SUP in Samoa: The Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations 2026

Last Updated: 17 February, 2026

Where to Do Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Samoa

The placid crystal-clear lagoon waters, snaking mangrove waterways, and even volcanic crater lakes are oh-so enticing for paddling, but where can you join SUP tours and hire paddleboards in Samoa? Luckily, the island of Upolu is well-equipped with not only paddleboard tours and rentals but also the odd beach fale and resort offering SUP hire.

So, find out where you can join night paddleboarding tours and paddle through mangroves or a giant clam sanctuary with this list of the best stand-up paddleboard tours and locations in Samoa!

Where to Hire SUP Boards in Samoa

If you’re more of an independent paddleboarder, half-day to multi-day SUP rentals are available in Samoa with SUP Samoa Tours. Both hire inflatable SUP boards and pumps that are easy to transport around the islands.

With that, check out beaches to enjoy your SUP rental in the 10 Best Beaches in Samoa.

No Algorithms, Just Authentic Advice

Side note: Our recommendations come from on-the-ground research in Samoa – no AI-generated fluff here! Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us.

Aleipata Islands and Lake Lanoto’o with Samoa SUP Tours

Samoa’s only dedicated paddleboarding tour operator in Samoa, Samoa SUP Tours offers exciting tours, confidence-building lessons and high-quality rentals, according to our very own editor-in-chief, Laura.

Paddle over the butter-flat waters surrounding the uninhabited islets of the Aleipata Islands or opt for a hike up to Lake Lanoto’o with your inflatable SUPs in your backpack.

A good in-between is a peaceful paddle through mangrove forests, with a rotation in locations in order to keep the impact on these fragile ecosystems to a minimum.

For more eco-conscious tours, take a look at the 10 Best Eco Tours in Samoa.

For something truly unique, Samoa SUP Tours also offers night SUP experiences, which you can learn more about in the 10 Things to Do in Samoa at Night.

Location: Tours depart from Apia with Apia pick-ups included.

SUP in Samoa: 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations [2025]

Clams Tour with Return to Paradise Resort

Although the Savaia Giant Clam Reserve is open for anyone to visit with their own snorkelling gear, the nearby Return to Paradise Resort offers an alternative experience on their “Clams Tour”.

From what we’ve personally experienced, departing from the resort, the tour includes transfers, snorkelling gear and your choice of stand-up paddleboard or kayak to explore the reserve in a unique way.

Entry fees and a tour guide are included also, so you won’t miss the best displays of these giant molluscs.

Note that local regulations require you to apply sunscreen at least one hour before swimming with the giant clams, so slap it on early.

Learn more about this epic snorkelling spot in The Best Snorkelling in Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel.

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

SUP in Samoa: 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations [2023]

Maninoa Beach

A popular resort and beach fale hub on the south coast of Upolu, Maninoa Beach offers safe swimming and paddleboarding in a sheltered lagoon. From what we’ve experienced, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day by the water.

Day fales can be hired at Miti Maninoa Beach Club, which also has a bar/café, kayak and SUP hire: the perfect base for a day of SUP in Samoa! We’re big fans of their setup, which makes it easy to spend a full day enjoying the beach.

Location: Ocean Club, signposted off Main South Coast Road between Mulivai and Si’umu villages, central south coast of Upolu.

SUP in Samoa: 10 Best Places for Stand-Up Paddleboarding [2023]

More About Paddleboard Tours and SUP in Samoa

Now that you know about the best SUP tours and places to stand-up paddleboard in Samoa, here’s more advice to help plan the perfect watersports vacation:

Finally, plan more experiences beyond watersports in the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List, as well as the logistics of your whole trip using The Best Samoa Travel Guide.

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 [2025])
Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura (Lora) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Samoa. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Upolu and Savai’i’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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