Savai'i

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With its lush rainforest, secluded beaches, waterfalls and mountainous interior, Savai’i is the perfect getaway for those who don’t like crowds. All around the island fringing the coastline are a myriad of villages most often offering visitors accommodation in family run Fales. The interior is mountainous with dense tropical rainforest interspersed with rambling plantations and lava fields. Scattered too are numerous archaeological sites, fortifications, star mounts and platforms, most of which have been swallowed up by the jungle. Because the island has less reef area than its sister island Upolu, the coastline is more dramatic and wilder, especially on the west side and even more so during the months of November through to April. The best beaches lie on the east and north where the majority of tourist accommodation can be found and if wanting to avoid the big waves and hordes of surfers then the best time to visit is between May and September.

For a holiday based on great snorkeling, great beaches and getting up close and personal with nature, Savai’i is the answer.

Getting There

The most common way is by passenger-car ferry of which there are numerous in both directions daily. The cost for the ferry, which can be pre-purchased through this office is NZD8.00 each way. A small-medium sized rental car will cost NZD42.00 each way and this includes the driver's license. Polynesian Airlines offer charter flights however tickets can only be booked and bought locally.

Getting Around

The colourful local buses provide the cheapest way of getting around the island. There are plenty of buses traveling throughout the day in both directions blasting out all manor of music and are often crowded and uncomfortable. Being a ring road that hugs the coast it is impossible to get lost! Taxis are also cheap but can be unreliable however a rental car is probably the best bet for both convenience and comfort. These can be prebooked and paid through this office or through a local agent when you get there. Be warned if booking rentals yourself as some of the ‘local’ rental firms operate vehicles that are not altogether road worthy!

Sightseeing & Things To Do

A number of local tour operators are to be found in Savaii however most visitors intend to push off in a rental car or by local bus and explore the island on their own. As most of the sightseeing highlights are on properties owned by a village a small fee will be asked for access. Even just swimming off a beach will attract a local to come over and ask for this.

Salelologa

Salelologa, at the south east end of Savai’i is the principal town and main service centre for the island. Located immediately after the inter-island ferry terminal this is the best place to stock up on supplies, cash and petrol as there are limited possibilities elsewhere on the island. The colourful local market at the bus terminal is worth a stop at for bread and fruit.

Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve

Near to Salelologa in the west lies the Tafua Peninsular which is mostly made by a rain forest reserve. This reserve contains some of the best rainforest reserve in Samoa and home to some endemic mammals and birds such as Samoan fruit bat and the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. There are several good walks in the reserve that will access the lava fields, sea arches, blowholes and the lovely white-sanded Ananoa Beach. There are custom fees to take you car in and walk the tracks.

Afua Aau Falls (Olemoe Falls)

Savaii hosts many waterfalls and none more impressive that these beautiful falls spill out of the jungle canopy into a deep natural swimming hole. The falls are located en route to the Pulemelei Mound and whilst the road requires a 4WD the walk from the main road is just 30 mins. The Pulemelei Mound is an ancient stone pyramid standing 12m high and is the largest ancient structure in Polynesia.

Alofaaga Blowholes

No trip to Savaii is complete with out visiting these magnificent blowholes that shoot water jets up to 60m in the air. A beautiful coastal track follows the rugged coast for many kilometers but most stop at the little car park some 2 kilometers along from the entrance and pay locals to toss a number of coconuts into the blowholes to watch their cannon-like thunderous eviction.

Mu Pagoa Waterfall

An easily accessible waterfall that spills into Samoa’s largest River between the villages of Puleia and Gautavai. Here village children swim and play in the river while the women wash their clothes.

Falealupo Peninsular

Located at the extreme north west tipo of the island, Falealupo Peninsular is wild and beautiful with amazing rock pools, caves, ancient star mounds and home to a wonderful rainforest reserve offering many walk trails. There are some great beaches and snorkeling off here for a fee. In addition, the Falealupo Peninsular is the most westerly point on this planet where just a handful of kilometers out to sea lies tomorrow! In the reserve was once a grand canopy walkway system to the top of an ancient banyan tree built as an eco-tourism project in 1997. Sadly it has fallen into neglect and disrepair and the walkway is now closed.

Dwarf’s Cave

This deep and extremely muddy cave is found about 4km inland from Safotu village in the north. Getting there is difficult and a guide is essential. Ask at the Safotu store for directions and for a guide. A twenty minute walk into the cave brings you to the first of 3 accessible subterranean streams, the 3rd is a 2 hour walk oneway.

Saleaula Lava Fields

Destroyed by the lava flow from the Mt Matavanu eruptions between 1905-1911, all that remains of Saleaula village are two ruined churches and the Virgin’s Grave. For a small fee a local will take you on a guided tour. Nearby are the Satoalepai Wetlands formed by the volcanic activity. These wetlands are also tidal in parts and locals will take you on a canoe tour for a fee.

Swim with the Turtles

Also at Satoalepai is one of the most major attractions on Savaii. Here injured (and recovered) sea turtles are kept and fed in brackish water as a tourist attraction. It is arguable whether this is good for them, conservationists and the locals are at odds on this issue. A small fee with allow you to access and swim with them, if you really have the heart to.