The Adults-Only Travel Guide to Apia

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How to Get to Apia

Apia is located on the north coast of Upolu, Samoa’s eastern island some 3,000 km (1,864 mi) northeast of New Zealand and 3,700 km (2,300 mi) southwest of Hawaii.

The closest international airport is Faleolo International Airport, approximately a 50-minute drive along the north coast where airport shuttles, taxis and buses provide transfers. The airport receives regular flights from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and Fiji, which are all well-connected to the rest of the world. Find out about airlines travelling to Faleolo Airport in our guide, Which Airlines Fly Directly to Samoa?

Alternative ways to get to Apia include day trips with cruise liners, as well as via private sailing yacht; both of which anchor in the Apia Harbour. Find out more about your arrival options in Getting Here: How to Get to Samoa?

How to Get Around Apia

Apia has an inexpensive public transport network of taxis and buses. Car and scooter rentals are also available should you want to make your way around independently, while tour operators provide guided tours with transport included. The city centre is quite compact, with plenty to see on foot.

Find out all you need to know about transport in our Apia Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get to (& Around) Apia.

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Activities in Apia for Adults

Aside from a night out on the town, which we’ll get to later, an adults-only escape to Apia can have a generous mix of adventure and relaxation with sporting ventures like golfing and fishing. If that’s not your thing, then let Apia’s spas handle the rest…

Private Fishing Charters

Swap a day of hustle and bustle in Apia for a day out on the water reeling in the big ones. Fishing is a way of life here on the islands, so there’s no lack of experienced fisherfolk who can show you the lines on a private fishing excursion. Troppo Fishing Adventures is your go-to charter in Apia but new ones are cropping in all the time, so check them out in the 10 Best Fishing Charters in Samoa.

Golf Courses

If you’re looking for a destination that naturally isn’t swarming with families, then you’ll find sanctuary at one of Apia’s two golf courses. The Faleata Golf Course and Royal Samoa Country Club are both park courses boasting 18 holes of challenges each winding through the coconut palms. Find the most suitable course for you in The Complete Guide to Golf in Samoa.

Spa Day

Apia boasts a number of day spas for you to effortlessly find your zen. From cultural therapeutic massages to top-of-the-line beauty treatments, there are spas in Apia to truly make yourself feel 100%! What’s more, there are some very reasonable massage rates going around, so compare your options with the 5 Best Spas in Apia and start reviving.

Yoga Classes

On the subject of wellness, Apia is another beautiful place in Samoa to do yoga. Either join a class, such as on weekday mornings at Taumeasina Island Resort or book Yoga Samoa for a one-on-one or group session at your chosen accommodation. Discover all of your options in the 10 Best Places to Experience Yoga in Samoa.

Check out more recommendations in the 8 Adults-Only Activities in Apia or broaden your search to the greater island of Upolu with the 10 Adults-Only Activities on Upolu.

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Nightlife in Apia

There are a number of vibes to be found in the bustling streets of Apia, from relaxed cocktail lounges to clubs with live DJ sets and beer served in towers. Why not?!

Bars and Nightclubs

Easily one of the most popular bars/nightclubs in Apia looms over “the edge” of the Apia Marina, The Edge Marina (Beach Road) boasts three different bar areas to choose from, including the NXT Nightclub with local DJs and deck parties from 8 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Alternatively (or, ya know, additionally), head downtown to the RoSA Nightclub (Milinuu Road) for late-night antics and partying into the wee hours.

The older crowd can be found Club-75 (Mulinuu Road), while a mixed crowd awaits at the Apia Harbour’s casual bar Cocktails on the Rocks (Beach Road), including gossiping expats and friendly locals. There are live DJ sets and themed nights just about every night of the week. If you want more the local vibe, however, head down to JP Sports Bar (Moamoa Road) in Vaimea. Learn more about these nightclubs in the 10 Best Bars in Apia.

Resort and Hotel Bars

For a more “sophisticated” establishment to meet, Manu Bar (Taumeasina Road) is Taumeasina Island Resort‘s stylish wine bar located in the resort’s lobby. Sink into the lounge seating with a cocktail, beer or wine in hand or perhaps with some light snacks to see you through the evening’s conversations.

We also like the 1905 Bar (Milinuu Road) of the Lava Hotel for its extensive drinks menu, including gorgeously presented cocktails, smoothies and mocktails. Nearby is also the Deck Bar (Milinuu Road) of the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel boasting very reasonable cocktail specials. Again, wise up on these establishments using the 10 Best Bars in Apia.

Casino

Unmissable on the Apia Harbour, mainly because it’s a multi-storey bright white building right next to the historic Aggie Grey Hotel, Whitesands Casino (Beach Road) is Samoa’s only casino. The gambling joint is exclusively open to foreign passport holders, so take your passport to have access to gaming tables, slot machines and two bars, while live DJ sets usually add to the ambience on Friday and Saturday nights.

The casino is open from 2 pm to 2 am daily. Samoa Scenic offers free transfers between Apia accommodations and the casino, should you need a ride.

Need more nightlife guidance? Check out The Guide to Apia & Upolu Nightlife + 5 Things to Do on Upolu at Night.

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Private Dining in Apia

Forget crowded restaurants. If you seek that “adults-only” experience for a more romantic vibe, then treat yourself and your loved one to one of Apia’s private dining experiences. Taumeasina Island Resort offers an exclusive experience where guests indulge in a three-course dinner with bubbles either on your room’s balcony or by the beach. For similar vibes, check out the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do in Apia for Couples.

Alternatively, how about treating yourself to room service if staying in one of the larger hotels such as Taumeasina, Lava Hotel or Tanoa Tusitala Hotel? If your accommodation doesn’t have room service, or you just want something perhaps more affordable, then download the Seki Eats app (the Samoan Uber Eats) and you’ll have many of Apia’s top eateries at your fingertips offering delivery or pick-up, many of which feature in The 10 Best Restaurants in Apia and 10 Best Cafes in Apia & Upolu.