Midway during my week in Samoa I spent two full-on days of fun in the sun on the island of Savai’i.
Though far bigger that Upolu, Savai’i is largely unpopulated. It’s mostly wild too with amazing landscape, awesome coastline, and lots and lots of beauty spots for playing in the water.
Here are some highlights.
Getting There
There are limited flights between Upolu and Savai’i but the typical mode of transport is by regular ferry service, which is how I travelled between the islands.
Samoa Shipping ferry service between Mulifanua Wharf on Upolu to Saleloga Wharf on Savai’i runs from early morning to mid afternoon, with a mix of walk up passengers and those with cars. I sailed business class for the hour and half passage. Business class perks included a movie on large screen TV, easy access to outdoor viewing, comfy seating, lots more space that economy class, and light refreshment in the way of a toasted noodle sandwich with pineapple slices.
Le Lagoto Resort & Spa
I stayed two nights at Le Lagoto Resort & Spa on Savai’i’s north shore, roughly 45 minutes drive from the wharf.. With only 10 Samoan style bungalows spaced out along a lagoon pretty lagoon protected by a long reef, it was a great place to relax. I had a wonderful time kayaking around the lagoon, enjoying a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner with entertainment by local performers, and generally lounging about the beach and the pool. Taking advantage of the manager’s invitation to visit the spa, an afternoon massage on my last day there ensured I was as chilled out as I could possibly be.
Afu A’au Waterfall
Down a dirt road in the midst of a rainforest, Afu A’au or Olemoe Falls is (yet another) gorgeous place to take a swim.
Alofa’aga Blow Holes
The Alofaaga Blowholes are a captivating sight to behold. Here a local guide puts coconuts into holes along the lava field coast. When conditions are right, the waves come crashing under to create a plume of water reaching up to 30m high.
If you look in the photo above you’ll see a few little dark specks in the sky close to the top left corner; those are from a coconut blown to bits and blasted into the air by the blowhole. Wow!
Falealupo Canopy Walkway
If you don’t mind heights, you’ll be rewarding with epic views of forest and sea when climbing up a ginormous Banyan by ladder and carrying on across a narrow suspension bridge at this rainforest canopy walk.
Saleaula Lava Fields
Just up the road from Le Lagoto, I stopped by Saleaula to see the devastation wrought by the Mt Matavanu volcanic eruptions of 1905 and 1911, including the ruins of two churches. This site is also where the legendary Virgin’s Grave can be found, a small patch of land untouched by the lava that supposedly marks the spot where the young daughter of a chief had been buried.
Fagamalo Congregation Christian Church
Even closer to Le Lagoto was the local church. Folks in Samoa are deeply religious. So when I was invited to include a Sunday sermon in my itinerary it seemed like a good way to experience local culture. I had a lovely time seeing villagers come to church wearing their all-white Sunday finest and listening to the hymnals sung in Samoan.
Stay tuned for one more Talofa Samoa post coming soon. Faafetai!
