Upolu

Travel Guide

Upolu which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes
Upolu featuring mountains, a bay or harbor and a coastal town
Upolu showing a sandy beach and tropical scenes
Upolu showing rainforest, swimming and a lake or waterhole
Upolu as well as a large group of people

Visit Samoa’s most important island to discover pristine beaches, lush rainforest and a relaxed pace of life in its small capital city.

Upolu will most likely be your first port of call when you visit the pristine archipelago of Samoa. The island contains the country’s major international airport and its capital, Apia. Shop for traditional goods and sample delicious local food or slip off your sandals and walk across the white sands of one of Upolu’s picture-perfect beaches. Enjoy diving, surfing or fishing and then lie back in the warm, clear waters of an ocean lagoon to relax. Hike through dense rainforest, stopping along the way to admire a waterfall or to swim in a freshwater pool.

Upolu is Samoa’s second-largest island, but is the most populated of the 10 islands and islets. In the capital Apia, visit the food market for tasty local treats and the flea market for traditional souvenirs. In this still quite traditional city you’ll find the majority of the island’s restaurants, banks, shops and other visitor facilities.

Hire a car or a taxi and take the winding coast road that leads from Apia to the many stunning beaches that the island offers. Lalomanu, one of the busier stretches of shoreline, has white sands and warm water that is safe for swimming. Go for a swim or relax with a book or picnic lunch under the palm trees. Watersports enthusiasts can surf, snorkel and scuba dive around the outer reefs by arranging a boat excursion from Apia. Many beaches also have coral closer to shore at high tide These beaches include the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve just outside Apia.

Head inland and explore the hiking trails in places like Lake Lanoto’o National Park, which has a rare swamp forest as its ecosystem. Nearby, O Le Pupu-Pue National Park is where you’ll find Upolu’s highest mountain, the 1,100-metre (3,600-foot) Mount Fito. Many of the tracks pass waterfalls and one of the most spectacular ones is Papapapaitai Falls.

Upolu is served by regular international flights, and has ferry and air services to all of Samoa’s other islands.

Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows
Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows
5 out of 5
Main Beach Road, Apia
The price is $159 total per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
$159 total
per night
Jul 19 - Jul 20
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Apia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Falemataaga – The Museum of Samoa and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (383 reviews)
"The hotel must have been having supply issues with some items such as shampoo and body wash. Was difficult to get replacements. Not enough pool towels. This may be due to guests not returning them to the pool area and taking them to their rooms, but there was always a shortage. Not always a consistent ..."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows
Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort
Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort
4.5 out of 5
Entrance Road, Mulifanua
The price is $172 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$172 total
per night
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Mulifanua. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (635 reviews)
"During our two weeks traveling this hotel made the kids the happiest and was the most clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort
Taumeasina Island Resort
Taumeasina Island Resort
4.5 out of 5
Beach Road, Apia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $305 total per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
$305 total
per night
Jul 15 - Jul 16
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Apia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (576 reviews)
"Our family of 7 had an amazing stay here. The 3-bedroom villa was spectacular and the views were wonderful. The only downside was the smell seemingly coming from the carpet in the rooms."

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Taumeasina Island Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fugalei Motel
Fugalei Motel
3.5 out of 5
Fugalei, Street, Apia
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Apia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Fugalei Fresh Produce Market and Flea Market ...
Fugalei Motel
Spacious 3 BDRM family holiday home, 10min to town, AC available!
Spacious 3 BDRM family holiday home, 10min to town, AC available!
Apia
Stay at this vacation home in Apia. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Vailima ...
Up country gem
"Quiet and safe, except for roosters, haha! We enjoyed being at this place. A land phone line could come in handy, but we utilized BlueSky. We enjoyed evenings watching the sunset. Either car rental or taxi is affordable easy and necessary since you are out of town a ways. Great accommodation for ..."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2019

Spacious 3 BDRM family holiday home, 10min to town, AC available!
Cozy 2- Bedroom Haven
Cozy 2- Bedroom Haven
Samoa
Stay at this vacation home in Apia. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Apia Park ...
Cozy 2- Bedroom Haven
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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