5 Best Day Tours of Apia 🍍 [2024]

1. Apia Highlights Tour – Tour Samoa

Designed for cruise ship passengers visiting Apia, the “Apia Highlights Tour” with Tour Samoa is also a great option for travellers with limited time to explore the capital. After picking you up from your cruise ship or Apia hotel, you’ll be transported along the Mulinuu Peninsula awash in historical monuments and Samoa Parliament fale. Visit the bustling Fugalei Market for its tropical food, crafts and cultural ambience before stepping inside the magnificent Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Just outside of Apia, you’ll tour the fascinating Robert Louis Stevenson Museum before crossing the island for lunch and a show at Maninoa Beach.

Note that this specific tour only operates on Saturdays if the quota of a minimum of 15 people is met. If this doesn’t suit, try the alternative Half-Day Island Tour or Full-Day Tour of Apia and Upolu, as listed in the 10 Best Day Tours of Upolu.

© Tour Samoa

2. Apia Township and Surrounding Areas – Samoa Scenic

One of the most comprehensive tours of Apia, the “Apia Township and Surrounding Areas” tour with Samoa Scenic is a half-day experience with morning and afternoon departures.

The tour begins with a drive up the Mulinuu Peninsula to see its historical monuments and iconic architecture of the Samoa Parliament. After learning a little about Samoan history, marvel at more architectural wonders inside the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Shop for local crafts and produce at the Fugalei Market, and then your last stop is the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum for a tour of a colonial villa and manicured gardens.

Tour inclusions are hotel transfers (extra cost for accommodations outside of Apia) and all attraction entry fees. Samoa Scenic also offers tours across Upolu and Savai’i, where you can learn about the latter in the 10 Best Day Tours of Savai’i.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Cross Island Road and Apia Tour – Saletoga Sands Resort

Several of Upolu’s resorts offer their own in-house tours of Apia, making it impossibly easy to explore the capital. For example, Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa offers a different tour for each day of the week, such as the Tuesday full-day tour taking in the sights of the Cross Island Road on the way to Apia. Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, stop by the Tiapapata Art Centre and visit various magnificent churches from the Baha’i Temple to Apia’s Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The tour also allows you time to explore the famous Fugalei Market – a cultural must-do!

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

4. Apia Experience Full Day Tour – Return to Paradise Resort

Another resort making a trip to Apia easy despite its remote location on the southern coast of Upolu, Return to Paradise Resort offers a trip of not just Apia’s highlights but some fun sights on the drive.

On your way over the Cross Island Road, stop by Samoa’s highest waterfall Papapapaitai Falls, the Baha’i Temple and the iconic Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. In Apia itself, mingle with the locals at the Fugalei Market and wander around the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Finally, throw on your swimwear for the unique natural waterslides of the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks!

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Apia Township Tour – Ulalei Lodge

Just because you’re staying in Apia doesn’t mean you have to figure it all out on your own. Ulalei Lodge, located along the beach and seawall of Apia’s Vaiala suburb, is only moments away from the town centre but can provide a wealth of insights on their “Apia Township Tour”. Discover several of Apia’s iconic markets, visit the glorious Immaculate Conception Cathedral and get insider knowledge of Apia’s best sights and eateries.

© Samoa Tourism Authority