Young Pioneer Tours

Samoa Tours and Travel for 2025 and 2026

YPT tours to Samoa

Our Samoa tours take you to the Independent State of Samoa, one of the most culturally rich and scenically stunning nations in the South Pacific.

Often confused with American Samoa, the Independent State of Samoa is an entirely separate nation with its own government, unique cultural identity, and centuries old traditions known collectively as Fa’a Samoa: “the Samoan Way.” From the way communities welcome guests to the rhythms of daily life, Fa’a Samoa shapes everything, giving visitors a rare opportunity to experience an authentic Polynesian culture that continues to thrive today.

Samoa is composed of two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i, along with a scattering of smaller islands. Upolu, home to the capital Apia, is rich with cascading waterfalls, bustling markets, and some of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Savai’i, often called the “real Samoa,” offers dramatic lava fields, small villages, ancient archaeological sites, and a slower, more traditional pace of life that many travellers find captivating.

With a heritage shaped by Polynesian roots as well as German and New Zealand influences, Samoa presents a fascinating blend of history and tradition. While English is widely spoken, the Samoan language fills daily conversations, songs, and ceremonies. You will hear this ancient language and feel the Fa’a Samoa while touring Samoa with YPT.

Group Tours to Samoa

YPT’s Samoa tours are currently offered as a part of our Least Visited Countries Tour, which currently runs multiple times a year, in spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Least Visited Countries Combo tour – December 5th, 2025 – January 1st, 2026 – $3195 – $12895

Least visited Countries Spring Combo Tour – April 10th – May 7th, 2026 – $3295 – $12895

Least Visited Countries Summer combo – July 10th – August 6th, 2025 – $3295 – $12945

Independent Tours to Samoa

YPT can arrange independent Samoa tours to suit your preferences, time frame, budget and locations. Whether you want to tour the Capital Apia, relax and unwind in Samoa, island hop, snorkel, or you want to see the lava field in Savai’i, we can customise an independent tour to what you are looking for.

Example of a Samoa Itinerary

We specialize in creating independent and bespoke Samoa tours and travel packages, tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re looking for a standalone adventure or a part of a broader Pacific or Least Visited Countries itinerary, we’ve got you covered for an extraordinary travel experience.

Day 1 – Apia, Samoa

Morning

  • Apia is connected with direct flights from Brisbane, Auckland, Honolulu and Nadi.
  • Upon arrival in Apia, the capital of Samoa, you will be greeted by your local guide and transfer to your accommodation.
  • Samoa’s history dates back over 3,000 years, with Polynesian settlers establishing their culture and social structure. In the late 19th century, Samoa became a focal point for colonial competition, leading to the division of the islands into two territories: American Samoa, which remains a U.S. territory, and independent Samoa, which gained sovereignty in 1962. Politically, Samoa operates as a parliamentary democracy, with a Prime Minister serving as the head of government and a ceremonial O le Ao o le Malo as the head of state. The nation has made significant strides in recent years toward economic development while maintaining its cultural heritage and addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change and natural disasters.

Afternoon

  • After settling in, you’ll hop on our resort’s traditional Aiga bus for a guided tour of downtown Apia where we will pass by parliament, visit a local market, snap photos of Apia’s amazingly unique public buses, walk along the sea wall, stop by the post office, visitor’s center and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral known for its blend of colonial and Samoan architecture.
  •  You’ll have a seafood lunch on Apia Wharf.
  • Make your way through the island’s interior and visit the museum and home of author Robert Louis Stevenson (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde).
  • Continue further into the island’s interior and pass by the scenic Sopo’aga Falls Viewpoint, before going for a sunset dip in the To Sua sinkholes. 
  • Return to your accommodation to freshen up before a traditional Fia Fia buffet feast, featuring a wide selection of dishes, including pork, chicken, and fresh seafood. Side dishes typically include taro (talo), breadfruit (ulu), and palusami, which is taro leaves baked slowly in coconut cream. There will also be fresh tropical fruits and oka, a Samoan style raw fish marinated in coconut cream. There will also be ice cold Vailima beer for sale! While you savor your meal, enjoy local entertainment featuring traditional song and fire dancing!
  • After dinner, those looking for a sundowner can discover Apia’s lively nightlife by catching a cab down to the wharf which boasts live music and bars overlooking the water. Anyone feeling lucky can place a bet at the Black Sands Casino.
  • Overnight in Apia.

Day 2 – Apia End of the Tour

  • Farewell breakfast at your hotel consisting of traditional Samoan such as panikeke, which are small fluffy pancakes, and pani popo, soft buns baked in sweet coconut cream. There will also be savory options like supo esi, a warm papaya soup, along with simple pork and egg dishes. Fresh tropical fruits such as papaya, pineapple, and bananas are also always available and make a refreshing start to the day.
  • Experience the daily flag raising ceremony in Apia, led by the Samoan Police Marching Band. Each weekday morning, the band marches to Government House, performs the national anthem, and raises the Samoan flag in a tradition that symbolizes national pride and unity. It is one of the most iconic morning rituals in Samoa and a memorable cultural moment to witness.
  • Head to the airport to catch your outbound flight.

Bespoke Samoa Tours

Samoa Island Hopping Tours

Namua Island Day Tour

Take a scenic drive from Apia along Samoa’s eastern coast before arriving at a boat transfer point. A short 20-minute open-boat ride carries you across to Namuʻa Island, a tiny uninhabited volcanic islet in the Aleipata group known for its powder-white sand, blue waters and colorful coral reef exploding with marine life. Turtles are frequently spotted on the crossing and during snorkelling. On arrival, you’ll have exclusive access to the island’s tranquil beaches and fales (traditional open-air beach huts). Take this time to swim or explore the shoreline while enjoying near-total solitude in this minimally developed natural setting.

In the afternoon the pace continues under your own rhythm: snorkelling can be easily arranged (gear available to rent) or simply enjoy lounging beneath swaying palms as the reef lies just meters offshore. The island’s trail system invites a gentle walk around its perimeter or a climb to the lookout point for sweeping views of Upolu and the surrounding ocean. Observe verdant forest and volcanic outcrops that form the wild ridge of the islet. In the late afternoon, you’ll gather near the boat landing to collect any equipment and prepare to depart and return to your accommodation in Apia. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks, water, reef-safe sunscreen, and sturdy footwear if they wish to explore the island’s trails.

Manano Island Day Tour

Your Manono Island experience begins with a morning transfer to Manono uta village on the western coast of Upolu, followed by a short boat ride across the calm lagoon to Manono Island. The island is completely free of cars and offers one of the most peaceful environments in Samoa, with four quiet villages connected by a single coastal footpath. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by local hosts before beginning a relaxed walk along the shoreline. Along the way you will see traditional homes, coastal vegetation and sites of interest such as the historic Grave of the Ninety Nine Stones and the ancient star mound located near the summit of Mount Tulimanuiva. Manono’s slower rhythm gives visitors a chance to see village life as it has been lived for generations.

After the walk, there will be time to swim, relax in the shade or enjoy the views of Upolu from Salua Village. Lunch is served by a local family, featuring dishes such as fresh fish, taro, breadfruit and palusami prepared in traditional style. After lunch, you may continue exploring or simply enjoy the atmosphere before returning by boat in the afternoon. Manono is a place where time seems to slow down and the gentle hospitality of village Samoa leaves a lasting impression.

Apolima Island Day Tour

The Apolima Island tour takes you to Samoa’s smallest inhabited island, located between Upolu and Savai’i and reachable only by a small boat from Apolima uta or Manono. The island is formed from a volcanic crater and is home to a single village with a population of around 100 residents. Once you arrive, you will step into a world that remains largely untouched by tourism, with narrow footpaths, traditional homes and dramatic cliff faces rising above the village. Your guide will lead you through the settlement and then up to several lookout points that offer sweeping views of the Apolima Strait and the surrounding ocean.

Visitors often describe Apolima as one of the most authentic cultural experiences in Samoa because of its isolation and the warm welcome from the local families. Depending on the length of your visit, you may share a simple village lunch featuring fresh local produce. Afterward, there is time to relax near the shoreline, visit the meeting house or take photographs of the island’s rugged natural beauty. The return trip across the strait in the afternoon offers a last look at this remote and very special island that few travelers ever reach.

Waterfall Chasing Tours in Samoa

There are many waterfalls in Samoa, each one incredibly stunning, such as Fuipisia Falls, Togitogiga Waterfall, and Sopoaga Waterfall. YPT can arrange waterfall chasing tours to visit these magnificent waterfalls.

Samoan Culture Tours

Samoa is a traditional Polynesian society, and Samoans are deeply proud of their strong cultural heritage known as Fa’a Samoa, meaning “the Samoan Way.” It guides people’s behaviour and defines their obligations. There are 362 villages (nu’u) in Samoa and around 1,800 chiefs (matai). Each village has churches from different denominations, while the meeting houses and open-style fale (traditional homes) are arranged around the central village green, known as the malae.

YPT can arrange Samoan cultural village tours that allow you to immerse yourself in Fa’a Samoa and experience traditional Samoan life firsthand.

Lava Landscape Samoa Tours

Samoa is also famous for its volcanic landscapes. YPT can organize tours to visit Samoa’s lava tube caves and lava fields, allowing you to experience the island’s unique lava-shaped scenery up close.

Samoa Diving Tours

Samoa is an amazing destination for snorkelling and diving, where you can discover a wide variety of marine life, coral reef ecosystems, green sea turtles, giant clams, and more. YPT can organise PADI dives, scuba dives, snorkel dives, and other Samoa tours for an unforgettable underwater experience.

Film Tours to Samoa

With its scenic beaches and growing environmental importance, Samoa is a great location for film makers and journalists to visit. Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can plan for productions, journalists, or others to film within Samoa from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Samoa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel To Samoa

All nationalities traveling to Samoa are not required to obtain an entry permit/visa for stays from 30 to 90 days. Visitors must pay a WST$65 (roughly $25 USD) exit tax upon departure. It may be paid by cash or card.
The best time to visit Samoa is May - October when the weather is dry, sunny, and comfortable. November - April is the wet season, bringing higher humidity, frequent rain, and an increased chance of cyclones.
Samoa is a safe place to travel to. However, you should always be cautious about pickpockets who may target tourists in busy areas.
Samoa uses the Samoan Tala (WST). You can monitor the exchange rate here. Generally, one Samoan Tala is worth around 34-36 US cents.
You should make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date before traveling to Samoa. According to the CDC, this includes things like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, flu, and tetanus. In Samoa, mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and Zika are a risk, you can pack mosquito repellent before departure. It’s also wise to talk to your doctor about getting Hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines, since they are recommended for travelers. Additionally, drinking only bottled or filtered water can reduce the risk of waterborne illness.
Samoans are known for their immense hospitality and kindness. It is considered polite to greet even strangers on the street if you are comfortable. There is a concept known as ‘Pacific time’ which means that sometimes service times can be a little longer than usual due to the relaxed culture. Please be respectful and understanding.
You can buy a sim card a Samoa SIM card is at Faleolo Airport in Apia upon arrival. There are two main internet providers in Samoa: Digicel and Vodafone. You can also purchase an e-SIM using an app such as Airalo.
YPT not only knows some very cool places but also how to save money and make the most of a trip. Samoa is the definition of off the beaten track and we can take you beyond the touristy places for a unique Island experience.

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