Savai'i, westernmost and largest island of Samoa, in the South Pacific Ocean.

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Savai'i

Samoa’s ‘Big Island’ offers a spectacular scenic smorgasbord of riotous rainforest, sea-smashed cliffs, pristine waterfalls and ragged volcanic cones (around 450 of them). Though visitors will be taken by Savai’i’s gentle, snoozy ambience, the island itself – the largest shield volcano in the South Pacific – has volatile tendencies, most dramatically displayed in the eerie lava fields, village ruins and craters of the north and the explosive blowholes of the south coast.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Alofaaga Blowholes

    Alofaaga Blowholes

    Savai'i

    These powerful blowholes are among the most spectacular on Earth, and well worth going out of your way for. Strong waves are pushed through a series of…

  • Pulemelei Mound

    Pulemelei Mound

    Savai'i

    Polynesia’s largest ancient structure is the intriguing, pyramidal Pulemelei Mound (sometimes called Tia Seu Ancient Mound). Constructed sometime between…

  • Mt Matavanu Crater

    Mt Matavanu Crater

    Savai'i

    If you've got a 4WD and a sturdy pair of boots, a visit to the volcano responsible for the devastation visited upon northeastern Savai’i a century ago is…

  • Dwarf’s Cave

    Dwarf’s Cave

    Savai'i

    This intriguing subterranean lava tube leads downwards as if to the centre of the earth. The cave is named after a legendary group of dwarves, who…

  • Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve

    Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve

    Savai'i

    This preserve contains superb stands of rainforest and rugged stretches of lava coast studded with cliffs and sea arches. A highlight is the Tafua Savai’i…

  • Cape Mulinu’u

    Cape Mulinu’u

    Savai'i

    The country's most western point is not only gorgeously scenic (until Samoa hopped the dateline, it was the last place in the world the sun set each day),…

  • Sale’aula Lava Fields

    Sale’aula Lava Fields

    Savai'i

    This striking spot offers a fascinating glimpse at the destruction wrought by the 1905 eruption of Mt Matavanu. Most photogenic is the ruined LMS Church:…

  • Falealupo Canopy Walk

    Falealupo Canopy Walk

    Savai'i

    This wobbly walk takes you across a 24m jerry-built bridge strung between two large trees almost 10m above the rainforest floor. After you cross the…

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