Samoa Itinerary: 12 Best Things to Do on a 7-10 Day Road Trip

Samoa is one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful and unspoiled destinations, and planning the perfect Samoa itinerary is the best way to see its lush waterfalls, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture without the stress

On this itinerary, I’ll show you how to see the highlights of Upolu and Savai’i without stress, whether you’re driving yourself or taking local tours. From secret waterfalls to traditional Samoan experiences, I’ll share exactly where to go, where to stay, and how to make the most of your trip – even if it’s just a week.

This Samoa itinerary is ideal if you’re comfortable with flexible plans, enjoy independent travel, and want a mix of beaches, culture, and raw nature rather than packed tour schedules.

Quick Overview of Samoa

Samoa is an insanely beautiful island country in the South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia. It lies halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and is made up of two islands – Savai’i and Upolu. The capital, Apia, as well as the international airport, are both situated on Upolu. Coming from New Zealand, it’s only a short four-hour flight, directly from Auckland.

Essentials for Planning Your Samoa Itinerary

How to Explore Samoa: Car Rentals vs. Guided Tours

This itinerary combines public transport, ferries, and a short self-drive section on Upolu. You don’t need a car for the entire trip, but having one for the second half gives you the freedom to reach waterfalls, beaches, and viewpoints that are otherwise difficult to access.

If you prefer less planning and someone to handle tricky logistics, join a guided Full-Day Upolu Tour or Savai’i Nature Tour. Both tours cover the top sights, ferry transfers, and local insights, saving you time and stress.

Samoa travel truly runs on island time. Ferries, tours, and activities aren’t always fixed, which is why this itinerary mixes must-do planning with flexible days, so you’re never stuck or stressed.

How to Get To Apia City

Most visitors fly into Faleolo International Airport. You can take a local bus, hotel shuttle, or, for the smoothest arrival, a private transfer. Booking a private car with a driver ahead of time avoids waiting and ensures a hassle-free start to your trip.

How Many Days Do You Need for Samoa

To fully experience the beauty of the islands and cultural highlights, plan for 7-10 days. This gives you time to explore Upolu and Savai’i, relax on pristine beaches, and enjoy guided tours or self-drive adventures without rushing.

Currency & How to Pay in Samoa

The local currency is the Samoan Tala (WST). Credit cards are widely accepted in major establishments. I always carry my Wise Card for easy multi-currency use and low fees.

SIM Card and Internet

Upon arrival in Samoa, you can easily purchase a local SIM card from the Faleolo International Airport. If you want to be connected right from the start, purchase an eSIM card for Samoa before your arrival.

Accommodation options in Samoa are limited, especially on Savai’i and Lalomanu. Distances are long, and availability disappears quickly, so booking stays ahead isn’t optional if you want these locations for your Samoa itinerary – it’s essential!

Your Complete Samoa Roadtrip Guide – Upolu & Savai’i Highlights

Map of Your Samoa Roadtrip – Upolu & Savai’i

See the full route for this 7-10 day Samoa itinerary, including key stops, islands, and suggested bases. This map helps you plan ferry crossings, hotel stays, and must-see sights across Upolu and Savai’i.

Day 1 – Arrive in Apia, Upolo, Samoa

Apia is the capital of Samoa and lies on the second-largest island, Upolo. With its charming colonial-style buildings, Apia is the perfect base to explore the nearby sites. Staying centrally means easy access to the airport, ferry terminals, waterfalls, markets, and restaurants – plus it cuts down on driving long distances after your flight.

Renting a car on Upolu avoids backtracking and lets you reach the east coast in one smooth drive instead of splitting it across multiple days..

Where To Stay in Apia, Upolo, Samoa

Apia offers the widest choice of accommodation in Samoa, from full-service resorts to comfortable mid-range hotels and Airbnbs.

Luxury: Taumeasina Island Resort
If you want to skip the city noise and wake up on a private peninsula, book Taumeasina Island Resort here. It’s the best spot near Apia to shake off jet lag with an ocean breeze before you start your Samoa itinerary. The waterfront rooms are worth the upgrade for the sunrise alone.

Aggie Grey’s
For a central base that feels like a tropical oasis, reserve your stay at Aggie Grey’s here. It’s an Apia icon for a reason – you’re steps away from the local markets, but the garden pool feels worlds away. Perfect for a stress-free first night on the island.

Barefoot-Luxury: Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa
If you’d rather start your trip with your toes in the sand, secure a villa at Sinalei Reef. It’s further from the city but much more intimate, with the best beachfront walkways and reef views. Best choice if you value quiet and excellent food over being ‘in’ town.

Check available accommodation in Apia, Upolo here

Piula Cave Pool

After breakfast in Apia, head to Piula Cave Pool, a turquoise, crystal-clear spring water pool that originated from an old lava tube. It lies on the grounds of the Piula Theological College in the village of Lufilufi and makes the perfect spot for a half-day getaway. It’s easy to reach by car or local transport. Spend the morning here, then continue exploring nearby villages or markets.

Piula Cave Pool is one of the highlights on Upolu’s south coast. If you’re short on time or don’t want to drive, it’s included in this traveller-approved full-day Upolu island tour, which covers several of the island’s top stops in one go.

Day 2 Ferry Travel from Apia to Savai’i

It wouldn’t be a real Samoa itinerary if we didn’t take some public transport. Public buses run from Apia to the Mulifanua Wharf Ferry Terminal. Ask your hotel or guesthouse for up-to-date information, or have a look at Beautiful Samoa’s Homepage for the ferry timetable to Savai’i.

The ferry itself from Upolo to Savai’i takes about an hour. At the terminal, you can buy snacks, and the journey is enjoyable and straight- forward.

Arrival in Savai’i

Savai’i is Samoa’s largest and most untouched island, where dramatic coastlines, hidden waterfalls, and traditional villages make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Unlike Upolu, it’s quieter, less developed, and perfect if you want nature, culture, and authentic experiences.

On Savai’i, most travellers get around independently. Scooters (like the one I took), local lifts, or help from your accommodation are the norm, as organised tours are limited and don’t run daily.

There are no reliable day tours departing from Savai’i itself, so most exploring here is done independently or arranged directly through your accommodation.

If you want to see Savai’i’s highlights without leaving Upulo, make sure to book this Full-Day Savai’i Nature Tour. With a local guide, you’ll save time navigating the island and get insights into Samoan culture you might miss on your own.

Where to Stay on Savai‘i: Remote Beaches, Wild Nature & Slower Days

Savai‘i feels wilder and more remote than Upolu. Accommodation here is less polished and more focused on access to beaches, lava fields, and village life. Staying on Savai‘i is about slowing down!

Luxury: Savaii Lagoon Resort
If you want to walk off the ferry and straight onto a private beach, book Savaii Lagoon Resort. The beachfront bungalows are incredibly peaceful and put you in the perfect spot to explore the nearby waterfalls. It’s the best place on the island to actually unwind and hear the ocean from your bed

Mid-range: Sale’aula Lava Studio Apartment
For a more independent, ‘live-like-a-local’ vibe, reserve the Sale’aula Lava Studio here. It’s a cozy, self-contained apartment right near the historic lava fields. It’s the ideal base if you want to explore the coast at your own pace without being tied to resort meal times

Budget: Tailua Beach Fales (My Personal Pick)
I stayed at Tailua Beach Fales and loved it. You sleep in a traditional Samoan hut (fale) just two meters from the water. Leti, the woman who runs Tailua Beach Fales greeted me with a big smile – ideal for a solo traveller! It’s basic, beautiful, and the best way to experience the real Samoa on a budget.

Book available hotels in Savai’i here

Day 3 and 4: Explore Nature & Culture in Savai’i

Now that you’re settled in, it’s time to explore Savai’i at your own pace! This is one of the main appeals of any Samoa itinerary and an island you shouldnt skip.

Tailua Beach

Tailua Beach is one of those beaches straight out of a postcard. The water is turquoise and clear, there are palm trees all around and you can be sure to find a spot of your own somewhere along the stretch.

Don’t miss the sunsets as they are spectacular!

Falealupo Beach

Located on the West side of Savai’i, Falealupo Beach is a gorgeous white-sandy beach with traditional beach fales. I found this place to be the best location to explore the nearby beaches.

This is the westernmost point so it makes the perfect place to be one, to see the first sunset of the day!

Traditional Samoan Weaving Class

If you stay at Tailua Beach Fales, you can be almost sure that Let,i the woman who owns the place, or her son, will give you a personal traditional Samoan Weaving Class. It’s such a great activity to connect with the Samoan culture and make some souvenirs to take home!

Saleaula Lava Fields

The Saleaula Lava Fields are some of Savai’s most popular attractions. From 1905-1911 Mt Matavanu erupted and buried five villages under the lava flow. When you visit the site, you can see a church that is half buried, a virgin grave and you can see lava mounds in many places.

Entry is 5$ Tala and includes a guide that shows you around the area.

Day 5 Savai’i to East Upolo

Ferry Ride from Savai’i to Upolo

It’s best to head early to the ferry terminal in Savai’i so you don’t miss the first ferry. While the first part of the Samoan itinerary was done by public transport, the second one is designed to be done by having your own car.

My car rental company picked me up at the Mulifanua Wharf in West Upolu near the Faleolo Airport. I missed the 8 am ferry coming from Savai’i (it was full and left earlier), so I hopped onto the 10 am one, to arrive at 11 am.

Once back on Upolu, pick up your rental car. I went with MS Rentals, which was great value: around $140 Tala/day plus a $20 cleaning fee for two days (roughly 170 NZD / 110 USD). Having your own car truly is the easiest way to explore East Upolu at your own pace.

From there, drive directly to Lalomanu Beach, your base for the next couple of nights. The drive is long but scenic, and having your car makes stops along the way – like waterfalls or viewpoints – completely flexible.

Driving From East Upolo to Lalomanu

Samoan roads vary from being decent and manageable to being dirt roads, scattered with potholes. The speed limit is 50 kph and to be honest, you often cannot go faster if you don’t want to damage your car. Anyhow, to make the most out of this Samoa itinerary, I suggest you take the western Cross Island Road towards Lalomanu, on the south side of the island. Alternatively, drive to Apia first and take the other Cross Island Road going south.

To break up the journey, I stopped at the Insta-worthy Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa on Samoa’s main island. The views are just stunning, the menu is varied and they host a range of activities and events.

Where to Stay in Lalomanu for a Beach Getaway

This stretch of coast is where Samoa shows its prettiest side. Quiet beaches, warm lagoons, and a pace that makes you forget the travel days before it. Staying in Lalomanu for a few nights means less driving and more time actually enjoying the island.

Luxury: Saletoga Sands Resorts & Spa
If you want a true island retreat that still feels connected to the local culture, book Saletoga Sands Resort. It sits on a wide, sandy stretch of beach and is perfectly positioned for exploring the nearby scenic drives. It’s the best place to return to for a spa treatment after a long day of sightseeing.

Mid-range (Adults-only): Seabreeze Resort
For total peace and quiet, reserve a room at Seabreeze Resort. It’s strictly adults-only and sits right on the coastline, making it the ultimate quiet base for ocean views. Because it’s smaller and more intimate, rooms fill up fast, so lock this one in as soon as you have your dates.

Budget: Taufua Beach Fales (My Personal Pick)
When it comes to Lalomanu, stay at Taufua Beach Fales. You sleep just three meters from the water, and the vibe is incredibly social – perfect for meeting other travelers over great food. Whether you want a simple open fale or one with a veranda, this is the best value spot on the most famous beach in Samoa

Check available hotels in Lalomanu Beach here

Day 6 East Upolu Highlights from Lalomanu

With Lalomanu as a base, the next two days are all about exploring Upolu at an easy pace. Most of the island’s iconic sights are less than an hour away, which means no rushing and no packing up again.

If you prefer not to drive yourself, this traveller-approved Upolu island tour covers To-Sua Ocean Trench, Piula Cave Pool, Togitogiga and Papapapaitai Falls, and coastal viewpoints in one smooth loop. It saves time, removes navigation stress, and is ideal if you want to see the highlights without planning each stop individually.

To-Sua Ocean Trench

Start your road trip day by visiting the incredible To-Sua Ocean Trench. “To-Sua” literally means Giant Swimming Hole and indeed, it’s massive.

Again, it’s one of those places in Samoa where you wonder, is this even real?

An ancient lava eruption caused the land to slip away. The two large holes that emerged were joined by a lava tube and formed To-Sua. The pool itself is connected to the ocean through an underwater cave.

It’s some 30 metres deep, accessible via a steep wooden ladder only. The climb down should be done without shoes. The steep climb will reward you with crystal-clear seawater and a peaceful vibe. It’s a great place to snorkel, to just chill on the rocks and enjoy the mesmerizing blue water, floating on your back.

There is also the option to buy soft drinks and snacks. At the premises are changing rooms and the gardens invite you to a little stroll and a view of the South coast.

Definitely, the top reason why I wanted to visit Samoa and a major thing you have to visit on your Samoa itinerary. It’s for sure, one of the most unusual places to take a dip!

Sopo’aga Waterfalls

From there, continue your drive towards your first waterfall. The pictures that inspired me to go did not disappoint. If you have time to see only one waterfall, this should be it -Sopo’aga Waterfalls.

The place from where you can see the waterfall is, as so often in Samoa, on private land, handled by a friendly lady. A short walk through a botanical garden later, and you see the waterfall in the distance, dropping 54 metres down into a valley.

If you go a bit further along the ridge to the right, you’ll get a beautiful view of the rainforest-covered valley disappearing into the distance.

The entrance fee is 10 Tala and the whole stop won’t take you longer than 20 minutes.

Lalomanu Beach

To end the day, drive back to Lalomanu Beach for an afternoon swim and sunset. By the afternoon, Lalomanu Beach is the kind of place that makes you stop planning altogether. The lagoon is calm and shallow, the water shifts between pale blue and deep turquoise, and there’s no real agenda beyond swimming, floating, or sitting in the shade with a book. Here, you’re not hopping between beach clubs or cafés here, you’re simply on the beach

Also, the dinner at Taufua Beach Fales is out of this world. We got to sit at one long table, and they would bring a mix of plates over, ranging from mashed potatoes, sushi, Chinese fried noodles and seafood. It ended up with so many lobsters that I could barely believe my eyes! Never have I seen so many presented in front of me. As most other dishes were with meat, I had a lobster feast to say at least.

Samoan Fia Fia Show

Evenings in Lalomanu are quiet, and that’s part of the appeal. Most people head back to their accommodation before sunset, and dinner usually happens on site. Many beachfront resorts in Lalomanu host traditional Fia Fia nights, where dinner is paired with cultural performances.

On Saturday nights, Taufua Beach Fales organizes a typical Samoan Fia Fia show – a mix of dance and fire performance, done by professional local dancers. A Fia Fia evening is usually filled with dances, food, songs and the famous knife-fire dance where the men use a huge knife with burning flames on either hand, swirling it around their bodies.

Day 7: A Slow Sunday in Samoa: Culture & Nature

If your trip lines up with a Sunday, this final full day in Samoa becomes something special. Sundays are slow, deeply cultural, and centred around community, food, and faith. It’s not a day for rushing between sights, but for experiencing how life really unfolds on the islands.

See a Sunday Service at a Christian Church

Christianity arrived in Samoa in 1830 with missionaries from abroad and Samoans adopted the religion quickly. Samoa is now a Christian country, and going to church on Sunday is a big part of their culture. It’s even considered a national day of rest. If you get the chance to be in a village on Sunday, make sure to attend a ceremony. It’s wonderful to see the clothes people wear and how the families get together.

Samoa Umu Experience

Especially on Sunday, it’s common to go to church and to have something cooking in the umu earth oven. The guesthouse advised us that there would be a free lunch happening for all guests. If we want, we can watch them how they prepare the Samoa Umu. This one was hands down one of my favourite parts of my Samoa road trip itinerary and it wasn’t even planned in!

What to Expect from a Samoa Umu

Samoa Umu is the traditional way of cooking food in Samoa. The umu is an earth oven where lava rocks are heated and where the food is placed directly on top.

Just after a short visit to the church, we headed towards the place the guesthouse staff told us. The preparation was already underway: green cooking bananas peeled, coconuts opened, Parrotfish & octopus freshly caught and two piglets killed.

At least 5 people and one young boy were involved in the cooking process. The little boy told me he likes to help with preparing the food or taking care of the fire.

One of the young adults prepared the blue shimmering Parrotfish, masterfully enwrapping them in coconut tree leaves.

The woman would prepare the octopus, the cooked bananas and the fish ceviche. Another man took care of cutting taros, and putting coconut milk into tree leaves.

Once all food was placed onto the hot stones, they’d cover the entire thing with banana leaves to seal the ‘oven’ and let it simmer for two hours.

This method of cooking has been present in the villages and around for more than 3,000 years. I definitely recommend trying to experience the making of it – one of the best things to see and do in Samoa.

And let me tell you, the food turned out delicious – literally one of the best meals I’ve ever had. This is just a must-see on your Samoa itinerary!

If you’re travelling back toward Apia later in the day, it’s easy to add one final nature stop along the way. Waterfalls like Papapapaitai Falls can be seen directly from the roadside and make a perfect, low-effort farewell to Samoa’s dramatic landscapes.

Umu meals aren’t scheduled and usually happen on Sundays or special occasions, depending on the village and where you stay.

Day 8: Return to Apia via Waterfalls

After two nights in Lalomanu, it’s time to make your way back toward Apia. Depending on your flight schedule, you can either drive back late on Day 7 or spend Day 8 making the return journey at a relaxed pace. In my case, I drove back early on day 8 to squeeze in a stop at the Papapapaitai Falls.

The drive back is straightforward and gives you one last chance to stop at a waterfall or coastal lookout along the way. If your flight leaves early the next morning, I highly recommend staying the final night of Samoa itinerary in Apia. It makes returning the car easier and removes any stress on departure day.

Papapapaitai Falls 

If you have time on your way back to Apia, Papapapaitai Falls is an easy and worthwhile stop. It’s Samoa’s tallest waterfall, plunging 100 metres deep into a lush gorge and visible from a roadside viewpoint, so there’s no long hike involved.

As it was raining earlier (and started again), fog built and made the whole scenery quite mystic. Pretty cool! It’s a short stop, but one that nicely rounds out the trip, especially if you want one last nature moment before returning the car or heading to your final hotel.

Arrival in Apia & Return Home

Most car rental companies allow drop-off in Apia or near Faleolo Airport. If you prefer not to drive on the final day of your Samoa itinerary, arranging an airport transfer from your hotel is an easy alternative and surprisingly affordable.

For your final night, staying centrally in Apia keeps things simple. It’s close to restaurants, the waterfront, and transfer pick-ups, and it’s the easiest base before flying out.

If you want dinner with a sunset view, head to Paddles Restaurant near the harbour. It has some quality service and interesting food options combining Samoan & Italian cuisine. For a different view of the city and the ocean, head to Sails Restaurant & Bar. It’s at the far end of Apia and well known for its seafood (make sure to try the stuffed squid, it was devine!).

Samoa is the kind of destination that rewards patience. The more time you give it, the more it gives back. From the wild landscapes of Savai‘i to the calm beaches of Lalomanu and the cultural heartbeat of Apia, this itinerary is designed to balance adventure with space to breathe.

Is Samoa Expensive to Visit?

Samoa caters to all budgets. Budget guesthouses start around $30 USD, luxury resorts are available, and meals typically cost $5–$10 USD. Public buses are cheap, but renting a car ($50–$70 USD/day) or booking guided tours can save you time and stress, especially if you want to cover multiple islands efficiently. Entrance fees for attractions are modest ($5–$20 USD).

This route works whether you travel independently with a car, mix in guided tours, or slow things down even further. What matters most is not rushing any Samoa itinerary.

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