WS
Savai’i
Samoa's wild big island of blowholes, lava and rainforest
Samoa's wild big island of blowholes, lava and rainforest
On the south coast, powerful blowholes fire seawater dozens of metres into the air through lava tubes; locals toss in coconuts to be launched skyward with the spray.
💡 Visit at high tide with a good swell for the biggest bursts.
The black lava flows from the 1905 Mount Matavanu eruption buried whole villages; you can walk across the hardened lava to a church half-filled by the flow and the ‘virgin’s grave’ it spared.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes; the lava rock is sharp underfoot.
Also called Olemoe Falls, this beautiful waterfall pours into a deep freshwater pool in the rainforest, one of Samoa’s finest and safest natural swimming spots.
💡 A small village fee applies; the pool is great for a swim.
At the island’s far western tip, a canopy walkway and giant banyan trees crown a rainforest reserve steeped in legend near the ‘edge of the world’ where the sun sets last.
💡 Sunset here is famously the last in the world each day.
On the north coast, Manase is Savai’i’s beach-fale hub, a relaxed strip of white sand and turquoise water with snorkelling and easygoing village hospitality.
💡 Base here for a couple of nights to explore the island.
Savai’i eats traditionally, with beach fales serving generous breakfasts and dinners of fresh fish, taro, breadfruit and coconut, often from an umu earth oven. Small village stores stock basics, and roadside stalls sell fruit and drinking coconuts, but restaurants are few, so half-board at your fale is the norm. It is hearty, simple and rooted in fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way.
Take the ferry from Upolu, base at Manase beach, and snorkel and relax after the crossing.
Circle the south coast to the Saleaula lava fields and the spectacular Alofaaga blowholes, cooling off at Afu Aau waterfall.
Explore the Falealupo rainforest canopy walk and western tip before the ferry back.
Savai’i is reached by car ferry from Upolu; check the timetable and book vehicles ahead.
ATMs are limited to the main towns; bring tala for fales, fees and stores.
Lava fields and rainforest tracks are rough; closed shoes save your feet.
Ask before entering villages during evening prayer (sa) and dress modestly.
Harbour-capital Apia, the To Sua Ocean Trench, the beaches of Lalomanu, wild Savai’i and car-free Manono — five sides of Samoa.