Apia is the capital city of Samoa, located in the South Pacific Ocean. This vibrant city is a popular destination for tourists due to its stunning beaches, lush tropical forests, and friendly locals. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as snorkeling, hiking, and exploring the local markets. Some of the must-see attractions in Apia include the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the Samoan Cultural Center, and the Palolo Deep Marine Reserve. With its warm climate, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking scenery, Apia is the perfect place for a relaxing and adventurous vacation.
If you have limited time in Samoa’s harbor capital city, a must-see is the Samoa Cultural Village located on Beach Road next to the Visitor Information Fale. You will see authentic demonstrations of traditional Samoan activities including wood carving, basket weaving, tapa making and, if you are lucky, even witness someone getting a traditional Samoan tattoo by a master tattooist. Taste authentic Samoan food with a traditional meal straight out of the umu, or the stone oven.
Follow this with a visit to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Museum and the Vailima National Reserve about 5 km from Apia. Take a tour of the home of the famous Scottish author who spent his final years in Samoa. Known as ‘Tusitala’ (Samoan for ‘teller of tales’) his works include Kidnapped, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Treasure Island. His beautiful mansion Vailima has been converted into a Museum set within lush gardens and is open to the public. Visit his grave located at the top of Mt Vaea, along a hiking trail named by the locals as “The Road of Loving Hearts”.
Enjoy a stroll through the Vailima Botanical Gardens, visit the Information Centre learn about the biodiversity of the Reserve, and cool off in the freshwater pool and waterfall of the Loimata o Apaula stream where Robert Louis Stevenson once used to swim.
A Marine Key Biodiversity Area with a diverse array of coral and fish species, Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is a 5-minute walk from Apia. Bring your snorkeling gear and a beach towel as it’s a great place for swimming and snorkeling. Young and old can easily access the large pool fed by the sea and see the amazing colors of Samoan marine life. Reef shoes are optional but try and arrange your visit at high tide.
