Sunshine Coast
Exactly what it says, the Sunshine Coast is the home of beautiful beaches and blue lagoons; absolutely perfect for a beach holiday. With boutique resorts, beach fales and well priced standard accommodation, there is accommodation to suit all budgets. Activities based here include diving, fishing charters and swimming with the turtles. Here you can explore the lava fields and climb to the top of Mt Matavanu to meet da crater man.
Saleaula Lava Fields
The extraordinary lava fields formed from the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905-11 destroyed villages and agricultural land. The resulting lava field covers around 75 square km and is estimated to be 9 metres thick in places. What you can see on land is only a small fraction of the total lava, with the majority being under the sea. It is a truly fascinating and exceptional display of recent volcanic activity and should not be missed. Start with the ruins of Saleaula village including church buildings and the ”virgin’s grave”, then walk out over the fields towards the sea. Take water and wear a hat to walk out to the cliff edges at the coast as the round trip will take a bit over an hour.
The extraordinary lava fields formed from the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905-11 destroyed villages and agricultural land. The resulting lava field covers around 75 square km and is estimated to be 9 metres thick in places. What you can see on land is only a small fraction of the total lava, with the majority being under the sea. It is a truly fascinating and exceptional display of recent volcanic activity and should not be missed. Start with the ruins of Saleaula village including church buildings and the ”virgin’s grave”, then walk out over the fields towards the sea. Take water and wear a hat to walk out to the cliff edges at the coast as the round trip will take a bit over an hour.
Swimming with the Turtles
Savaii is one of the few places you can get up close to a green turtle. Turtles are hand fed and will come close to you if you get into the pool with them; alternatively they are clearly visible from the pool's edge. Green turtles are protected and the turtles are overseen by government fisheries and environment ministries. Larger turtles are tagged and released; one of these has been found thousands of kilometres away in the Solomon Islands.
Savaii is one of the few places you can get up close to a green turtle. Turtles are hand fed and will come close to you if you get into the pool with them; alternatively they are clearly visible from the pool's edge. Green turtles are protected and the turtles are overseen by government fisheries and environment ministries. Larger turtles are tagged and released; one of these has been found thousands of kilometres away in the Solomon Islands.
Fagamalo Handcrafts
The Fagamalo Women’s Committee make and sell traditional woven handcrafts from their fale. Each week the ladies meet for a day of weaving and chat with many of the resulting works sold to tourists to help support the village.
The Fagamalo Women’s Committee make and sell traditional woven handcrafts from their fale. Each week the ladies meet for a day of weaving and chat with many of the resulting works sold to tourists to help support the village.
Mt Matavanu
This relatively small volcano was responsible for the massive eruption in 1905-11 which created the Saleaulu lava fields. Da Crater man will be your quirky and entertaining guide to this site which has spectacular views down into the crater and over the surrounding forest and plantations out to the sea. Do not stand too close to the edge of the crater as there are no safety rails! Watch out for flying foxes, swiftlets and native orchids which flower on Mt Matavanu. The access road is rough and steep and only suitable for vehicles with good ground clearance. Otherwise you can walk up; take plenty of water. Once you reach Da Crater Man’s fale you can park and walk from there (about 1 hour’s walk) or drive the next parking stop for a 15 minute walk to the top.
This relatively small volcano was responsible for the massive eruption in 1905-11 which created the Saleaulu lava fields. Da Crater man will be your quirky and entertaining guide to this site which has spectacular views down into the crater and over the surrounding forest and plantations out to the sea. Do not stand too close to the edge of the crater as there are no safety rails! Watch out for flying foxes, swiftlets and native orchids which flower on Mt Matavanu. The access road is rough and steep and only suitable for vehicles with good ground clearance. Otherwise you can walk up; take plenty of water. Once you reach Da Crater Man’s fale you can park and walk from there (about 1 hour’s walk) or drive the next parking stop for a 15 minute walk to the top.
Dwarves Cave
According to local legend this lava tube was home to an ancient race of dwarves. You can see the dwarves sleeping platforms along the side of the cave. Local guides will provide torch.
According to local legend this lava tube was home to an ancient race of dwarves. You can see the dwarves sleeping platforms along the side of the cave. Local guides will provide torch.
Mataolealelo Pool
Mataolealelo pool is one of Samoa’s numerous fresh water springs and is open to the public for a small charge. This is the site of high cultural significance in Samoa being the home of the legend of Sina and the Eel which tells how the coconut tree came into being. The site contains 2 pools, one for men and one for women and children and being a traditional site tourists should swim in tee shirts and a lavalava or long shorts. There are charging and toilets facilities on site.
Mataolealelo pool is one of Samoa’s numerous fresh water springs and is open to the public for a small charge. This is the site of high cultural significance in Samoa being the home of the legend of Sina and the Eel which tells how the coconut tree came into being. The site contains 2 pools, one for men and one for women and children and being a traditional site tourists should swim in tee shirts and a lavalava or long shorts. There are charging and toilets facilities on site.
Stop for Lunch at
Bayview Resort, Saleaulu
Leilina’s Pizza, Fagamolo
Le Lagoto Beach Resort Restaurant, Fagamalo
Savaii Lagoon Resort Restaurant, Fagamalo
Vacations Beach Fales Restaurant & Bar, Manase
Tanu Beach BBQ, Manase
Tusitala Restaurant & Bar, Stevensons@Manase
Bayview Resort, Saleaulu
Leilina’s Pizza, Fagamolo
Le Lagoto Beach Resort Restaurant, Fagamalo
Savaii Lagoon Resort Restaurant, Fagamalo
Vacations Beach Fales Restaurant & Bar, Manase
Tanu Beach BBQ, Manase
Tusitala Restaurant & Bar, Stevensons@Manase
Stop for a swim at
Manase Beach
Dive Savaii offer snorkel tours at Fagamalo Lagoon.
Manase Beach
Dive Savaii offer snorkel tours at Fagamalo Lagoon.
[Official website of the Savaii Samoa Tourism Association (SSTA) Office & Tourist Information Centre]
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