Travel Guide to Samoa 2026: To Sua Trench, Lalomanu & Savai'i
Samoa is often called the cradle of Polynesia, a place where village life and the fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way) are still strong. This travel guide to Samoa covers everything for 2026: where Samoa is, the best time to go, entry rules, the 10 best places to visit, a 7-day itinerary, realistic costs, safety tips, and the best hotels and universities. From the famous To Sua Ocean Trench and the white sand of Lalomanu Beach to the lava fields and blowholes of Savai'i, the waterfalls of Upolu and Robert Louis Stevenson's home in Apia, this guide shows how to explore both main islands.
Last updated: October 2026 ยท Entry rules and costs in this travel guide to Samoa were checked against official sources
๐ Quick Facts for Your Travel guide to Samoa
- Capital: Apia๐ก On the north coast of Upolu
- Currency: Tฤlฤ (WST)๐ก Cash is needed in villages. Check rates
- Languages: Samoan and English๐ก Samoan is spoken by almost everyone
- Population: About 205,000๐ก Three-quarters live on Upolu
- Area: 2,842 kmยฒ๐ก Savai'i is the largest island
- Time zone: UTC+13, no daylight saving๐ก Samoa moved west of the date line in 2011. Convert times
- UNESCO sites: 0๐ก Samoa has sites on the tentative list
- Power: 230 V, plug type I๐ก The same plugs as Australia and New Zealand
โน๏ธ Figures in this travel guide to Samoa are 2026 estimates from official and international sources.
๐ Where Is Samoa?
Samoa is in the South Pacific, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, with Tonga to the south and Fiji to the south-west. Its two main islands are Upolu, home to Apia and the airport, and the larger, quieter Savai'i, with volcanoes and lava fields. American Samoa, a US territory, lies about 130 km to the east and is a separate country. Samoa was called Western Samoa until 1997.
International flights land at Faleolo International Airport, 35 km west of Apia, with flights from Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane, Nadi and Honolulu. Car ferries link Upolu and Savai'i in about an hour. Check distances with our distance calculator.
๐ Best Time to Visit Samoa
Samoa is warm all year (about 24โ30ยฐC). The best time to visit is the dry season from May to October, with lower humidity and calmer seas. The wet season (November to April) brings heavy showers and a risk of cyclones, but fewer visitors and lower prices. Independence Day is celebrated on 1 June, and the Teuila Festival in early September brings dance, fire knife and canoe races to Apia.
The best beach and hiking weather.
Parades and celebrations in Apia.
Dance, fire knife and canoe races.
Showers and a risk of cyclones.
๐ Use the seasons in this travel guide to Samoa to match your trip to the weather, festivals and prices you want.
๐ Samoa Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
Visitor permit on arrival: citizens of the USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most other countries do not need a visa. A free visitor permit for up to 60 days is issued on arrival; you need a passport valid for six months, a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
- PassportValid for at least 6 months.
- Onward ticketRequired on arrival.
- DrivingGet a temporary Samoan licence; drive on the left.
- Village feesSome beaches and sites charge a small entry fee to the village.
๐ Official sources: Samoa Tourism Authority ยท US State Department: Samoa. Entry rules change, so always confirm before booking and avoid paid look-alike sites.
๐ Entry rules in this travel guide to Samoa were last checked in October 2026.
๐ 10 Best Places to Visit in Samoa
These are the places we recommend most in this travel guide to Samoa, with the best months to see each one.
A 30 m deep swimming hole reached by a long ladder.
๐ก Best time: MayโOctWhite sand and beach fales on Upolu's south-east tip.
๐ก Best time: MayโOctThe author's home at Vailima, and his tomb on Mount Vaea.
๐ก Best time: All yearVillages and a church half-buried by lava in 1905โ1911.
๐ก Best time: MayโOctHuge sea spouts on Savai'i's south coast.
๐ก Best time: All yearA 100 m waterfall in the Upolu highlands.
๐ก Best time: NovโAprA freshwater cave pool by the sea.
๐ก Best time: All yearSwim with green turtles in a Savai'i village pool.
๐ก Best time: All yearRainforest and a coastal walk over lava cliffs.
๐ก Best time: MayโOctA car-free island with village life and beaches.
๐ก Best time: MayโOct๐บ๏ธ 7-Day Samoa Itinerary: Upolu & Savai'i
Rent a car (driving on the left) and spend four days on Upolu and three on Savai'i, linked by the car ferry from Mulifanua.
Follow this route from our travel guide to Samoa day by day, or shorten it to fit your trip.
- Apia: the market, the waterfront and the Stevenson Museum.
- South coast: To Sua Ocean Trench and a night at Lalomanu.
- East Upolu: Piula Cave Pool and the waterfalls.
- Savai'i: ferry across and swim with turtles at Satoalepai.
- Savai'i: the Saleaula lava fields and the Falealupo canopy walk.
- Savai'i: the Alofaaga Blowholes and Afu Aau Falls.
- Back to Upolu: Manono Island or a last beach day before your flight.
โ With more time: hike to Robert Louis Stevenson's tomb, explore Lake Lanoto'o, or join the Teuila Festival in September.
๐ต How Much Does a Trip to Samoa Cost?
Samoa is good value for the Pacific, especially if you stay in beach fales. These are approximate daily costs per person in 2026, excluding flights. Use our currency converter.
| Travel style | Per day (approx.) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | US$50โ80 | Beach fales with meals and buses |
| Mid-range | US$120โ200 | Resorts and a rental car |
| Luxury | US$300 + | Top resorts and private tours |
๐ก All prices in this travel guide to Samoa are per person, per day, and change with the season and exchange rates.
๐๏ธ Many sights, including To Sua and the blowholes, are on village land and charge small entry fees (about WST 10โ20).
๐ก Safety & Travel Tips for Your Travel guide to Samoa
Samoa is very safe, and the US rates it Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Petty theft can happen, so do not leave valuables on the beach. The main risks are natural: strong currents and reef cuts, cyclones from November to April, and dogs in some villages. Roads are narrow, and buses and pigs share them, so drive carefully. Medical care is limited outside Apia.
Many places close; swimming near villages may not be allowed.
Stop and wait quietly during sฤ (evening prayer) in villages.
Cover shoulders and knees away from resorts.
Needed for fales, buses and village fees.
Samoa switched sides in 2009.
"Tฤlofa" means hello in Samoan.
๐จ Best Hotels & Resorts in Samoa: 6 Top Picks
Choose between resorts on Upolu's coast, simple open-sided beach fales, and quieter stays on Savai'i.
A historic waterfront hotel in the capital.
Check prices on Booking.com โA resort on a small island linked by a causeway.
Check prices on Booking.com โAdults-only villas on a lagoon.
Check prices on Booking.com โA family-friendly resort on a famous beach.
Check prices on Booking.com โOpen-sided fales on Lalomanu Beach, with meals.
Check prices on Booking.com โBeachfront bungalows on Savai'i's north coast.
Check prices on Booking.com โ๐ How we chose for this travel guide to Samoa: chosen for location, reputation and a mix of resorts and traditional fales. Prices and availability change daily, so the buttons open live Booking.com results for each property.
๐ค Affiliate disclosure: hotel buttons are affiliate links. If you book through them, AtlasWise may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which hotels we list.
๐ Top Universities in Samoa
Samoa has a national university, a regional university campus and a medical school.
| University | City | Type |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Samoa | Apia | Public |
| University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus | Apia | Regional public |
| Oceania University of Medicine | Apia | Private |
The national university, founded in 1984.
Visit website โUSP's centre for agriculture and food.
Visit website โA medical school with partners in Australia and the US.
Visit website โ๐ How we chose for this travel guide to Samoa: the main universities and colleges. Last checked: October 2026.
๐บ Samoan Culture & Food
Samoan life is built on fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way: extended families (aiga) led by chiefs (matai), village councils, and the church. Samoa was the first Pacific island country to become independent, from New Zealand in 1962. Traditional tattoos, the pe'a for men and malu for women, are still made by hand, and the siva dance and the fire knife dance are famous. Rugby is a national passion.
Food is cooked in an umu, an above-ground oven of hot stones. Try palusami (coconut cream baked in taro leaves), oka (raw fish in coconut cream and lime), sapasui (a Samoan chop suey), fa'ausi (taro in caramel coconut sauce) and koko Samoa, a strong drink of local cocoa.
โ Travel Guide to Samoa: FAQ
Do I need a visa for Samoa?
Most visitors, including US, UK, EU and Australian citizens, get a free 60-day permit on arrival.
Is Samoa the same as American Samoa?
No. Samoa is independent; American Samoa is a US territory nearby.
What is the best time to visit Samoa?
May to October, the dry season.
Is Samoa safe?
Yes, the US rates it Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.
What is To Sua Ocean Trench?
A 30 m deep swimming hole on Upolu's south coast, reached by a ladder.
What was Samoa called before?
Western Samoa, until 1997.
Why did Samoa skip a day in 2011?
It moved west of the International Date Line to align with Australia and New Zealand.
What currency does Samoa use?
The tฤlฤ (WST).
๐ Trusted Resources for Your Travel guide to Samoa
- Samoa Tourism AuthorityThe official tourism website
- US State Department: SamoaEntry rules and safety
- Smartraveller: SamoaAustralian safety advice
Finished this travel guide to Samoa? ๐ More Pacific guides: Tonga ยท Palau ยท the Philippines ยท Indonesia ยท All of Oceania
โ๏ธ Compare Samoa with other countries in Compare Countries.
๐๏ธ Planning a bucket list? See the 20 best World Heritage Sites to visit.
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