- CapitalApia
- CurrencySamoan tālā (WST)
- LanguagesSamoan, English
- Main hubFaleolo (APW)
- EntryVisa-free visitor permit on arrival for many nationalities
- Drives onLeft
Samoa is where traditional Polynesian life, fa'a Samoa, is most visibly intact. Sleep in open-sided beach fales at Lalomanu, swim in the To Sua Ocean Trench, and take the ferry to Savai'i for lava fields, blowholes and empty roads.
Sunday is a day of church and rest, so plan quiet time. See our Samoa travel guide.
Where to stay in Samoa
Compare hotels, resorts and guesthouses with free cancellation on many rooms. Via Booking.com.
Landmarks map
Top landmarks
To Sua Ocean Trench
A 30 m deep swimming hole connected to the sea by a lava tube, on Upolu's south coast.
Tours & activities in Samoa
Day trips, cruises and guided experiences, many with free cancellation. Via GetYourGuide.
Guides & articles
The Best Honeymoon Destinations in Oceania
Overwater bungalows, private islands and alpine lodges: the best honeymoon spots in Oceania compared, with the best months to go and rough nightly costs.
What to Pack for Oceania: Packing Lists, Reef-Safe Sunscreen and Biosecurity Rules
Lagoons, alpine passes and outback heat in one trip. Here is what to pack for Oceania, which sunscreens to avoid, and how to stay on the right side of strict Australia and NZ biosecurity rules.
Swimming With Humpback Whales in Tonga: Vava'u Season, Ethics and Rules
Each winter humpbacks come to Tonga to breed and calve. Here is when to go, how whale swim tours work in Vava'u, the rules that protect the whales and how to choose well.
Combining Hawaii with Tahiti, Fiji or the Cook Islands
Honolulu is a natural gateway to the South Pacific. Here is how to pair Hawaii with Tahiti, Fiji or the Cook Islands, with direct routes and sample itineraries.
Samoa Travel Guide 2026: Upolu, Savai'i, To Sua and Beach Fales
Beach fales, the To Sua Ocean Trench, lava fields and blowholes: how to plan a trip across Samoa's two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, including the ferry.
Getting Around Oceania: Island Flights, Ferries, Trains and Driving on the Left
Island flights that run once a week, ferries worth taking, scenic trains and tips for driving on the left: a practical guide to moving around Oceania.
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