Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Cycling in Samoa Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Samoa
lisabug 12:07 UTC 10 Jul 2014 | Any tips or information on cycling in Samoa? We are planning a cycling trip in late August staying at Fales and seeing the sites. Would probably visit one of the islands, from what I have read Savai'i is better for cycling with less traffic. We would be hiring bikes there and riding with panniers. Any suggested itineraries? |
james.cove.52 21:47 UTC 16 Jul 2014 | This post has been removed because it may not have met our community guidelines. | 1
adventureross 00:29 UTC 17 Aug 2014 | Hi, I'm currently ridding around Savaii for the 13th time and the first time we did it was as freedom cyclists with panniers etc. Savaii is better suited suited to cycling than Upolu. The trip around the island is about 200kms which sounds like a short ride, but it is quite hot during the day with significant hills between Manase and Satuiatua, so 40 kms per day is about right. The best beaches (and they are wonderful, sandy beaches with safe swimming and snorkeling) generally have fale type accommodation. Fales are small beach huts with a waterproof roof, solid floor, mattress, sheets,mosquito nets and matting sides. Fale resorts generally serve a set dinner menu with breakfast and dinner included in the price. Quality varies a bit and very few are good at email correspondence or accepting payment from overseas. If you are travelling as a freedom cyclist, outside NZ school holidays this is not a problem as the resorts or surrounding village will find you a bed for the night. Do take your own snorkel gear (or hire from Outdoor Samoa) as there is very little for hire or sale on the Island and the snorkeling is a highlight. Carry as little as possible. Nights are warm, generally if you wear a t-shirt under the sheet it was a cold night. So don't take bedding. There is effectively no camping and tents are too hot - the fales work out much more comfortable, are very good value and staying in them puts something back into the community. We have seen large groups tour very successfully with only a 30 litre dry bag tied on each carrier and a handlebar bag (which meant no check-in baggage on the plane). Do take enough Samoan currency to pay cash for everything on the Island. The only easy places to change money are the ATMS at Salelologa and Manase. Most fales only accept cash. There are no cycle shops on Savaii. A freedom hire is a really good value way to see Savaii if you are fit enough to ride 40kms with 400m of hills a day while carrying panniers. You also need someone in the group who can undertake basic bike servicing (at a minimum change a rear tyre and repair a puncture). If any of your group are not fit enough or none of the group can change a tyre, consider a tour with gear transfers/support vehicle or guide. A common mistake is assuming Apia Airport is near Apia. The international jet airport called Apia on Air NZ and Virgin websites is actually Faloeolo Airport and it is located 45 minutes from Apia. It is however very near the ferry terminal to Savaii. Stay near the airport and avoid the least pleasant cycling road in s Samoa (from Apia to the Airport). Upolu will soon be a good cycling destination. The government is implementing a range of dog control measures (there are very few problems on Savaii) and the South coast is recovering well from the Tsunami and Cyclone Evan. Virtually all resorts are back up and running. Conflict of interest. We hire touring bikes and provide bike tours (as Outdoor Samoa and as Bike Samoa). We are based at Mulifanua (near airport and ferry terminal). Regards Ross | 2