Samoa’s Action-Packed Side: Finding Adventure in South Pacific

Samoa is an island paradise that’s witnessing a rapid resurgence in popularity, especially from Aussie travellers. Away from the cacophony of urban jungles of the mainland, Samoa is the perfect tropical holiday to rest, rejuvenate and recharge before going back to the grind. But, for those who’re contemplating their first Samoa getaway – let’s peek into fun island excursions and tropical adventures that await you. Read on to know our picks on what to explore in this island destination- some pretty mainstream and others, off-the-beaten-track! 

Meandering Trails and Scenic Hikes

Mt. Silisili Trek

The highest point in all of Samoa, a trek to the cloud-covered summit takes anywhere between two to three days. The trip to the summit will appeal to seasoned hikers who are looking to put their skills to test – but guides are recommended, just in case. Kicking off from a sleepy plantation, the trip to the summit passes through the lush foliage of Aopo conservation area and open grasslands which give way to a charred, volcanic landscape, of crater ridges and lava rocks. The trail ends at the dormant volcano of Mata O le Afi, from where the northern coast of Savai’i is visible on clear days. However, seasoned hikers can soldier on for an hour and half more to mount the summit. Why, you ask? Because although the winding, scenic climb is a reward, the undisturbed, panoramic views just make it all the more worthwhile.  

Mt. Vaea and Tusitala’s Place

Push aside the foliage brush and branches and make your way via the ‘Road of Loving Hearts’ to the final resting place of ‘Tusitala’ – RL Stevenson, and his beloved wife, Fanny. Pay your respects, offer flowers and perhaps read a few pages of your worn copy of Treasure Island before making your way to the top of the hill to appreciate the 360° view. There are two routes to the top, and we suggest taking the longer one. Not only is it more gently sloped, but it also sets a more laidback pace, allowing you to take in and appreciate the sights. On the way back, we suggest checking out Villa Vailima – the erstwhile residence of Mr. Stevenson and should time and energy permit, the nearby Vailima Botanical Gardens. 

Coastal Walk and Samoa’s Ma Tree

The O le Pupu Pu’e National Park on Upolu is Samoa’s oldest national park – and now a Ramsar site, too! It stretches from Mt. Fito (highest point in Upolu), All the way to the jagged coast with its marshes and coastal cliffs. A walk in the O le Pupu Pu’e is thoroughly recommended for all nature and adventure enthusiasts, who can expect to meet a variety of flora and fauna, including the Samoan and Insular flying foxes, the Pacific sheath-tailed bats and more. There is a word of caution. Since the Pacific boa, a snake of the constrictor family, also calls this national park home, visitors are advised not to go blithely into the jungle. 

Check Out Samoa’s Ma Tree! Travelling just under a kilometre north, hikers will find themselves in the presence of the storied ‘Ma Tree’. This ent-like specimen is famous for its wall-like buttress roots growing out from the main trunk! Access to the O le Pupu Pu’e National Park and the Ma Tree is free of cost and the site is open to visitors all days of the week. 

Falease’ela River Walk

Also known as the Lalotalie Waterfall Hike, the Falease’ela River Walk is a breathtaking hike for enthusiasts. The tramp takes the visitors along the banks of the Liua le Vai o Sina River, located in Falease’ela in Lefaga Bay. This is a wild ‘n wet adventure and we recommend sturdy shoes and dressing appropriately to tackle the elements. Depending on the pace you set, expect the trip to take anywhere between four to six hours. This river walk is a good choice for hikers of varying skill levels. Do note, bookings are mandatory.

Caving and Exploring Lava Fields

The Samoan landscape has been altered to a fair degree by the occasional volcanic eruption, the most well-known example being Sale’aula Lava Fields. The slow-moving lava spewing from the nearby Mt. Matavanu buried five villages in Savai’i, split a church into two and altered other island landmarks, all which are now iconic tourist attractions. 

However, the lava is also responsible for creating a cavernous network of caves! Put on your reef shoes (no jandals, thongs, or flip-flops, please – sharp volcanic rock edges will be encountered!), swimwear and a red-light torch and off you go on your subterranean adventure! 

The Alofaaga blowholes in Savai’i and O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park in Upolu are popular attractions. When you visit them, do not miss out on Pe’ape’a cave in O Le Pupu and the Pa Sopo’ia cave near Alofaaga. The Pa Sopo’ia with its folklore of being the haunt of ancestral spirits will appeal to those with a taste for storytelling. The To Sua Ocean Trench is an iconic deep coastal sinkhole – as deep as 30m with an underwater cavern system at the very bottom, regularly challenging divers’ mettle. ‘Off the beaten track’ is the little Piula cave pool in Upolu. Located on the grounds of the Piula Theological College, the site is ripe for exploration and relaxation. You can also check out our blog on the Piula cave pool, for more pictures and details. Coming back to land, we suggest you also check out the more popular caves – the Dwarf cave near Paia village known for its local legends, the Pe’ ape’a cave rumoured to stretch a kilometre underground and the famous Laauoleola/ A’opp cave network said to span five kilometres across! These caves and caverns are home to island swiftlets, too! 

Samoa: Not Just Another South Pacific Island Destination

Now, while this feels like a deep-dive into Samoa’s adventure and excursion potential – we assure you, this list is far from exhaustive. For one, we’ve yet to start on the water activities – and that’s going to be a big one! In the meanwhile, feel free to snack on our other Samoa travel blogs. And if we’ve tempted you to think upon some sweet holiday deals, do browse our Samoa Hot Deals page for… inspiration? Or just call our South Pacific Specialists for their take on designing a bespoke Samoa holiday package for you – our number’s 1300 991 751!