Savaii - island of Samoa
Savaii (Savai'i) is the larger, but less developed, of the two main islands of Samoa.
Understand
Many people say that Savaii is the 'real' Samoa. It is certainly less developed, with no real towns as such, just a series of small villages with people living in traditional huts. You don't have to worry about getting lost on Savaii if you're driving - only one (well-paved) road runs around the island. Every few miles you will likely pass a colonial-style church, while the coastline will regularly change between volcanic black ash, pristine white sand beaches, and dramatic cliffs.
Overall, visit Savai'i if you want a more authentic and unspoiled Samoan experience away from the Internet cafes and McDonald's of Apia.
Talk
English is widely understood, but it doesn't hurt to know a few Samoan phrases.
Get in
By boat
The car ferry journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes from Mulifanua Port (towards the most western edge of Upolu) to Salelologa on the southeast of Savaii. There are a maximum of five sailings a day, usually every 2 hours with the first at 06:00 and the last at 16:00. The ferry timetable and fares can be found http://www.samoashipping.com/timetable-and-fares (dead link: January 2023) here]. Price for foot passengers is W$12.
While no recent accidents have been reported, several government travel warnings have been issued about the safety of this ferry - relating specifically to overloading, and the threat of heavy vehicles moving during the voyage. But it is the only feasible way to reach Savaii, and so the final decision is up to you.
If you do decide to use it, it's very likely that you'll be one of the few foreigners on board. Locals are therefore likely to strike up a conversation. Don't be concerned - this is almost always innocent and driven purely by curiosity.
If you are planning a short excursion to Savai'i then it's better to pack a small overnight bag and leave your main suitcase back at the Travellers Lounge in Apia. Dragging your suitcase onto the ferry and around Savai'i could be rather awkward.
By plane
- Maota Airport (IATA: MXS), -13.742222°, -172.258333°. Samoa Airways has flights from Apia.
Get around
By bus
The main means of getting around in Savaii are the brightly colored, pop-music blaring local buses. A one-way fare costs a maximum of WS$7 if you head to the northwest, with closer destinations being much less. The fare is paid to the driver at the end of the journey. Most buses depart from the markets in Salelologa. There are also some buses which meet the ferry at the Salelologa wharf. Buses in Savai'i tend to fill up quickly and you might find yourself sitting on the lap of a local! This is quite an experience for westerners.
By taxi
Generally your best bet. They are cheap and plentiful. Agree on a price ahead of the journey as none have meters.
By rented car
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You need to obtain a local licence, which is very easy to get from the Transport Control Board at the police station in Apia (international licences are not accepted) or from just next to the exit from Customs at the airport. Some car rental companies also provide this service. Licence endorsement costs W$12. Renting a car is possible but not economical unless you will be driving it a lot every day. They are particularly handy if you plan to visit the Falealupo Peninsula, which does not have good public transport. Car hire companies include: PK Rentals (pkrentals@samoa.ws); Salafi (apia_lua@ipasifiki.net) and Savaii Car Rentals (cars@lesamoa.net).
By bicycle
Possible and quite enjoyable. Most of the island is flat and there is only one main road that circumnavigates the island. So there is no chance of getting lost. There are a few small steep sections near A'apo and Asau.
By hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is not very common, but can be a fun and entertaining way to travel like the locals at the back of a ute (pick-up truck). Almost all people will stop if you request a ride and many of them will go out of the way to drop you at your destination.
See
- Alofaaga Blowholes (Taga Blowholes), -13.8022°, -172.5197°. Lava flows created a series of tubes connecting the cliff top with the ocean. Waves send water at high pressure through the tubes, creating fountains. The rocks can be quite slippery, so make sure to take appropriate shoes with you. Also beware of tourist traps in this area - the guides here might ask you to take photos as they throw coconuts into the blowholes and then demand money from you afterwards. They can be very persistent, but just maintain your distance and say no. There is an entry fee of WS$5 per person
- Paia Dwarfs Cave, -13.4928°, -172.4073°. This cave is over a kilometre long. he legend is that this cave is home to a race of small people. The legend has never been disproved as the end of the cave has apparently never been reached. Exploring the cave can take almost an entire day. A guide from Paia village is essential.
- Falealupo Rainforest Preserve, -13.5094°, -172.7691°. Includes a 25m canopy walkway and a platform in the trees that sleeps six (beware, there is no toilet!).
- Mt. Matavanu Lava Fields, -13.533333°, -172.4°. You will have to walk three hours from Paia village to visit these lava fields that look like a barren moonscape. They were caused by the eruptions of the mountain between 1905 and 1911.
- Olemoe Falls. (Afu Aau Waterfall), -13.74698°, -172.31262°. The most spectacular of the many jungle waterfalls in Savaii. A half-hour walk from a 4WD track.
- Pulemelei (or Tia Seu) Ancient Mound., Palauli district (Letolo Plantation near Olemoe Falls.), -13.735°, -172.324444°. This is the largest ancient structure in Polynesia, with a base of 60 m by 50 m and 12 m tall.
- Peapea Cave, N Coast Rd, -13.4994°, -172.4718°. This lava cave is in the north close to Letui village and a ten-minute walk from the road. A guide can also be easily found, which is essential as the entrance to the cave is locked.This cave is home to hundreds of white rumped swiftlets. The 'clicking' noise of the birds is clearly audible as they fly in the dark.
- Sale'aula Lavafields, Saleaula (30-minute drive eastward from ferry), -13.45009°, -172.3335°. These were also caused by volcanic eruptions of Mt Matavanu in central Savai'i. The lava flowed over 40 square miles to the sea and destroyed Sale'aula and Salago villages. The depth of the lava is up to 400 feet. Sale'aula fields are much more accessible than the Mt. Matavanu fields. You will need a guide if you want to visit the two churches that avoided complete destruction as well as the grave of a Catholic nun, known as the Virgin's Grave, that escaped destruction. A fee is charged.
- Sapapali'i, -13.6891°, -172.1952°. Features a monument where John Williams, the first missionary to bring Christianity to Samoa, landed here in 1830.
- Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve, -13.7833°, -172.2167°. Good stands of rainforest and excellent birdwatching. Take a walk up to the volcanic crater that dominates Tafua.
Do
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Circumnavigate the entire island over a few days or a week (although it is possible to do in day) and admire the wonderful lush scenery and contrasting coastline.
- Satoalepai turtle reserve, Satoalepai (35-minute drive along the east coast from the ferry). Rare experience of swimming with turtles rescued from fishermen's nets.
- Surfing. Best suited for experienced surfers. November to April has northern swells while May to October has big swells from the south. Savaii Surfaris are at Aganoa Beach in the south, and there are also good spots on the north coast (Dec. to April) at Manase, Fagamalo and Lesolo.
- Diving. There is an abundance of marine life around Savaii and diving to suit all levels. The Wreck of the Juno dates back to 1881 and provides a popular dive site. There is only one company, Dive Savaii, providing dive services, however. This is in the Fagamola/Manase area on the northeast of the island.
Eat
Most places to eat are attached to hotels or guest houses. There are few independent restaurants or bars and the ones that do exist are almost all close to Salelologa.
- Le Sogaimiti Bar and Restaurant, Lalomalava (in the Savaiian hotel grounds), +685 51296. 8AM-late. LeSogaimiti, meaning the Samoan tattoo, is a new restaurant which is part of the Savaiian hotel. There is a beautiful oceanfront views from where you can see the neighbouring islands of Manono, Apolima and Upolu. The name is a tribute to the local tradition of tattooing, which is carried on by the owner's family. mains from WS$15
Drink
- Raci's Beach Club, Manase (northeastern corner of the island). Cocktails on the beach, Italian coffee, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking, etc.
Sleep
Budget
Beach fales are an enjoyable and inexpensive way to stay in Samoa. A list can be obtained from the Samoa Tourism Authority (info@samoa.travel), but the best way to know where to stay is to ask other travellers. Samoa is not very big, so you will bump into other travellers making it easy to exchange information.
- Tailua Beach Fales, -13.4476751°, -172.3759634°, +685 2054102, tailuasbeachfales@gmail.com. Eight beach fales right on the waterfront. Tasty and abundant meals. The water is great for swimming, while not much coral, you may see turtles. Nearby is the Mataolealelo fresh water spring and the lava fields. WS$70pp including breakfast and dinner
- Janes Beach Fales, -13.4473793°, -172.3766403°, +685 54066, info@janesbeach.ws. WS$70pp including breakfast and dinner
- Satuiatua Beach Resort, -13.7089083°, -172.5998490°, +685 208464119, sbr.bookings@gmail.com. Large fales on the beach, a nice dining area with tasty but moderate sized meals. The protected reef is great for snorkelling, full of fish and a few turtles. WS$80pp including breakfast and dinner
- Falealupo Beach Fales, -13.5009705°, -172.7889102°, +685 77 47420, sbr.bookings@gmail.com. Basic fales near one of the best beaches on the island. The swimming is ok, with some patchy reef and a smattering of fish. The facilities are more like those of a camp. The food is local and hearty. WS$70pp including breakfast and dinner
- Joelan Beach Fales, N Coast Rd, Pu'apu'a (The first ones coming from Salelologa), -13.610315°, -172.201323°, +685 7590976, +685 7580979. Run by Sioni and Falesao and their family. They make you feel like part of the family instead of a customer. Fishing rods and outrigger canoe are available if you want to contribute to dinner. WS$50 pp including breakfast and dinner
- Lauiula Beach Fales, Lano village (a few miles north of the wharf), +685 53897, info@lauiulabeachfales.ws. The name is a bit of a tongue twister but these are attractive beachfront fales. from WS$75 pp including breakfast and dinner
- Utusou Beach Fales, Falealupo-tai, Savai'i (just south of Tanumatius Beach Fales). 2 fales on beautiful secluded beach. Run by Tafa & Salia Seumanutata and their family who really look after you (and if you're lucky tell some excellent stories.) WS$50 pp including meals
Mid-range
- Bay View Resort, North Coast Rd, Saleaula (On the edge of the lava fields on the beach at Saleaula Bay), -13.448803°, -172.334971°, +685 541 70, bayviewresort@samoa.ws. Ten bungalows, five with air conditioning, on the beach. From WS$150 per bungalow, with discounts for longer stays
- Jet Over Hotel, Salalologa (5-minute walk from the ferry wharf), -13.737822°, -172.219255°, +685 51565, info@jetoverhotel.ws. 24 rooms and six fales by the sea. Convenient if you want to rest up before heading to the ferry and the airport. Sea views but not right on the beach. WS$100 for fales and WS$150+ for double rooms
- The Savaiian Hotel, North Coast Road, Lalomalava (7-minute drive east from ferry), -13.700582°, -172.198854°, +685 51296, savaiianhotel@gmail.com. The Savaiian Hotel is a family-owned and -run hotel. It offers comfortable accommodation in stand-alone units with airconditioning, hot water ensuite and kitchen facilities. Kayaks and snorkelling available. Doctor on site. from WS$65
- Stevensons at Manase, +685 58219, info@stevensonsatmanase.com. Very democratic resort that offers accommodation from WS$100 a night for open fales to WS$1000 a night for luxury vilas.
Splurge
- Aganoa Beach Retreat, savaiisurfaris@samoa.ws. Beachfront fales at Savaii's major surfing location. WS$275
- Auga Seaside Resort, Asau (northwestern Savaii). 15 rooms on the beach. WS$250 for a double
- Savaii Lagoon Resort, Main Coast Road, Fagamalo (north-east of the island), -13.441547°, -172.357601°, +685 54168, savaii.lagoon@xtra.co.nz. Well-regarded ten-bungalow resort run by a New Zealand couple. NZ$185 for a bungalow for two
- Amoa Resort, Tuasivi village, North Coast Road Faga (10 minutes from the wharf and ferries from Upolu.), -13.659115°, -172.183851°, +685 53518. WS$250 for a villa
Stay safe
Savai'i is a safe destination. Crime rates are low and people very helpful and friendly. With some common sense precautions, one should encounter few problems.
There is a hospital just north of Salelologa.
Connect
There is a lava hotspot at the CTC in Salelologa. Look for the yellow building opposite the jet over hotel. Several, but not all, beach hotels offer internet. Raci's Beach Club (see Drink, above) claims to be the most westerly (i.e. closest to the International Dateline) internet cafe in the world.
Go next
You can't really visit Savaii without seeing something of the rest of Samoa: