Samoa travel guide

Mt Matavanu's eruptions between 1905 and 1911 created a thick lava flow, which destroyed almost everything in its way to the sea on the north coast of Savai'i. A few churches managed to stand, though the lava has flown through the doors. The most famous is the LMS Church. Not far from the church is the Virgin's Grave. A grave of an young girl which apparently was so pure, that the lava flowed around it and left it untouched. There is a trail which leads to a viewing platform of the lagoon. From here there is a change to see seaturtles.

The main town on Savai'i is not the worst place to stay. It's where the ferry comes in, there is a bank, and buses depart from here to all other places on Savai'i. There are no sights to see beside the covered market at the bus station. Keep in mind, that the lastest buses back to Salelologa tend to be very early in the afternoon (around 2-3 pm).

The views from the garden of this waterfall and the gorge below are just spectacular. Jungle covered mountainsides as far as the eye can see and then this powerfull 54m high watefall plunging from the top of the forest.

Savai'i doesn't have that many beaches and most of them are on the east and north side. The best on the south side is probably at Satuiatua villages. There are the usual beach fales along with a resort.

Samoa is a nation of tattooed people and fortunately many still prefer the traditional black style. The most recognisable tattoo is probably the male pe'a, which cover from waist to the knees. But you see every kind of tattooes on both men and women; hands, full legs, and backs, however no facial tattoes. Every tattoo means something and is made to commemorate life events. A traditional Samoan tattoo is made by hand, no tattoo-gun, with an angled stick which has sharpened bones or boar teeth. The ink then gets injected by continuously hitting the stick with another stick. The international word tattoo actually comes from the Samoan word tatau.

This sunken swimming hole has become a bit iconic for Samoa. The swimming hole is connected to the neighbouring sunken waterhole, as well with the sea, through an underwater passageway. The descend to the waterhole is down a 15m long wooden ladder, but then you will be rewarded with a shaded subground pool. Beware that there can be strong current in the pool. The manicured grounds are extensive with shady fales, rock pools and plenty of spectacular views down the wild and rocky coastline.

The Togitogiga Waterfalls are a series of gentle waterfalls, which are located within a recreation reserve, which means there are picnic fales. The short walk from the parking area is beautiful through lush jungle. You can swim and jump from the lower falls.

Turtle Pool is this wicked place, where a local family for decades has held a dozen of seaturtles captured in a fenced off part of a lagoon. It's a rare opportunity to swim or snorkle with seaturtles. When we visited in low season, we were the only one in the pool, but it's probably a differet story in high sesson. Whether you want to support such a business is entirely up to you. If you want a chance to see seaturtles in the wild, head to the viewing platform over the lagoon behind the Lava Church further up the main road. If you’re lucky, seaturtles will stick their head up for breathing.

If you prefer a more secluded beach without fales, then Vavau Beach is what you're looking for. The beautiful lagoon as calm crystalclear water and there is a shady palm groove to retract to during the mid-day heat. The beach belongs to Vavau Village so kids might join you in the water.