Samoa’s tropical climate is divided into a “wet” and “dry” season, and the clear, sunny skies of the “dry” months between May and October are the ideal time to visit the islands. The seas are at their clearest for snorkelling and diving and there is little chance of rain to spoil your time at the beach or mountain trekking. The months of June through to August are the peak tourist season, and both flights to Samoa and accommodation prices are inflated as large numbers of New Zealanders and Australians visit to escape the cold winter months back home.
Off season
The “wet” season which stretches from November through to April is considered the off season in Samoa when heavy rain and occasional cyclones can be expected. During this period the beaches are less inviting and trekking slopes become muddy and difficult to access. Far fewer tourists are visiting during these months, however, so you can access some good flight deals and reduced accommodation rates, provided your trip doesn’t coincide with the Christmas/New Year period when many expat Samoans fly home.
When is the best time to book a flight to Samoa?
Outside of the peak travel months of June through to August and late-December/early January, there are cheap flights to Samoa available, and even for those booking late you can get some great last-minute deals. But if you plan to visit over Christmas/New Year, flights get heavily booked out well ahead of schedule and finding good deals is nearly impossible. If you are visiting during the winter “dry” months, try and book your flight tickets as early as possible, particularly if your trip coincides with the New Zealand or Australian school holiday periods.
For flights from other New Zealand cities, you will need to connect through Auckland first.
Which airlines operate to Samoa?
Both Air New Zealand and Virgin operate daily direct flights to Samoa from Auckland, with Virgin offering the cheapest deals. From Wellington or Christchurch there are flights to Samoa through Auckland with Air New Zealand, while Fiji Airways also operates a flight from Christchurch to Samoa connecting in Nadi, Fiji. This route is slightly longer than the Air New Zealand option and flight prices are about the same.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Faleolo International Airport which services Samoa is located around 40 kilometres west of the capital, Apia. There is an airport bus that goes direct from the arrivals terminal to major hotels within Apia, taking around 45 minutes, and tickets can be bought from the government tourist office within the terminal building.
Alternatively, there are cheaper, but slightly slower, public buses that run into the centre of Apia from the main road outside the airport which is just a short walk from the terminal.
The quickest, but most expensive, way into Apia or your chosen hotel is with an airport taxi. Depending on where you are traveling to, they operate on a fixed price rate which should be agreed before you depart the airport.
Samoa insider information
Samoans love to eat and for such a tiny nation, the country has some excellent restaurants offering freshly caught seafood and South Pacific Fusion cuisine. Have a look at our list of best restaurants in Samoa.
Learning a little of the local language will help you go a long way in making friends in Samoa, and there’s no better place to start then with how to order a beer around the world!
Thought it was just New Zealand that was rugby mad? Think again. Samoa also has a love of the game and their Manu Siva Tau is a strong rival of the Haka.
Most popular destinations in Samoa
(prices quotes are from Wellington)
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