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10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]
10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2024]

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Boating, Sailing and Tours to Get Out on the Water in Samoa

Don’t let Samoa‘s waterfalls, beaches and vibrant culture steal all of the limelight. There’s a whole ocean to explore just off its doorstep! With water temperatures at a soothing 29°C (84.2°F) throughout the year, combined with off-shore islets to explore, stunning snorkelling spots and exciting fishing grounds, there are plenty of reasons to get on the water in Samoa. We go through some of the best on-the-water adventures in this list of boat tours in Samoa, also including your options for sailing.

1. Manoa Tours – Nu’usafe’e Island and Aganoa Beach Boat Tours

Specialising in snorkelling, surfing and scenic boat tours along Upolu’s south coast, Manoa Tours is a good go-to to get out on the water in Samoa. Get off the beaten path and discover hard-to-reach natural wonders, like the uninhabited islet of Nu’usafe’e and the breathtaking bay of Aganoa Beach nestled in the O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park. Operating out of Coconut’s Beach Club Resort, but easily accessible from Sinalei Reef, Ocean Club, Sina PJ Beach Fales and other accommodations on the central south coast, the boat operator makes exploring Upolu’s stunning southern coast as easy as the sea breeze.

Location: Maninoa, central south coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

2. Rainforest Runaway Ecotours – Nu’usafe’e Island and Aganoa Beach Boat Tours

Laidback, authentic and extremely knowledgeable, Rainforest Runaway Ecotours offers an excellent alternative boat tour to explore the southern coast of Upolu. Join Manu for a day of doing your style of adventure, whether it’s snorkelling among pockets of pristine coral in the harder-to-reach sections of the lagoon or day-tripping to Nu’usafe’e Island or the black sand Aganoa Beach. You’re also in safe hands, as your tour guide is trained in senior first aid, while the rest of his knowledge when it comes to the local culture, flora and fauna helps you get much more out of the sights you’re visiting. For more nature-focused tours, take a look at the 10 Best Eco Tours in Samoa.

Location: Maninoa, central south coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Le Vasa Resort – Sunset Cruise

Get out onto the water for unobstructed views of the day’s final light and the mesmerising colours that come with it on a sunset cruise. Le Vasa Resort, based on the sunset-enhancing west coast of Upolu, launches private sunset cruises from their jetty, allowing you to bask in the amazing sunset while cruising around Manono Island. What’s more, a couple of beverages per person are also included in the 1h30min tour. Speaking of sunsets, don’t miss the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Samoa.

Location: Apolima-uta village, Main West Coast Road, west coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

4. Troppo Fishing Adventures Samoa – Apia Fishing Charter

Another surefire way to get out on the water in Samoa is to hop on a fishing charter. Your go-to for fishing out of Apia, Troppo Fishing Adventures Samoa provides a wealth of ways to reel in the big ones. There are your standard half-day and full-day fishing charters taking you to where all of your favourite pelagic species are, starting from only a 10-minute boat ride from the Apia Marina. They can also arrange multi-day fish and stay packages with their partner resort, Taumeasina Island Resort, or even liveaboard fishing adventures. For more fishing tours like this, also take a look at the 7 Best Fishing Charters in Samoa.

Location: Apia Marina, Beach Road, Apia.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Dive Savai’i – Manase Lagoon Snorkelling Tour

A popular snorkelling spot on Savai’i for its frequent opportunities to swim with turtles, the lagoon in front of Manase has much more to explore than what’s directly in front of the beach. Go where very few travellers and snorkelers get to explore with the boat transport and expertise of Dive Savai’i. All of the snorkelling gear is provided for trips to the edge of the lagoon, where the team will ensure your safety while you stop off at three different snorkelling sites, providing fantastic value for these half-day tours. For more information on Samoa’s top snorkelling spots, take a look at The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel. Plus, learn more about diving with the crew in The Best Dive Shops & Operators in Samoa.

Location: Fagamalo village opposite Le Lagoto Resort, Main North Coast Road, northeast coast of Savai’i.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

6. Vaiula Snorkel Tours – Tafatafa Lagoon and Nu’usafe’e Island

Another opportunity to explore the south coast snorkelling sensations of south Upolu awaits on boat tours with Vaiula Snorkel Tours. Based at Vaiula Beach Fales at Tafatafa Beach, these very affordable boat tours can take you to a range of sites within a deepwater lagoon, as well as outside of the reef. A highlight is exploring Nu’usafe’e Island with its incredible coral passages. Rental gear is also available if needed. After you’re done, the beach fales also has a cafe and bar should you need to refuel.

Location: Tours depart from Tafatafa Beach. Note that Tafatafa Beach is not at Tafatafa village. The turnoff to the beach is signposted along Main South Coast Road at the Latter-Day Saints Church in Malaemalu on the south coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© Samoa Tourism Authority

7. Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge – Asau Bay Snorkelling and Fishing Charters

Whether you wish to snorkel around the uninhabited islet on the horizon of Asau Bay or want to explore one of Savai’i‘s best fishing grounds, Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge can make your boating dreams come true. The lodge has two fishing boats to make the most of the converging north and south currents off the nearby cape, ideal for catching that elusive marlin or simply enjoying being out on the water. Alternatively, ask for transport to the best snorkelling spots in the bay; snorkelling gear can be hired from reception.

Location: Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge, between the villages of Auala and Asau, Main North Coast Road, northwest coast of Savai’i.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

8. Namu’a Island Beach Fales – Namu’a Island Day Trip

Admittedly, you’re not on the boat for long on a day trip to Namu’a Island but it’s usually a pretty action-packed 10 minutes with the crew stopping to spot turtles. Boats run daily (except Sundays) from Mutiatele village, taking you to a stunning island with walks, amazing snorkelling and beach fales for Samoan-style relaxation. There are toilets on the island, but no other facilities, so make sure to bring any lunch or snacks along with you. For more information, check out The Travel Guide to Aleipata Islands.

Location: Take the ferry from Mutiatele (check in at the shop opposite the wharf), Main South Coast Road on the east coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

9. Hobie Cat Sailing Boat Rentals

Finally, what about sailing in Samoa? At the time of writing, the only opportunity to get out on the water with the tranquillity and excitement of sailing is by hiring a Hobie Cat, a small recreational sailing catamaran. Both Pure Ocean at the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort and Taumeasina Island Resort hire high-quality Hobie Cats to explore the lagoons on their doorsteps. Le Vasa Resort also has a Hobie Cat that, admittedly, looks like it has been put through its paces but should still be functional. Either way, don’t miss this alternative and unique way to get out on the water in Samoa.

Location: Pure Ocean – Sheraton Access Road, Faleolo/Mulifanua, northwest coast of Upolu. Taumeasina – Taumeasina Road, Taumeasina, Apia. Le Vasa Resort – Apolima-uta, Main West Coast Road, west coast of Upolu.

10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa ⛵ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

10. [CLOSED] Pure Ocean – Manono Snorkelling Tour

If snorkelling is the aim of the game, then don’t hesitate to hit up Pure Ocean for their amazing snorkelling trips around Manono Island. Their longest tour, the “Manono Snorkelling Tour” actually involves stepping foot on Nu’ulopa Island, in between snorkelling over two of the most mesmerising reefs surrounding Manono Island. You’ll be given the time to explore the islet of Nu’ulopa and its bat colony, while high-quality snorkelling gear is also included in this experience of approximately 3h30mins. For more snorkelling adventures, take a look at the 7 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa.

Location: Sheraton Access Road, Faleolo, northwest coast of Upolu.

More About Boat and Sailing Tours in Samoa

That’s it for our list of the best boat tours in Samoa and opportunities for sailing in Samoa. For more on getting out on the great blue, take a look a the following guides:

Finally, for the rest of your Samoa bucket list, take a look at the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Samoa. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Upolu and Savai’i’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page

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