Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Samoan Holiday Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
hepburnsprings 10:17 UTC 18 Apr 2012 | HI I notice there aren't many recent posts on Samoa and not a great deal of travel information that I can find so far Just wanting any ones opinions on recommended resorts to spend a week or 2 in Samoa , maybe spreading the 2 weeks in 2 different locations on the island. Are the beaches good for swimming and snorkelling , what are some recommended special must sees ? Would September be a good month to choose Thankyou |
tch7 13:00 UTC 18 Apr 2012 | Nothing wrong with September. Highlights for me were: Upolu: To Sua Ocean Trench Papaseea Sliding Rocks Lalomanu & Saleapaga Beach (best beach in Samoa). The drive east/south from Apia to Lalomanu. Savaii: Alofaaga Blowholes Afu-A-Au Falls I didn't find any good snorkelling.. I'd stay in more than 2 places over that length of time. If I were to do it again, I'd spend one week doing Upolu & Savaii, and the other week in American Samoa. I much preferred American Samoa. | 1
hepburnsprings 21:04 UTC 18 Apr 2012 | Thanks Tch , great advice , I was wondering about American Samoa too ,any resorts or accommodation you particularly liked? I'm also wondering if there are small cafes restaurants or ar you limited to eating at the accommodation you stay in | 2
tch7 01:42 UTC 19 Apr 2012 | There's basically no tourism industry in American Samoa, which really makes it better. I only had 3 days in American Samoa, where I stayed at Tisa's Barefoot Bar - pretty basic, but very nice all the same and I'd return there. There are some higher end places in Pago Pago, but being in town they lack atmosphere and a good beach. There are a few restaurants scattered about (Tisa's had good food) - it's not like Samoa where you typically get breakfast & dinner where you stay. Unlike Samoa, the bus system is good on Tutuila and a good way to get about, but 3 days wasn't enough time to see the whole island. If I had more time I would've made the journey to Ofu. In Samoa, I liked Faofao Beach Fales the most, but lots has changed in that area since I was there so maybe there are better options now. | 3
nabanga 09:29 UTC 23 Apr 2012 | In Samoa, you could stay in 4-5 places over 2 weeks. Definitely some of the places Tch mentions - -Stay in some Fales in Aleipata for 2-3 nights, - great whitesand swimming beach; -Namua island fales (just off Aleipata); -Saleapaga now it is being re-built after the Tsunami; -For seclusion try Tafatafa beach fales during the week (gets busy on weekends) - take your own food & drinks -Overnight in one of the fales on Manono island A day or 2 in Apia to visit the Papasea sliding rocks, Vailima (restored home of RL Stevenson), climb Mt Vaea, have a meal on the yacht club deck, a drink at "On the Rocks" Or drive 25 mins across the island for a sunset drink & sashimi at Coconuts or Sinalei resorts In Savaii, the fales at Manase in the NE of the island are famous - there are many but my favourite is "Vacations" - the volcanic lava fields are spectacular - walk to the Puleimei Mound - a relic of ancient polynesia lying neglected in the bush Swimming is good on the south coast of Upolu and northeast coast of Savaii, but snorkelling not so great as coral has been damaged by past storms and the tsunami. Diving is quite good (but not as good as Melanesia) - at the moment you can only dive out of Aggie Greys resort on Upolu, or Manase on Savaii. | 4
hepburnsprings 20:50 UTC 23 Apr 2012 | Thankyou for all the above posters , excellent info | 5
woodnoggin 12:44 UTC 27 Apr 2012 | There's also snorkelling at the Palolo Deep marine reserve, in Apia itself. | 6