Samoa
From CruisersWiki
Samoa Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Samoa.
| Samoa | |
 Map - click for larger view | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Apia  13°50′S, 171°45′W
|
|---|---|
| Language: | Samoan, English |
| Currency: | Tala (WST) |
| Timezone: | UTC+13 |
| More notes about the country | |
 Latest News
| |
| Content - news items, etc. | |
Overview
Samoa is a country comprising two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, as well as several smaller islands (some inhabited, some not). Upolu contains the main city, Apia, and approximately 75% of the population. Savai'i is the larger of the two main islands and offers some exotic island scenery as well as a few sheletered anchorages, notably Asau Bay.
In 1997 the country's name was changed from Western Samoa to Samoa although the name Western Samoa is still used by some people, specifically residents of American Samoa immediately to the east.
In 2009 the country changed the side of the road on which vehicles drive -- Samoans now drive on the left side of the road in line with many other countries in the region (the exception being French Polynesia).
In 2011 Samoa moved from the East to the West side of the intenrational date line, moving forwards one day. This means that it is now on the same side of the date line as Australia and New Zealand, and shares a time zone with Tonga. American Samoa is still on the east side of the date line, in line with the USA and French Polynesia.
Samoa's currency is the Tala, with one tala approximately equal to 50c Australian / US. Prices in tala are indicated with a $ sign in Samoa, meaning that some prices can seem quite high if you equate those with dollars, but are in fact quite cheap. Expect to pay between 4 and 6 tala for a beer in most bars, and 15 tala is considered a reasonable price for a cafe meal. Locally grown produce can be quite cheap, for example 5 tala will buy a few coconuts or a bunch of bananas.
Samoans are a welcoming people and will go out of their way to help visitors.
Cruising the region
Despite limited facilities in some places, even compared to other South Pacific nations, it is well worth visiting Samoa. A cruising route through the northern or southern Cook Islands can easily accomodate Samoa as a stop on the way to Fiji or even Tonga, or onwards to Vanuatu.
There is a marina in Apia with some facilities and several anchorages on the northern side of each of the main islands.
Climate & Weather
Samoa's overall climate is hot and tropical, with drier conditions between April and November, and hotter and wetter conditions between December and March. The climate becomes milder as you head into the highlands of Upolu. The South Tropical Convergence Zone often moves over and past Samoa, bringing moderate to heavy rainfalls even in the drier season. Otherwise the climate is similar to that in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, and warmer and wetter than that of Rarotonga or Tonga.
In the wet season there are occasional cyclones. There is no cyclone-safe anchorage or marina and so visiting sailing vessels should avoid Samoa during this time of year.
Unusually for countries in the South Pacific, the Fiji Meteorological Service does not issue a weather forecast for Samoa waters. The Samoa Meteorological Division issues a weather forecast here, which includes a coastal waters forecast.
GRIB data and Fleet Code data covering Samoa is available through Saildocs and other services -- see the Weather page for details.
A generalised South Pacific weather forecast from the Fiji Meterological Service may be found here or by sending an email containing send nadi.sopac to [email protected]. See the Weather page for more information.
Charts
- Land Information NZ
- NZ 86 -- Samoa Islands (also covers American Samoa)
Navionics digital charts are largely incorrect for most of Samoa except in the immediate vicinity of Apia, and should not be trusted. C-MAP charts are mostly correct except for a few places around Upolu. The LINZ charts mentioned here and in other places are the ones to use, they are available in paper or digital format.
Note that in many parts of Samoa, especially the south coast of both of the main islands, there have been insufficient surveys done to regard any chart as absolutely correct.
See Apia
Local Radio Nets
Also see: World Cruiser's Nets
There are no radio nets specific to Samoa. The harbour master in Apia harbour maintains a regular if not constant listening watch on VHF 16.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Apia is the only port of entry or departure. See under Apia.
Immigration & Customs
See Apia.
Visas
A 60 day visa is offered to all visitors. This can only be extended in special circumstances.
Health & Security
See Apia.
Ports & Anchorages
Apia is the only suitable port in Samoa.
There are several anchorages on the north side of Upolu, and two that I know of on the north side of Savai'i, notably Asau Bay.
Before visiting these anchorages, after clearing in to Apia, you need to obtain a cruising permit. To obtain this:
- Write a letter requesting the permit, stating the name of the vessel, crew names and nationalities, and the vessel registration details. Also state the harbours which you wish to visit and also the duration of your stay in Samoa.
- Take a copy of this letter along with your passports and a copy of the registration papers.
- Visit Elisaia Galulolo, at the Prime Ministers office on the 4th floor of the government building in central Apia. To enter the building use the lifts which are in the car park. Take the lift to the 4th floor and ask at the reception desk for Elisaia by name.
The permit is issued on the spot, and there is no charge for issuing the permit.
Fagaloa Bay (Upolu)
Entry approx 13 54S, 171 32W.
This is a wide deep bay, with a few villages scattered around the shore. It has good shelter from the prevailing winds. Entry is easy although there are no lights or beacons, the mouth of the bay is wide and deep. The Navionics electronic charts I had for this bay were out by about 1km, there appears to have been a poor tiling job done when constructing the charts, but the C-MAP charts were accurate as were the LINZ charts.
There are two large, uncharted, but easy to see rocks off the northern point of the bay, Utuloa Point. These will be easy to see and miss during daylight but if you are entering by chart at night then stay at least 200m off this point.
Anchor near the head of the bay. Beware the reefs on either side but the water shoals very gradually as you approach the head of the bay so you should be able to choose your anchoring depth. I had no problems finding places to anchor with plenty of room at 12m depth. Holding is good. Some swell enters the bay on occasion but it generally allows a pretty restful sleep.
Falefa Bay (Upolu)
Entry approx 13 53S, 171 34W.
All of the vector charts I have for this bay are inaccurate. The C-MAP chart is out by about 100 metres or so, the Navionics chart appears to be a complete work of fiction. The LINZ (raster) chart is accurate.
This bay is best entered from the east. There is a small island on the northern side of the bay with extensive reefs around it, keep to the south of the bay as you enter.
This is an attractive bay with a few villages on the western side, containing two large conspicuous churches. I found a secluded anchorage in a bay on the southern side, near an isolated sandy beach with a good snorkelling reef. Depth was about 11m and holding was good.
Islands
Main Islands
- Upolu
- Savai'i
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
- Visit the tourist information office in central Apia and collect a copy of the Jasons.com guides. There is a small booklet covering various attractions around the island and a larger fold-out pamphlet with maps of both islands as well as central Apia. Both publications are free.
Links to Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Samoa on wikipedia.
- Samoa on wikivoyage.
- Samoa tourism information web site.
|
|---|
|
Names: Delatbabel |
| |
|---|
| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | South Pacific | Samoa |
