The island nation of Samoa is one of the most sought after places in the South Pacific, mainly due to its varied landscape and natural beauty. This underdeveloped tropical destination in the region of Polynesia is perfect for those who seek tranquility and remoteness without having to dig deep into their pockets. The best way to reach Samoa is to travel from neighboring countries like Australia and New Zealand.
Samoa’s two main islands are called Upolu and Savaii. Upolu is home to Apia, the nation’s capital and largest town. A huge chunk of Samoa’s population choose to live in Apia. Here, you will get the feel of the prevailing culture and be able to immerse yourself in the everyday life of Samoans.
One of the main spots to visit while here is Maketi Fou. This is the town’s largest food market and is found on Fugalei Street. This is the ideal spot for tasting street food and fresh produce like ladyfinger bananas. If you walk about 10 minutes from Maketi Fou, you will encounter the flea market, where you can find all sorts of souvenir-worthy items like kava bokls, clubs, jewelry, and the Samoan sarong called lava lavas.
Of course a visit to Samoa is never complete without exploring its rich surrounding water. Just on the eastern tip of Apia Wharf lies the Palolo Deep National Marine Reserve. Palolo offers plenty of opportunities for sport activities like diving, snorkeling and swimming. If you want to get closer to a wide range of tropical fish and corals, snorkel or dive to the reserve’s famed blue hole, and you will not be disappointed!
If you are a dedicated nature lover, then Samoa has several attractions that will make you fall in love with it. After exploring the surrounding sea, it is time to go to dry land and discover what Le Pupu-Pue National Park has to offer! The park covers 29 square-kilometers of lush rainforest. It is home to a plethora of hiking trails including magnificent sites like the Papaseea Cave and Togitogiga Falls.
Other must-see attractions include the Papaseea Sliding Rocks and Piula Cave Pool. You can find the fresh water pool of Piula in Saoluafata. Adventurous tourists usually dive into the pool to swim through a tunnel, which leads to another pool. Papaseea Sliding Rocks is another must-see attraction on the island. You only need to travel 6 kilometers from central Apia to get to this site. Papaseea features a 5-meter rock slide down a waterfall. After a thrilling slide, you land with a splash into a deep freshwater pool.
If you are beach lover, then the gorgeous white sandy stretch from Lalomanu to Lotofaga will definitely impress you. It is an excellent place to swim and snorkel or just relax for the entire day. Animal encounters is probably at its best at Satoalepai village in Savaii. At this village’s special sanctuary, a troop of awesome green turtles are taken care of until adulthood, and then put back into the ocean. But before they do, meet these lovable creatures, and grab the opportunity to feed them!
