What was the highlight of your trip?

The highlight of my trip to Samoa was swimming in the beautiful To-Sua Ocean Trench. Although climbing down the ladder into the trench was a little daunting at first, it was well worth it. The water was so refreshing and the same vibrant turquoise as in all the photos! We had a lot of fun diving off the platform. Plus, there is also a rope running through the trench that you can stand on if you get tired of treading water.

Which resorts do you recommend for visitors to Samoa?

I would highly recommend Return to Paradise Resort & Spa as a place to stay in Samoa. Here, you can enjoy some delicious dining experiences – my favourite dinner of the entire trip was an eight-course meal at Paradise Kitchen, which we enjoyed while watching some amazing Samoan performances. Meanwhile, the Rock Pool Bar was my favourite place for a drink. Located in a traditional Samoan fale, the bar had amazing ocean views at sunset. I recommend visiting during Happy Hour (between 4 pm and 6 pm) to enjoy cocktails for WS$20 (approximately $10 AUD)!

If staying on the more remote island of Savaii, I recommend staying at Amoa Resort Savaii. I stayed in a Garden Villa, which was super spacious and even had a rain shower with a skylight (perfect for looking at the stars!). Amoa Resort Savaii is located just across the road from a beautiful beach with the most turquoise water. A highlight of the trip was jumping into the ocean off the pier here. We even spotted a turtle!

Where should visitors head for the best island views?

I loved looking out at the beautiful ocean views from the Honeymoon Suite at Seabreeze Resort. Of course, it was made even better with Champagne! If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or the perfect honeymoon destination, this is the resort for you!

What surprised you most about Samoa?

Internet in Samoa is quite expensive, so the connection isn’t great. In fact, many of the resorts we stayed in didn’t even have wifi! As an alternative, some resorts offered complimentary SIM Cards that you could top up with data. I was surprised at how cheap it was – I got 5GB of data for just WS$10 (approximately $5 AUD).

What was the best food you tried in Samoa?

My favourite food that I tried on the trip was a traditional Samoan dish called Palusami. This is a dish of wrapped bundles of taro leaves with a coconut and onion filling. Some other foods that I enjoyed were breadfruit, oka (a kind of Samoan poke), and mango ice cream.

What is your number one packing tip for Samoa?

Samoa is a religious country, so I recommend dressing conservatively, especially when visiting local villages. Packing a button-up shirt or a scarf to throw over your shoulders is a great idea. Sarongs are also perfect to pop on after swimming.

Plus, Samoa can be extremely hot and humid, so you won’t regret bringing a hand fan. Or even better, buy a Samoan straw fan at the local market – mine was only WST$15 (approximately $8.10 AUD). And definitely don’t forget to pack insect repellent!

Who would you recommend a Samoa holiday to?

I would recommend Samoa to people who are looking for a relaxing resort holiday but still seeking some more active adventure. There are so many great natural attractions in Samoa, and the culture is just beautiful.