Planning your Holiday

Overview
This article was researched by our local South Pacific travel experts:
Top Day Tours in Samoa — Land & Water Activities — Tour Companies
Samoa tours are based mostly around the land and not the water unlike other South Pacific Islands. The two main islands of Upolu and Savaii have outstanding sightseeing tours with waterfalls, blowholes and volcanic lava fields, lush tropical rainforest, stunning lookouts over bays and traditional Samoan villages to visit. Both Upolu and Savaii are about the right size to enjoy a round island tour to take in the sights. Be sure to visit a village to experience the Samoan culture which is one of the most authentic and traditional of the Polynesian nations.

Samoa Map & Pictures
Best Samoa Tours
- Circumnavigate Upolu Scenic Tour
- Saleauala Lava Fields on Savaii
- RL Stevenson Museum in Apia Hills
- Togitogita Waterfall & Forest on Upolu
- Pumalei Star Mound on Savaii
Popular Sightseeing Regions
Our Five Favourite Day Tours in Samoa
Tongitogiga Forest Reserve, Upolu Island
This beautiful region on the south coast of Upolu has gentle forest trails to get you up close to nature and a lovely waterfall where you can do some rock jumping into the natural swimming pools.
Stay at Coconuts Beach Resort
Saleaula Lava Fields & Volcanic Tour, Savaii Island
The dormant volcanoes of Savaii may seem passive but they have shaped the island dramatically - explore the lava fields of Saleaula, and the Lava tube caves along the north coast.
Stay at Le Lagoto Resort
Manono Island
With no cars and no dogs, Manono is a sleepy island with quaint fishing villages to explore. Learn to weave or try your hand at fishing from a traditional outrigger canoe.
Stay at Aggie Grey's Lagoon Resort
Return to Paradise Beach
Visit this iconic beach where the 1950's Gary Cooper film was made.
Stay at Sa'Moana Beach Resort
Historic Apia Tour
Explore the historic Mulinu'u Peninsula and end up at Vailima, once the home of Robert Louis Stevenson and now a museum celebrating the South Seas of old
Stay at Tanoa Tusitala Hotel

Samoan Holiday Activities
The charming seaside town of Apia is definitely worth a visit and makes a good base for a sightseeing holiday with colonial architecture including the Vailima Museum, the last home of the author Robert Louis Stevenson and which typifies the South Seas port from his colonial era. Apia also has great restaurants, bars and clubs as well as a fine handicraft market for souvenirs. If you like golf, there are three good courses to enjoy, the championship Penina course on the west coast near the airport and two 18-hole courses in Apia's hills.
Find out more about .... Samoa Land Activities Guide
Despite being a great destination for land activities, things are not so great on the water. There is world class surfing on both Upolu and Savaii but otherwise scuba diving and even snorkelling is somewhat limited compared to its South Pacific neighbours.
Find out more about .... Samoa Water Sports Guide

Samoa Tours & Sightseeing
If you're looking to do sightseeing in Samoa, Apia Town makes a great base. Not only does it have its own sightseeing points of interest but is also is the base for most circle island tours. Apia is a pretty seaside town with colonial style architecture and a bustling water-front where outrigger canoeists practice in the harbour during the early mornings and evenings. Two of the most popular sights around Apia are the Robert Louis Stevenson museum set in tropical gardens in the hills of Vailima Village with walking trails to a his grave and lookout; and the natural sliding rock at Papaseea where you can frolic in the turbulent waters. Both can be visited on a half day organised tour with pick-ups from all Apia hotels.
Aggie Grey's Hotel, Apia Town$$$

Overview
Circle island tours are possible on both Upolu and Savaii, although it takes a full six hours just to circumnavigate Savaii making it a rather exhausting day trip. If you prefer do do your own thing and hire a car, here are some of the highlights along the way:
Upolu Island Highlights
Piula Cave; Fagaloa Bay Lookout; Sopoaga Waterfalls ; Lalomanu Beach; Togitogiga Nature Reserve; Saanapu Coastal Wetlands ; Return to Paradise Beach.
Coconuts Beach Resort, Upolu Island$$$$

Savaii Island Highlights
Saleaula Lava Fields; Falealupo Rainforest Walk; Alofaaga Blowholes; Afu'aau Waterfall; Puamalei Star Mound; Taufua Crater.
Le Lagoto Resort$$$$
