The Jewels of Eastern Upolu

Piula Cave Pool consists of two blue-green, fish-filled freshwater grottoes, only metres from the sea. The pools are hidden in the grounds of the historic Piula Methodist Theological College 23km east of Apia. Fed by an underground spring is the secret to the pool’s incredible clarity.

Lalomanu Beach, located at the extreme southeastern tip of the island, would challenge the title as the most beautiful beach in Upolu – it has “come and unwind in paradise” written all over it. From the beach one can view the uninhabited yet majestic Nu'utele Island, off the coast to the east.

Without doubt To Sua Ocean Trench is truly acclaimed as Samoa’s number one attraction site. To Sua simply means “big hole” in Samoan, and that is exactly what it is. For a start – it has to be one of the most unusual places to swim on the planet. The 30-metre, almost perfectly symmetrical swimming hole surrounded by delightful hanging vegetation sits in the middle of a lava field near Lotofaga village atop a jutting edge of spectacular coastline amidst lush gardens on the south coast of Upolo. Swimming access is via a precipitous but sturdy wooden ladder; believe us, it's worth the clamber. To Sua, consists of two large holes joined by a lava tube cave. The main hole – the pool, being tidal, is connected to the ocean by underwater lava tube just metres away. The second hole is reached via a delightful swim through a cavernous open air lava tube cave.

Two cascade fed waterfalls, located within the O Le Pupu Pu’e National Park on the central south coast of Upolu, are only 28 kilometers from Apia. Pools beneath both waterfalls provide wonderful swimming, especially the lower one, even experience a natural waterfall shower. The attraction is surrounded by flourishing tropical forests. Thrill-seekers will love leaping off the waterfalls. Or even up and behind a waterfall.

About 14km south of Apia just off the Cross Island Road is the lookout for Papapapai-tai Falls, a 110m waterfall that plunges into a precipitous forested gorge; it is the highest in Upolu. From a distance, you can view the massive waterfall tumbling over the edge into a pond that has a smaller waterfall flowing out from it. You can’t get to the base to swim in Papapapai-tai Waterfall, but the view from the top is incredible.