Walk along the main beach towards the southwest, and you’ll eventually reach Ponta da Calheta, where golden sand gives way to dark volcanic rock. It’s a quieter stretch of shore, good for swimming and a favourite spot towards sunset. If you wander onto the rocks, keep an eye on the sea, as waves can catch people out when it’s rough.

Due to the tropical climate and fertile soils, the rainforests of Samoa are a lush and vibrant paradise. Native wildlife such as seabirds, skinks, flying foxes, geckos, as well as a plethora of unique flora call the forests home. Le Pupu-Pue National Park on Upolu is one of the best with extensive walking tracks and a listed 42 bird species. Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve, in the southeast, is another bird watchers haven where you may see the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. In the Falealupo Rainforest Reserve, take the treetop canopy walkway built about 40 metres above the ground among giant Banyan trees!

The Port of Malaga is still a working port, but these days you’re more likely to spot cruise ships and yachts than cargo. The waterfront’s been cleaned up nicely — Muelle Uno is the modern bit, with restaurants, shops, and an art museum (Pompidou Centre)—good spot for a walk, a coffee, or just watching ships come and go. You’re right by the Old Town too, so it's easy to swing by.

Savaii is actually a little bigger than Upolu and offers their visitors a true insight into the traditional Samoan way of life. It is also here the nation’s highest peak, Mt Silisili rises 1866 metres and at Cape Mulinuu you can stand at the last place on earth and view the final sunset of every day.