Samoa & Tonga Time Recommended

Hello,

I have found some useful information on the threads and will be going out to buy the Loney Planet guide for more info... but also would like anyones' opinion on what time is recommended to see Samoa and Tonga. I have scheduled 2.5 - 3 weeks mid March - beginning of April and am wondering if that is enough. I will be travelling with my BF and 17 year old daughter who wants to "go to the beach" but also thinks the lava stuff is "cool". At first Hawaii was the destination, but after reading the Polynesian Cultural Center tourist booklet from my parents trip in 1994, I thought well if we are spending the money anyway...why not go further into the Pacific and experience the more laid back lifestyle instead of touristy Hawaii (my chosen spot would have been Kauai) as Waikiki with its beachfront side by side hotels does not appeal to me at all!

Sorry, back to the main reason of this post! I would like to visit Samoa: Savaii, Upolu & possibly Tutuila Island and any other daytrip island hops and also Tonga: Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Vava'u, Niuatoputapu & Tafahi Islands and other daytrip island hops (Uoleva) and possibly Eua. Will want to spend time lying around on the beach, wandering around the towns, experiencing the church services on Sundays and chatting with the local people.

Also is transportation around the more developed islands ok? I am a great fan of renting a car and venturing and exploring but would also like an experienced guide to start us off with some pointers. {Kristan, I don't know your email address, otherwise I would have emailed you for more info. Your friend Carol sounds like a great person to go to}. What about getting around on the smaller/less developed islands - can you rent a bicycle? Since the ferry seems to take 2 days to get to the Niauas and only runs every 6 weeks, is there another alternative than the plane? Going to Uoleva - if we walk across from Ha'apai, how do you know when it is low tide? Are there tide charts somewhere that are reliable?

I don't need the luxury accomodations and could easily do backpackers places (Went to Playa Del Carmen and stayed at a Hostel with my daughter and in Cancun stayed at the Juvenile Centre {that's where they bring you when you have no place to go, lol! $5 to camp on the grass or $10 for a room - as all the hotels were booked solid when we arrived}), but the BF is a little more set in his ways and may need a bathroom close by and some comfortable lodgings. Did I mention that he is also not a fish person and is extremely allergic to shrimp & lobster - hmm, come to think of it, my daughter hates fish too! Things are looking good!!

I read that a church service can be 3 hours and that on Tonga, Sundays shut down. Here is an informative blog on Tonga that I found:

http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Tonga/blog-72691.html

What churches should we be looking at going to? I was raised Catholic, the BF is Mennonite and my daughter has had some experience with Evangelical churches. Is the Mormon church the largest?

For those Canadians that are reading this (I am from Manitoba)... what type of flight arrangements worked out the best?

Any other info you can provide me with is pleasantly welcome. Now if I could only afford to upgrade my Canon G2 camera to a EOS 40D :-)

Carolyn

You'll need more than a week to really see Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vavau. No flights internally on Sundays. Flights to the Niuas are rare, and maybe only every couple of weeks, so forget them. I'd stay ten days in Tonga if you want to do all three. You can rent a car on Tongatapu, FAB Rentals is good. On Vavau, there are a few places in each category, check the old posts. More choice on TBU of course, but some are out of town. Didn't go to Haapai, but it has better beaches than TBU and Vavau. Most things shut down in Tonga on Sundays.

Can't tell you much about Samoa, only been to the airport, but others have been there and hipefully will reply.

You can try for an Air NZ flight from LAX, it hits both Tonga and Samoa on the way to NZ. But it is not every day.

Thanks Raro...

So far the best price I have found is $1646 (that's flying from Grand Forks, ND to MN to LAX to Apia) via New Zealand from LAX. Is it better to fly in and out of Tonga or Samoa? Would fly in during the week as that is when the best flight rates seem to be.

as for Samoa transportation: Trust me on this, in Savai'i the only convenient way how to do some exploring about the island is renting a car - unless you wanna hitchike, which is also viable (not with family though)... In Savai'i you can hire a car or bicycles in Saleologa or Manase (and around these villages).
Broadly speaking, bus system there is quite jerky...

On Upolu, in my opinion the best way is set up a base in Apia and venture around the island as 1-3 day trips by bus if you want. Rent-car-market in Apia is more competitive hence you may get a better deal....

I really didn't want to be posting here on the Thorntree because of the downgrade (LP, you are acting like you don't value your posters) but...

the tide levels around the Ha'apai islands have changed since the earthquake last year (the water is still pretty high at low tide according to the locals). While it is possible to walk the 1.5km (1 mile) to Uoleva it is through 3 feet of water (no sand dunes or higher stones to step on) with a very strong current. I watched a local cross on a horse, you would be taking a needless risk with your lives doing so. Get a boat to take you.

When I inquired in October I was told that there are no flights currently to the Niuas.

Your only transportation option aside from walking is to rent a bike in Lifuka. There aren't any bike rental shops so be sure to book a guesthouse that has bikes for guests and for all your party.

The Church services I went to were only an hour long (but I did not go to a Mormon service, when I went to one in French Polynesia it was approaching 3 hours when I left.)

For your short time period I would suggest sticking to the Ha'apai in Tonga for the beaches as well as interacting with the friendly locals and experiencing the local culture (haven't been to the Vavau, Nuku'alofa is interesting for a day or 2) . Samoa, I've only been to Upolu (a great place, beautiful scenery and beaches as well as interesting to see the Samoan way of life). The local buses are fun but you need a car to see many of the sights (waterfalls and such), no traffic outside of Apia. If you are going to American Samoa then you must go to Ofu island, making a side trip just to Tutuila is not worth taking days from Samoa and Tonga.

Get the guidebook, it will answer other questions for you.

re #2---Can't really say, best to just get the best flight connections into and out of each one that fits your calendar.

Thanks for the replies so far!

Is there anything that people bring for the locals there as souvenirs, gifts or trade items? I remember when in Mexico, they loved anything that we had that had the Canadian flag on it. So we both got a trade with some service/food/drink. Women/men would like things that they possibly cannot purchase such as perfumed soaps/lotions or t-shirts?

Hi Carolyn...

First of all, I love your handle!! (I'm from Saskatchewan so I also "appreciate" the God-forsaken climate we live in and need to run away screaming... especially when it's pushing -30º like tonight!!)

I have been to Samoa a few times and Tonga once. They are amazingly easy to get too from the Canadian prairie provinces (In your case, it would be a seamless Winnipeg - Los Angeles- Samoa-Tonga with minimal waits in airports... assuming you can fly direct from the 'Peg to LA... If you can't, then you'll be doing the Twin Cities, YVR or Calgary and then it gets more complicated... I usually fly Saskatoon - Calgary - L.A. - Samoa with only a few hour wait in LAX)
The first thing I have to tell you is that there are no "daytrips" to any of the islands you mention. In Samoa, going from Upolu island to Savai'i is going to take you a better part of the day just to get to. You will want to be going to Savai'i for several days at least. Going to Tutuila island means you will be going from Samoa to American Samoa... a totally different country and it means customs/immigration proceedures at both ends. It is easy to fly there, but again I wouldn't say it is a daytrip.

The islands of Tonga are even further apart. Going to any of the islands you mention will involve detailed travel whether by air or overnight ferry. Niuatoputapu and Tahafi islands are extremely remote islands... There is sporatic and extremely expensive air service at best. You will have to swim if you want an alternative to slow ferry or expensive flight.
I would say after experiencing the overnight interisland ferry service in Tonga, I would say the only way around would be to fly. It's not too expensive, but again, flights can be sporadic, heavily dependent on weather and demand. You'll need to book ahead once you are in Nuku'alofa.

It is very easy to rent a car in Samoa, the roads are good and it's really a good way to get around if you can afford it. Some of the car rental companies will let you take the car on the ferry from Upolu to Savai'i, but you'll have to book ahead.
I am not sure about car rental in Tonga, but I am sure it is possible. Bicycles are possible in the larger towns.

I found hitching very easy on most of the islands in Tonga... There is good bus service on Upolu and Tongatapu for getting around.

Church? I have never been to a 3 or 4 hour service anywhere in Samoa... The London Missionary Society church (very Presbyterian) has 1 hour services at any of the many services I have attended in various parts of Samoa. There is also a large Catholic church in Apia, a Protestant church that has services in English on Sunday mornings, and the LDS (Mormans) churches are everywhere.
Tonga has Wesleyan Churches (again, rather Presbyterian) and there are also Anglican, Catholic and LDS churches. You'll have no problem finding or being directed to a church service! Yes, Sundays shut down most stores and services in Samoa and even more so in Tonga. Make sure you are stocked up for the day on drinking water, snacks, beer etc.
You'll never be at a loss for finding a chatty local anywhere in Samoa or Tonga...

BF and kid hate fish and seafood? Are you sure you want to bring them to the South Pacific? They'll be hungry much of the time (or very sick of coconuts, taro and breadfruit) That being said, there are lots of fully stocked supermarkets in Apia and Nuku'alofa if you want to self cater... And lots of restaurants that serve western food... At the beaches or on the other islands, it will be extremely difficult to avoid seafood.

Thanks islandboi321 for the information.

I thought it was really cold last night!! I don't even bother checking the weather station anymore. Cold is cold!

For those interested in what Condition 1 weather is like check out... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz2SeEzxMuE. My spring door gets like this too :-)

I have been reading up on Tonga all day today. There is so much that I would like to see! Re the aversion to fish/seafood.. my daughter has insisted that she will eat crackers for the whole trip. I told her we will stock up at the market/stores. I am sure that by the end of the trip she will have eaten something that comes from the water.

You can get pizza on both Tongatapu and Vavau, no one will starve!

Hi canadian_cold ,

My mother is from Samoa so I'm there at least once a year.

I beleive the best time to go is during Samoa's cool season , July - August , it can get up to a cozy 30 degrees celcius( 50 fareheight ) but not hot enough that you have to dive for air con every few minutes.

Savaii has fantastic roads for driving , much better the Upolu .
Places to stay wise....I've stayed at Tanu Beach Fales numerous times , its run by the Chief of the village's family and they provide you with a fale, matress, sheets , pillow and mosquito nets as well as dinner....
check it out here...............
http://www.samoa-experience.com/Tanu_Beach_Fales.htm

On Upolu head out of Apia to Lalomanu , its a gorgeous beach village and you can rent a fale for a day or a few nights.

If you want to head to Manono or Namua island... there are "resorts" on each , but not the 5 star resorts we westeners are used to , but its a stunning place and really gives you an feel for Samoan life...

If I can help with anything else just ask

Good luck

Thanks kiwi_gurl...

I have to book around Spring break if I am bringing my daughter. I wouldn't want to go away on a vacation during the summer months (July, August, Sept), as those are our best and most beautiful months here! We often have days that are in the 30 degree temp and lots and lots of sunshine.

I don't mind staying anywhere. My daughter is quite picky about moving around too much (she's more of a stay by the beach person and I am wanting to explore everything).

Hopefully we will come to some sort of arrangement as going down to Samoa/Tonga will require a number of moves!

If you are interested in info on Samoa you can read my comprehensive report on Samoa here on TT (October 2007). enjoy your trip

I lived in Samoa for two years and married a Samoan. If I was you driving in Samoa it can be hard with all the road work and the right hand drive movement going on. When I was there I love taking the bus but also I know the the villages names and how to get around. If you get a rent -a-car make sure you get a temp drivers licence at the Dept. of Tranportion 1st . Places to stay: I love Apia Central Hotel about $ 150 SAT a night and it is safe. Staying on the beach go to FaoFao Beach Resort about $35 to $120 SAT a night depends with you want to bring your own food. Places to eat : I fell in love with the Blue Marlin in Letogo. This is just my advice but nothing happens good after 10:00pm in Apia I never stay out pass 10:00 pm besides bars close at 12:00am anyway. Go to www.Samoaobserver.ws to read the news.