly useful for airport transfers, short journeys and getting somewhere that isn't easily served by bus. However, the further away from Apia you get, the harder they are to find, so again if you want to explore I recommend renting a car.

If you find a friendly driver you like, it can be worth keeping their number. You may even be able to arrange a day rate if you want a driver to take you sightseeing.

Can You Get Around Samoa Without a Car?

Yes, but you'll need a little more patience. Buses and taxis make it possible to travel around both Upolu and Savai'i without renting a car, and you can also arrange transfers through your accommodation.

However, if your goal is to explore Samoa's beaches, waterfalls and more remote attractions at your own pace, I honestly think a rental car is a must. Samoa is small enough that driving is relatively straightforward, and having your own wheels gives you the freedom to stop whenever you see a beautiful beach, roadside fruit stall or swimming spot.

Final Thoughts: Is Samoa Worth Visiting?

Samoa is one of those destinations that is easy to overlook when planning a trip around the Pacific, but after spending time here, I think that is part of what makes it so special. Yes, you come for the tropical beaches, clear lagoons, waterfalls and dramatic volcanic landscapes, but Samoa offers much more than a typical beach holiday. The combination of natural beauty, traditional villages, local food and strong Polynesian culture gives the islands a sense of place that you don't always find in more developed tropical destinations.

So, is Samoa worth it? Absolutely! If you're looking for a destination that feels more authentic, relaxed and less developed than many of the better-known tropical islands. It isn't necessarily the easiest destination for a fast-paced holiday where you want everything within walking distance, but if you're happy to rent a car, move around a little and give yourself enough time to experience the islands properly, Samoa can be an incredible place to visit.

Plan Your Trip to Samoa

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan what to do in Samoa. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

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Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

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If you have any questions about travel in Samoa, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media.

I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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