Samoa Luxury Itinerary: 7 Days / One Week

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How to Get Around Samoa in One Week

This Samoa luxury itinerary for 7 days (one week) includes travelling to various destinations on the main island of Samoa, Upolu. Here’s a quick rundown on how to get around Samoa in one week.

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 you for free in Apia once you’re ready to hit the road on Day 4. 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 in Apia and 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.

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Day 1 – Arrival in Samoa + Apia

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 the capital, Apia, will be waiting, 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 if staying at a resort, enjoy some island cuisine, and transition to “island time”. We’ll go over a few things you can do in Apia tomorrow.

Apia Luxury Accommodations

• Taumeasina Island Resort
• Lava Hotel
• Le Manumea Hotel

Get details on all of our recommended stays in the 25 Best Hotels in Apia & Upolu.

Dining Recommendations

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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Day 2 – Explore Apia

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 the capital!

Experience the cultural ambience of the Fugalei Market, browse high-quality Samoan-made crafts and sit down for lunch at Pacific Jewell Gift Shop & Garden Cafe, and visit the manicured grounds and historical villa of the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

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.

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.

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.

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Day 3 – Relax in Apia

Ensure you find the right balance of adventure and relaxation by making Day 3 the day you get some much-needed R&R. However you prefer to relax, Apia has you covered…

Luxury Experiences in Apia

• Indulge in a spa day at Taumeasina or one of Apia’s glorious day spas
• Reel in Pacific pelagics on a fishing charter
• Have a swing at one of Apia’s golf courses
• Experience yoga in paradise
• Try your luck at Samoa’s only casino exclusively for international visitors…

… For more on these experiences, take a look at the 10 Best Luxury Experiences on Upolu, as well as 8 Adults-Only Activities in Apia.

Dining Recommendations

Nourish Cafe near the gorgeous Immaculate Conception Cathedral provides an attractive indoor and outdoor setting for an array of creative yet health-conscious meals for lunch with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, dairy and gluten-free options.

Make a booking at the most popular restaurant in town, Paddles Restaurant, famous for its relaxing ambience combined with Italian-Samoan fusion cuisine. See more recommendations in the 10 Best Restaurants in Apia.

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Day 4 – Upolu East Coast Road Trip

Travel Time: 1 hour – 1 hour and 20 minutes (depending on the resort chosen).

It’s time to hit the road and discover the real Samoa! Get a rental vehicle delivered to you in Apia (if you haven’t done so already) and take the Main East Coast Road along the scenic coastline with cliffs and villages to admire.

Your first stop is the freshwater spring of Piula Cave Pools, signposted between the villages of Saoluafata and Faleapuna. Bathe in the reviving spring waters then choose whether to continue on the Main East Coast Road 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.

Once you’re ready to get back on the road, make a waterfall stop at Falefa Falls with its attractive picnic area. 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.

Fuipisia Waterfall is another optional detour. However, a stop at Sopoaga Falls is mandatory, arguably the most scenic waterfall viewpoint and where you can watch coconut husking demonstrations to inject a bit of island culture into your journey. Learn more about the waterfalls discussed in the 10 Best Waterfalls in Samoa.

Finally, you’ve made it to the south coast of Upolu where you have several options for a luxurious resort stay…

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

Between Apia and the South Coast, there are no real restaurant or cafe opportunities until you reach the resorts. Therefore, we recommend stopping 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, from keke pua’a (pork buns) to keke saiga (Chinese biscuits) and many of the items we list in the 20 Foods to Try in Samoa.

Alternatively, if you start early enough, you may be finished sightseeing by lunch anyway. In which case, we recommend stopping for lunch at Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa for New Zealand cuisine in a convenient location close to Sopoaga Falls.

As for dinner, make things simple by dining at your resort’s restaurant for this evening. We’ll provide some alternative recommendations for tomorrow.

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Day 5 – Free Day on Upolu

Spend this day part-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.

If you’re eager to explore, we recommend a day trip to Lalomanu which is often described as one of Samoa’s most beautiful beaches, then heading over to the popular snorkelling spot and uninhabited Namu’a Island. Boats travel to the island regularly, which you can learn more about in our Aleipata Islands Guide.

Luxury Experiences on the South East 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
• 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.

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.

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. Alternatively, the Waterfront Restaurant and Bar at Seabreeze Resort turns comfort food into fine dining and is exclusively adults-only after 5 pm.

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.

Learn more about these restaurants and others in the 10 Best Restaurants on Upolu.

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Day 6 – Upolu West Coast Road Trip

Travel time: 1 hour – 3 hours and 15 minutes (depending on the resort departed from and whether you decide to turn around at Return to Paradise for the short option or Mulifanua for the longer option). Alternatively, avoid the return drive by checking out of your accommodation on the south coast and spend your final night at the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort next to Faleolo Airport.

Upolu West Coast Road Trip

There’s much more to discover on the west side of Upolu so today, you hit the road and fit in a stop at To Sua Ocean Trench if you haven’t done so already. Those who are feeling active may want to enjoy the 1-hour Coastal Walk with magnificent coastal arches in the O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park – see the 15 Best Walks in Samoa for more details.

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. Stop by for lunch at Return to Paradise Resort and enjoy its scenic beach before returning back to your resort.

If you have more juice in you, take the scenic drive rising over the cliffs about 200 m (656 ft) above sea level by following the Main West Coast Road, Cocolini’s by the Sea at Le Vasa Resort offers a favourable lunch alternative. Return back to your resort via the Cross Island Road for an alternative route that will be the same travel time.

Dining Recommendations

Like elsewhere on Upolu, there are no dining options outside of the resorts (and Apia). Return to Paradise Resort provides a scenic setting which is also convenient if you wish to spend less time travelling today. On the other hand, Cocolini’s by the Sea at Le Vasa Resort provides much higher quality fare, should that be a more important factor.

For those who decide to stay at the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort for their final night in Samoa, the resort’s very own South Pacific Restaurant makes a convenient and crowd-pleasing option for sunset dining.

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Day 7 – Departure Day

Travel time: 1-2 hours (depending on which south coast resort you depart from). Alternatively, the airport is 4 minutes from the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort.

After an exciting week 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!