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Walking Tour of Apia Harbour and snorkel Palolo Deep Reserve

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Highlights:

• Discover the Apia harbor part of the city, this walking tour takes you to Vaiala  Beach towards the east.
• See the old German administration building.
• Learn Samoan culture and nature at the Museum of Samoa, the lore of Aggie Grey
• Swim and snorkel at the Palolo Deep Marine Park.   

Tour style:Walking Tour
Inclusion:

English speaking tour guide, Entrance fees as indicated, Rental of a mask and snorkel at Palolo Deep. Water bottle: 1 per person.

Exclusion:

Items of a personal nature. Gratuities and tips for guides. Rental of flippers or other swimming gear.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Pickup location:

  Samoa Tourism Fale

• Pickup Time: 1.00 PM-1.30 PM
• Drop off location:

  Samoa Tourism Fale

Additional information :

• Dress standard:

  For this tour, good hiking or sports shoes, hat, and swimming gear are best. Please be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Samoa. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing, covering shoulder and knees. Women should avoid wearing swimsuits or skimpy clothing away from the beach. Men should wear light shirt, polo or T-shirts with long or knee-length shorts, or local sarong (lava lava).

• Language: English

Itinerary:

Apia Harbour is the core magnet of the city, and next to it, across the wharf sits the first and only Samoan National Marine Park – Palolo Deep.  Our guide will take you on a walking tour of this eastern part of the township from the Samoa Tourism Fale to the secluded beach of Vaiala, passing through the old Apia on Beach Road, its diplomatic section, the old colonial style German administration and Prime Minister’s building and Courts.

You will pass along the Police Stations of old and new, the German cemetery to reach and visit the Falemataaga or Museum of Samoa – where your guide will explain Samoan culture and artifacts.  Part of the cost for the tour includes our voluntary contribution to maintain the Museum. The walk will bring you back to Beach Road across the village of Apia right beside the John Williams monument that celebrates an early missionary who’s bones, after his death in Vanuatu, were recovered and buried under the church across the road.

From here you have a great view of the harbor and will reach Samoa’s most well known address, the famous Aggie Grey’s Hotel and its legendary owner – the Bloody Mary of James Mitchener’s “The Tales of the South Pacific”. 

The guided tour will then take you to the Apia Marina and its floating restaurant – the Moana Blue - pass the harbour to reach Vaiala Beach Road where officials and Ministers of Cabinet still reside in old colonial buildings.  

Immediately past the harbor, under majestic “pulu’ trees” hides the entrance to Palolo Deep Marine Reserve – a marine park right in the city – for a well deserve rest, swim and snorkel to observe the Deep’s marine life and corals. The Deep is a coral-encrusted hole surrounded by a shallow reef, around 100 metres from shore. – it’s name is derived from the small coral worms raising twice a year in Samoa and known as “palolo”  a delicacy in Samoa.  After your swim and snorkel, your guide will lead you back to town on the seawall, all the way to the Samoa Tourism Information fale.

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Tipping:

Tipping is not customary in Samoa, but if you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers, a tip - though not compulsory nor expected - is appropriate. It is generally rejected at first, but will be received with pride, if you insist. In Samoa, we refer to this as “mea alofa” (a gesture of thanks or love) to your host. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.