10 BEST Places to See Turtles in Samoa

1. Maninoa and Siumu (Upolu)

On the south coast of Upolu, lined by some of Samoa’s most popular resorts, the neighbouring beaches of Siumu and Maninoa offer a chance to see turtles while snorkelling, particularly at high tide.

This is also the launch point of Samoa’s only dedicated and most ethical turtle-watching tour, Manoa Tours, which takes nature lovers further out in the lagoon to deeper waters where turtles frequent the most.

With their low-freeboard boat sitting ideally close to the water, it’s the best option for seeing turtles in their natural habitat without disturbing them. What’s more, the 1-hour turtle tour is family-friendly.

For those keen to get in the water, “Turtle + Snorkel” tour combos are also available, where you’ll be taken to the most magical snorkelling spots to suit the conditions.

Book the Turtle Watching & Snorkelling Boat Tour on Manoa Tours’ site. Plus, learn more about these tours in the 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa and beaches in the 10 Best Beaches in Samoa.

Location: Resort/beach fale entrances are signposted off Main South Coast Road between Mulivai and Si’umu villages on the central north coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

2. Lotofaga (Upolu)

For an unforgettable adventure on the water, look no further than Outdoor Samoa‘s “Turtle Kayak Day” tour. This fully guided kayak trip offers a unique opportunity to see giant turtles in their natural open-sea environment.

Your journey begins at the village base in Lotofaga, where you’ll get a quick practice session in the pond before paddling down a mangrove-lined stream. As you explore the complex root systems, keep an eye out for the many varieties of orchids in this diverse ecosystem.

Once you reach the lagoon, you’ll paddle out to the edge of a postcard-perfect beach-lined peninsula where you’ll have the opportunity to land on the beach, relax, swim and enjoy some local snacks.

After more paddling and, hopefully, turtle sightings, the day concludes with a quick swim in the spring-fed pool at the base, followed by a late lunch on the balcony of the open fale, where you can enjoy views of daily village life.

This fully guided trip requires no kayak or snorkelling experience, but participants should be confident in the water. Lifejackets (PFDs) are supplied and must be worn.

Book your adventure on the Outdoor Samoa site. Otherwise, for more about kayaking in Samoa, take a look at the 10 Best Kayak Tours & Places to Kayak in Samoa.

Location: Tours typically depart from Lotofaga, southeast coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Namu’a (Upolu)

Take the 5-10-minute boat from Mutiatele on Upolu across the lagoon to Namu’a Island and you’ll no doubt see several turtles from the boat! Once you arrive on the island, you have more opportunities to see turtles underwater as you snorkel off the beach.

Namu’a is a small uninhabited island with a few beach fales run by Namu’a Island Beach Fales available for day and overnight trips. You can either visit independently or join fantastic guided tours with Samoa Holidays & Events, whose all-inclusive tour includes transfers to the island, a yummy packed lunch, as well as stops at Lalomanu Beach and Togitogiga Waterfall. Book your Namu’a Island experience with Samoa Holidays & Events over on their site!

Find out more about the island in our guide to the Aleipata Islands: Namu’a, Nu’utele, Fanuatapa & Nu’uala.

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

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

4. Manase (Savai’i)

One of the most popular stretches of lagoon and beach on the lesser-visited island of Savai’i, Manase is also one of the best places to see turtles in Samoa.

Turtles may well accompany any casual snorkel from shore. Meanwhile, beach fales like Tailua Beach Fales feed turtles with papaya so guests can take a look (but thoughtfully do not encourage guests to go swimming with the turtles while they are feeding).

If you want to go swimming with turtles in the Manase Lagoon, however, your best bet is to jump on a snorkelling tour with Dive Savai’i where it’s not unusual to see around 10 turtles per trip. Learn more about snorkelling tours in the 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa.

Location: Manase, northeast coast of Savai’i.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Lano (Savai’i)

Crisp white sands lining a vast stretch of turquoise lagoon, Lano is not only a stunning beach to visit on Savai’i but it also presents another opportunity to swim with turtles in Samoa.

Either visit for the day using one of the day fales or join the friendly hosts of Lauiula to stay in their ultra-spacious traditional-style beach fales overnight.

With the reef quite far from shore, there’s safe swimming near the beach. For more excellent snorkelling beaches in Samoa, check out The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

Location: Lano village, along the main road on the east coast of Savai’i.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

6. Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary (Upolu)

Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary might be famous for snorkelling with giant clams, but we have personally also shared this experience with turtles!

Pay your entry fees, go down the steps and slip on your mask, snorkel and fins for an awesome underwater world to explore.

You’ll be amazed at how gargantuan these shelled specimens can get as you swim beyond the roped white buoys – best admired at high tide, might we add. First, you’ll need to swim over a section of sand before reaching the white buoys that cordon off the marine reserve area. Once you reach these feisty molluscs, needless to say, you shouldn’t touch them…

You can visit the giant clam sanctuary independently or with Samoa Surf & Turf Tours, which includes high-quality snorkelling gear.

Location: Savaia village along Main South Coast Road (near Le Valasi’s Beach Fales) on the southwest coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

7. Nu’ulopa (Upolu)

Isolated at the far end of Upolu‘s western lagoon, located between the islands of Upolu and Savai’i, Nu’ulopa is an island whose surrounding waters are a turtle sanctuary.

Day trips to the island are available to take you out for a private island picnic and for amazing snorkelling directly off the beach, where you’re likely to see a turtle or two or three…

Find out more about visiting the island in The Travel Guide to Nu’ulopa.

Location: Off the west coast of Upolu within the Apolima Strait. Find out about your options to get there in the link above.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

8. Palolo Deep (Upolu)

Easily one of the best and most accessible snorkelling spots in Samoa, the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve provides another opportunity to snorkel with turtles.

While the main snorkelling spot with its deep trench of staghorn coral is indicated by the white buoy, around the tiny islet seen from the shore is where turtles are often spotted.

Note that snorkelling is best done here at high tide. Snorkelling gear is available to hire at the Palolo Deep visitor centre. Alternatively, Samoa Surf & Turf Tours includes snorkelling gear when visiting on their “Snorkel Tour“.

Location: Between the Marina and Vaiala Beach along Beach Road, Apia.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

9. Nu’usafe’e (Upolu)

Another uninhabited island that gets its fair share of turtle visitors in its surrounding lagoon, Nu’usafe’e is accessible by boat from Maninoa and Tafatafa beaches along Upolu‘s central south coast.

Snorkelling is best along the passages beside this sandy islet but much more on the subject can be found in The Travel Guide to Nu’usafe’e.

Location: Off the central south coast of Upolu. Find out about your options to get there in the link above.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

10. Manono (Upolu)

The snorkelling off Manono is outstanding and provides plenty of chances to see turtles even if some of the coral they inhabit is still recovering from the 2009 tsunami.

Either enjoy snorkelling from the wharf in front of Sunset View Fales, where you might be lucky to see turtles, or, better yet, enjoy a snorkelling boat trip that is included in your stay. You’ll head out to Manono’s surrounding majestic reefs where your chances of seeing turtles are extremely high.

There are also plenty of boat and kayaking tours taking you out to these reefs where turtles reside, which you can find out more about in The Travel Guide to Manono.

Location: Manono Island. Boats depart from Manono-uta village, along the Main West Coast Road on the west coast of Upolu.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Wetland Turtles: Should You Swim with Turtles at the “Turtle Sanctuary” on Savai’i?

As we get to the end of our list of the best places to see turtles in Samoa, you might be wondering about the “Turtle Sanctuary” located in the village of Satoalepai on Savai’i, currently operating as “Wetland Turtles“.

Here, half a dozen turtles of all sizes and ages are kept in a small pool sectioned off from the wetlands in which staff will chop papaya to feed the turtles – notably not the nutritionally diverse diet the average sea turtle would receive in the wild. In the waters, with a layer of sunscreen already glistening on top, visitors can swim with these wild animals in the pool.

Despite the “Sanctuary” name that some tour operators are referring to this attraction, there is no conservation initiative behind this operation; we know because we asked. It’s pretty clear by the algae covering the bodies and shells of these creatures that some of the turtles have been here for quite some time.

In short, if you are looking to share an experience with these amazing animals, we recommend watching turtles in the wild in Samoa and avoiding the fallacy that is this “sanctuary”.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com