11 Best Guided Walks in Samoa 👟🌴 [2024]

1. Samoan Island Adventures

Discover the magnificent crater lake of Lake Lanoto’o on a moderate hike guided by Samoan Island Adventures. The “Volcanic Crater Lake Hike & Swim” is a half-day excursion including pick-ups from Apia accommodation or just meet them at the Apia Marina. Either way, you’ll be transported into the highlands of Upolu where you’ll begin the ascent through lush jungles. Your destination is a picturesque pea-green lake where you’re free to go for a swim and relax with a sandwich lunch included in your tour.

Alternative guided walks with Samoan Island Adventures include the “National Park Lava Cliffs and Black Sand Beach” tour of the Coastal Walk. Alternatively, more of their tours can be found in the 10 Best Day Tours of Samoa.

Location: Tours depart from Apia, Upolu.

© Samoan Highland Adventures

2. Uafato Bird Hide Trail

One of the oldest geological areas in Samoa, the Uafato Conservation Area encompasses 2,500 ha (6,178 acres) of native forest containing some 380 species of plants and 19 species of birds, including Samoan’s national bird, the manumea. The best way to experience the area is to take the 4WD road to Uafato village where guides of the Uafato Bird Hide Trail can take you on a 25-minute one-way walk through the forest to a specially constructed bird hide elevated on a high ridge in the forest.

Location: Uafato village, approximately 13 km (8 mi) off Richardson Road on the east coast of Upolu. Note that the road is unsealed and a 4WD or a high-clearance vehicle is the most suitable for access. There is an information panel about the trail in the village with contact details for the hike (760 5200). Otherwise, ask at a fale near the sign to make arrangements.

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3. Manoa Tours

For those staying on the southern coast of Upolu, at resorts such as Coconuts Beach Club, Sinalei Reef and Ocean Club, make your exploration of Samoa’s landscapes easy yet more interesting on a guided walk with Manoa Tours. The three trails Manoa Tours offers guided experiences of include Lake Lanoto’o, the O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park Coastal Walk and the Tomb Trail on Mt Vaea. Learn more about these trails in the 15 Best Walks & Hikes in Samoa.

Location: Tours depart from the central south coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

4. Rainforest Runaway Ecotours

Laidback, authentic and extremely knowledgeable, Rainforest Runaway Ecotours offers excellent hiking tours on Upolu. Join Manu for a day of doing your style of adventure, whether it’s hiking to volcanic crater lakes or to some of the island’s lesser-visited waterfalls and caves. 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: Tours depart from the central south coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Lalotalie ECAT Ventures

Less of a “walk” than it is a canyoning expedition along the gorge with never-ending cascades of waterfalls, the Falease’ela River Walk is an epic excursion for the adventurous! Access this piece of river paradise with Olsen and the local boys from Lalotalie ECAT Ventures who will gladly take you through the gorge with each waterfall getting more grandiose (and higher) than the next! If you’re feeling brave, the boys can show you the best jumping spots – even as high as 20 m/66 ft (they’ll certainly be doing it) – but you’re in no way pressured to do the crazy if you prefer to swim and take in the rainforest scenery that is preserved as a conservation area. Oh, but you will get wet – soaked, in fact, so closed shoes that you don’t mind submerging in water, as well as a T-shirt and shorts that will get the same treatment, are recommended.

Location: Falease’ela village in Lefaga Bay on the southwest coast of Upolu. Lalotalie ECAT Ventures’ base is beside the ford on Main South Coast Road.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

6. Seki SUP

Lake Lanoto’o with a difference, Seki SUP not only provides guided walks to this magnificent crater lake in the Upolu highlands but stand-up paddleboards to explore more of this lush paradise. Along with your guide, you’ll be equipped with a backpack packed with an inflatable SUP board, paddle and pump, as well as adequate water, while Apia pick-up is also included. For more SUP experiences, take a look at the 10 Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding.

Location: Tours depart from Apia, Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

7. Mt Silisili

Samoa’s highest mountain and a multi-day adventure, Mt Silisili provides an awesome adventure on Savai’i. As long as you have your own tent, food, jacket as it gets cooler as you go up in altitude, and any other gear you usually hike with, A’opo village can supply the guide. The trail encompasses plantations, the lush A’opo Conservation Area rainforest, and an impressive crater ridge with orange and white moss clinging to fragile lava rocks. Check out the 6 Best Walks & Hikes on Savai’i for the full track details.

Location: A’opo village on the north coast of Savai’i. Organise guides through the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association.

© Samoa Tourism Authority

8. Mt Matavanu

For those looking for an interesting but less gruelling volcano to climb on Savai’i, try Mt Matavanu. Mt Matavanu can be found on the north coast and was the volcano responsible for the 1905-1911 eruptions that sent lava flowing 13 km (8 mi) along the coast. Organise a hike with a guide from the village of Safotu (or you’ll just pay your entry fee and be shown the easy road/trail to follow). Either way, the track provides the opportunity to spot flying foxes and take in magnificent views of Savai’i’s western villages.

Location: Approximately 10 km (6 mi) inland from Safotu village on the road that passes through Paia. Guides can be hired for hiking via the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

9. Tafua Crater

On this 1-hour walk to the Tafua Crater on Savai’i, your guide will endeavour to point out Samoa’s fascinating and rare wildlife, such as the manumea (tooth-billed pigeon) and flying foxes. The top of the crater provides awesome views of the surrounding coastline and villages. Bring acceptable walking shoes and binoculars if you have them. Check out more birding hotspots in the 5 Best Places for Bird Watching in Samoa.

Location: Tafua-tai village, Savai’i. From Maoto village on the main road, take the road to the coast which is approximately 6km (3.7 mi) to Tafua village. Guides are best hired via the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

10. Laauoleola Cave and Nature Walk

The 15-minute one-way forest trail through mahogany, ifilele, teak, kava, eucalyptus and banyan trees is just the beginning… As you begin to approach the entrance of Laauoleola Cave, you’ll hear the unusual clicking of swiftlets as they move in and out of Savai’i‘s caves. Then, it’s up to you to decide how far you walk through the large lava tube that is said to span 5 km (3.1 mi) under the surface! It’s a short flat walk (with a few muddy patches) through the cave to the first descent, which the guides can organise a ladder should you want to continue – let them know you would like to do this before you begin the tour. The walk is fully (and casually) guided. The guide has a torch but you might want to also bring your own. Discover more awesome caves across the islands in the 10 Best Caves in Samoa.

Location: A’opo village, signposted off the main road on the northern coast of Savai’i.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

11. Le Vasa Resort

With the perfect position in Manono-uta village to access the islands of the Apolima Strait, Le Vasa Resort is a worthy option for a day trip to Manono and its 1h30min walking trail around the island. The resort offers two tour options: with or without snorkelling. Without snorkelling, the tour lasts 2h30mins to 3 hours including a guided walk around the island and a picnic lunch. Alternatively, enjoy the tour described plus a snorkelling trip to make the experience last a total of 3h30mins. Learn more about the walk around Manono in the 10 Best Walks & Hikes on Upolu.

Location: Le Vasa Resort, Apolima-uta village on the west coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com