Best Snorkelling

Hi,

I'm planning to return to Samoa in November for 10-14 days. The last time I visited Sa I stayed at Lalomanu but there are some quite good packages available for Coconuts and Sinalei. Is the snorkelling as good at these resorts?

I'm also looking at going to Savai'i, is the snorkelling better there than on Upolu? Which beaches are the best?

thanks for your help

K

I had a bit of a snorkle out in front of Lupes .....between Coconuts and Sinalei.....and it all looked like rubble.....I presume from the tsunami. Coconuts was still being repaired but up and running. Sinalei looking beautiful.

You might consider Tutuila or Manu'a. Doug Fenner at Marine and Wildlife Resources maps out the coral and fish species at Fagaalu beach for a nice adventure and educational experience. The National Park Service guide to snorkling in Ofu is considered one of the best areas in the world.

Accomodations on Tutuila range from 30 US a night and up.

From Pago

John

Just came from Samoa, and didn't really come across any particularly good snorkeling. Pretty much everywhere along the south coast of Upolo was in rough shape due the tsunami. Savaii had some ok snorkeling at Manase and near Vaisala. Relative to Fiji & the GBR, I thought the snorkeling was a waste of time...

The best beaches on Savaii are around Lano & Manase, but Lalomanu is still probably Samoa's best.

American Samoa had some better reefs, plus I liked pretty much everything else about AS more.

Having dived and snorkelled all over Samoa, I still think Palolo Deep is one of the nicest and easiest spots to snorkel. Watch out for the tides and head to the right as you reach the hole. Needle fish, barracuda and the odd trumpet fish etc. The south coast of Upolu reefs are wrecked and will take time to recover although the brain coral at Lotofaga are great - cowrie shells in them - and have not been damaged.

While it's difficult getting through, the reef at Satuitua on Savai'i has some good fish. Dive Savai'i run snorkelling trips off Falealupo and will do pick ups from fales. They know where the turtles are off Manase.