Samoa Tours & Sightseeing
Samoa Holiday Guide
Beautiful South Pacific Holidays

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.

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$$$

Overlooking the picturesque harbour of Apia Town, Aggie Grey's Hotel captures the essence of Samoa with its charming history and grace. For those looking to delve into the background of a peaceful South Sea port where Robert Louis Stevenson retreated to, Aggie Grey's is the perfect base.

Coconuts Beach Resort, Upolu Island$$$$

Coconuts Beach Resort is one of Samoa's few upmarket resorts with stylish rooms and bungalows, good service, a spa, restaurant and activities centre. Set alongside a part sandy coastline and directly in-front of a good swimming, snorkelling and surfing lagoon, Coconuts is a good choice for couples and surfers.

Le Lagoto Resort$$$$

Le Lagoto Beach Resort is a neat boutique resort with a lovely raised swimming pool overlooking the ocean as its focal point. Fales are staggered along a rocky bluff, there's a thoughtfully designed restaurant, lots of organised tours, attentive staff and a scuba diving and snorkel operator across the road.