Surfing in Samoa

Samoa has some of the most secluded and pristine beaches in the South Pacific - long stretches of palm-fringed, powder-white sand lapped by turquoise lagoons - just perfect for a beach holiday or romantic getaway.a

Many beaches boast a beachfront resort while others host a traditional fale (typically owned by the nearest fishing village).

Alternatively, hire a car and discover your own secluded beach. Many are privately owned so don't be surprised if you are asked to contribute a small 'fee' to use the beach - usually STD2 to STD5. Discover your best honeymoon beach in Samoa from this selection:

Lalomanu Beach (Upolu) - This narrow stretch of powder-white sand is considered one of the best beaches in the South Pacific. Pick a spot to sunbathe on the soft sand and enjoy views across the lagoon to four, small, uninhabited islands. Relax in the shade of swaying palm trees, swim or snorkel the calm, clear waters of the turquoise lagoon and when you feel hungry, enjoy fresh seafood snacks from one of the beachside restaurants.

Lalomanu Beach is located in southeast Upolu among a string of fabulous beaches that lie on the edge of a beautiful lagoon. Come for the day or stay longer at one of the beachside fales, such as Taufua Beach Fales at Lalomanu village.

Namua Beach (Upolu) - Dig your toes into the sugar-white sand of this gorgeous palm-fringed beach that shelves into a gentle cove flanked by jungle-clad headlands. Sunbathe on the unspoiled beach, enjoy exceptional swimming and snorkelling in the turquoise lagoon and follow forest trails in search of native birds.

Come for a few hours or stay longer in a traditional beach fale at Namua Beach Fales. Namua Beach is located on the island on the same name, one of four offshore islands that lie in a sheltered lagoon just 10-minues by speed-boat from Lalomanu Beach.

Vava'u Beach (Upolu) - Play Robinson Crusoe on this secluded stretch of palm-fringed, powder-white sand that gentle shelves past three towering, jungle-clad outcrops into a sheltered bay, with perfect swimming and snorkelling in the calm lagoon. Come for a day or stay longer at Vavau Beach Fales. This hidden beach is located near Vavau village, on the southeast coast of Upolu.

Paradise Beach (Upolu) - Discover this unspoiled, palm-fringed white-sand beach on the classic 3km-long walk between Salamumu and Paradise Beach – renowned as one of the finest beach walks in the South Pacific – and more commonly known as Return to Paradise Beach, because of its use in the 1953 Hollywood film 'Return to Paradise' starring Gary Cooper.

Framed by black-lava rock headlands, this idyllic beach is located along the southwest coast of Upolu, near Matautu village in the Lefaga district. Note: you may be asked to pay a ST5 per-person custom fee to use the beach.

Salamumu Beach (Upolu) - Make your own footprints in the powder-white sand of this gorgeous palm-fringed beach that also features in the scenic beach walk to Paradise Beach.

Matareva Beach (Upolu) - Unwind on this crescent of palm-fringed sugar-white sand set amid black volcanic rocks and shelving into an idyllic lagoon. Explore the shallow rock pools and experience excellent swimming and snorkelling. Matareva Beach is located on the southwest coast of Upolu.

Manono Beach (Upolu) - Dig your toes into this crescent of sugar-white sand, nestled between soaring palm trees and an idyllic lagoon perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Choose from several small luxury resorts, including Sinalei Reef Resort and Coconuts Beach Resort. Manono is located on the southwest coast of Upolu.

Le Lagoto Beach (Savaii Island) - Dig your toes into the powder-white sand of this gorgeous beach that gently shelves into a calm, turquoise lagoon offering excellent swimming and snorkelling with scenic mountain views. Relax in comfort at Savaii Island's only up-market resort, Le Lagoto Resort, which provides a range of creature comforts and water activities. Le Lagoto beach is located along the northeast coast at Fagamalo.

Manase Beach (Savaii Island) - Sunbathe on this crescent of sugar-white sand that gently shelves into the turquoise waters of a sheltered lagoon, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Manase Beach is located on the northern coast near Manase Village and offers a choice of accommodation at several beach fales, including Vacations Beach Fales.

Ananoa Beach (Savaii Island) - Enjoy the island tranquility of this gorgeous white sand beach that lies sandwiched between swaying palm trees and the blue waters of a sheltered lagoon, offering excellent swimming and snorkelling above the offshore coral gardens.

Satuiatua Beach (Savaii Island) - Pick your own secluded spot on this long crescent of sugar-white sand nestled in front of soaring palm trees and fronting a calm, turquoise lagoon, with excellent swimming, snorkeling and occasional surfing. Satuiatua Beach is located at Satuiatua on the southwest coast of Savaii, with a choice of several beach fales.

Ofu Beach (Ofu Island, American Samoa) - Check out one of Samoa's best beaches – a picture-perfect sugar-white beach framed between an aquamarine lagoon and towering palm trees that merge with the jungle-clad slopes of an extinct volcano. Pick a secluded spot to sunbathe on this 4km-long beach and enjoy excellent snorkelling among the more than 300 species of fish and 150 species of coral found in the sheltered lagoon. Later, visit the prehistoric 3000-year-old To'aga Site that stands just behind the beach.

Ofu Beach is located on the south coast of Ofu Island in the Manu'a group of American Samoa and is best visited on a day trip as there are no beach resorts – legends still persist that spirit ghosts, or aitu, haunt the To'aga at high noon and at night.