World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Watersports
Samoa offers excellent snorkelling and diving. Snorkelling is best at high tide, which reduces the need to walk over coral (and damage it). Good locations include the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve (open 0800-1800, on Upolu island) and the beaches from Safotu to Manase and between Lesolo Point and Tuasivi (Savai’i island). Diving trips can be arranged via the Samoa Visitors Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). Surfing has recently become popular although, as the waves break directly on coral reefs, Samoan waters are for experienced surfers only. Currents are often extremely strong as Samoa is located in the middle of the Pacific and ocean swells are not blocked. In some villages, surfing is not allowed on Sundays. On Savai’i island, the villages charge a daily surfing fee to help with school funding. There are currently two surfing resorts; surfing guides are available from the Samoa Visitors Bureau. There are many beautiful beaches and there is excellent freshwater swimming at Falefa Falls, Fogaafu Falls, Papase’ea Sliding Rock (a rock slide down a waterfall into a deep, cool, freshwater pool) and Puila Cave Pool. Boats can be hired for net, spear, deep-sea and snorkel fishing.

Hiking
There are dozens of routes ranging from coastal walks to mountain treks. Trails tend to grow over rapidly and can sometimes be difficult to get through. Visitors should ask for local advice and permission before heading off or ask for a local guide from the Samoa Visitors Bureau.

Ecotourism
Educational tours to Samoa’s stretches of rainforest and conservation areas are available (one popular destination being Tanumapua, close to Apia). There are also several ecological research programmes and eco-lodges on offer (see also the Accommodation section). For information, contact the Samoa Visitors Bureau (see Contact Addresses section).

Note
Visitors should respect Samoan village traditions (see Social Conventions in the Social Profile section). Almost all Samoan land (as well as lagoons and bays) is the communal property of a village, family or individual, and visitors should always find out whose land they are accessing (only 20 per cent of the land is not administered by a village). Villagers maintain the beaches, viewing areas and conservation areas and the decision to develop attractions is usually made by a council of chiefs. A small entry fee is payable for most beaches and other attractions. Fees are often indicated, but if no price is given, visitors should ask. In case of doubt, advice can be obtained from other travellers or the Samoa Visitors Bureau (see Contact Addresses section).

Other
The 18-hole golf course belonging to the Royal Samoa Golf Club at Fagali’i is open to non-members. A type of cricket is played locally and is very popular. Traditional cricket matches are played from November to March. The Apia Rugby Union rugby season is from March to June and schools also play at this time. Popular matches can be seen on Saturday afternoons at Apia Park. The national team Manu Samoa is world famous and the equal of many of the world’s best sides.