The Ultimate Way to Relax in Samoa
Why is “Rest & Relaxation” the number one reason people come to Samoa? Well, if the soft sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and lush jungles awash in waterfalls were not a relaxing enough environment, Samoans just have a knack for helping you completely unwind. It’s a way of life here. There are many ways to help you forget about any stresses that you might have left back home. This is your time, so enjoy it with these relaxing things to do in Samoa.
1. Soothe the Senses with an Island Spa Treatment
Let’s begin with one of the most relaxing things to do in Samoa; indulging in a soothing spa treatment. From traditional Polynesian methods to familiar international massage techniques, there is a wide range of spa and massage services across the resorts of Upolu and Savai’i, as well as the day spas in Apia. While there are far too many to list here, you’ll find all you need in the 10 Best Places to Get a Massage in Samoa.
Location: All over Samoa! Check out the link above for recommendations and their locations.
© Samoa Tourism Authority2. Indulge in a Yoga Class or Wellness Retreat
With gorgeous sandy shores and clear turquoise waters, Samoa certainly sets an endearing scene for yoga sessions and even multi-day wellness retreats. That’s why you’ll find several retreats taking place between the two islands several times a year with daily yoga and meditation sessions, revitalising meals and other island activities included. Learn all about Samoa’s retreats in The Guide to Retreats in Samoa: Yoga, Wellness & More, while resorts with yoga instructors and/or equipment are listed in the 5 Best Yoga Resorts in Samoa.
Location: All over Samoa! See retreat locations in the link above.
© Pixabay3. Soothe the Skin in Samoa’s Freshwater Pools (Vai Taele)
Nothing beats the feeling of cooling off at a freshwater spring, known as a vai taele in Samoan. While some have become fully fledged tourist attractions like the Piula Cave Pool and Mataolealelo Pool, there are countless pools across many of Samoa’s villages which are easy to spot as you’re travelling along the coast. You’ll notice the manmade concrete barrier to contain some of the fresh springwater/protect swimmers from the tide. Some pools to look out for include Vaga Freshwater Pools (Lefagaoali’i, Savai’i), Vai Safe’e (Safotu, Savai’i), Lepa Freshwater Pool (Lepa, Upolu) and behind the John Williams Memorial (Sapapalii, Savai’i).
Location: All over Samoa! See the 10 Best Swimming Spots in Samoa for the locations of the most famous freshwater pools.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com4. Stay at a Beach Fale or Resort
Relaxation is at the forefront of a beach fale or resort stay in Samoa. Beach fales are, unsurprisingly, located on pristine beaches where it’s easy enough to find your zen. Alternatively, resorts entice with a number of spaces to get in some well-deserved R&R between loungers by the pool, cabanas and pavilions on the coast, day beds on the deck of your villa and even day spas. Better yet, opt for an adults-only resort for optimal tranquillity.
Location: All over Samoa! Check out recommended stays and their locations in The Top 25 Resorts in Samoa and 20 Best Beach Fale Accommodations in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com5. Paddle on a Tranquil Lagoon
Kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding doesn’t have to be an activity where you overexert yourself. In fact, you often achieve the complete opposite while you’re silently gliding over a sheltered lagoon in Samoa. Many of the islands’ resorts have kayaks and/or stand-up paddleboards for hire to explore the waters independently, where you can watch fish and coral through the crystal-clear waters. We definitely consider this a relaxing thing to do in Samoa!
Location: Check out the Top 10 Kayak Tours & Places to Kayak and 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations for locations.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com6. Float Over Colourful Marine Life
When you’re not watching the fish from your kayak, then it will probably be when you’re snorkelling. Again, because of the sheltered lagoons found off much of Samoa’s shores, snorkelling is usually a case of casually floating on the water’s surface and watching the life of colourful fish and shapely coral doing their thing below you. Getting in the water also provides welcome relief from the hot Samoa sun, offering yet another way to relax in Samoa!
Location: The best snorkelling can be found at locations listed in The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com7. Workout at a Tropical Gym
Some of us like to blow off steam and release endorphins with a physical workout. From air-conditioned indoor gyms, such as at resorts like Taumeasina Island Resort, Saletoga Sands Resort and Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort to tropical outdoor gyms, such as at Taumeasina Island Resort and Return to Paradise Resort, sticking to your fitness regime remains easy.
Location: All over Samoa! See the accommodation links above to suss out their location.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com8. Learn How to Make Samoan Crafts
Just like knitting, crochet or beadwork, making Samoan crafts is a soothing process. There are many opportunities in Samoa to learn how to weave and make siapo cloth. Learn how to paint siapo cloth at the Siapo Demonstration in Savai’i, weave your own headband and plate for the umu at Samoa Cultural Village in Apia, and join crafting lessons at resorts such as Amoa Resort. For more details on these experiences, take a look at the 15 Best Cultural Activities in Samoa.
Location: All over Samoa! Check out the link above for the locations of the mentioned activities.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com9. Enjoy the Spiritual Experience of a Samoan Church Service
Whether you’re religious or not, there’s no denying that the melodic harmonies reverberating through the islands’ churches on a Sunday are a relaxing and spiritual experience. On a Sunday morning, don your most church-appropriate attire (cover knees and shoulders) and head to one of the churches across Samoa, typically with a 9 am or 10 am service. What’s more, Samoa is home to one of only eight Baha’i Houses of Worship, should you be looking for something different. For recommendations on which churches to go to, check out the 10 Best Churches in Samoa to Experience as a Visitor.
Location: All over Samoa! Check out the link above for recommended locations, including the Baha’i Temple.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com10. Find a Secluded Hammock on the Beach
It’s simple, but there’s a reason why many beach accommodations in Samoa have at least one hammock set up. Get cocooned between two coconut palms and enjoy listening to the waves rolling onto the reef while feeling the balmy island breeze run over you. One of our favourite beach hammock go-to’s is at Vaiula Beach Fales and Cafe at Tafatafa Beach, also open for day visitors.
Location: All over Samoa! Tafatafa Beach is signposted along Main South Coast Road at the Latter-Day Saints Church in Malaemalu village, south coast of Upolu.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comMore Relaxing Things to Do in Samoa
Now that you know some of the most relaxing things to do in Samoa, discover more relaxing experiences listed within these guides:
- 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Samoa
- The Guide to Shopping in Samoa + The Best Places to Shop
- 10 Best Beaches in Samoa
Finally, discover more to do beyond relaxing 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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