Samoa Honeymoon & Romance Itinerary: 10 Days

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How to Get Around Samoa in 10 Days

This Samoa honeymoon and romance itinerary for 10 days includes travel to various destinations on Samoa’s main island, Upolu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Samoa in 10 days.

Road Transport in Samoa

Upon arrival in Samoa, get your rental car delivered to the airport for the most streamlined way to handle this itinerary. Check out our advice on car hire from What You Need to Hire a Car in Samoa. This itinerary can also be done through a mix of hiring private drivers, using taxis and joining sightseeing tours.

For all of your transport options across the islands, check out our Samoa Transport Guide: 14 Best Ways to Get Around Samoa.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Samoa

Travel time: 10-15 minutes drive.

Arrival at Faleolo Airport

Welcome to Samoa and the start of your escape to paradise! After the arrivals process of going through customs and biosecurity, you’ll step outside of the arrivals area to where your car rental will be waiting. Then, it’s just a short drive to the romantic accommodation we’ve chosen for you, so you can get some rest especially if you’ve arrived on an early morning/late-night flight.

Upolu West Coast Romantic Accommodations

• Le Vasa Resort
• Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort
• Ifiele’ele Plantation

Discover more about our favourite accommodations for couples in the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

Although each of the recommended resorts has its own dining option for lunch and dinner (note that with Ifiele’ele, food is only on request), our favourite is Cocolini’s by the Sea which proves that not all resort restaurants are just an afterthought. The oceanfront setting of Le Vasa Resort‘s restaurant provides a memorable setting for South Pacific and Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Learn more about this eatery and others in the 10 Best Restaurants on Upolu.

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Day 2 – Free Day on Upolu’s West Coast

This honeymoon/romance itinerary is all about striking the right balance between adventure and relaxation together; so today is your time to unwind and revel in the beauty of your chosen romantic resort on the west coast. If you need some inspiration to elevate the romance, we have some suggestions…

Romantic Activities on Upolu’s West Coast

• Spend the day on an uninhabited island, like Nu’ulopa with tours from Le Vasa Resort
• Indulge in a relaxing couple’s massage at Sheraton‘s Manaia Polynesian Spa
• Wrap your arms around your loved one on the back of an ATV with Wolfpac ATV Tours
• Test your teamwork in a double kayak on a tour with Outdoor Samoa.

Get more details on each experience in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

Tonight, dine at Sheraton‘s South Pacific Restaurant for local and international cuisine in an airy dining fale setting complemented by beachfront views. See the 10 Best Restaurants on Upolu for more recommendations.

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Day 3 – Upolu West Coast Road Trip

Travel time: 1-2 hours drive (depending on the south coast resort stayed).

It’s time to hit the road, starting with the most relaxing of road trips as you make your way to some of Upolu’s most romantic resorts. Begin by following the Main West Coast Road as it rises over the cliffs about 200 m (656 ft) above sea level, checking out the wonderful lagoon vistas along the way.

You’ll descend into Lefaga Bay where, if you’re up for an adventure, Lalotalie ECAT Ventures can take you on an epic waterfall hike/canyoning trip in their glorious conservation area – learn more in the 10 Best Adventure Tours in Samoa.

If it’s high tide by the time you reach the village of Savaia in Lefaga Bay, don your snorkelling gear to swim with giant clams and perhaps even turtles at the Savaia Giant Clam Sanctuary – see The Best Snorkelling in Upolu for more information.

Your final destination today is your south coast resort, which could be located anywhere along the 37 km (23 mi) stretch between Maninoa and Saleapaga. As some of the most luxurious and romantic resorts in Samoa, it’s only fitting to spend four nights here.

Upolu South Coast Romantic Accommodations

• Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa (Maninoa)
• Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa (Maninoa)
• Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa (Matatufu)
• Seabreeze Resort (Aufaga)
• Aga Reef Resort (Saleapaga)

Find out more about these stays, again, in the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Resorts on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

There are no dining options outside of the resorts (and Apia), as is common in Samoa. Therefore, Return to Paradise Resort provides a scenic setting for lunch and an excuse to visit one of Samoa’s most famous beaches, as featured in the 5 TV Shows & Movies Filmed in Samoa.

Tonight, make things easy by dining at your chosen resort. We’ll go through some south coast dining recommendations tomorrow.

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Days 4 & 5 – Free Days on Upolu’s South Coast

As our recommended resorts on the south coast of Upolu are some of the most stunning in Samoa, we’re giving you the time to enjoy them on Days 4 and 5 of our honeymoon/romance itinerary. Make the most of their facilities and experiences, from glorious day spas to infinity pools and much more. Plus, should you need more ways to amplify your honeymoon/romantic retreat, we have some suggestions…

Romantic Activities on Upolu’s South Coast

• Treat yourselves to a relaxing couple’s massage at the spas of Coconuts Beach Club or Sinalei Reef Resort
• Discover Upolu’s romantic Coastal Walk
• Treat your loved one to a private dining experience at Sinalei Reef Resort or Seabreeze Resort
• Visit Samoa’s most romantic beaches, like Lalomanu or Vavau Beach
• Take a day trip to the uninhabited Namu’a Island.

Get more details on each experience and much more in the 20 Most Romantic Things to Do in Samoa.

Dining Recommendations

The great thing about the south coast resorts is that their restaurants are all open to guests and non-guests alike, so you don’t necessarily have to eat at your chosen resort for your whole stay.

For lunch or dinner, Ava I Toga Restaurant of the Sinalei Reef Resort is a must-do for fine dining on its over-the-water restaurant, boasting an array of creative cuisine for all diets. Learn more about these restaurants and others in the 10 Best Restaurants on Upolu.

On one of your free nights, elevate your evening meal by treating your partner to one of Upolu’s private dining experiences. Choose a private decorated setting at Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa or have a candlelit dinner with a personal waiting service on the deck of your luxury villa at Seabreeze Resort.

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Day 6 – Upolu South Coast Road Trip

Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes – 2 hours drive (depending on resort stayed).

More adventures await on the south coast of Upolu today, so enjoy a no-doubt gargantuan breakfast then explore the island’s glorious south coast along with some of Samoa’s most iconic attractions.

Between Maninoa and O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park

Starting from Maninoa, if you have a high-clearance vehicle, make your way down the unsealed road to the glorious Aganoa Black Sand Beach, one of the 10 Best Beaches in Samoa.

Back on the Main South Coast Road, continue east through O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park and again, if you have a high-clearance vehicle, head down the unsealed road to the 1-hour Coastal Walk to see its magnificent sea arches (otherwise, you can park at the main road car park and make it a 2-hour walk). Opposite the Coastal Walk turnoff is the Ma Tree walk which is a quick venture to a giant buttress tree.

After all that walking, you’ll no doubt need to cool off, which you can do at the Togitogiga Waterfall only a few hundred metres further along the Main South Coast Road.

Between O Le Pupu Pu’e and Lalomanu

As you continue east, hug the coast by taking Salani Road, perhaps stopping for lunch at Saletoga Sands Resort and then onto Lotofaga, home to the iconic To Sua Ocean Trench. If this 30 m (98 ft) sinkhole with its rung ladder somehow needs an introduction, you’ll find it in the Top 10 Sights in Samoa.

You have two more options for romantic beach destinations today; the secluded Vavau Beach with its lagoon islets or the long stretch of pristine sands at Lalomanu where you have multiple options also for an alternative lunch at its various beach fales. Enjoy your time in paradise together, only to return to your resort once you’re ready.

Dining Recommendations

For lunch, you have various options along the south coast, including the Kiwi cuisine of the upscale Saletoga Sands Resort and the rustic dining fales of Taufua Beach Fales and Anita’s Beach Bungalows on Lalomanu Beach where the menus lurch between sashimi to burgers to seafood platters to toasted sandwiches.

For dinner, the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar at Seabreeze Resort turns comfort food into fine dining and is exclusively adults-only after 5 pm. Discover more dining options across the south coast in The Food Guide to Upolu.

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Day 7 – Upolu East Coast Road Trip

Travel Time: 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes drive (depending on south coast resort stayed).

Wherever you’re staying on the south coast, we recommend checking out of your resort today and making your way to the Le Mafa Pass road; the most interesting route to take to the capital Apia, which will be your final destination today.

Le Mafa Pass Road

Your first stop is Sopoaga Falls with its breathtaking waterfall viewpoint and where you can watch coconut husking demonstrations to inject a bit of island culture into your journey. Further up the road is a quick detour to Fuipisia Waterfall where you’ll have the opportunity to stand at the top of the falls if you dare. Learn more about the waterfalls discussed in the 10 Best Waterfalls in Samoa.

Then, it’s onward to one of the most scenic drives in Samoa, Le Mafa Pass. Enjoy the views of the jungle-clad mountainous scenery as you wind your way across the island.

Once you’ve made it back to civilisation at Falefa village, make a waterfall stop at Falefa Falls with its attractive picnic area.

Piula Cave Pool to Apia

Just a further 3.5 km (2 mi) along the road, wash off the heat of the day at the freshwater spring of the Piula Cave Pool, signposted between the villages of Saoluafata and Faleapuna. Bathe in the reviving spring waters then choose whether to continue on the Main West Coast Road toward Apia or take a 20-minute return detour to another mesmerising swimming spot, Sauniatu Falls signposted from Saoluafata. Learn more about both of these attractions in the 10 Best Swimming Spots in Samoa.

Finally, continue on the Main West Coast Road driving through villages wedged between cliffs and the Pacific Ocean surf until you arrive in the capital and check-in at one of its welcoming yet romantic accommodations.

Apia Romantic Accommodations

• Le Manumea Hotel
• Taumeasina Island Resort
• Vaea Hotel Samoa
• Lava Hotel
• Orator Hotel Samoa

Discover more about our favourite accommodations for couples in the 10 Most Romantic Wedding & Honeymoon Hotels in Apia.

Dining Recommendations

As always, there are very few dining options outside of the resorts, so Le Uaina Beach Resort by the Piula Cave Pool is a convenient option for lunch. Just before reaching Apia, stop by Sula’s Supermarket & Bakery along the Main East Coast Road in Moataa, which is often agreed to be one of the best places to pick up quintessential Samoan snacks and baked goods, such as many of the items we list in the 20 Foods to Try in Samoa.

As for dinner, accommodations such as Taumeasina and Lava Hotel have their own reputable restaurants to make things simple. Apia is also one of the best places to experience a fiafia night, should your arrival coincide with one of these weekly events. Discover your options in the 10 Best Fiafia Nights in Samoa, as well as in the 10 Best Restaurants in Apia.

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Days 8 & 9 – Explore Apia

You have two full days to make the most of Samoa’s capital along with its cultural activities, bustling markets and even some natural wonders. Combine some of the highlights listed in the 25 Best Things to Do in Apia with some of the romantic experiences…

Romantic Activities in Apia

• Enjoy a romantic stroll through Friendship Park
• Take a picnic to the Vailima Botanical Garden
• Discover Apia’s most mesmerising snorkelling spot, Palolo Deep
• Treat your loved one to something special from Apia’s shops and markets
• Tackle the Papase’ea Sliding Rocks together.

Get more details on each experience in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do in Apia.

Dining Recommendations

Starting with cafes, it’s worth making the short venture out of Apia to Pacific Jewell and Garden Cafe. After perusing the local crafts and clothing hand-printed on-site, sit down among the lush tropical garden for a light bagel, tempting crepes or a more hearty all-day breakfast. There are a lot more cafes to choose from, so check out the 10 Best Cafes in Apia and Upolu for more recommendations.

As for your evening dining options in Apia, Bistro Tatau Restaurant is a good go-to to impress with its speciality Asian cuisine, as well as European, Mediterranean and Australasia influences. The restaurant offers a relaxed yet sophisticated environment of slick tiled walls and tones inspired by Samoan skin tones and tatau (tattoo) ink.

On your second night, be transported to the Mediterranean and among the attractive patio gardens of Giordano’s Pizzeria. The closest European-style pizzas we’ve found in Samoa, Giordano’s combines Italian cuisine with a gorgeous balmy setting and ambient lighting. Be sure to have an extra look at the back of the restaurant to find the hidden alcoves in the gardens. For more restaurants to try, check out the 10 Best Restaurants in Apia.

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Day 10 – Departure Day

Travel time: 45-50 minutes drive.

After an exciting 10 days in Samoa on a romantic getaway, it’s finally time to say goodbye to the islands. Depending on your flight departure time, you may be able to squeeze in a couple of activities in Apia that you might have missed yesterday.

Remember to arrive at the airport a couple of hours before your scheduled departure so that you have enough time to check in, go through security and browse the retail offerings, as listed in The Guide to Shopping in Samoa + The Best Places to Shop.

For anything else you need to know about leaving Samoa, it’s all listed in our guide, Leaving Samoa: Departure Tips & Checklist LINK#TT073.

And it’s “Tofa Soifua” from Samoa!