
10 Best Things to Do in Upolu, Samoa
Samoa is a gold mine of unique and fulfilling experiences. A vacation to Samoa is relaxing and filled with beauty. Plus, with a plethora of things to do in Upolu, Samoa, your vacation won’t be boring! Here are the 10 best things to do in Upolu, Samoa.
Things to Do in Upolu, Samoa
#1 To Sua Trench
The perfect photo-opt that doesn’t require any filters, the To Sua Trench should be on every traveler’s bucket list. This magical swimming hole sits among lush green gardens just feet from majestic ocean cliffs. In fact, the ocean tide feeds the swimming hole through underground lava tubes. As the ocean swell gently pushes and pulls the water from the hole, a relaxing rocking motion can be felt by those floating on the water’s surface. The best experience can be found at high tide.
To get to the water, you climb down a steep latter, an adventure in itself. It can be scary for some, but if you overcome your fears, you will feel quite accomplished! Adrenaline junkies can jump into the pool below from the cliff during high tide (just make sure to check the depth first!). The clear, temperate water, tropical fish and sandy bottom make for a relaxing soak while a swim through a large cave to the second hole in the earth provides a bit of adventure. For those looking for more adventure, an under water tunnel can be found where people swim through to the Pacific Ocean.
Around the grounds of the To Sua Trench you will find lovely gardens, a rock pool, fales to relax in, and lava blow holes. Carve out a few hours of your vacation to visit this amazing site.
Visitors love the experience and you will too!
Crystal clear waters and a white sand beach, Lalomanu is a go-to spot for any beach lover. It features open fales where you can relax after a refreshing swim. Lalomanu is a special treat for those who love the creatures of the sea. This protected marine reserve is teeming with a magnitude of tropical fish. Snorkel gear is available for hire and a small cafe offers refreshments and snacks. After your visit to the beach, hike to the nearby extinct volcano crater. Keep your eyes peeled for flying foxes, best spotted at dusk. The Piula’s fresh water cave-pool is hidden underneath the Piula Theological College. Dive into the fresh cool water and swim among the fish. The daring can swim into the cave to find a tunnel leading you to another cave (although this adventure is not always possible). Our favorite way to experience the Piula Cavepool is on a tour with a local chef! He’ll take you to the Apia markets and help you pick out fresh food. Then he’ll pack up your selections and take you to the pool. While you swim and enjoy the ocean views, he’ll cook you a gourmet and authentic fresh Samoan lunch. Sit at the picnic table, sip some fresh coconut juice and enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by pristine beauty! Insiders Tip: Ladies, be sure to check out the ‘garden toilet’. It is quite lovely. Your Samoan vacation will be filled with amazing waterfalls! Waterfalls are scattered all around Upolu. Papapapaitai Fall, (aka Tivavi Falls) is a spectacular 100m waterfall that plunges into a dramatic gorge. The cascading Togitogiga Falls are separated by swimming holes and make an ideal spot for a picnic. On Le Mafa Pass Road, a beautiful garden and picnic site overlook the powerful Sopoaga Falls. Fauipisa Falls is a spectacular 180 foot high jungle waterfall, situated off the pass road in the village of Lotofaga. It’s a great place for bird watching and relaxing on the cliff tops. Kids and adults have an amazing time skimming down these natural slides made of small waterfalls into cool water holes. The longest slide is 16 feet long and worth the climb up the stairs. Arrived and had the place to myself for a start and explored all the different pools and relaxed in this magical space, surrounded by the tropical jungle paradise. Initially didn’t see anywhere safe to slide down the rocks, but upon some youth arriving and showing me how it was done, I soon joined in and had a blast. Epic spot whether you want to chill or be more adventurous.Scott M Discover Samoa’s culture and traditions in a fun and interactive way at the Samoa Cultural Village on the beach road in the heart of Apia! Tours are offered 10:30am to 12:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Of all the things to do in Upolu, this is one of the most fulfilling. Samoa is a traditional Polynesian society with Fa’a Samoa playing a vital role in village and community life. Samoans are proud of their strong Fa’a Samoa, aka ‘the Samoan Way’. It is the essence of the Samoan culture and dictates how Samoans are meant to behave and their obligations to their elders, superiors, family, community, church and the environment. Knowledgeable and extremely friendly hosts take visitors through all aspects of culture and traditional way of life. It’s incredibly interesting to learn how Samoans have weaved their traditional ways into their modern society. Witness workshops on weaving, woodworking, siapo cloth making, traditional tatau, dance and music. Visitors are treated to a kava ceremony and lunch from the hot-stone oven called an umu. A visit to the cultural village provides a great opportunity to buy unique handcrafted souvenirs. If you get the chance check this place out.Lesley M On arrival for the tour we were shown how to weave a plate from palm fronds, the plate was then used for lunch after the tour. Whilst weaving the plate, we were entertained by the beautiful singing voices of a few of the Samoans. After this we were privileged to watch a Samoan getting a traditional body tattoo by the traditional method and had the opportunity to find out the story and meaning behind the tattoo….wow this was amazing, (and painful to watch). We were then shown how to make coconut cream and husk the coconuts properly, we had the opportunity to watch traditional wood carving, try cooking traditional foods over the fire and sarong making. This was all finished with a small lunch of fish, taro, taro leaves and coconut whilst watching dance and music. The whole tour and show was free!!!! We had the opportunity to give a donation, which of course most people gave generously as the whole tour and show was well worth it. The village is open every day but the guided tours are only done certain days, usually starting at 1030am. This was a highlight and I would 100% recommend it!!!Sandra B You’ll want to stop at the Conception of Mary Cathedral. The architecture is truly out of this world! Be mesmerized by the marble floors, the intricate detailed walls and the interesting blend of traditional Samoan culture with Christianity. One of only eight in the world, the Baha’i House of Worship is a place of prayer and meditation open to all. With nine symmetrical sides and entrances, the distinctive architecture of the house embodies grace and beauty. The high dome inset with mirrored glass in the main auditorium is particularly striking. The majestic and magnificent Robert Louis Stevenson Museum memorializes the place where this famous Scottish poet and author fell in love. The Museum is perfectly restored back to its glorious days with some of the author’s work and family memorabilia. Take a tour and maybe hike through the jungle to Stevenson’s final resting place. Serene Manono Island is a 20 min boat ride from the mainland of Upolu. There are no cars on the island which makes for the perfect spot to enjoy the quiet and take a stroll along the main footpath that follows the coast, weaving in and out of the local villages. Its a great spot for meeting and befriending the locals. A day trip to Manono Island is a fun thing to do from Upolu. Book a day-tour to Manono to see the sites. The ancient star mount and the historic grave of 99 stones are quite a sight to behold! Manono is where you’ll find Polynesian culture at it’s most natural. All Polynesians are said to have come from Samoa and Manono is the starting point. What you do “spending the day” is up to you. If you’re into culture just talk to locals along the way otherwise enjoy what is literally paradise on earth. You won’t be lacking in things to do particularly if you make some friends with the locals. […]Enjoy Manono, you’ll never find anywhere else like it in the world.Deb No matter what types of things you want to do in Upolu, Samoa, The Destination Specialists at About Fiji can help you make your vacation dreams come true. Plan a custom trip to Samoa or check out our sample itineraries today! #2 Lalomanu Beach
Things people say about Lalomanu Beach
Things people say about Lalomanu Crater Walk
#3 Piula Cavepool
Things people say about Piula Cavepool
#4 Chasing Waterfalls
#5 Papase’ea Sliding Rocks
Things people say about Papase’ea Sliding Rocks
#6 Samoa Cultural Village
Things people say about Samoa Cultural Village
#7 Conception of Mary Cathedral
Things people say about Conception of Mary Cathedral
#8 Baha’i House of Worship
Things people say about Baha’i House of Worship
#9 Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
Things people say about the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
#10 Manono Island
Things people say about Manono Island