Samoa March 11 to 17 2008

I am off to Samoa.

I am Planning to Stay at the Princess Tui in Apia. From what I have read it is a nice place to stay. I am a Scuba diver and realize that the Princess is not that close to any dive companies (from what I have read). I too like to deep sea fish.

Is there any one that can offer advice as how best to get around for diving, any reasonably priced deep sea fishing companies, good places to eat... and any other general information about Samoa.

Thanks

There used to be a dive operation in Apia just along from the whalf but when we stayed in Apia for six weeks one year recently we only saw it go out a couple of times so I guess they shut down.
Most of the dive operations are now at the resorts on the other side of Upolu.
A hire car would be the best way to get around Samoa or hire a taxi for the day if you just want to go and come back to Apia the same day.
There are cheap local buses that go to the various villages as well.
A good cheap place to eat near Princess Tui is Chopsticks on the other side of the same block. No sign outside and not always open but good.
There is a good pizza place along the waterfront as well but most food is deep fried and greasy.

hi have a great trip, we have been a few times and my hubby is a very keen fisherman, there's a few options but one guys who is reasonably priced is alfred's fishing charters, (he chargers about $1300tala full day and $800tala half day) my husband went out last trip for a half day and caught his first marlin. the other guy who is great is greg from troppo's fishing he chargers about $2000tala full day $1200 half day and $1000tala for evening fishing he has a big bertram.
with regards to fishing charters i believe the guys that were set up near lalamoano beach are now based at the new aggies. also if you go to savaii there is dive savaii near lelagoto resort, but yopu can stay in any of the fales at manese beach , (regina's is great and cheap $55tala , 3 meals!!) and he will come and pick you up, he chargers $300tala first dive then i think it goes down to $150 the additional dives.
the best pizza place (we think in the world) is giadardano's just in apia about a $4tala taxi ride.

I've just been in Samoa and got back a few days ago. I don't know a lot about diving in Savaii except for 'Dive Savaii' run by Fabian and Flavia which is near LeLegato, Savaii as already mentioned. We met Fabian and he drove us out to a good snorkelling and back again just out of generosity because one of our friends was diving. There's a few dives there including a shipwreck.

RE: Princess Tui. I didn't hear any shining reports from people who have stayed there. Apparently there is a big flight of stairs so if you need to be carrying your gear in and out you may want to think of that. I stayed at Seaside Inn (similar price to P Tui) which was satisfactory but not awesome. My sister stayed at both and preferred Seaside so it might be worth a look at.

RE: Food. We loved Sails restaurant which is brand new and near the yacht club. It's not cheap but good if you want to treat yourself to a decent meal, the food's great. It was about 35 tala (AUD$17-18) a main. I went to Giordano's pizzas a couple of times which is nice and also Italiano Pizza (on the main road). Actually preferred the pizza at Italianos and it was cheaper and they make awesome calzone. I heard Angel Walk Cafe was excellent but didn't manage to get there. I think it's actually pretty close to Princess Tui if you can find someone who knows where it is.

dive savaii is a very limited operation, and the guy at the wharf only goes once in a while, and doesn't know the good sites at all. if you really want to go diving and get to the world class sites, you should check out aquasamoa scuba and water sports, right next to aggie grey's resort. they have professional staff, fast boats to get you out to the best sites that samoa have to offer. they also offer night dives, drift dives, deep dives and nitrox if you are certified. they also have what they call explorer dives. which means that you can sort of pick exactly where you want to dive, and if it turns out to be really nice, you get to name the site, and that's what it will be from that point on. which means that you might have a site that you named in scuba diving magazine. i think it's a cool thing to discover. anyway, i hope that helps you out.