Safe Snorkelling for beginner in Samoa

Sorry this is a repeat of a previous thread on "All of Australasia Pacific" - but I forgot to properly categorise this as Samoa (it's been awhile since I've put up a post)

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a resort at, or close to a beach, where it is safe for a beginner to snorkel alone.

My partner is a keen walker and keen to do a few forest walks, but I've injured my knee so can't do much walking. So I was hoping that while he was walking I could do some snorkelling on my own. I've been snorkelling once before (in Taiwan) and loved it and would like to do more when we visit Samoa. I'm reasonably fit, but not a really strong swimmer. Are the snorkelling sites okay to snorkel on one's own?

In terms of accomodation, we're thinking mid-range with private bathroom (I'm pretty keen on my own bathroom). At this stage we were thinking of staying for a few days a Vaiala Beach Cottages in Apia (a quick look around Apia and Upolo with snorkelling at Paolo Deep) then for the rest of the time at Stevensons at Manase.

Are these places safe to snorkel on my own or am I being fool-hardy? Or will there be others around anyway?

Any other suggested places?

I'd be grateful for any comments

cheers
Jo

Have not been to Stevensons but have spent a lot of time at Palolo Deep which we think is just great.
You do however have to get your times and tides right at Palolo as the current can be strong.
At times we have nearly not made it out to the Deep as the current fills the Deep and spills over on to the reef top and can be impossible to swim against.
Despite this it is still relatively safe as the current is only where it is shallow and if you cant swim you can just stand up.
In the Deep itself you can also find it hard to get around the neck in the middle but again you just swim over the reef top and it is shallow but you can not stand in a lot of places as the coral would be damaged.
The area where you swim out to the Deep has little coral so that area is OK.
You should however always swim with someone and there may be times when you would be the only one at the Deep.
Lalomanu also can have a strong along shore current.

My wife says just ask if you can accompany any other snorkelers at Palolo.
We often took others with us as we know the area so well and go much further that the usual tourists.
Our favorite was taking people out to the island to see all the blacktip reef sharks in the shallow around the small island at the mouth of the Deep.

The first rule of "safe" diving or snorkeling is NEVER do it alone.

Make sure your partner does the walk up Mt Vaea to Robert Louis Stevenson's grave.
We also recommend Vailala Beach Cottages, have stayed there for up to 6 weeks one year.

Thanks!