Getting around Samoa

I'm thinking about going to Samoa for about ten days in January before I head back to the US (I'm in New Zealand right now). Reading the other posts around here, it seems that the bus system isn't the best for getting around, especially to some of the natural attractions outside of villages. I'm wary of renting a car, though, because of the price for one, (I'm travelling alone) and also because I'm afraid of dodgy vehicle damage claims - is this a problem? I could get a taxi for the day, but I'd hate to have the feeling of someone waiting for me the whole day, and the cost would probably be almost as much as renting a car, if I wanted to go all around the island.

So is there any other good way of getting around, including a tour? In Samoa, is it easy to get together with other budget travellers and rent a car, or something like that?

Also, and on an unrelated note, how does the snorkelling in Samoa compare to other places, such as off Australia? (in terms of coral and fish)

Thanks!

Your best bet to find others to share a car for a round-island-tour would be at popular beach spots like Lalomanu on Upolu or Manase on Sawaii.
In 10 days you really should be able to do it.

I found snorkelling in Samoa seriously underwhelming compared to that in Melanesia or island SE Asia, but some novices are still impressed.
I can't compare it to AU, never snorkelled there.

Palolo Deep is OK for snorkeling. We have had better in other Pacific Islands but as far as we are concerned any day with your head under water looking at fish is a good day no matter what the conditions are like.
We always just hired a taxi for the day in Samoa, they usually know who to see if you want to go places as most places are privately owned and require payment of a few Tala to visit.

If you Google for Samoa diving or just go to the Samoa tourism website, you will find links to several diving companies who would be more than willing to take you out to some of the more interesting snorkelling sites (e.g. around Nu'utele island... The sunken volcanic cones there are QUITE impressive... Or around Nu'usafe island on the south coast of Uplolu)

As sm said Palolo deep is okay... Probably the best in the Samoas that you can swim out to. Other lagoon snorkelling is not incredidble but "just" okay... lots of dead coral, etc.)

There are many tour companies that can take you for a ride.

HITCH-HIKE that's what i do everywhere i've gone. no problems on guam. think of it as part of the adventure.

Hi

The best way to see the island would be to get some other travellers together and hire a car, make sure you do research and work out where you want to go before hand. Organised Island tours are good but can be expensive. My experience early this year in Samoa (in Feb) was that we booked into a group tour although being low season noone else booked so they tried to charge us a private tour price.

Snorkelling is excellent. I have dived all up the east coast of Australia and Samoa beats it! I would pass on Palolo deep marine reserve, especially at low tide (lots of stone fish!). But make sure you go to lalomanu beach (high tide) and and the pier off Sinlai Reef Resort (the best) - near the village of siumu. any of the resorts around there can also take you out to better reefs.

Enjoy your time.

See all the subjectivity here? Palolo deep is good... Palolo is not so good... This is the first time I have ever heard the snorkelling is better in Samoa than Australia (!!!!) but, if that was your experience, run with it...etc. etc.
One thing that I do have to say that would have some consistancy is the fact that snorkelling is MUCH better outside of the reef... If you can swing a trip (go as a tag a long on a dive boat), you'll see for yourself.

Just go and try to snorkel in a few places around the country and make up your own mind.... One nice thing about Samoa, is that it is small enought that you can get around to doing it at a lot of places if you so wish.

Have stayed in Samoa for up to 6 weeks and snorkeled at Palolo Deep every day and every day was different.
Have also snorkeled outside the reef outside Palolo and it was all dead and much better inside the reef.
We do usually go further than the average tourist and would often snorkel right around Palolo.
Loads of young blacktip reef sharks plus their parents if you were lucky around the entrance to the open sea.
Did not enjoy Lalomanu as much but conditions can be very different each day.