Samoa Luxury Itinerary: 5 Days

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

How to Get Around Samoa in 5 Days

This Samoa luxury itinerary for five days includes travelling to various destinations on the main island of Samoa, Upolu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Samoa in five days.

Road Transport in Samoa

Upon arrival in Samoa, you can either get your rental car delivered to the airport or this itinerary allows for the option to take an airport transfer and have your vehicle delivered to your accommodation once you’re ready to hit the road on Day 2. See airport transfer options in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Samoa.

When you’re ready to hit the road, car hire offers the most flexibility and convenience. Get advice on car hire, including premium car hire, from What You Need to Hire a Car in Samoa. Alternatively, this itinerary is doable by a hiring private driver from your south coast resort; see How to Hire a Driver in Samoa for more advice.

For all of your transport options across the islands, not limited to the most “luxurious”, check out our Samoa Transport Guide: 14 Best Ways to Get Around Samoa.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Day 1 – Arrival in Samoa

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 airport transfer to your chosen resort, whether it’s organised through your accommodation or simply a private taxi transfer (see your options in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in Samoa).

Since it’s your first day in Samoa, take it easy and get settled at your chosen upscale accommodation. After check-in, relax by the pool, have a paddle with the kayaks provided, and transition to “island time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do along Samoa’s gorgeous south coast tomorrow.

South Upolu Luxury Accommodations

• Seabreeze Resort
• Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa
• Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa
• Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa
• Aga Reef Resort

Discover more about each accommodation in the 7 Best Luxury Resorts on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

Each of the resorts stated above has a reputable restaurant, so make things simple by dining at your resort’s restaurant for this evening. We’ll provide some alternative recommendations for tomorrow.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Day 2 – Upolu South Coast Sightseeing

Travel time: 1-2 hours (depending on resort stayed).

It’s normal to have itchy feet when first arriving at a new and exciting destination, so make the most of this energy by doing a day tour of Upolu’s magnificent south coast!

Sights on the South Coast of Upolu

• Take a day trip to the uninhabited island of Namu’a
• Spend the day at Lalomanu Beach…
• … Or the hidden Vavau Beach
• Swim at Samoa’s iconic To Sua Ocean Trench
• View Sopoaga Falls and watch their coconut demonstrations
• Enjoy a road trip in the mountains of Le Mafa Pass.

More details on each of these experiences are laid out in the 50 Best Things to Do on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

The great thing about the south coast’s luxury 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 a casual lunch, stop at Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa for New Zealand cuisine in a convenient location in the middle of Upolu’s south coast attractions.

For 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.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Day 3 – Free Day on Upolu

Spend this day mid-way through your Samoa journey just the way you like, whether that’s lapping up the luxuries of your chosen resort or doing something more active.

Luxury Experiences on the South East Coast of Upolu

• Treat yourself to your resort’s day spa
• If you’ve brought your surfboard, jump on a surf boat to catch some waves
• Reel in the big ones on a fishing charter
• Tee off at Sinalei Reef Resort‘s very own golf course.

Learn more about these experiences in the 10 Best Luxury Experiences on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

Again, you have the south coast resorts to thank for your dining opportunities. The Waterfront Restaurant and Bar at Seabreeze Resort turns comfort food into fine dining for both lunch and dinner and is exclusively adults-only after 5 pm.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Day 4 – Apia Day Trip

Travel time: 1 hour – 2 hours and 40 minutes (depending on the resort stayed). Note that if you’re staying at resorts such as Saletoga Sands, Seabreeze or Aga Reef, you can take an alternative return route via the Main East Coast Road and Le Mafa Pass, stopping by Piula Cave Pools to add variety to the journey.

You can’t visit Samoa without experiencing its cosmopolitan and cultural capital. Plus, there are numerous sights to admire on the journey.

Begin your journey getting some height on the Cross Island Road, stopping by Papapapaitai Falls to marvel at one of Samoa’s highest waterfalls. Further down the road are the Tiapapata Art Centre and the neighbouring Baha’i Temple – one of only eight in the world. Finally, before entering Apia, visit the manicured grounds and historical villa of the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

Once you’re in the capital, experience the cultural ambience of the Fugalei Market and browse high-quality Samoan-made crafts and sit down for lunch at Pacific Jewell Gift Shop & Garden Cafe. Those feeling more active could enjoy snorkelling at high tide at Palolo Deep or chasing those views from atop the Mt Vaea Tomb Trail. See all of your options in the 25 Best Things to Do in Apia.

Either visit some or all of these attractions independently, perhaps with the help of A Self-Guided Trip Around Apia: One Day Itinerary. Otherwise, we highly recommend a private day tour for ease and knowledgeable insights from a local guide, as listed in the 5 Best Day Tours of Apia.

On the way back to your resort, those with energy to spare may want to cool off with a swim at Togitogiga Waterfall or enjoy the 1-hour Coastal Walk to see some magnificent coastal arches. Again, these sights are highlighted in the 50 Best Things to Do on Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

For lunch, sitting among the lush garden setting of Pacific Jewell to a tempting menu of bagels, all-day breakfasts, crepes and more works effortlessly with the itinerary stated above. Take a look at the 10 Best Cafes in Apia & Upolu for more about this establishment plus alternative recommendations.

Should you want to stay in Apia for dinner, fine dining cuisine can be experienced at Bistro Tatau where bookings are essential – learn more in the 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Samoa.

Alternatively, elevate your evening meal by treating yourself and your partner, family or friends 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.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Day 5 – Departure Day

Travel time: 1-2 hours (depending on which resort you depart from).

After an exciting five days in Samoa on a luxurious getaway, it’s finally time to say goodbye to the islands.

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. You may even want to wait for your flight in style at the Faleolo Airport Lounge with a refreshment buffet, unlimited WiFi, a shower, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and more.

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

And it’s “Tofa Soifua” from Samoa!