Upolu Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Upolu showing a beach and tropical scenes
Upolu featuring mountains, a bay or harbour and landscape views
Upolu showing tropical scenes and a sandy beach
Upolu
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 Beach Resort

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort

4.5 out of 5
Entrance Road, Mulifanua
The price is Rp2.231.490 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
Rp2.231.490
Rp2.566.214 total
22 Aug - 23 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Mulifanua. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (686 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort
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 Rp2.113.733 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
Rp2.113.733
Rp2.430.793 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Apia. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Falemataaga – The Museum of Samoa and Immaculate ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (415 reviews)
Wonderful and Refreshing Stay
"Staff of this particular Hotel was top notch. Very courteous and very willing to assist in many issues. Always nice to interact with the front desk/reception staff. The management staff Lori & Helaine were very professional and accommodating. Thank you for the Great Hospitality. I will be staying ..."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows
Taumeasina Island Resort

Taumeasina Island Resort

4.5 out of 5
Beach Road, Apia
The price is Rp4.005.731 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
Rp4.005.731
Rp4.606.584 total
10 Sept - 11 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Apia. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (617 reviews)
"Activities team were amazing."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 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 parking, laundry facilities and furnished balconies or patios. Popular attractions Fugalei Fresh Produce Market ...
Fugalei Motel
Ifiele'ele Plantation

Ifiele'ele Plantation

3.5 out of 5
Satui Road, Lepale, Fasito'o Uta
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Fasito'o Uta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Papasee'a Sliding Rock and Robert ...
"The host was so welcoming and approachable. He was amazing he welcome use with ilopen arms. We will definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on 6 Oct 2024

Ifiele'ele Plantation
Samoa Rent Apartment House

Samoa Rent Apartment House

3 out of 5
The Cross Island Rd., Apia
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Apia. Enjoy free parking, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Popular attractions Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and Vailima ...
Samoa Rent Apartment House
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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