Upolu
On Samoa’s most populated island you will find beautiful beaches, traditional villages and fringing reefs with cascading waterfalls and lush rainforest in a mountainous interior. The capital, Apia, is located on the northern coast with its harbor as the main port. Visitors fly into Faleolo International Airport which is on the Main West Coast Road. There is an excellent road system around the coast as well as several routes inland. It is a 1 ½ hour ferry ride from Upolu to the neighboring island of Savaii.
Apia
The laid back capital of Samoa has a population of around 35,000 people. Here you will find a variety of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shops, supermarkets, and other general services. The flea market in Apia is a great place to find locally made handcrafts and for fresh local produce, you can visit the Maketi fou (food market) on Fugalei Stret.
The landmark of Apia, Aggie Grey’s Hotel, became the resting place for weary World War 2 American GI’s. It is the most famous of Apia’s hotels.
Enjoy a half-day historic walk around Apia Harbour, and end at the Mulinu’u where the sacred burial sites are located. There are a number of historic sites and monuments located in Apia including the 1962 Independence Memorial as well as a number of German, British and American monuments. There are also a number of tombs of important Samoan people. A board outside the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale shows where they all are located.
Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, just off the shores of Apia, is a great place for swimming, snorkeling and diving. There is a sudden drop into a deep blue hole where walls of coral are flanked by schools of tropical fish. There is a small entry fee to enter this Marine Reserve.
When exploring Upolu Island, any land or area within a lagoon or bay belongs to the local village or family. It is important to ask permission at the nearest village and you may have to pay a small entry fee.
Around the island of Upolu.
The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Mount Vaea Scenic Reserve is worth a visit. This famous author came to Samoa five years before he died and many of his belongings, including travel and library mementos are to be found at his mansion, Vailima. You can stroll the gorgeous gardens, or take either the 30 minute or 45 minute walk to his tomb at the top of Mount Vaea. From here you can enjoy spectacular views over Apia.
Lake Lanoto’o National Park, also known as goldfish lake, due to the large number of goldfish introduced by German settlers, is a green crater lake. There is a 3-5 km walk on a 4 wheel drive trail to the lake but wear good walking shoes. It is recommended to have a guide with you.
Papapapai-Tai Falls is a spectacular 100 meter waterfall that plunges into a dramatic gorge. There is a viewing platform but don’t go too close to the edge due to its instability.
Vailima Brewery is where Samoa’s national beer is produced. There are no formal tours but you can call to arrange a tasting and tour. This is located between Apia and the airport.
Papaseea Sliding Rocks- found in the northwest, are one of Samoa’s most see. It is an great spot for a swim with a 5 meter rock slide down a waterfall into a deep freshwater pool. This is only 6 kms out of Apia and is an ideal spot for a picnic. You can take either a bus or taxi.
Uafato Conservation Area is the wild part of Upolu’s north-east. It is home to some gorgeous scenery as well as several native bird and bat species.
Piula Cave Pool is popular for swimming and snorkeling, with underground caves to explore. You enter through the entrance to the Piula Methodist Theological College, and it is a great place for picnics.
The Saanapu and Sataoa Mangrove Conservation Area, located on the south coast, is now a conservation area. The two villages offer 30 minute guided canoe tours of the coastal mangrove forests.
O Le Pupu-Pue National Park was created in 1978 to protect the area containing the summits of Mount Fito and Lepue down to the coastal areas. There are several good hiking trails, including one to the gorgeous Togitogiga Falls and Peapea Cave. It is recommended that you have a guide with you.
Peapea Cave is reached by a 4 hour return hike which heads inland through rainforests to an old lava tube containing native white-rumped swiftlets. The trail begins at the Togitogiga Falls car park and is difficult to find. You should take a torch (flashlight) and plenty of water with you.
Togitogiga Falls make for a great picnic spot. Entry is free to these cascading falls separated by swimming holes.
Sopoaga Falls plunge into a huge gorge. There is a lovely garden and picnic site overlooking the falls on Le Mafa Pass Road.
Fuipisia Waterfalls are just north of Sopoaga Falls. There is a fee to enter which includes a guide who takes you down the 300m trail to the 55m high jungle waterfall.
Lalomanu to Lotofaga is a stretch of coastline at the easternmost end of Upolu with gorgeous beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Please ask permission to from the fale villagers as many of the beaches are associated with commercial beach fales.
Lalomuna Crater Walk is a short walk to an extinct volcano crater, which is home to a large number of flying foxes. This is behind the hospital at Lalomanu.
Along the South coast from Matatufu to Savaia are some beautiful swimming beaches. These include Vaiula at Tafatafa, Siumu, Anapu, Aganoa, Salamumu, Lefaga, Return to Paradise and Savaia.
