The Best After-Dark Experiences in Samoa
As the sun sets and the stars come out, the fun doesn’t stop in Samoa. That’s especially the case for Apia, home to (arguably) the most buzzing nightlife in the South Pacific! But it’s not all about partying in Samoa, as night paddleboarding, sunset cruises and night markets are all things to experience after dark. Discover some of the best things to do in Samoa at night in this awesome list!
1. Experience a Fiafia Night
Your evening entertainment in Samoa is sorted with its fiafia nights! “Fiafia” means “happy” in Samoan, which follows an equation that can’t help but put a smile on the faces of locals and visitors alike. Many will start with an ‘ava (kava) welcoming ceremony before guests are treated to a buffet of Samoan staples and international favourites. Once your stomach is gleeful, the show can get underway with cultural Pacifika dancing and, usually the highlight of the show, siva afi which is Samoa’s very own knife fire-dancing in the homeland where Polynesian fire dancing originated! See which fiafia night to book yourselves into in the 10 Best Cultural Shows (Fiafia) in Samoa.
Location: All over Samoa! See the link above for specific locations.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com2. Watch the Sunset or Head Out on a Sunset Cruise
Many great evenings begin with a stellar sunset in Samoa. Make an event out of the phenomenon by hitting one of the 10 Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Samoa. Better yet, get out onto the water for unobstructed views of the day’s final light on a sunset cruise. Le Vasa Resort, based on the favourable west coast of Upolu, launches private sunset cruises from their jetty, allowing you to bask in the amazing sunset while cruising around Manono Island. What’s more, a couple of beverages per person are also included in the 1h30min tour.
Location: Le Vasa Resort, Apolima-uta village, Main West Coast Road, west coast of Upolu.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com3. Delight in Some Sundowners or Party into the Wee Hours at Samoa’s Bars and Nightclubs
Whether your vibe is kicking back with sundowner cocktails or dancing into the wee hours, Apia and even the island of Savai’i have bars and nightclubs for an unforgettable night out. The Apia Marina is where much of the party is if you want to mingle with locals and expats. Alternatively, there are nightclubs and karaoke nights should you want to experience a real Samoan night out on Savai’i. Check out all of our recommendations in The Ultimate Guide to Samoa Nightlife + Happy Hour List.
Location: All over Samoa! See the link above for bar recommendations and their locations.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com4. Stargaze Under Some of the World’s Clearest Skies
When night falls and the weather is clear, the universe puts on the most mesmerising show made all the clearer thanks to Samoa’s lack of light pollution. Any of the beach accommodations regularly capture magnificent displays of the Milky Way arm when the conditions are right, but follow the advice in the 5 Best Spots for Stargazing in Samoa for more tips for incredible stargazing.
Location: All over Samoa! See the link above for recommended locations.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com5. Check Out the Apia Night Market
On the last Friday of the month from 4 pm, the grounds behind the Samoa Tourism Fale come alive with the Apia Night Market. Also known as The Waterfront Night Market, the event is where Apia’s top food vendors come together for a whirlwind of tastes and treats. Street food is at the fore with traditional meals like palusami and fai’ai elegi available to more contemporary treats like hot dogs, steak sandwiches, kebabs, burgers, cupcakes, cotton candy, popcorn and much more. There’s a carnival atmosphere with bouncy castles and fairground rides to complete the family-friendly event. For more family-friendly experiences, check out the 20 Best Things to Do in Samoa with Kids.
Location: Samoa Tourism Authority fale behind the Tourist Information Centre, Beach Road, Apia.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com6. Light Up the Water Beneath You on a Night SUP Tour
Although there are a number of amazing stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tours to delight in during the daytime, none are quite as unique as Samoa SUP Tours‘ night SUP experience. As the sun disappears and the night falls, the water under your board’s LED lights unveil a wealth of life beneath the surface. Tours take place in one of the most protected bays in Samoa, accessible from Apia. For more SUP options, take a look at our guide, SUP in Samoa: 5 Best Paddleboarding Tours & Locations.
Location: Tours depart from Apia with Apia pick-ups included.
© Pixabay7. Go for an Evening Stroll Through the Rainforest or on the Beach
Although Samoa’s walking trails are popular through the daytime, not many travellers consider hiking the trails at night. Short rainforest walks, such as those through O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park, unveil all sorts of nocturnal creatures, including chattering geckos, giant snails and beetles, flying foxes and even the introduced barn owl. If the forest isn’t your thing, even a stroll down the beach with the sea breeze in your hair offers a pleasant venture after a day in the hot sun.
Location: Anywhere in Samoa! See some walk suggestions in the 15 Best Walks & Hikes in Samoa and beaches in 10 Best Beaches in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com8. Treat the Tastebuds at Samoa’s Restaurants or a Private Dining Experience
A day in paradise isn’t complete until you’ve wrapped it up with a mouthwatering meal. Most choices when it comes to dining out can be found in the capital Apia, while some resort restaurants are worth the excursion. Alternatively, for a special occasion perhaps, try one of Samoa’s private dining experiences. Indulge in a three-course dinner with bubbles either on your room’s balcony or by the beach at Taumeasina Island Resort or Le Lagoto Resort, choose a private decorated setting at Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa or have a candlelit dinner with personal waiting service on the deck of your luxury villa at Seabreeze Resort.
Location: All over Samoa! See our recommended restaurants and their locations in the 20 Best Restaurants in Samoa.
© SamoaPocketGuide.com9. Spend the Night in a Beach Fale
Elevated on the sands with the sound of the waves rolling onto the distant reef; not only is sleeping in a traditional beach fale a form of accommodation but an experience in itself. Samoa’s beach fales are run by local families, offering home-like hospitality with a traditional breakfast and dinner provided and shared family-style in the dining fale with fellow travellers. Learn more about the experience in Essential Tips for Staying in a Beach Fale in Samoa.
Location: All over Samoa! Check out locations in the 20 Best Beach Fale Accommodations in Samoa.
© Samoa Tourism Authority10. Try Your Luck at Samoa’s Only 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 is Samoa’s only casino. The gambling joint is exclusively open to internationals, 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. For more adult-only antics, check out the 10 Best Activities in Samoa for Adults.
Location: Beach Road, Apia (next to Aggie Grey’s Hotel).
© SamoaPocketGuide.comMore Things to Do in Samoa at Night
Now that you know some of the best things to do in Samoa at night, here’s more inspiration for your after-dark activities:
- The Guide to Apia & Upolu Nightlife + 5 Things to Do on Upolu at Night
- The Guide to Savai’i Nightlife + 5 Things to Do on Savai’i at Night
- 10 Best Bars in Samoa
Finally, spend some time doing some stuff in the daytime too with inspiration from the 101 Best Things to Do in Samoa: The Ultimate List.
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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