Our Samoa travel guide is written and updated by seasoned travellers and complemented by a realistic collection of unique photographs and maps. With over 30 pages of travel information we hope to give you a clear and unbiased impression of the islands to help you decide what to do and most importantly, where to stay for your Samoa holiday.
Overview
Samoa travel is divided between two separate nations sharing a common history and culture but vastly different in make-up. Independent Samoa is the only destination with tourist appeal having two large islands, Upolu and Savaii, both with secluded beach resorts and budget fale accommodation, tropical mountain scenery, plenty of waterfalls and a rich culture and village system. Contrasting this and just 40 kilometres to the east is American Samoa which surprisingly offers little tourist infrastructure, few beaches although there are two National Parks with rugged coastal scenery and perhaps less surprisingly a withered culture eroded by Americanization.
Our detailed Samoa Accommodation Guide provides an overview of all accommodation on all islands including the excellent traditional beach fales with an overview of the price you can expect to pay. We link these to a comprehensive directory of hotels with full descriptions and pictures so you can get the best online quotations or make reservations enquiries.
How Samoa compares to other South Pacific destinations.
With only a few boutique beach resorts, Samoa is one of the least visited destinations especially given its relatively large size and ease of getting around. This makes it instantly appealing as a short holiday destination, but on the downside, service and friendliness fall far behind those offered by the professional set-ups in Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. For land lovers, Samoa is pretty hard to beat with outstanding scenery, a thriving Polynesian culture and the historical seaside town of Apia being one of the prettiest of the South Sea ports. But perhaps above all else, Samoa is the most affordable South Pacific destination to travel around and coupled with a decent network of unique beach fales, makes for an excellent backpacker destination.
On the water though, Samoa disappoints, unless you're after surfing which ranks amongst the best in the South Pacific with year-round reef breaks and virtually no crowds. For snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing you're better off heading to Fiji, Tahiti, Vanuatu or Tonga.
If this is your first visit, we suggest you start at our Samoa Travel Guide to give you an orientation about the islands with general tourist information on how to get there, when to go and what to expect when you arrive. Alternatively, navigate to an island region using the map below:
For discerning travellers, you will find our Ecotourism and Culture Guide full of interesting anecdotes on the unique culture and history plus ideas on how to maximise your experience of the country.
And for those looking for Adventure Activities, we provide detailed information on scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, kayaking, sailing, game fishing and hiking.
