Samoa Activities - Things to do in Samoa

In this Article:
Hiking & The Rainforest —  Historical Sites in Samoa —  Visiting a Samoan Village   — Shopping & Handicrafts

The best land based activities in Samoa include excellent forest walks and visiting a traditional Samoan village. There are also a couple of great golf courses to enjoy in and around Apia.

There are a couple of well organised day tour companies in Apia which makes the most practical base for exploring the islands. Upolu Island is just about the right size to circumnavigate on a day tour, stopping along the way at waterfalls, scenic lookouts, a couple of the more accessible beaches and perhaps a village visit. If you hire a car for a few days you'll find most of the sights yourself and will be able to spend more time enjoying them. There are several good car hire companies in Apia - since 2010 driving is on the left side of the road (the same side as Australia and NZ) and it is law that car hire companies provide right hand drive cars.

If you're not staying in Apia (which incidentally makes a great base for sightseeing even though most of the attractions are on the south side of Upolu), you're find day tours will be arranged by the resort and a guide provided to explain the ticking of the country.

Hiking in Samoa

Although much of Samoa's virgin rainforest has been depleted to give way to farming, the country has several outstanding National Parks and Reserves with great walking trails. Generally guides are recommended when hiking in the rainforest, although there are a few short trails to waterfalls where you can explore by yourself. The best place to arrange a guide is either from the resort you're staying at, or in the local village where you'll be walking - there's always someone happy to help out for a bit of money.

On Upolu Island, the Togitogiga Forest Park on the south coast has short trails to waterfalls and longer trails meandering over hills into the high forest, as well as a a wild coastal walk towards Aganoa Beach. On the south-west coast of Upolu is the superb and stunningly beautiful 5-hr coastal walk from Salamumu to Paradise Beach, passing several remote fishing villages and a dozen dazzling white sandy beaches.

On Savaii Island, the most demanding walk is to the summit of Mt, the highest peak in Samoa. This walk offers stunning panoramas of both Savaii and Upolu - guides can be arranged for overnight trips to make the most of the sunset and sunrise views. A much shorter walk on the south east corner of Savaii and close to the main town of Salelologa circumnavigates Taufua Crater with its rich biodiversity. Guided lava walks can be arranged for a fascinating insight into Savaii's ongoing geological phenomena, or on the remote west tip you can hike in Falealupo Rainforest where there's also a canopy walkway.

Historical Sites in Samoa

The myths and legends of Samoa's history are recalled mostly through song and dance, so attending a fia fia night is the best way to experience its history. Tangible ancient sites are few and mostly entangled in the rainforest. The largest and most impressive of the archaeological relics is the Pulemelei star mound slightly inland from the west coast of Savaii.

The best of Samoa's more recent historical sites are in Apia Town, with the charming Robert Louis Stevenson museum a highlight of Samoa's colonial era.

Samoan Village Visits

Visiting a Samoan village is a definite highlight and is best arranged via the resort you're staying at. A formal introduction is generally required and once obtained you can walk freely around and watch and possible interact with every-day village life. Samoans though are very proud people and not so easy to talk to within the village environment, but the kids are brilliant, energetic and generally great fun to be around.

Shopping in Samoa

Although there are few high street shops to get excited about, there are two great markets in Apia Town where you can spend a few hours absorbed by the atmosphere. The Apia fresh produce market sits adjacent to the main bus stand and is a hive of activity each morning, in particular Saturday morning when Samoans start preparations for their Sunday feast. If you're after souvenirs, the flea market, adjacent to the fish market and beside Apia's second bus stand, is the place to buy wood carvings and other hand crafts.