The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Savai’i

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

How to Get to Savai’i

Savai’i lies a mere 17 km (10.6 mi) west of Samoa’s main island, Upolu, and the country’s international airport. There are no flights to Savai’i so your introduction to the island is as authentic as it gets by taking the ferry across the Apolima Strait. Luckily, Malifanua Wharf is a 5-minute drive from Faleolo International Airport, making it an easy transition from your flight (providing flight times are favourable; if not, the Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort provides a lavish stay nearby or choose the more budget-friendly Transit Motel).

The ferry crossing passing the glorious islands of Manono and Apolima takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. For more information, check out our Samoa Ferry Guide.

How to Get Around Savai’i

Savai’i has a well-maintained sealed road of roughly 176 km (109 mi) around the perimeter of the island. There are limited car rentals available on the island or you can bring your rental vehicle on the ferry from Upolu. Alternatively, taxis are readily available or some accommodations can arrange transfers from the ferry terminal. Find out more about your transport options in our Savai’i Transport Guide.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Experiences

Savai’i offers an array of activities that most visitors opt to do but can incidentally enhance a romantic getaway or honeymoon. Some of the top romantic experiences on the island can be found in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Savai’i, but a few highlights include…

Falealupo Beach: Savai’i’s Most Romantic Beach

Ok, so long walks on the beach are pretty cliché, but they’re cliché for a reason! One of the most scenic beaches on Savai’i is Falealupo Beach on the northwest coast. The beach stretches for approximately 1km (0.6 mi), is backed by swaying coconut palms and offers decent snorkelling. Note that you’ll need to hire a day fale to visit, which you can do at either Falealupo Beach Fales or Se’eti Beach Fales.

For more glorious beaches to discover, also check out the 10 Best Beaches on Savai’i.

Scuba Diving

As any experienced scuba diver will know, it takes two to enjoy diving safely. If you’re new to diving, Dive Savai’i can show you the ropes (or the tubes?) with scuba diving lessons. Alternatively, enjoy an introductory dive trip together to discover stunning coral formations, turtles, eagle rays, clownfish and nudibranchs in the lagoon. Certified divers can also enjoy a shallow wreck dive of the John Williams V.

Note that they operate seasonally, so check out the Dive Savai’i website for dates. Additionally, see The Top 10 Places to Scuba Dive in Samoa for more on the subject.

Cape Mulinuu Sunset

The westernmost tip of Samoa also happens to be a glorious environment to watch the sunset with its white-sand beach and rock pools. After venturing down an attractive coconut-lined dirt road, you’ll arrive at Cape Mulinuu. This is a sacred place where, according to Samoan legend, spirits are said to depart to the afterlife.

While you’re waiting for the sunset, check out the ancient star mound, a cave and a historical well situated just across the road (learn more in the 10 Best Historical Sites on Savai’i). If there’s a guide around, pay your entry fees and they can share the legends of the site. Otherwise, an interpretation panel stands at the entrance.

For more romantic sunset spots, check out the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Samoa.

More Things to Do on Savai’i

Again, we have many more recommendations to elevate your romantic getaway in the 10 Most Romantic Things to Do on Savai’i. We also realise, however, that there are many more experiences on Savai’i that don’t necessarily fall under the “romantic” category but are just as amazing. Therefore, you can complete your bucket list with the 50 Best Things to Do on Savai’i.

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Dining on Savai’i

Nothing wraps up a day in paradise more perfectly than a romantic meal with the most important person in your life. Despite its size, Savai’i has quite a small selection of restaurants and cafes. Nevertheless, if you know where to look, you can find some memorable dining experiences.

Private Dining Experiences

As the sun is setting and your toes are in the sand, the ambience of a private sunset dinner is effortlessly romantic. A good repertoire with any of the accommodation hosts on Savai’i, explaining the special occasion, and some tala available may well lead to a romantic picnic set-up on the beach to surprise your loved one. Otherwise, Le Lagoto Resort makes the whole process easy with its “Romantic Dining Lagoon Side” package. The experience includes a bottle of bubbles, a cocktail, a dedicated waiter, a three-course dinner and a romantic dining set-up by the lagoon. Alternatively, Jet Over Hotel in Salelologa is also said to offer private dining.

Romantic Retaurants on Savai’i

As mentioned, restaurants are limited on Savai’i, but if you’re looking for a special dine-in experience, your best result would be the resort restaurants.

Amoa Resort‘s airy dining fale offers relaxed poolside dining with well-presented plates of internationally inspired meals made with pleasingly local ingredients. It’s your chance to try a refreshing Samoan oka, taro nachos garnished with seagrapes or stick with the classics such as local pan-fried fish or New Zealand striploin beefsteak. Top it all off with one of the many cocktail options (happy hour is 5-7pm daily) or a refreshing vai tipolo.

At Vailili Restaurant of the Le Lagoto Resort, locals love it for the “best thin-crust pizzas on Savai’i”, while those feeling more adventurous will find an eclectic menu of meats and seafood. What’s more, the restaurant and pool bar here captures some of the best sunsets on the island.

Dining at Your Beach Fale

If you stay at one of Savai’i’s beach fales, note that breakfast and dinner are usually included. This is often an affair shared with other guests in a dining fale where the atmosphere is a relaxed and homely one with the opportunity to try traditional and contemporary Samoan cuisine. See some of the food you’re likely to sample in Traditional Samoan Food: 20 Foods to Try in Samoa.

Alternative Dining on Savai’i

If you see yourself relaxing in a quirky cafe or a relaxed restaurant on the edge of Salelologa, check out more dining options in The Best Places to Eat on Savai’i.

© Samoa Tourism Authority

Weddings on Savai’i

With an effortless flair of rustic romance, Savai’i is the choice of many for a beach wedding in the Pacific. What’s more, the requirements to get married in Samoa are so easy with the couple only needing to be in the country three days prior to the wedding, a passport, birth certificate and a divorce or death certificate if applicable. Get a full insight into the marriage requirements and more in What are the Marriage Requirements in Samoa?

With that, there are several wedding venues across Savai’i that can help make your dream wedding a reality. Most operate out of the resorts, such as Le Lagoto Resort, Amoa Resort, Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge and Stevensons on Manase but there are also wedding halls in Salelologa should you want an easy wedding straight off the ferry.

Learn about these venues in the 5 Best Wedding Venues on Savai’i, as well as packages in the 10 Best Wedding Packages in Samoa.