FA’A AWAY FROM STRESS

12 February, 2025 Cy Sinderson

Photography By Samoa Tourism Authority

You know, we’re pretty lucky here in the South Pacific. When we’ve had; ‘absolutely enough of stress at work!’ or; ‘just can’t take any more of the traffic and roadworks in this city!’ it’s actually really easy to escape to a better place for a bit. By just jumping on a plane, in a mere couple of hours we can be in a completely different world of pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Even better, if we go to Samoa, we can give ourselves a decent dose of Fa’a Samoa to cure even the worst case of stress.

Hit the Beaches

Header Image: Overwater fales from above at Coconuts Beach Club Resort & Spa Samoa, Upolu. Above: Vavau Beach Samoa

But first things first – we need to hit the beaches as what better way is there to unwind than tossing the phone aside and donning the togs for a day in the sun?

Samoa has a soft white sand beach for everyone with the iconic Lalomanu Beach on Upolu Island being perfect for swimming, snorkeling and/or soaking up the sun. For a more secluded escape, head to Vavau Beach while the more active types ought to dive in amongst the colourful tropical fish amongst the coral reefs at Manase Beach on Savai’i Island.

Chasing Waterfalls

Enjoy a flowing waterfall with your personal guide on a river retreat walk. Lalotalie River, Upolu.

If majestic natural wonders are your thing, you are very much in luck with Samoa. Incredible waterfalls seem to be around every corner with To Sua Ocean Trench with its jaw-dropping 30-meter-deep swimming hole being one of the more amazing examples. Then there’s the Papaseea Sliding Rocks, where you can literally slide down smooth natural rock formations into cool, refreshing pools. For those who love a good hike, Sopoaga and Fuipisia Waterfalls are not only stunning but also relatively easy to reach.

Putting the lava in lavalava

When you think of Pacific islands you think of white sandy beaches, shimmering crystal-clear waters and swaying palm trees – not usually molten lava volcanoes. Yet, like Hawai’i, Samoa owes its origin to fiery eruptions with the islands’ rugged landscapes a testament to this wild beginning. And even up until not so long ago either with Mount Matavanu erupting back in the early 20th century.

Dramatic craters and lava fields from this eruption remain to this day at the Saleaula Lava Fields on Savai’i. Here, you can walk across hardened lava flows to all the results of Nature’s rage, including the preserved ruins of a church partially buried under molten rock. It’s not all sombre though as the volcanoes have given Samoa many geothermal marvels too, such as natural springs, picturesque crater lakes, like Lake Lanoto’o on Upolu and fertile soil that sustains lush rainforests.

The volcanic rock is also responsible for several other otherworldly landscapes around the islands, like the Alofaaga Blowholes, where ocean waves blast through lava tubes, creating geyser-like sprays that shoot high into the air.

What Is and What Should Always Be

A weaving demonstration for audience during cultural show. Coconuts Beach Club Resort, Upolu.

Women and a child learn the traditional Siva dance in Savai’i

But it isn’t just the amazing scenery that sets Samoa apart – it’s the people too. Samoan culture, or Fa’a Samoa, is all about community, respect, and family. Visitors are welcomed with open arms and an enthusiasm that’s infectious. It’s like the locals have made a group decision to refuse to become jaded, cynical and money-grubbing like the rest of the world. By hanging onto their principles of Fa’a Samoa and prioritising family, community and tradition, Samoans have kept their society interconnected and strong despite the prevailing cold winds of globalisation. Just immersing yourself in this culture is as much an antidote to cynicism or stress as lying on a sun-drenched beach for a week.

When Can I Go?

A fire dancer performs on beach at dusk. Matareva Beach Fales, Upolu.

Let’s face it, Samoa is tropical so you can go any time of the year you want and the temperatures will always be in the perfect zone somewhere between 24 to 30°C. However Samoa does have Wet and Dry Seasons so you might find it more fun to go during the Dry Season which runs between May and October. The drier conditions make it a lot easier to get out and about on adventures, as well as make your beach time a lot more pleasurable. Don’t worry about it getting too hot as the trade winds blowing in from the Pacific stop it getting uncomfortable.

Other good reasons to go to Samoa during this season are all the events that happen at this time of the year like the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament in April, the Samoa International Marathon on Upolu in mid-June and the Teuila Festival in September. Named after the national flower, the Teuila Festival is one of Samoa’s premier cultural events and is a week-long celebration featuring plenty of Siva Samoa traditional dancing, choral singing, tatau (tattooing) and sporting events including cricket and, naturally, rugby. Absolutely unmissable!

Getting There and Around

Less than four hours from Auckland by plane Samoa is easy to get to these days as Air New Zealand flies there (almost) daily. The two main islands, Upolu and Savai’i, are connected by regular ferry services, making life easy. Once you’re on land, you can take a taxi but be sure to agree on a fare before starting your journey as meters are not commonly used. Or you can hop on a local bus which is a way more affordable and immersive experience albeit random as they operate on a loose schedule – and only during the day. You can also hire a car or scooter but you’ll need a temporary Samoan driver’s license, which you can easily get from the Samoa Tourism Authority (Information Centre), Land Transport Authority or via a rental company.

We’re lucky here in New Zealand there are so many Pacific Islands nearby we can scuttle to when we need to recharge but really, the only one that can cure our ills bone-deep is Samoa. As not only does it feature all the white sand beaches, turquoise waters and hot sun we want – but it also has the Fa’a Samoan attitude to life our souls really need.

For all your Samoa enquiries contact the experts at YOU Travel & Cruise on 0800 968 872.