How to Camp in Samoa
Zipping open your tent on a pristine beach and popping your toes in the sand is what most of us imagine when camping in Samoa. But can you actually camp in Samoa? While you might not be allowed to camp just anywhere, there is the odd accommodation with a campsite and multi-day adventure tours where tent camping is your only accommodation option. Not forgetting, there’s Samoa’s original form of beach camping; the Samoan beach fale! We go through all of your options for camping in Samoa in the guide below.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Complete Backpacking Guide to Samoa on a Budget.
Are You Allowed to Camp in Samoa?
The majority of land in Samoa, including beaches, is owned by local families rather than the “public”. With that in mind, it is illegal to camp on someone’s property in Samoa without asking for permission, giving you very few options for camping.
Learn more about the do’s and don’t’s in Samoa in our guide, Samoan Etiquette: Samoa Customs & Traditions.
© PxhereCamping Accommodation in Samoa
At the time of writing, there is only one formal accommodation that allows travellers to set up their own tent on its property.
Vaiula Beach Fales
As well as beach fales on the absolute beachfront of Tafatafa Beach, Vaiula Beach Fales offers space for campers to pitch their own tent for a small fee. There are shared bathroom facilities. Food is not included in the cheapest camping rate, but you can opt for breakfast and dinner family-style and even stick around for lunch at the accommodation’s very own cafe and bar with an a la carte menu.
Learn More About Vaiula Beach Fales:
How Much Does it Cost to Camp in Samoa?
For a tent site in Samoa with no food or bedding included, the cost is approximately ST$20.
© Samoa Tourism AuthorityTours with Camping in Samoa
There are limited multi-day tours in Samoa where no other accommodation is available, therefore, camping is permitted.
Guided Hike to Mt Silisili
Samoa’s highest mountain and a multi-day adventure to tackle, Mt Silisili provides an awesome adventure on Savai’i. As long as you have your own tent, (as well as food, gear you usually hike with, and a guide from A’opo village), you can camp part-way on the journey up Mt Silisili.
It’s best to get an early start by staying with a local family in the village the night before (this, along with a guide for the hike, can be organised through the Savai’i Samoa Tourism Association). It’s a good idea to prepare cash or gifts of food staples to provide for the family you stay with at the beginning/end of the hike.
Check out the trail description in the 6 Best Walks & Hikes on Savai’i.
© SamoaPocketGuide.comBeach Fale Camping in Samoa
It’s funny you should want to do some camping in Samoa, because the country’s most iconic style of accommodation just happens to be very similar.
Beach fales are traditional huts raised on the beach, simply equipped with a woven mat, a foam mattress, bedding and a mosquito net. Some are completely open, while others have woven bi-fold panels that you can lower for privacy and protection from the rain. Think of beach fales similar to glamping on the beach. What’s more, an included breakfast and dinner are also usually a staple of the Samoan beach fale stay.
Learn more about what it’s like to stay in one of these unique styles of camping accommodation in the Essential Tips for Staying in a Beach Fale in Samoa.
10 Best Fales for Beach Camping in Samoa
- Faofao Beach Fales (Upolu)
- Tanu Beach Fales (Savai’i)
- Taufua Beach Fales (Upolu)
- Lauiula Beach Fales (Savai’i)
- Manusina Beach Fales (Upolu)
- Falealupo Beach Fales (Savai’i)
- Namu’a Island Beach Fales (Upolu)
- Joelan Beach Fales (Savai’i)
- Jaymy Beach Fales (Upolu)
- Se’eti Beach Fales (Savai’i)
Compare these fales and much more in the 20 BEST Beach Fale Accommodations in Samoa.
More About Camping in Samoa
That’s it for our guide to camping in Samoa. For alternative accommodations on a budget, as well as more money-saving tips, take a look at the following guides:
- 25 BEST Budget Accommodations in Samoa
- 20 Tips to Save Money in Samoa
- Samoa Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Samoa Cost?
Finally, if you still haven’t found your place in paradise, start from scratch with Where to Stay in Samoa: The 50 Best Accommodations in Samoa.
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 [2024])
- Samoa Tourism Authority Corporate (Tourism news - Updated [2024])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Hotels Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Meteorological Division (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Customs & Revenue (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2024])
- Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2024])
- Samoa Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Land Transport Authority (Tourist driver’s license info - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Samoa - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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