The Top Watersports in Samoa
With pristine lagoons harbouring all sorts of marine life to inland waterfalls and freshwater springs, there are many reasons to get out on the water in Samoa. Not to mention, the warm sea temperatures and favourable tradewinds also make the islands a little-known haven for watersports, such as surfing and kitesurfing, while relaxing on a SUP board or kayaking to off-shore islets are more ways to make the most of those placid lagoons. Inspire yourself for things you’ll be doing in or on the water on your next vacation with this list of the best water activities in Samoa.
1. Snorkelling
Easily one of the best water activities in Samoa, especially as it’s one of the most accessible, safe snorkelling can be enjoyed in the crystal clear waters of the islands’ surrounding lagoons. With dedicated marine reserves and even snorkelling tours to take you to those hard-to-reach pristine coral paradises, there are plenty of ways to make snorkelling in Samoa your own. We highly recommend bringing your own gear if possible. More is explained in The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel, while tours are listed in 7 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com2. Scuba Diving
If snorkelling is such a winner in Samoa, then it’s no surprise that the scuba diving here is also fantastic! There are many established dive sites surrounding the islands of Upolu, Savai’i, Manono and Apolima, from exciting wreck dives to magnificent drop-offs awash in coral formations. Needless to say, the marine life is just magical (there’s way too much to list here, so check out our guide to Wildlife in Samoa for an example of what you’ll see). As for planning your dive trip, head to The Top 10 Places to Dive, as well as The Best Dive Shops & Operators in Samoa.
© Pixabay3. Swimming Holes
A South Pacific paradise like Samoa might evoke images of swimming at the beach, but some of Samoa’s best swimming spots are actually hidden inland. From the iconic To Sua Ocean Trench with its rung ladder plunging into a 30 m (98 ft) sinkhole to the freshwater springs of Piula Cave Pools or Mataolealelo Pool, there are many enchanting bathing spots across the islands. Discover them all in the 10 Best Swimming Spots in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com4. Canyoning and Water Slides
Carving their way through rugged volcanic mountains, rivers and canyons make up more exciting water terrain in Samoa. Just outside of the capital, the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks is a natural waterpark with three exciting waterfall slides to try. For something more adventurous, join Lalotalie ECAT Ventures for a canyoning/hiking expedition climbing, jumping and scrambling over 16 waterfalls! Learn more about these experiences in the 10 Best Adventure Tours in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com5. Kayaking
With most beachfront resorts offering kayak hire, as well as guided day tours to full kayaking holiday packages, kayaking is all too easy to find in Samoa. Glide effortlessly across the placid lagoons, paddle from islet to islet, and watch the underwater world beneath you through the unbelievably clear water. Get inspiration on where to paddle, including the best tours for kayaking, in Kayaking in Samoa: Top 10 Kayak Tours & Places to Kayak.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com6. Stand-Up Paddleboarding
In the same vein as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is also a popular way to explore the surrounding waters of Samoa. Not only do some accommodations hire them out but Upolu, in particular, has some unique SUP tours including on a volcanic crater lake and through peaceful mangrove forests. Learn more about getting on the water on a paddleboard in our guide, SUP in Samoa: 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations.
© Pixabay7. Boat Tours
Whether it’s a boat tour to reach the most mesmerising snorkelling spots and dive sites or a romantic cruise at sunset, Samoa offers a limited but quality selection of boat tours. You may want to venture to some of Samoa’s lesser-known islands by boat, spotting turtles along the way. Alternatively, hire a Hobie Cat for yourself and sail across the lagoon. Check out all of your options in the 10 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com8. Surfing
Not for the faint-hearted, surfing is serious stuff in Samoa with the only surf breaks available being either reef or point breaks. Getting to the breaks is a challenging yet rewarding experience in itself, whether you choose to take a surf boat or a 4WD road to an uncrowded paradise. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Samoa for all the details.
© Samoa Tourism Authority9. Fishing
Fishing is not only a way of life in Samoa like it is for many Polynesians, but they also know how to make a sport out of it, boating beyond the reef to catch Pacific pelagics like yellow-fin tuna, mahimahi and wahoo. Either join fishing charters or enjoy more traditional methods of fishing, like net fishing or from a paopao (outrigger canoe). Learn all about fishing in paradise in The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com10. Kitesurfing
A mixture of butter-flat lagoon waters and choppy reefs combine perfectly with the favourable prevailing trade winds create the perfect environment for kitesurfing (or kiteboarding) in Samoa. Although there are no rentals or lessons available, the surf boats or even straight from some beaches make kitesurfing very accessible for seasoned kiters looking for their next getaway. Find out where to take your gear in Kitesurfing in Samoa: The Top 5 Places to Kitesurf.
© PixabayMore About Water Activities in Samoa
That’s it for our list of the best water activities in Samoa. However, a few honourable mentions can be found in the guides below:
Finally, check out more activities beyond watersports with the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List. Plus, plan all the logistics of a trip to Samoa using The Best Samoa Travel Guide.
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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