Samoa is located about 1,800 miles north of New Zealand, 740 miles east of Fiji, 2,750 and 5,200 miles southwest of Los Angeles. The country comprises two relatively large islands, Upolu and Savaii and eight smaller islands. The capital Apia and the international airport are located on the island of Upolu.
The islands are volcanic and dominated by rugged mountain ranges and sandy beaches surrounded by coral reefs and lagoons. Samoa’s rainforests are an ideal habitat for flying foxes, land and sea birds, skinks and geckos. In the surrounding ocean, dolphins, whales, porpoises, and turtles are regular visitors to the islands. The reefs around the islands are home to some 900 fish species and over 200 varieties of coral.
A number of natural conservation areas are located in Upolu. Among them the Le Pupu-Pue National Park that protects a wide area including the summits of Mount Fito; the snorkeling paradise Palolo Deep Marine Reserve with its sudden drop, walls of corals and myriad tropical fish; the Saanapu and Sataoa Mangroves, and several magnificent waterfalls.
Savai’i also offers a number of nature conservations areas such as the Falealupo Rainforest Preserve with a canopy walk and the Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Preserve where birdwatchers can see flying foxes and the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. Experienced guides lead adventure travelers deep down into the exciting Aopo lava cave at the Aopo Conservation Area or to beautiful waterfalls, such as the Mu Pagoa Waterfall.
