Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Resort with safe snorkelling for beginner

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Hi! 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 comments would be grateful

cheers
Jo