The Top Nature Tours in Samoa
Immerse in the natural environment of a South Pacific paradise, whether it’s in the verdant jungles or turquoise lagoons, with the nature and wildlife tours of Samoa. From swimming with majestic turtles to trekking through the rainforest to the melodies of tropical birds, the nature tours of Samoa are vast and varied. This list of the best nature and wildlife tours in Samoa will give you just a taste of what’s available, but be sure to follow the links for even more natural wonders.
1. Laauoleola Cave and Nature Walk
Rainforest, caves and unique wildlife: Laauoleola Cave has it all for the nature-lover! Follow your local guide along a well-maintained 15-minute forest trail through mahogany, ifilele, teak, kava, eucalyptus and banyan trees. As you begin to approach the entrance of Laauoleola Cave, also known as A’opo Cave, you’ll hear the unusual clicking of swiftlets flying past your head. 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 on Savai’i is fully (and casually) guided. The guide has a torch but you might want to also bring your own. Laauoleola is not the only cave, so get more of your subterranean fix in the 10 Best Caves in Samoa.
Location: A’opo village, signposted off the Main North Coast Road, central north coast of Savai’i.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com2. Manoa Tours’ Turtle Swimming and Snorkelling Tours
Upolu‘s only dedicated turtle-swimming tour, Manoa Tours not only takes snorkelers to the most mesmerising snorkelling spots that can only be reached by boat but to turtle territory where you can enjoy encountering these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. The tour launches from Maninoa nearby many of Upolu’s central south coast resorts. Learn more about these tours in the 7 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa, as well as where else to see (and not see) turtles in the 10 Best Places to See Turtles in Samoa.
Location: Maninoa on the central south coast of Upolu. Tours usually depart from Coconuts Beach Club Resort, signposted off the Main South Coast Road.
© Samoa Tourism Authority3. Dive Savai’i Turtle Snorkelling Tour
Go where very few 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 Manase Lagoon, which is a known hotspot for turtles. 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 Savai’i’s top snorkelling spots, take a look at The Best Snorkelling in Savai’i. Plus, learn more about diving with the crew – another nature and wildlife tour in Samoa, might we add – in The Best Dive Shops & Operators in Samoa.
Location: Fagamalo village opposite Le Lagoto Resort, Main North Coast Road, northeast coast of Savai’i.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com4. Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary
Either visit Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary independently bringing your own snorkelling gear and cash for the entry fee or join tours such as Outdoor Samoa or Return to Paradise Resort to enjoy a more guided experience with snorkelling gear and fees included. Either way, you’ll be amazed at how gargantuan these molluscs can get as you explore the waters beyond the buoys – best admired at high tide. For more amazing snorkelling spots, also take a look at The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.
Location: Savaia village along Main South Coast Road (nearby Le Valasi’s Beach Fales) on the southwest coast of Upolu.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com5. Lalotalie ECAT Ventures’ Falease’ela River “Walk”
Combining nature and adventure, Lalotalie ECAT Ventures’ (ECAT standing for Eco Cultural Adventure Tourism) signature experience is the Falease’ela River Walk. Less of a “walk” than it is a canyoning expedition along the gorge with never-ending cascades of waterfalls, the 3-4-hour experience is an epic excursion for the adventurous!
The team 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.
Alternatively, ask about their full-day coastal tour hike to untouched beaches or paopao (canoe) ride through the oldest mangrove forest in Samoa. For more adventures like this, take a look at the 10 Best Adventure Tours in Samoa.
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.com6. Samoa SUP Tours’ Mangrove SUP Tour
Enjoy a low-impact watersport as a way to immerse in nature with Samoa SUP Tours. Enjoy a peaceful paddle through one of the world’s most important ecosystems, mangrove forests, on a winding gentle river. The team ensures a rotation in mangrove locations in order to keep the impact on these fragile ecosystems to a minimum. For more eco-conscious tours, take a look at the 10 Best Eco Tours in Samoa. Additionally, check out alternative SUP tours in SUP in Samoa: 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations.
Location: Tours depart from Apia with Apia pick-ups included.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com7. Uafato Village’s Guided Walk to the Uafato Bird Hide
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. A fantastic nature and wildlife tour of the area is from the remote village of Uafato 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. You never know, you could spot the endangered and elusive national bird, the manumea (tooth-billed pigeon); the last living descendent of the dodo. Learn more about bird watching in the 5 Best Places for Bird Watching in Samoa.
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.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com8. Seki SUP’s Lake Lanoto’o Hike and SUP
Experience one of Samoa’s most fascinating hikes, 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 guided hiking experiences, take a look at the 10 Best Guided Walks in Samoa.
Location: Tours depart from Apia, Upolu.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com9. Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
More of a natural attraction than a nature and wildlife tour, the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is one of the easiest snorkelling spots to access yet the most breathtaking. Hire snorkelling gear from the kiosk and swim out to the white buoy to see an underwater trench brimming with thriving staghorn coral, hundreds of tropical fish species, starfish, octopus and, if you’re lucky, perhaps even some turtles. All of this is just 100 m (328 ft) from the shores of Apia. Note, however, that the water is way too shallow for enjoyable snorkelling outside of high tide, so time your visit accordingly.
Location: Between the Marina and Vaiala Beach along Beach Road, Apia.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com10. Tafua Crater Guided Walk
Immerse in enchanting rainforest scenery and look out for rare wildlife on a guided experience of the Tafua Rainforest Preserve. On a 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 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.
Location: Tafua-tai village, Savai’i. From Maoto village on the main road, take the road to the coast which is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) to Tafua village. Guides are best hired via the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comMore About Nature and Wildlife Tours in Samoa
That’s it for our list of the best nature and wildlife tours in Samoa, but if you can’t get enough of Mother Nature, take a look at more ways to meet her with the help of these guides:
Finally, see all of the experiences that Samoa has to offer in 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:
- Samoa Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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