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One week in Samoa: full itinerary across both islands

One week is the canonical Samoa trip. Spend three nights on Upolu, take the ferry to Savai'i for three nights, ferry back for the last morning. Both islands deserve the time; rushing Savai'i is the most common mistake.

About this guide

The Mulifanua → Salelologa ferry runs roughly every 2 hours weekdays, less on weekends. Buy tickets at the wharf — no online booking. Cars travel for an extra fee. If you're hiring a car, make sure the rental company allows the ferry crossing (most do). Drive on the left. Speed limits 40 km/h in villages, 56 km/h elsewhere — nominal but enforced. Tipping isn't customary. Cash for village fees at attractions (WST 5-20). Most hotels include breakfast on the rate.

Day-by-day plan (7 days)

  1. Day 1: Arrive Apia, Mt Vaea + Stevenson

    Stay · Apia

    Same first-day pattern as the 3-day plan — land, settle, do Mt Vaea + the museum.

    Morning

    • Transit

      Faleolo (APW) → Apia, ~45 min by taxi or pre-booked transfer.(~45 min)

    Afternoon

    Evening

  2. Day 2: South coast — To Sua + Lalomanu

    Stay · South coast

    The big postcard day — same as the 3-day plan, swap to a south-coast resort tonight.

    Morning

    Afternoon

    Evening

    • Eat

      Dinner at your resort. Sinalei and Coconuts both have good restaurants.

  3. Day 3: South coast slow morning, ferry to Savai'i

    Stay · Manase, Savai'i

    Slow start, drive across to Mulifanua wharf for the early-afternoon ferry. Aim for the 14:00 or 16:00 sailing.

    Morning

    Afternoon

    • Transit

      South coast → Mulifanua wharf, ~75 min drive. Buy ferry tickets at the booth.(~75 min)

    • Transit

      Mulifanua → Salelologa ferry, 90 min. Sit on the upper deck for the views.(~90 min)

    • Transit

      Salelologa wharf → Manase, 60 min drive along the north coast.(~60 min)

    Evening

    • Eat

      Beach dinner at your fale or resort restaurant.

  4. Day 4: Manase + turtle sanctuary + lava fields

    Stay · Manase, Savai'i

    The classic Savai'i loop day. Snorkel in the morning, drive east along the north coast for the lava fields and turtle sanctuary, back to Manase for sunset.

    Morning

    Afternoon

    Evening

    • Eat

      Sunset drink at Le Lagoto bar — Savai'i's best ocean-front sundowner spot.

  5. Day 5: West coast — Falealupo cape + canopy walk

    Stay · Falealupo

    The most remote stretch of Samoa. Drive west to the Falealupo cape — westernmost point of the country — climb the canopy walkway, swim at the cape beaches, dinner at the beach fales out there.

    Morning

    Afternoon

    • Visit

      Cape beaches — westernmost in Samoa. Where the day ends, says the legend.

    Evening

  6. Day 6: South coast Savai'i — Alofaaga blowholes + Afu Aau

    Stay · Salelologa

    Loop back south. The blowholes at Taga are spectacular when the swell's up; coconuts thrown in the spout shoot 30 m into the air. Afu Aau is the swimming hole at the end.

    Morning

    • Transit

      Falealupo → Alofaaga via the south road, ~90 min.(~90 min)

    • Visit

      Best at high tide — The local kid will throw coconuts for tips.

    Afternoon

    Evening

    • Eat

      Drive back to Salelologa for dinner — Lusia's Lagoon Chalets has the best lagoon-view restaurant on this side.

  7. Day 7: Ferry back + departure

    Morning ferry to Upolu, drive straight to Faleolo for evening international flights.

    Morning

    • Transit

      Lusia's → Salelologa wharf, 5 min. Catch the 08:00 or 10:00 ferry.(~5 min)

    • Transit

      Salelologa → Mulifanua ferry, 90 min.(~90 min)

    Afternoon

    • Transit

      Mulifanua → Faleolo Airport, 15 min drive — the airport is right next to the wharf.(~15 min)

Practical info

Before you fly, skim our Samoa travel info page — visa rules, ferry to Savai'i, driving on the left, village fees, and cultural protocols. For event timing, the Samoa events calendar covers festivals, public holidays, and weekly markets.

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