Waterfall · Savaii
Afu Aau Waterfall
Afu Aau Waterfall is a spring-fed waterfall on Savai'i's south coast, fed by a deep, cool, blue-green swimming pool below. Lush and shaded, it's rarely busy and ranks among the island's best swimming spots. The site is open year-round Monday to Saturday; bring snacks as there's no shop on site, and pay a small village fee upon arrival. It's an ideal natural escape for swimmers and those seeking a quiet riverside experience.
A spring-fed waterfall on Savai'i with a deep, cool, blue-green swimming pool below — one of the best swims on the island. Lush, shaded, and rarely busy. Pay the small village fee and bring snacks; there's no shop on site.
Also known as: Afu Aau, Afu Aau Waterfall Savai'i, Olemoe Falls, Vailoa Falls, Vailoa Waterfall
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Best stays in Savai'i, Samoa
Savai'i is the second-largest island in Polynesia and Samoa's quiet half — most travellers spend two or three nights here on a Samoa trip. Accommodation is mostly family-run: traditional beach fales along the coast, a handful of mid-range resorts, and a few eco-lodges set back from the road.
Things to do in Samoa: tours, activities, and day trips
Samoa rewards travellers who get out of the resort. Most of the iconic photos (To-Sua, Lalomanu, Alofaaga blowholes, the canopy walk) are 60–90-minute drives from wherever you're staying — and the easiest way to see them is on a guided tour with a local operator who knows the village fees and the best swimming windows.
Best waterfalls in Samoa
Samoa is volcanic, mountainous, and perpetually green — which means waterfalls everywhere. A handful are big, dramatic, and reachable by sealed road; many are off-grid and require a local guide and a small village fee. Below are the ones worth the drive.
Stay nearby on Savaii
Afu Aau Waterfall in detail
- Good to know
- Pay the small village fee on arrival. Bring your own snacks; there is no shop on site.
- About
- A spring-fed waterfall on Savai'i with a deep, cool, blue-green swimming pool below. Lush, shaded, and rarely busy, it's one of the best swims on the island.
- Best time to visit
- Year-round. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm. Closed Sundays.
- What to expect
- A natural swimming pool fed by the waterfall, with shaded surroundings ideal for cooling off and relaxing.
About Afu Aau Waterfall
Is there an entry fee?
Most Samoan waterfalls, natural pools, and caves sit on village or family land and charge a small access fee (typically WST 5-30) paid at the entrance. Bring small notes.
Can I swim here?
Most freshwater pools at the base of waterfalls are swimmable when water levels are reasonable; rope swings or ladders may be present. Swim at your own risk — there are no lifeguards, and rocks can be slippery. After heavy rain, swimming may be unsafe due to debris and stronger currents.
When is the best time to visit?
Morning to early afternoon for the best light and photography. Avoid visits during or just after heavy rain when access tracks can be slippery and pools turbid.
What should I bring?
Reef shoes or sandals with grip, swimwear, towel, drinking water, a small denomination of cash for the entry fee, and insect repellent.
Last updated 12 September 2026