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Day 1
Savaii Taster - Tour Overview
Savaii is the big island of Samoa. Bigger than Upolu, but lacking the international gateways of Apia port and airport it is a place where life continues at a slower, more traditional and more relaxed pace. It also has the best beaches in Samoa and in the blowholes and Afu Aau falls some of the best natural attractions of Samoa.
Explore the villages by cycle and take the van over the longer stretches on this 4 days and 3 night tour as you circumnavigate Savaii (200kms). There is plenty of time to visit all the major attractions and to stop at the freshwater pools to swim. Afternoons are beachside with opportunities to snorkel in safe lagoons amongst the coral and hopefully swim with the turtles.
The tour can be undertaken as a van tour only, but we encourage everyone to ride some sections as it is the best opportunity to experience Samoa and meet the locals.
Dates and times are local time - Samoa is on the same time during daylight saving in NZ's Summer months (Last Sunday in September - First Sunday in April). However as Samoa is not practicing daylight saving they are one hour ahead of New Zealand during our winter months when our clocks change back.
Transfer Gear - Outdoor Samoa to 12 noon ferry (OS)
Bike fitting and briefing (Self Arrival)
Meet the Outdoor Samoa team at our base in Mulifanua, get your bike fitted and receive a briefing on cycling and your route.
Touring Bike (3 days)
Cycle Guide Book
Ferry to Savaii
Savaii Taster CYCLE SUPPORT VAN
The van can act as a transfer and guided tour or a full support if you wish to cycle.
If cycling : The van will transport gear and support the riders, giving lifts if required. The support driver will ensure that you see the scenic attractions and can explain the Samoan customs and culture.
If travelling in the van: The support driver will ensure that you see the scenic attractions and can explain the Samoan customs and culture.
Included: Filtered water
SV - Salelologa (Ferry) to Lauiula Beach Fales
Water Provision
Provision for water when touring by van
Lauiula Beach Fales (1 night)
Lauiula Beach Fales are on a white sand beach beside a clear lagoon. This is a great place to learn to snorkel or brush up on snorkelling confidence as the shallow, sandy lagoon has regular coral outcrops, but plenty of places to stand up. To see turtles - take your eyes off the coral and tropical fish and look out towards the reef. In the 29 degree water you can stay in as long as you want.
Lauiula occasionally organise a traditional umu demonstration which you then eat for dinner followed by a fiafia evening. The small surcharge is well worth paying.
Day 2
SV - Lauiula to Falealupo
Falealupo Beach Fales (1 night)
Falealupo Beach is a beautiful isolated white sand beach set beside a small private lagoon at the western end of Savaii. The weather is nearly always clear with stunning sunsets while the shallow lagoon is always safe and inviting with a good variety of fish and coral. The fales are basic and facilities are limited, but the setting and hosts make this a special spot.
It is sometimes possible to get an upgrade on the day to an ensuite fale.
Day 3
SV - Falealupo to Satuiatua
Satuiatua Beach Resort (1 night)
Satuiatua Beach Fales are located on a white sand beach in the shade of giant banyan trees.
A highlight is drift snorkelling through the marine reserve beside the Fales. Here you will see plenty of coral, a wide variety of tropical fish and the occasional turtle. The lagoon is only deep enough above half tide, so whale watch from the bar, swing from the banyans, or just laze and swim.
There is surfing at the reef entrance (the resort sometimes hires boards and paddle boards), but only attempt this if you are an experienced surfer.
Day 4
SV - Satuiatua to Salelologa (Ferry)
Ferry to Upolu (own cost)
Transfer Gear - Ferry to Outdoor Samoa (OS)
Trip Notes
Accommodation:
The fale resorts can be best thought of as camping style. They have good, waterproof roofs, solid wooden floors, matting sides, mosquito nets, bedding, pillows and mattresses. Bathrooms are shared and dining is usually from a limited or set menu. Allocation of specific fales for singles/doubles cannot always be guaranteed within your group during busy periods due to limitations with fale resort booking practices. The fale locations and the hospitality often make these the magic nights of your trip.
Motel standard accommodation provides motel/hotel like rooms with ensuite facilities.
Dress Code:
As Samoa is a very traditional country and the people deeply religious we recommend a modest dress code when cycling through villages. Tight lycra shorts should be covered with baggy shorts (or even a skirt for women).
When kayaking it is appropriate for women to have a sarong/lava lava handy to cover up when landing. Respect is especially important on Sunday as it is traditionally a day of rest in Samoa.
Your experience and interaction with the Samoan people and their culture will be enhanced by showing this appropriate cultural sensitivity.
More Information:
There is lots more on the website. Checkout: Flights, Planning, What to take, and About Samoa.
Pricing and Cancellation
Price Inclusions:
Accommodation for nights shown
Meals as shown
Bike hire as detailed
Savaii Ferry costs to Savaii
Full support van on Savaii (filtered water & picnic set on cycle days)
Upolu transport as detailed
Price Exclusions:
Return Ferry - Savaii to Upolu (22 tala per person including bike)
Meals except where shown
Airfares
Addition recommended tours
Customary (Entrance) fees for attractions (60-80 tala) on Savaii
Cancellation Policy
With Corona Virus leading to last minute changes in flights and entry conditions we are providing greater flexibility to postpone your trip.
• Full payment is required 6 weeks in advance of trip.
• Trip may be postponed up to 7 days before scheduled start. We reserve the right to charge a rescheduling fee and any direct costs incurred. Postponement may be for up to 12 months.
• Trip postponement within 7 days of start due to airline or country travel restrictions– trip may be postponed as above at no cost.
• Trip postponement due to a member of the group testing positive within 7 days of the trip. Postponement at no cost.
• In the above cases the postponement will be treated as a credit towards a future trip.
• Trip cancellation/no shows – no refund of deposit or
payment.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend Travel Insurance. Current policies vary considerably on Covid cover, but select one that includes at least $200 a day if you or a travelling companion are forced to isolate due to Covid. Most policies now seem to cover the medical issues related to Covid.