To Sua
A sea pool thirty metres down in the lava of Upolu’s south coast, reached by a long ladder, with gardens around the rim and a cave out to the ocean.
- Arrival
- Faleolo International · APW
- To the trench
- Faleolo is 66 km away, across Upolu
- Private jets
- Faleolo: 3,000 m runway, customs, jet fuel
- Best time
- May to October
The city
A ladder down to the sea.
To Sua lies in Lotofaga village, beside the main road along the south coast of Upolu. The trench is thirty metres deep. A long ladder goes down to a platform at the water, and a cave in the trench runs out to the open sea, for experienced divers only. Native gardens surround the opening, and across the road the lava shelf is full of blowholes and small pools.
The site opens every day, from half past eight except on Sunday, when the gates open at half past twelve. From mid-September to November whales are sometimes seen offshore. Samoa’s drier months are May to October; from November to April the rain is heavy.
- To Sua Ocean Trench Seawater at the foot of a thirty-metre drop, with a platform at the bottom of the ladder for swimmers.
- The lava field Blowholes, small pools and fishing spots on the shore opposite the trench.
- Fagaoneone A small white-sand beach looking out over the ocean.
Arriving
Faleolo, then across the island.
Every flight lands at Faleolo, on the west coast of Upolu; the trench is on the opposite shore, 66 km away in a straight line. The resorts of the south-east coast reckon on about an hour by road from the airport.
- Nadi 2 h 00
- Papeete 3 h 25
- Auckland 4 h 05
- Brisbane 5 h 25
- Tokyo 10 h 00 long-range jet
When to go
May to October.
Warm all year, with highs near 30 °C and the sea at 28 to 29 °C. The long-term averages show heavy rain in every month, worst from December to March; May to October is the dry season by Samoa Tourism’s reckoning.
- 30° J 419 29°
- 30° F 325 29°
- 30° M 332 29°
- 30° A 261 29°
- 30° M 205 29°
- 29° J 165 28°
- 29° J 133 28°
- 29° A 155 28°
- 29° S 180 28°
- 29° O 257 28°
- 30° N 270 29°
- 30° D 372 29°
Where to stay
Along the south-east coast.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
- Seabreeze Resort Villas for adults only, many times named Samoa’s leading hotel at the World Travel Awards.
- Aga Reef Resort A boutique resort with its own ocean lagoon, two pools and a day spa, and a restaurant opening onto the water.
- Saletoga Sands Resort & Spa Rooms, villas and family bungalows on a sheltered bay, about an hour’s drive from Faleolo.
Where to dine
Where to book on the south coast.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Samoa, and the south coast has few formal tables. This is the restaurant of the adults-only Seabreeze Resort, well rated on Tripadvisor.
- Seabreeze Resort Restaurant Rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor Seafood and Mediterranean $$$ Seabreeze Resort, Aufaga, about 3 km from To Sua
Flying to To Sua?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.