Days 1-3: Fly from Los Angeles to “Apia” via Nadi, Fiji

Overnight: Coconuts Beach Club Resort (Siumu, Upolu Island, Samoa)

This was a long travel day where we took a red-eye flight from LAX to Nadi, Fiji. Then, we had a 7-hour layover in Nadi so we took a taxi to Denerau to check out some of the resorts there before returning to the airport. After catching our flight to the Faleolo Airport in Samoa, we then hired our rental car and took the scenic route towards Apia before driving south on the Cross-Island Road towards our resort. We ultimately got there by around sunset, but we also stopped for Papapapaitai Falls along the way.

Day 4: Day Touring of Eastern Upolu

Overnight: Coconuts Beach Club Resort (Siumu, Upolu Island, Samoa)

On this day, we first went to the famous To Sua Ocean Trench for the better part of the morning before having lunch at Lalomanu Beach. The rest of the day was spent visiting three waterfalls – Sopoaga Falls, Fuipisia Falls, and Togitogiga Waterfall. We then ate at the Sinalei Reef Resort.

Day 5: Day Touring of Northern Upolu

Overnight: Coconuts Beach Club Resort (Siumu, Upolu Island, Samoa)

On this day, we did a different driving route in Upolu Island, where we made a loop taking in Falefa Falls, Piula Cave Pool, and Sauniatu Waterfall before having lunch in Apia at Nourish Cafe. After lunch, we checked out the Immaculate Conception Cathedral next door before returning to the south coast for culture night at the Sinalei Reef Resort.

Day 6: Day Trip to the Savaia MPA and Apia

Overnight: Coconuts Beach Club Resort (Siumu, Upolu Island, Samoa)

This was a slow day that started with checking out the Giant Clam Sanctuary at the Savaia Marine Protection Area. We then spent the better part of the afternoon after lunch at Lupe’s going to the Papaseea Sliding Rocks before having dinner at the Curry House. In hindsight, we should have done the Cultural Village Demonstration in the morning (it was only on during Thursday morning in the low season), and then do the Giant Clams after lunch. But alas, lesson learned. Piula Cave Pool – this was another swimming hole adjacent to the South Pacific Ocean, except this one was easier to get into compared to the To Sua Ocean Trench. This cool pool featured a cave as well as fish in the water, and it was all underneath the watch from an Episcopal Church.

Day 7: Drive to Mulifanua and take the ferry to Salelologa on Savaii Island. Then, drive to Fagamalo.

Overnight: Le Lagoto Resort (Fagamalo, Savaii Island, Samoa)

After an early morning checkout from Coconuts, we did a roughly hour-long drive to the Mulifanua Ferry Wharf, where we had a pre-booked ferry to get to Savaii. Once there, we then visited the Afu Aau Waterfall, the Mu Pagoa Waterfall, and the Alofaaga Blowholes before having lunch at the Savaiian Hotel. After lunch, we made a spontaneous stop at the Amoa Resort due to their impossibly beautiful lagoon adjacent to their property. Then, we ended the day at our resort in Fagamalo.