Savai'i

Samoa's largest island, with authentic Polynesian villages, the Alofaaga Blowholes, a church in the lava fields and beachside fale huts.

Savai'i is Samoa's largest island and the second-largest island in Polynesia (after Hawaii's Big Island). It covers about 1,700 km² but has only about 40,000 inhabitants, most living in coastal villages. The island is made up of shield volcanoes, with a rainforest-covered plateau inland; the highest peak, Mount Silisili, rises to about 1,858 m. The 1905–1911 eruption of Mount Matavanu left vast black lava fields along the north coast. Savai'i preserves the most traditional form of the Samoan way of life, fa'a Samoa; villages follow strict customs, and the island is regarded as the cradle of Polynesian culture. The dry season (May–Oct) is the best time to visit, while the wet season (Nov–Apr) is hot and humid with occasional cyclones. The round-island road is about 180 km and can be split into three sections: the east coast (Lano Beach, Sapapali'i), the north coast (Manase beaches, the lava fields, turtle pools, Mount Matavanu and the Dwarf's Cave), and the western tip and south coast (the Falealupo Canopy Walkway and sunsets, the Alofaaga Blowholes, Mu Pagoa and Afu Aau Falls, and the Pulemelei Mound). Getting there: the ferry from Mulifanua Wharf on Upolu takes about 1–1.5 hours to Salelologa; on the island, get around by hire car or private driver, as buses are infrequent. Plan to spend 2–4 nights in a beach fale. Note: sights are managed by the villages and charge a small 'custom fee'. Sunday is a day of worship – avoid swimming, horseplay and making noise in villages, and expect many sights and shops to be closed. Cover your shoulders and knees when entering villages.

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Where to eat

Itineraries