[2025 Aufaga Attraction] Travel Guide for To Sua Ocean Trench (Updated Jun)

📜 Visa Exemption Policy ✅ Applicable to: Citizens holding Chinese diplomatic passports, service passports, official ordinary passports, and ordinary passports can all enjoy the visa exemption policy. ✅ Duration of stay: Single entry stay not exceeding 30 days, cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days. For long-term stay, work, or study, the corresponding visa must be applied for in advance! ⚠️ Important reminders: - Passport validity must exceed 6 months, children must also meet this requirement; - It is recommended to carry round-trip flight itinerary and hotel booking for inspection during entry and exit to avoid unnecessary trouble; - Confirm visa status before departure; overstaying will result in fines or entry restrictions! 🌊 Must-visit Attractions - Lalomanu Beach: One of the world's top ten most beautiful beaches! The fine white sand stretches for kilometers like flour, and the sea shows distinct layers of blue and green🌊 Perfect for lying under coconut trees daydreaming or diving into the sea to dance with tropical fish, every photo looks like a magazine cover. - Su'a Trench: A 30-meter deep natural heart-shaped trench surrounded by lush rainforest. Descend the wooden ladder to the poolside and leap into the cool water, as if entering another mysterious world. A must-visit spot for diving enthusiasts! - Fuipisia Waterfall: A spectacular 55-meter high waterfall with a natural pool at the top! Trek through tropical rainforest, feel the water's impact under the waterfall, or picnic by the pool for an exhilarating close encounter with nature🌴 - Alofaaga Blowholes: The world's highest water-spouting blowholes! Waves crash into the cave, shooting water columns up to 20 meters high every few seconds, accompanied by roaring sounds, a double visual and auditory shock! 🎭 Unique Experiences - Check in at the Blue and White Church: The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is hailed as the most beautiful church in the South Pacific! The blue and white exterior shines under the sun, with stained glass and simple lines perfectly combined inside, great for photos📸 - Kava Ceremony: Participate in the local traditional **"Kava Ceremony" and taste the kava drink known as the "sacred drink"** (made from pepper root, slightly bitter taste). Locals chant ancient songs during the ceremony, an excellent opportunity to deeply experience Samoan culture! - Lava Field Trekking: Explore the lava fields on Savai'i Island, remnants of the 2009 volcanic eruption. Churches half-buried in lava, twisted trees, as if on the surface of Mars, and listen to the guide tell thrilling geological stories! ✈️ Travel Guide - Transportation: - International: No direct flights; recommended to transfer via Auckland, New Zealand (about 4 hours) or Sydney, Australia (about 5 hours), total travel time about 15-20 hours; - Inter-island: Ferries run between the main islands Upolu and Savai'i (about 2 hours); island transportation options include taxis (no meter, negotiate fare in advance), island buses, or car rental and self-driving (right-hand drive, left-side driving, road conditions average, drive cautiously). - Practical Tips: - Currency: Samoan Tala (WST), exchange available at airport/city, some hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, but carrying some cash is recommended; - Communication: 4G coverage is limited, poor signal in remote areas, download offline maps in advance (recommended Maps.me); - Essentials: High SPF sunscreen, mosquito repellent, snorkeling gear, water shoes (many reefs by the sea), lightweight long sleeves (temperature varies morning and evening, appropriate dress required in some places); - Best Season: **May to October (dry season)** cool and less rain, suitable for outdoor activities; **November to April (wet season)** occasional heavy rain, but accommodation may be cheaper. - Cultural Etiquette: - Wear clothing covering knees when entering villages to avoid exposure; - Sunday is a religious day, most shops and attractions are closed, avoid scheduling shopping trips; - Follow customs during the Kava ceremony (such as clapping hands on the ground to show thanks), respect local beliefs! Keep this guide and head to the South Pacific paradise now!🌴

Heaven on Earth** ### **🏝️ Country Overview** Samoa, formerly known as "Western Samoa," is an island nation in the South Pacific, comprising two main islands—**Savai'i** and **Upolu**—along with several smaller islands. It boasts **tropical rainforests, volcanic landscapes, turquoise lagoons, and powdery white beaches**, earning its reputation as the "Cradle of Polynesian Culture." ### **🌿 Travel Highlights** ✅ **Untouched Natural Beauty** - **To Sua Ocean Trench**: A 30-meter-deep natural seawater pool surrounded by tropical gardens, accessible via a wooden ladder for swimming. - **Alofaaga Blowholes**: Natural geysers along volcanic coastlines where tidal forces shoot seawater dozens of meters high. - **Volcanic Hiking on Savai'i**: Trek through rainforests to explore the **Matavanu Lava Fields**, witnessing apocalyptic-like terrain. ✅ **Unique Cultural Experiences** - **Fale Traditional Villages**: Stay in open-air thatched huts, participate in the **Kava Ceremony**, and witness the fiery **Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Dance)**. - **Robert Louis Stevenson Museum**: Former home of the famed *Treasure Island* author, now a museum. - **Samoan Sunday**: A national day of rest, where church hymns echo across the islands, offering a glimpse into the locals' devout faith. ✅ **Adventure & Relaxation** - **Snorkeling with Turtles**: Discover vibrant coral reefs at **Palolo Deep Marine Reserve**. - **Lalomanu Beach**: A world-class white sand beach perfect for lounging or kayaking. - **Waterfall Adventures**: Slide down the natural rock slides at **Papaseea Sliding Rocks** on Upolu for a thrilling and refreshing experience. ### **📌 Travel Tips** - **Visa**: Visa-free for Chinese passport holders (60-day stay). - **Currency**: Samoan Tala (WST). Cash is recommended, though some hotels accept credit cards. - **Transportation**: Drive on the left; an international license is required for car rentals. Inter-island travel via ferry or small planes. - **Best Season**: May–October (dry season, cooler with less rain). - **Etiquette**: Respect local customs—dress modestly (avoid sleeveless tops/shorts) when entering villages. ### **✈️ How to Get There** Fly to **Faleolo International Airport (Apia)** via connecting flights from **Auckland (New Zealand), Sydney (Australia), or Fiji**, with a travel time of about 4–5 hours.

Preparation • Make sure to bring all your documents, clothes, and essentials✈️📄👚🧳 • Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must! Otherwise, you'll get roasted like a little tomato🍅☀️🕶️ ✨ When white sandy beaches kiss the jelly-like sea🥹 The waves at Lalomanu sparkle with diamond fragments, stepping on the sand feels like sinking into fluffy clouds, lying down to watch coconut trees cast poetic shadows, and every casual photo looks like a magazine cover—turns out "paradise on earth" really exists😻 Transportation Guide🚗 • The connecting flights might be tiring, but thinking about the beautiful scenery makes it worth the wait!✨ • Renting a car gives you total freedom! Remember to fasten your seatbelt🚗💨 Recommended Attractions • Lalomanu Beach: Walking on the white sand feels like stepping on cotton candy🌊🏖️🍬 • To Sua Ocean Trench: The moment you dive in is super thrilling! The splashing water looks like scattered stars💦✨

📍 Samoa Travel Guide: Exploring a Hidden Paradise in the South Pacific **I. Pre-trip Preparation** ✅Visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, passport valid for over 6 months required for 60-day stay. 🌱Best time to visit is during dry season (May-October); typhoons common during rainy season (November-April). ✅Local currency is Tala (WST), recommended to bring AUD/NZD for exchange. Essential items: mosquito repellent, high SPF sunscreen, and water shoes. **❤️II. Must-Visit Attractions** ✅1. **To Sua Ocean Trench**: 30m deep natural swimming pool, accessible via wooden ladder, surrounded by tropical gardens perfect for picnics. 🏖2. **Lalomanu Beach**: Miles of white sand beaches, experience traditional "fale" beach hut accommodation with ocean waves as your nighttime soundtrack. 🏔3. **Savaii Island Volcanic Landscapes**: Witness the Alofaaga Blowholes' 30m water spouts, hike through the black volcanic terrain of Sale'aula Lava Fields. **❤️III. Cultural Experiences** 🍝Join the fish auction at Apia's market every Friday from 7am, taste freshly caught parrotfish. ✅Visit Villima Cultural Village to learn about "tatau" traditional tattoo art and watch fire knife dancing. ☀️Observe "Samoan Sunday" when most businesses close. **IV. Food Recommendations** 🍝Try "umu" earth oven-cooked whole pig feast with breadfruit and taro. 🍞Taste Pani popo (coconut milk bread) for dessert, and 1 Tala tropical fruit smoothies from the market are perfect for beating the heat. Visit Vailima Brewery to taste unique South Pacific beer. 💥**V. Practical Tips** •⛴ Transportation: Drive on right, public buses around main island (2-5 Tala), ferries needed for outer islands •✅Etiquette: Wear below-knee clothing in villages, practice "eye courtesy" with chiefs - avoid direct eye contact •❤️Internet: Buy Digicel 3G data card (10 Tala/1GB) •💰Budget: Mid-range spending about 300 Tala/day (approximately CNY 800) ✅This "Heart of Polynesia" preserves the most authentic island culture. Escape commercialized resorts and discover the world's most genuine smiles in villages under swaying coconut palms.

📍*Samoa Travel Guide: A Pristine Paradise in the South Pacific** *❤️*Visa and Best Time to Visit** ✅Visa-free for Chinese passport holders for 60 days. The dry season (May–October) offers the best weather with plenty of sunshine, ideal for exploring. *❤️*Must-See Attractions** - *🌱*To Sua Ocean Trench**: A dreamy blue hole perfect for swimming and diving. - *🏖*Lalomanu Beach**: White sand beach ideal for snorkeling, with options to stay in traditional fale huts. - ✅Alofaaga Blowholes**: Witness the spectacular sight of ocean waves crashing against volcanic rock formations. **❤️Cultural Experiences** - Participate in a traditional kava ceremony in a local village and watch a thrilling fire knife dance performance. - Remember that Sunday is a day of rest in Samoa, with shops closed. Please respect local customs. *🍝*Food Recommendations** - Indulge in an Umu-cooked pig, savor the sweetness of Pani Popo (coconut bread), and try the refreshing Oka (raw fish salad). **💥Practical Tips** - ✅Cars drive on the left side of the road. Public transport is affordable but infrequent. - ✅Dress modestly when visiting villages. Pack sunscreen and mosquito repellent. ❤️Samoa retains its pristine island charm, making it a perfect destination for travelers seeking a tranquil escape!🌴🌊

Samoa, a hidden treasure in the South Pacific, is an ideal vacation destination. With warm weather year-round, the best time to visit is between May and October when the climate is particularly pleasant. Apia, the capital, serves as Samoa's political and cultural hub, boasting beautiful beaches, colonial architecture, and a bustling flea market. Don't miss To Sua Ocean Trench, a natural swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery and ranked among the top ten swimming destinations worldwide. Lalomanu Beach, hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches globally, presents a breathtaking panorama of white sand and turquoise waters. Beyond these highlights, Samoa offers spectacular waterfalls, pristine rainforests, and unique blowholes. Indulge in snorkeling and diving to experience the magic of nature. With its visa-free policy for stays up to 60 days, traveling to Samoa is incredibly convenient. Come and enjoy a relaxing island getaway in this paradise!

To Sua Ocean Trench is a natural location located in the south east of the island with many hotels offering tours of the attraction. It is open between 9am and 5pm and the entrance cost is 20 Soaman Dollars. The holes were formed through volcanic activities and the attraction has large areas to relax in if you do not want to go and swim in the trench. There is also a small gift/convenience shop too. The main activities climbing down into the trench and taking a swim in the ocean water. Down there, you can see tropical fish and there is a small ledge where you can leave personal items. The ambience inside the trench is very relaxed as it feels like you have been transported into the sea. It is very quiet and relaxing making it a unique spot on the island.

📍Address: Main South Coast Rd, Lotofaga, Apia, Samoa 👍️Must-visit: One of the most famous attractions in Samoa🇼🇸, many people come here for its reputation. It is very suitable for swimming🏊 and taking photos. The sea water is clear and blue, and there are many fish🐟 in the water for snorkeling🤿. The entrance of the cave gives people a mysterious and magical feeling. 🎟️Ticket: 20 Tala 💗Other tips: The water is deep and suitable for diving. Although there are ropes in the water to assist in water activities, you still need to be able to swim to get into the water. The water is cool and very suitable for relaxing in the hot afternoon in Samoa😌 When going down, be careful of the steep ladder. Use your hands and feet to keep three points up and down (there are introductions and safety reminders on the side of the ladder)

Apia, Samoa is a beautiful tropical city surrounded by mountains and rivers with beautiful scenery. Apia is surrounded by lush coconut groves and exotic flowers and plants all over the mountains, showing typical tropical scenery. Most of the buildings in the urban area are two-story wooden structures, and the architectural style is a combination of the characteristics of Pacific island countries and Western architectural styles. In addition to the city of Apia, other attractions in Samoa are also worth visiting. Upolu Island has the Sopoaga Falls, the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and more, while Savaii Island has natural and cultural attractions such as the Alofaaga Wind Caves and the ruins of a church submerged by the volcano. These places not only showcase Samoa’s natural beauty, but also give visitors the opportunity to gain insight into the local culture and way of life. The following is a travel guide I summarized for Apia. If it is helpful to you, please like and collect it❗ - Attractions and prices: - Baha'i House of Worship: This is the largest Baha'i temple in Samoa. It has a unique and spectacular architectural style and a beautiful garden outside. Free admission. - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum: The famous writer Stevenson once lived and wrote in Samoa. His life and works are displayed here. The ticket price is about 10 Tala (about 25 RMB). - Sua Trench: A huge cave surrounded by dense green plants and trees and filled with sea water, it is an iconic attraction in Samoa and is known as one of the "Top Ten Swimming Spots in the World". The ticket price is about 15 Tala (about 37.5 RMB). - Apia Promenade: A road along the coast with beautiful sea and city views, free to visit. - Free Market: You can feel the local cultural atmosphere and buy fresh fruits, special handicrafts, etc. The price of fruits varies according to the season and variety. For example, mangoes are about 10 tala (about 25 yuan) per kilogram, and the price of handicrafts ranges from a few tala to dozens of tala. - Food and prices: - Seafood: Samoa has rich seafood resources. A medium-sized lobster costs more than 20 tala (about RMB 50) each, and a grouper also costs about 20 tala each. Enjoy a seafood feast at a local restaurant, with an average cost of about 50-100 Tala (about 125-250 RMB) per person. - Roast pork ("umu"): Roast pork made in the traditional underground barbecue method, with a strong aroma. The price of one portion is about 30 tala (about 75 yuan). - Polynesian wrap ("lalaga"): a wrap with local characteristics, filled with a variety of ingredients, affordable, about 5-10 tala (about 12.5-25 RMB) per piece. - Cocoa products: You can taste chocolate and cocoa drinks. Each piece of chocolate costs about 5 tala (about 12.5 yuan), and a cup of cocoa drink costs about 3 tala (about 7.5 yuan). - Notes: - Cultural customs: - Samoans have the habit of kissing each other’s cheeks when greeting or seeing off guests or relatives and friends, so people should follow local customs. - Kava ceremony is a traditional welcoming ceremony. The host will offer kava, which cannot be refused, but you can drink a little. Before drinking, you should sprinkle a little on the ground to show respect. At the end of the ceremony, the host and guest will give money to the dancers. - Samoans use the title of Matai (chief) to distinguish their identities and are generally addressed by title. - When visiting a Samoan family, you should sit cross-legged on a straw mat and talk. - Religious beliefs: Samoans are devout believers in religion. Before each meal, someone will pray and everyone must remain silent. - Opening hours: Samoa stores are open from 8am to noon and 1.30pm to 4.30pm daily; and 8am to 12pm on Saturdays. - Travel safety: - The overall public security in Samoa is good, but you still need to pay attention to your personal and property safety, travel in groups as much as possible, avoid walking in remote streets or alleys at night, take good care of your personal belongings, and avoid showing off your wealth. - The lighting conditions on local roads are poor. Try to avoid driving at night. When driving, pay attention to the right-hand drive and left-hand traffic rules. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol, drive while tired, or exceed the speed limit. - In some sea areas, the winds are strong and the waves are rough. Be extra careful when wading and travel in groups. ⚠️⚠️⚠️

Visiting Tosa and Detsch was a magical experience. I enjoyed swimming in this amazing natural trench surrounded by volcanic rock walls and tropical plants. 🌿 The clear blue water beneath the trench's surface was refreshing and fun, and the magical surroundings added to the experience 🌊. Walking along the wooden path leading to the trench provided opportunities to enjoy beautiful scenery and take stunning photos 🌟. The atmosphere of To Sua Ocean Trench was calm and relaxing, making for an unforgettable experience in the embrace of nature.

It's only a half-hour flight from Pago Pago in American Samoa to Apia, the capital of Samoa, although they are the same ethnicity, they are divided in two. The scenery here is not much different from that of American Samoa, typical tropical island views, nothing more than the sea and the beach. I tried staying in a local earth house for one night, with a tin roof and mats made of grass on the side for some shade, which was somewhat uncomfortable. In the room, you can see geckos and even snails, and with the recent rainy season, it's a bit overwhelming, especially since these houses are not cheap. Besides the sea, the forests of Samoa also have some nice attractions, such as the To Sua Ocean Trench on Upolu Island, which is known as the world's best natural swimming pool. The nearly 30-meter-deep sinkhole is surrounded by pure natural greenery, with only a set of wooden stairs extending downward and a diving board, almost no embellishments. The water in the trench is seawater, connected to the ocean through a deep channel, but unfortunately, it was a rainy day when I visited, and I did not capture the most beautiful moment. The Sheraton must be the only international chain hotel in this country, and although the Sheraton here is a bit simple, it's still better than staying in a grass hut. Traveling around, I found that public transportation in this country is particularly inconvenient. The most convenient way to get around here is to hire a car, which costs about 200 Tala, or roughly 500 RMB per day, which is quite expensive.