Four km off the west coast of Upolu is the small sheltered island of Manono. This tranquil little haven has just four fishing villages, with most houses being traditional fales. The beauty of Manono is there are no cars and no barking dogs at night - just the stars and the lapping waves.

5-island view

vaotuua

apai village

apai beach

It takes a leisurely two hours to walk around the coastal track, passing several palm fringed beaches with good snorkelling. Inland trails lead to several interesting archaeological sites including an ancient star mound on top of Mt. Tulimanuiva, the highest point at 110m. However, the islands greatest attraction is its simple lifestyle and the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their life of planting, weaving, fishing and relaxing.

upolu view

lepuiai village

sunrise

rainbow

The only place to stay is at Vaotuua Beach Fales on a small secluded beach facing Upolu. These fales are the most elegant of all the budget beach fales in Samoa with a private verandah and steps down into the turquoise lagoon. At high tide, you can hear the waves gently splashing beneath you.

apai beach

grave of 99

salua village

east coast

From the village of Apai on the west coast there are three islands just offshore - two of these are small rocky islets with great snorkelling and the larger island being the collarpsed volcanic crater of Apolima. There's a small beach and village inside the collapsed bay of Apolima but access is difficult across the reef. There is no accommodation on Apolima. Also visible on the horizon is Savaii Island.

nuulopa island

nuulopa apolima

apolima

apolima village

search for ... Manono Accommodation

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Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:

Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide

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Recommended Websites: South Pacific Resorts ; Cook Island Resorts ; Hawaii Resorts ; Samoa Resorts ; Fiji Resorts ; Tonga Resorts ; Tahiti Resorts