Savai'i
Savai'i is known for black lava fields, sea blowholes and village life, and it suits travelers who want a slower pace than Upolu.
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Savai'i is the largest island in Samoa, an independent country in the South Pacific. It lies northwest of Upolu, where Apia, the capital, sits, and the ferry from Upolu lands at Salelologa. Volcanoes shaped much of the island. Between 1905 and 1911, Mount Matavanu erupted and its lava buried villages, and the shell of a church at Saleaula still stands in the black rock. Mount Silisili, the highest peak in Samoa, rises from the interior.
Savai'i suits slower trips built around coastal villages, fale stays and swimming. At the Alofaaga blowholes, waves push water up through holes in the lava rock, and the coastal road passes through several villages. Visitors should dress modestly in villages, and Sundays are quiet in most places. The dry months from May to October are the best time to visit, while the wet season from November to April brings heavy rain and cyclone risk. Plan two to three days for the ferry, a drive round part of the island and a rainforest walk.
Savai'i in five
- Take the ferry from Mulifanua to SalelologaThe Savai'i ferry runs from Mulifanua on Upolu to Salelologa, about an hour away. Check current sailing times with the operator before you travel.Getting around
- Plan around Sunday closuresSunday is a quiet day in Samoa, and many shops and businesses close. Buy food, fuel and cash on Saturday so you are not stuck on Sunday.
- Cover up in villages and churchesCover shoulders and knees in villages and churches, and ask before you enter a village or photograph people. Swimwear belongs on the beach.
- Carry Tala in small notesCarry Tala in small notes for buses and village stops. Ask whether a place takes cards before you order or pay.Money and costs
- Check Samoa's entry rules for your passportVisa rules depend on your passport, so check with Samoa Immigration before you book flights.Visas and entry
Need to know
- Currency
- Tala (WST)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on passport; check with Samoa Immigration before you fly
- Emergency
- 999 for police; check local fire and ambulance numbers on arrival
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+13, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWet, cyclone season
- FebruaryWet, humid
- MarchWet, humid
- AprilEasing rain
- MayDrier, warm
- JuneDry season
- JulyDry, trade winds
- AugustDry, trade winds
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberWarm, rain returns
- NovemberWet season starts
- DecemberWet, warm
Right now in Savai'i
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 26 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 59%
Savai'i
09:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today25°17°59%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Wed24°16°86%Wednesday: Rain. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu24°19°95%Thursday: Rain. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri24°19°58%Friday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sat24°18°59%Saturday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Sun25°18°88%Sunday: Rain. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Mon24°20°66%Monday: Rain. High 24°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 66%.
Updated 05:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.742 WST
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Upolu and Apiaabout 1 hour by ferry, then a driveApia, the capital, and the Mulifanua ferry port are on Upolu. Take the ferry back the same day if you need Apia.
- Falealupo rainforestabout 1 to 2 hours by roadA canopy walkway in the western rainforest, near Falealupo village.
- Afu Aau Waterfallabout 1 hour by roadA waterfall on the island; ask the village about access before you go.
Before you go to Savai'i
Rules for Savai'i, checked
- Check visa rules for your passport with Samoa Immigration before you book, since entry requirements differ by nationality.Source
- Expect Sunday closures. Many shops and businesses shut, so buy food, fuel and cash on Saturday.
- Dress modestly in villages and churches, and follow village protocol when you visit.
- Declare fresh food, plants and animal products on arrival, since Samoa's biosecurity checks are strict.
Plan around Savai'i
The ferry from Upolu, buses and the ring road.
Read the guideSamoa travel guideUpolu, Apia and the wider Samoa trip.
Read the guideMoney and costsTala, cash and typical daily prices.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport, checked before you book.
Read the guideWhere to stayVillages, fale and hotel areas on the island.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData options to set up before you land.
Read the guideSavai'i FAQ
How many days do you need on Savai'i?
Two to three days allows the ferry crossing, a drive round part of the island and a rainforest walk. Add Upolu if you also want Apia.
Is Savai'i worth visiting?
Yes, if you want village life, beaches and a slower pace than Upolu. Expect basic facilities outside the main villages, and check what is open before you travel.
Can you visit Savai'i as a day trip from Apia?
Not comfortably. The ferry from Mulifanua takes about an hour each way, and the island is too big to see properly in one day.
How do you get around Savai'i?
Buses and taxis run around the island along the ring road. Ask your accommodation about pick-up times before you plan a day.
Is there a dress code in Samoa?
Yes, mainly in villages and churches, where shoulders and knees should be covered. Swimwear is for beaches and resorts.