9 Days | Explore a beachside paradise in Samoa
Between snorkelling over colourful coral reefs that teem with wildlife and plunging into waterholes below hidden waterfalls, this trip is designed for lounging in the sun in your lavalava (sarong). Among all the beautiful natural gifts that the islands of Samoa have to offer, you’ll also spend time learning about the traditional culture and village life of the locals. With fully guided day tours around different parts of two islands, as well as time to yourself to relax and unwind, this nine-day Samoan adventure is paradisical. Explore bustling markets to stock up on souvenirs and fresh fruit and experience traditional practices like fire dancing and feasting to cap it all off.
Trip overview
- Start
- Apia, Samoa
- Finish
- Lalomanu, Samoa
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Samoa
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- TESS
- Experience Fa'a Samoa (The Samoan Way) – this phrase refers to the Samoan culture and traditions that influence the lives of many local people – with a local leader by your side to give you all the insights.
- Explore Vavau village for an immersive cultural day with the locals. Watch an ava (welcome) ceremony, then be treated to songs and dance while you feast on traditional foods.
- Visit the gorgeous sandy beaches of Vavau and Lalomanu and go snorkelling and swimming at the Giant Clam Sanctuary, teeming with starfish, tropical fish and coral.
- Discover Samoan culture through storytelling and legend – visit Fafao o SaoAli'l (the Passage of the Afterlife), Giant Moso's Footprint, the Star Mounds (one of Samoa’s most sacred places) and the remains of the Virgin's grave.
- Immerse yourself in local culture and be treated to song, dance and performance – you'll attend a Fa’ataupati (slap dance) and fire knife dancing night. On Sunday morning, attend a local church service led by a choir, followed by a traditional Sunday feast.
- There are some water-based activities included in this trip. You will get the most out of this trip if you are a competent and confident swimmer. If you are not so confident, we recommend that you bring a life jacket from home to allow you to still participate safely.
- The accommodation for this trip is not at luxury beach resorts, but is at simple, comfortable locally owned accommodation. Hot water may not be consistently available, so you should expect some cold showers. WiFi is also not widely accessible, and a local SIM will need to be purchased to have consistent internet access.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Private vehicle, Ferry
Hotel - Superior Rooms (2 nights), Seaside Lodge (2 nights), Airconditioned Villas (3 nights)
- Apia - Robert Louis Stevenson Historical Home
- Apia - Bahai House of Worship
- Apia - Mulivai Cathedral
- Apia - Fresh Produce & Flea Market visit
- Savai’i - Market visit
- Savai'i - Blowholes
- Savai’i - Afu Aau Waterfall
- Savai'i - Giant Moso's Footprint
- Savai’i - Ancient Star Mound
- Savai’i - Cape Falealupo half day tour
- Savai’i - Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife)
- Savai'i - Virgin’s Grave
- Savai'i - Saleaula Lava Fields
- Upolu - Giant Clam Sanctuary
- Vavau Village - Traditional games & cultural activities
- Vavau Village - Ava (Welcoming Ceremony)
- Vavau Village - Customary feast
- Lalomanu - Fire knife & fa'ataupati show
- Upolu - Sopoaga waterfall
- Upolu - To Sua Trench
- Upolu - Ma Tree walk
- Lalomanu - Samoan church service
- Lalomanu - Traditional toonai Sunday feast
- Savai'i - Mangrove kayaking tour from - WST100
- Savai'i - Whittakers Chocolate Koko tour - WST15
- Savai'i - Traditional Samoan Fofo massage (from) - WST40
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note the legal drinking age in Samoa is 21 years.
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