Cultural site · Savaii
Saleaula Lava Fields
Photo: NASA, uploaded by Teinesavaii / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Eerie black plains of cooled lava on Savai'i's north coast, marking where the 1905–1911 Mt Matavanu eruption swept five villages into the sea. The roofless church — half-buried, with a single grave inside the nave that the lava is said to have flowed around — is the not-to-miss stop. Quietly haunting; the photo on this page is the actual eruption captured by Thomas Andrew in 1905.
Also known as: Lava Fields Savai'i, Saleaula, Saleaula Lava Field, Saleaula Lava Flow, Saleaula Ruins
Saleaula Lava Fields on YouTube
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Dedicated guide
Visiting Saleaula Lava Fields — full guide
Stays nearby, activities that include Saleaula Lava Fields, practical info — all on one page.
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.
Stay nearby on Savaii
Saleaula Lava Fields at a glance
Saleaula Lava Fields is a stark landscape of cooled black lava on Savai'i's north coast, created by the 1905–1911 Mt Matavanu eruption that destroyed five villages. The site's most striking feature is a roofless stone church, half-buried in lava, with a single grave inside the nave that the molten rock is said to have flowed around. The fields are open year-round and carry a quietly haunting atmosphere, offering a powerful glimpse into Samoa's volcanic history.
- Good to know
- Entry fee is 5 WST. The site is open most days, though note that on Sundays access is available in the afternoon only.
- About
- Saleaula Lava Fields is a stark landscape of cooled black lava on Savai'i's north coast, created by the 1905–1911 Mt Matavanu eruption that destroyed five villages. The roofless church, half-buried and with a single grave inside the nave that lava is said to have flowed around, is the site's most striking feature.
About Saleaula Lava Fields
Where is Saleaula Lava Fields?
Saleaula Lava Fields is in North Coast, Savaii, Samoa.
Is there an entry fee for Saleaula Lava Fields?
Entry to Saleaula Lava Fields costs WST 5 per person. Bring cash — most Samoa attractions don't accept card.
When's the best time to visit Saleaula Lava Fields?
Year-round
When is Saleaula Lava Fields open?
Monday: All Day, Tuesday: All Day, Wednesday: All Day, Thursday: All Day, Friday: All Day, Saturday: All Day, Sunday: Afternoon
Last updated 30 July 2026