Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Is Samoa for 4 days OK? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Samoa
mpr 14:25 UTC 21 Nov 2008 | Dear Samoa fans, I plan to visit Samoa in January, however, I'll only be able to stay 4 days (It's a part of my Australia/NZ trip). Is it worth flying there from Auckland for such a short stay in a rainy season? Might weather spoil my stay or even delay flights. This information is important as I need to catch a flight back to Europe. Any experience with Air New Zealand flights to Apia? Cheers! |
smandkjc 22:36 UTC 21 Nov 2008 | Have never had any problems with continuous rain in the rainy season and never had flights delayed because of weather to or from Samoa. We just book and go to the Pacific and never consider what season it is. Have had more trouble getting out of Wellington or Auckland with fog delays than problems in the islands. As with everything however there are no guarantees in life. | 1
api 09:55 UTC 22 Nov 2008 | Four days is about all I got in Samoa once, and I loved it. There is alot to see and do on the main island, and if you hire a car you can get around easily. It is probably one of the better Pacific options to choose for a short visit - definitely worth going. | 2
greggig 15:36 UTC 23 Nov 2008 | Four days in Samoa, yes you can, but I would stay in Upolu, which I found prettier than Savai. Rent a car at Apia (rates vary between 100 and 120 talas per day), then head to Lalumanu. Great beach and great snorkeling there. You have a choice between 3 fales (from 70 to 100 talas per person 2 meals included). A bit further, there's a hidden gem, Vava'u beach resort (180 talas for 2 with breakfast), which is not a fale but a cottage, on a beautiful and seclude beach all for yourself (very few tourists go there). You can have lunch at the new Sea Breeze resort close by. Further west, the Virgin Cove offer fales (90 talas per person and up, good breakfast included), in what I consider the most beautiful beach of the Samoas. If you want more luxury, close to the wharf and the airport, Le Vasa resort has beautiful cottages (580 talas), but the beach is so so. Have fun in the Samoas | 3
Laszlo 09:34 UTC 24 Nov 2008 | I did experience prolonged rains in Samoa - but that was said to be unusual even for the rainy season. No one can see into the future so let's put this issue aside. Samoa is one of the most compact countries in the South Pacific, so would be among the best choices for such a brief break. You could have a quick look at both of its main islands, but if you prefer to stick to one, youy might be pleased to hear that I did find Upolu, where you land, the more attractive one anyway. I found Air NZ perfectly reliable. | 4
islandboi321 13:27 UTC 24 Nov 2008 | Samoa in 4 days? I guess. You have not really conveyed to us what you would like to do whilst in Samoa. Are you a beach person? Would you like to see the waterfalls and natural wonders? History? Luckily, Upolu island is so small that in 4 days you can see alot... Rent a car for the time... You can drive around the island and see a few waterfalls and natural wonders in one full day, stay in Apia for another day going to Robert Louis Stevenson Home, Samoa museum, shopping. The other two, you could head to the beach. Without the luxury of a car you will be much more limited, though. Public transport around the island is not made for tourists and will be uber time consuming. If you can't rent a car, then may I suggest spending 1 day in Apia, spending one day on an organized tour (of which there are many) and do a day tour of Upolu island, then catch the bus out to lalomanu beach for 2 days in the sun and sand. Have fun and let us know how you make out because often this question comes up on here: "I have a brief stay of only a few days in Samoa, Fiji, Cooks, etc. and need to maximize my time". It would be nice to know how and what one can cram into a few days on an island. With this time limitation, you probably will not be going to Savai'i. | 5
ranchero 00:07 UTC 25 Nov 2008 | Having recently returned from a year of living/working in S.Pacific (yes, with my family, son 10, daughter 12), I spent 8 wks in Apia. If 4 days is all you have, fly either Air Pacific or Air new Zealand, but note that Apia shuts down Saturdays at noon as part of their culture. You'll still find AMerican influence (MacDonalds open) but little else of the otherwise neat local shopping after noon on Saturday or SUnday as Samoans are very, very family and religious oriented. As the drive from Apia airport to downtown is 45-50 minutes, there is a terrific resort near the airport called Aggies Grey's Resort (they also have another great location in the heart of downtown Apia but as mentioned it is a 50 minute drive from airport while Aggies resort is 5 minutes from airport and heading away from downtown. Enjoy your visit, as Samoans are the friendliest people in the S. Pacific next to Fijians from my experiences (stay away from PNG!) | 6