10 Best Shore Excursions in Samoa 🛳️ [2025]

1. Apia Town Tour – Coconut Tours

See it all on an unforgettable port-of-call tour with Coconut Tours. Although this locally owned and operated tour company has comprehensive tours across the main island, Upolu, and even each side of Samoa’s largest island, Savai’i, the “Apia Town Tour” is the perfect option for cruise ship passengers.

Venture on a full-day exploration of the capital’s reputable museums, cultural sites and stunning natural wonders with irresistible inclusions.

This flexible tour allows you to not only visit but fully experience four of your bucket list items from a huge offering: the National Museum of Samoa, Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, Leulumoega Fine Art Museum, Market, Mulivai Cathedral, Samoa Culture Village, Manumea Art Studio, Papaseea Sliding Rock, Taula Factory, Faleata Golf Course (equipment provided), Faleata Mangroves, cooking traditional food at the Aleisa Plantation, a social paddle at Nafanua Outrigger Canoe Club (Tuesdays only) or hike the Robert Louis Tomb Trail.

Inclusions with Coconut Tours are snacks, bottled water/coconuts, wharf pick-up, towels (if swimming) and entry fees.

Coconut Tours also offers a full-day “Samoa Bird Watching Tour“, where you can spot native birds in lush rainforests, volcanic coastlines, and conservation areas on Upolu and Savai‘i.

Check out Coconut Tours‘ full offering on their site.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

2. Full-Day Private Excursion of Upolu – Autobots

Autobots have “transformed” the Samoan tour experience with their range of premium private excursions on both Upolu and Savai’i. Known for their exceptional airport services, they’ve now expanded to offer luxurious and personalised island adventures.

What sets Autobots apart? You’ll travel in style with both a dedicated driver and guide, ensuring your safety, comfort and an immersive experience. Their family-friendly approach includes baby seats and booster seats available upon request.

Choose from their “Full-Day Private Excursion of Upolu” (8 hours) that covers iconic landmarks, breathtaking waterfalls and cultural highlights. If you’re short on shore time, their “Half-Day Private Excursion of Upolu” (4 hours) offer a flexible alternative.

Whether you’re travelling solo, with family or in a larger group, Autobots’ diverse fleet (from comfy SUVs to 26-seater buses) ensures they have the perfect ride for your Samoan escapade.

For more details and to book your premium Samoan adventure, check out the Autobots website.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Island Adventure for Cruise Passengers – Samoa Surf & Turf Tours

Get ready for an action-packed day of exploring Samoa’s natural wonders! This six-hour “Island Adventure for Cruise Ship Passengers” is perfect for cruise passengers looking to make the most of their time on the island while enjoying a small-group experience.

First up, take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of Piula Cave Pool. Then, prepare to be amazed by the breathtaking To Sua Trench – a natural swimming hole that’s sure to leave you speechless. Next, sink your toes into the soft sand of Lalomanu Beach, often hailed as one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful beaches. Finally, marvel at the cascading Papapapaaitai Waterfall.

Samoa Surf & Turf Tours has thought of everything to make your day stress-free. Bottled water and snacks are provided, and all entry fees are included in the tour price. They pick you up right from the cruise ship terminal and ensure you’re back in plenty of time for your ship’s departure.

See more operators like this in the 10 Best Day Tours of Upolu.

© Samoa Surf & Turf Tours

4. Full-Day Tour with a Local – Tai’s Native Experience

It couldn’t get more authentic than joining a Samoan chief for a tour around their native homeland. That’s right, Tai and his guides are chiefs, offering a local perspective like no other.

Tours such as the “Full Day Tour with a Local” take you to the places you’ve no doubt heard of, but more intriguingly, those you haven’t.

Of course, the famous swimming hole To Sua Ocean Trench is on the list, while historical highlights along Apia’s Mulinu’u Peninsula are an intriguing aspect often missed on other tours.

Take your swimwear because you won’t want to miss the opportunity to swim at the gorgeous Lalomanu Beach and Togitogiga Waterfall.

Inclusions with Tai’s Native Experience are wharf pick-up from Apia and a coconut demonstration. Be sure to state which cruise ship you’re arriving on upon booking!

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Snorkelling, Giant Clams & South West Upolu – Golden Eco Tours

Golden Eco Tours is a family-oriented business offering warm, welcoming cultural experiences across Samoa. Their passion for sharing Samoan traditions shines through in every tour, led directly by family members (no third-party drivers or guides).

We’re particularly excited about their “Snorkeling Tour – Giant Clams & South West Upolu“, which is a must-do for water lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. This full-day adventure combines breathtaking underwater experiences with cultural storytelling and natural wonders.

You’ll experience the Giant Clam Sanctuary, swimming among colourful marine life and, of course, those massive giant clams! The tour also takes you to scenic landscapes, including the stunning Papapapaitai and Togitogiga Falls, plus a picturesque mangrove river viewpoint (such a hidden gem, we haven’t even been there ourselves!)

When hunger strikes, you’ll enjoy a delightful beachfront lunch at Faimafili Beach Resort, a truly local experience on the famous beach where Return to Paradise was filmed. Throughout the journey, you’ll be treated to fascinating Samoan myths and historical tales, adding depth to your adventure.

For literature buffs, there’s an option to visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, where you can walk through the historic home of the famous author. And to round off your cultural immersion, you’ll explore Fugalei Market, diving into Samoan culture through food and handicrafts.

Of course, Golden Eco Tours also offers excursions all around Upolu, which you can check out on the Golden Eco Tours website.

© Golden Eco Tours

6. Apia Town & Cultural Village Tour – Samoa Holidays & Events

Combine the Samoa Cultural Village and visit Upolu’s most iconic swimming spot on this guided experience with Samoa Holidays & Events. You’ll be welcomed the traditional Samoan way through an ava ceremony (usually reserved for visiting royalty and dignitaries). Watch the preparation of the umu and learn about Samoan customs as you move from workshop to workshop.

After sampling fresh traditional Samoan cuisine (think fish, taro and palusami served on woven plates), you’ll be treated to a performance of Samoan dance. The graceful siva tells stories through hand movements, while the energetic fa’ataupati (slap dance) will have you tapping your feet!

For the latter part of your tour, you have two options:

a) Take a scenic drive along the eastern coastline to the Piula Cave Pool. This freshwater swimming spot is perfect for a refreshing dip (trust us, you’ll love it after a day of cultural immersion).

b) Explore Apia’s local markets, where you can shop for souvenirs, crafts and fresh produce, and visit Mulinu’u Peninsula, home to Samoa’s parliament buildings, colonial history and royal tombs.

Book your cultural experience with Samoa Holidays & Events over on their site!

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

7. Apia Highlights Tour – Tour Samoa

An easy-going tour exploring Samoa’s capital before crossing the island to a beautiful beach, the “Apia Highlights Tour” with Tour Samoa is also a great option for cruise ship passengers.

From your cruise ship, you’ll be transported along the Mulinu’u Peninsula, awash in historical monuments and the striking architecture of the 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 requires a minimum of 14 people to go ahead. Alternatively, Tour Samoa’s Half-Day Island Tour or Full-Day Tour of Apia and Upolu is a good option if this tour doesn’t go ahead, with more details listed in the 10 Best Day Tours of Upolu.

© Tour Samoa

8. Essence of Upolu – Samoa Scenic

Boasting one of the most extensive lists of tours in Samoa, Samoa Scenic is sure to have a shore excursion to suit. One of their most popular options for cruise ship passengers is the “Essence of Upolu” tour, which lasts approximately six hours and will get you back to your ship on time.

The tour begins with a drive along the northeast coast of Upolu, stopping at a viewpoint before making your way inland through mountains, plantations and rainforest to Sopoaga Falls to see the magnificent falls and enjoy a coconut demonstration. Then, it’s onto Tafatafa Beach for swimming, sunbathing and a barbecue lunch. On the way back, you’ll also stop by Samoa’s tallest waterfall, Papapapaitai Falls.

The tour includes a BBQ lunch on the beach and attraction entry fees. Check out more tours from Samoa Scenic listed in the 10 Best Day Tours of Savai’i, 5 Best Day Tours of Apia and 10 Island Day Trips & Island-Hopping Tours in Samoa.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

9. The Jewels of Eastern Upolu – Samoan Island Adventures

Specialising in off-the-beaten-track tours, as well as jam-packed itineraries providing real bang for your buck, Samoan Island Adventures is a good go-to for shore excursions in Samoa. “The Jewels of Eastern Upolu” is their tour specially designed for cruise ship passengers, accomplishing four different fresh and saltwater swims in one day!

Take a dip in the refreshing Piula Cave Pool, relax at the pristine Lalomanu Beach, climb down the rung ladder into the To Sua Ocean Trench and swim under the falls of the Togitogiga Waterfall.

Included are port transfers, water refills (BYO bottle), fresh fruit, sandwiches for lunch and all of the attraction entry fees.

For more tour options, check out their Volcanic Crater Lake Hike and Swim and National Park Lava Cliffs and Black Sand Beach.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

10. Taxis in Samoa

Eagerly awaiting cruise ship arrivals at port, taxi operators are available to transport cruise passengers around Upolu; either on personalised tours or to sites they know you’ll love.

Hiring a taxi for the day is usually cheaper than taking one of the shore excursions listed above. However, lunch and attraction admission fees are unlikely to be included.

Learn more about taking a taxi in Samoa in our guide, Taxis in Samoa: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com