10 Island Day Trips & Island-Hopping Tours in Samoa 🏝️ [2024]

1. Namu’a Island Day Trip – Namu’a Island Beach Fales

From spotting turtles on the boat journey across the lagoon to combing the sands of an uninhabited island, a day trip to Namu’a is one of both excitement and relaxation. Boats run daily (except Sundays) from Mutiatele village, taking you to a stunning island with walks, amazing snorkelling and beach fales for Samoan style relaxation. There are toilets on the island, but no other facilities, so make sure to bring any lunch or snacks along with you. For more information, check out The Travel Guide to Aleipata Islands.

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

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2. Bat Island Escape – Le Vasa Resort

Definitely the most complete tour to this tiny islet off the western shores of Upolu, Le Vasa Resort offers two options for experiencing Nu’ulopa Island, also known as “Bat Island”.

There’s the “Bat Island Escape” tour, which includes return boat transfers, as well as time to snorkel off the beach, try a natural whirlpool, sunbathe or relax under the fale. A picnic lunch and drinks are included. The tour requires a minimum of two people in order to go ahead.

Alternatively, try the “Bat Island Culture Experience“. Not only do you get to experience Nu’ulopa but you’ll go with a guide who will teach you how to husk a coconut, make fresh coconut cream and weave your own basket. You’ll then enjoy watching a Samoan dance and learn a few moves yourself. The tour also includes around 30 minutes of snorkelling, as well as a picnic lunch and drinks. Note that the tour requires a minimum of four people in order to go ahead. For more ways to explore Bat Island, take a look at The Travel Guide to Nu’ulopa.

Location: Le Vasa Resort, Apolima-uta, Main West Coast Road, west coast of Upolu.

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3. Nu’usafe’e Snorkel Tour – Manoa Tours

Specialising in snorkelling and surfing tours along Upolu’s south coast, it’s no wonder that the idyllic islet of Nu’usafe’e is one of the items on the Manoa Tours activities list! Operating out of Coconut’s Beach Club Resort, but easily accessible from Sinalei Reef, Ocean Club, Sina PJ Beach Fales and other accommodations on the central south coast, the boat operator makes getting to this little piece of paradise easy. All ages are welcome on these tours where you’ll snorkel in the clear blue waters surrounding the island. Learn more about ways to experience this piece of paradise in The Travel Guide to Nu’usafe’e.

Location: Maninoa, central south coast of Upolu.

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4. Paddlesome 6-10-Day Guided Kayaking Tour – Outdoor Samoa

If you want to do some real island-hopping in Samoa, no one visits more islands than Outdoor Samoa. Boasting a wide range of kayaking tours, from 1-day to 10-day tours, the team can guide you to just about every island off the shores of Upolu! The 6-10-day “Paddlesome” tour visits the islands of Manono, Nu’ulopa, Namu’a, Fanuatapu and Nu’usafe’e with plenty of opportunity for snorkelling with turtles. Tours are the complete package, including kayak and snorkelling equipment, kayak guide, meals, filtered water and attraction entry fees. For more about kayaking, take a look at the 10 Best Kayak Tours & Places to Kayak in Samoa.

Location: Outdoor Samoa is based in Mulifanua, Main West Coast Road, west coast of Upolu.

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5. Southern Tour of Savai’i – Samoa Scenic

Should you want to experience Samoa’s other big island in just a day, hopping over from Upolu, then check out the Savai’i tours with Samoa Scenic. After an early pick-up from your resort, take the 8 am ferry to Salelologa where you’ll begin your journey either along the south or north coast depending on the tour you’ve chosen. The “Southern Tour of Savai’i” includes stops at the iconic Alofaaga Blowholes and Afu Aau Waterfall, as well as a cultural experience at the Siapo Demonstration. Although there is the “Northern Tour of Savai’i” also to choose from, we don’t condone the unethical turtle attraction they visit, as explained in the 10 Best Places to See Turtles in Samoa. For more day trips to Savai’i, take a look at the 7 Best Day Tours of Savai’i.

Location: Tours depart from Apia, central north coast of Upolu. Pick-ups outside of Apia incur an additional charge.

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6. Samoa Adventure – Intrepid Travel

For a complete island-hopping holiday incorporating both the islands of Upolu and Savai’i, choose this multi-day tour with Intrepid Travel. Their “Samoa Adventure” tour treats small groups of up to 12 travellers to eight days of breathtaking beaches, stunning swimming holes, and curious culture. Almost all meals are included in the tour, as are transport, accommodation and entry fees to some of Samoa’s top attractions that are no doubt on your bucket list. Accommodation is in a mix of hotel rooms, beach fales and villas.

Location: This tour starts straight from your arrival at Faleolo International Airport with airport transfers included.

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7. Savai’i Island Full Day Tour – Return to Paradise Resort

A small selection of resorts on Upolu offers island day trips to Savai’i including your ferry transfer. For example, Return to Paradise Resort‘s “Savai’i Full Day Tour” makes it easy to explore the “big island” for guests of this remote resort on Upolu. The tour mainly explores the south coast of Savai’i, including the must-see Alofaaga Blowholes on the way to the gorgeous white sands and historical sites of Falealupo Beach. The itinerary is ever-changing, so be sure to inquire at the resort’s tour desk.

Location: Tours depart from Return to Paradise Resort, Lefaga, on the southwest coast of Upolu.

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8. Savai’i Island Tour – Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa

Another Upolu resort making sure you don’t miss the beautiful island of Savai’i during your holidays, Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa boasts an array of day tours, including a “Savai’i Island Tour”. You’ll be transported to the 8 am ferry where you’ll be treated to snacks on board. Then, enjoy a guided tour across the island with highlights being the Saleaula Lava Field, the Afu Aau Waterfall and, of course, the Alofaaga Blowholes. The tour concludes back at the resort at 4 pm.

Location: Maninoa, central south coast of Upolu.

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9. Savai’i Full Day Tour – Chef John Tours

Personalise your day tour to Savai’i with exceptional cuisine included with Chef John Tours. You’ll catch the ferry with John at 8 am and return to the wharf for crossing back to Upolu at 3:30 pm; the rest of the day is up to you. Due to the location of the Alofaaga Blowholes, you can either see the blowholes plus two other sites or three sites excluding the blowholes. All you have to do is pick your sites from the Afu Aau Waterfall, the Saleaula Lava Fields, Manase Beach, Amoa Resort’s Lagoon Deck or Lusia’s Lagoon Chalets. Either way, Chef John will spruce up a fresh feast of grilled mahimahi, ulu (breadfruit) and local produce salad served with a refreshing niu (drinking coconut). If you want to see one extra site, there’s also the option of a prepacked lunch.

Location: Tours depart from Apia, central north coast of Upolu.

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10. Manono Snorkelling Trip – Pure Ocean

Despite what the name suggests, this tour actually involves stepping foot on Nu’ulopa Island, rather than Manono. Regardless, the main focus of this trip with Pure Ocean is to snorkel over the most mesmerising reefs surrounding both Manono and Nu’ulopa islands, before being given the time to explore the islet of Nu’ulopa and its bat colony. The tour includes high-quality snorkelling gear, as well as stops at two amazing reefs to check out their vibrant marine life. The tour lasts approximately 3h30mins. For more snorkelling adventures, take a look at the 7 Best Snorkelling Tours in Samoa.

Location: Sheraton Access Road, Faleolo, northwest coast of Upolu.