Savaii banner

Experience Savai’i 
Make an Enquiry

For a taste of the true Samoa you must visit Savai’i. It’s the largest of the Samoan islands and indeed the largest Pacific island outside of Hawai’i and New Zealand.

Savai’i is the cultural experience you have yearned for. Here you can live like a local while at the same time savouring the island’s stunning natural attractions. Get high on a rainforest canopy boardwalk or immerse yourself in the joys of swimming with green turtles. And if you’re a keen diver then take the opportunity to go scuba diving.

Samoa boasts more than 200 types of coral and what better way to spend your time than swimming lazily through the delightfully tepid turquoise waters. Savai’i is an island of incredible contrasts – follow the lava tube trail, or blow away the cobwebs by taking an invigorating hike around the easily accessible volcanic crater on the Tafua Peninsula. Cool off afterwards by relaxing in the shade of a palm tree on a nearby white sand beach. 

 

Savai'i Fast Facts
• Savai’i is Samoa’s largest island and is the largest island in Polynesia after NZ and Hawaii
• The traditional pe’a (male tattoo) normally covers the man’s body from the waist to the knees. Woman can elect to receive a malu (female tattoo) but their designs cover only the thighs
• Every village has a large church, hopefully larger than the one in the neighbouring villages, which they attend every Sunday dressed in formal best
• Public buses are vibrantly coloured, wooden seated, crowded and usually have loud music blasting from them - an experience not to be missed!

Insider Insights

“A fale experience is a must, there is nothing like being able to hear the waves lapping at the shores at night through the open sides of your fale. This is a great way to ‘live like a local’ and get to know the family as most of the fales are family run. Don’t forget to bring a towel for the shower (which is ususaly a cold one - no hot water here!) and also a torch because if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night there’s not much light to show you the way.”
Cassandra CoxSavaii bus

“A great way of getting around Savai’i is to jump on a local bus - I’ve never had so much fun! Each bus is individually owned and to entice you on the owner decorates the bus with whatever he/she feels like - feather boas, disco balls - you’ve never seen anything like it. With music blaring it’s a different way of sightseeing around the island. But beware - if there are no seats left a friendly local will sit on your knee! There are no bus stops so just flag a bus down if you want to get on and you pay when you get off.”
Mele Prescott

“The Alofaaga Blowholes are an impressive sight and are on my list of definite ‘must sees’ when on Savai’i. The entrance to the blowholes is at the village of Taga on south-west Savai’i. They send a jet of water hundreds of feet up into the air and are particularly worth watching when locals throw coconuts into the holes as these are blasted into the air as well.”
Bridget Fogarty 

“Enjoy a FiaFia night whilst in Samoa – a definite highlight for me - but beware you may get asked to join in! The dancing is fantastic and the fire dancing spectacular. All of the major hotels, resorts and fales offer this night that shows off Samoan culture and you also get to enjoy traditional Samoan food like palusami (young taro leaves baked in coconut
cream) and oka, (raw fish in coconut cream), both of these are a must try.”
Kate McGlyn 

 

Savai'i Highlights 

Take a car across on the ferry – A great way to self explore the natural attractions that this beautiful Island has to offer. Make sure to visit Cape Mulinuu as it is the last spot on earth to see the sunset. Samoan patterned cloth

Visit the turtle sanctuary – See Sea Turtles in their natural habitat and feed them local mangoes & melon. Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel with the turtles too! A great Island experience located at the villiage at Satoalepai.

Blowholes – Visit the Alofaaga Blowholes and see the mighty water exploding through the rock formation – an impressive sight! During high tide Alofaaga blowholes look outstanding. When the blowholes spout to over 80 feet they make a loud roaring noise.

Saleaula Lava Field – This Volcanic activity buried five villages and the Lava flows are still very visible today. The lava fields on Savai’i are intriguing and impressive. It happened 100 years ago when Mt Matavanu erupted. You can’t miss it going north as the highway crosses it for 8km. At Saleaula a guide can take you to the remains of the village destroyed by the lava flow. Molten lava from Mt Matavanu eruption buried 5 villages under this wide barren lava flow. Half buried churches, a virgin grave and lava mounds (imprints of tree etc) can still be found as you walk over this fascinating geological expanse.

Salelolo Ga Markets – These local markets near the wharfprovide an enjoyable insight into local daily life.

The Tia Seu Ancient Mound - A historical Site Located on Letolo Plantation, the Tia Seu Ancient Mound is the largest ancient mound in Polynesia at 12m tall. Research is still continuing on its builders and its purpose for which it was built. One ancient belief is it is the original site of the first Polynsians to settle in the Pacific.

 

Print page

Build A Quote
Add this page

  • flights
  • insurance
  • hotels
    1. Passengers with special needs or children (aged 2-15) travelling alone?
    2. Search Flights