Mount Matavanu
Volcano Volcanic cone on Savai'i, site of early 1900s eruption
Volcanic cone on Savai’i formed during the 1905-1911 Matavanu eruption. Visitors examine recent lava fields and cones and reach remote coastal villages by rough roads, often as part of island drives.
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Mount Matavanu is a volcanic cone on the island of Savai’i in Samoa that formed during a major early 20th-century eruption. It is known for producing large lava flows during that eruption period.
The 1905 to 1911 eruption created fresh lava fields and a prominent scoria cone and caused significant local disruption, including burial of villages and changes to local landforms. Today the volcanic features and lava fields remain visible on Savai’i.
Matavanu is a natural volcanic feature created by effusive eruptions in the early 1900s rather than a human-built structure, and its eruption sequence is the defining historical event associated with the site.
The cone and associated lava fields sit on Savai’i island in Samoa; coordinates place it on the central to northern part of the island within the volcanic landscape of Savai’i.
- Historic eruption: The eruption sequence from 1905 to 1911 produced extensive lava flows that covered nearby settlements and reshaped the local coastline.
How to Get to Mount Matavanu #
Inter-island access: Mount Matavanu is on Savai’i island, Samoa. To reach Savai’i take the regular passenger ferry from Mulifanua (Upolu) to Salelologa (Savai’i) and disembark at Salelologa, the island’s main port.
Local travel: from Salelologa drive on Savai’i’s main island roads toward the central/northern parts of the island to reach the Matavanu area; local buses (public buses/’savai’i buses’) and taxis operate from Salelologa to villages on Savai’i and can be used to reach the closest access points.
Tips for Visiting Mount Matavanu #
- Plan any visit during Samoa's dry season (roughly May-October) for more reliable access by sea or road; heavy rains can cut unpaved tracks and make coastal approaches difficult.
- Visit with a local village guide and pre-arrange transportation - Matavanu's historic lava fields and cone are on Savai'i and access is typically informal, so local knowledge speeds navigation and ensures respectful entry.
- Allow extra time for rough, sometimes beach/track-based approaches and expect very limited facilities; most visitors view Matavanu from organized tours or by boat rather than independent day trips.
Best Time to Visit Mount Matavanu #
For Mount Matavanu and surrounding areas, the drier months (May-October) offer more settled conditions and easier access.
Weather & Climate near Mount Matavanu #
Mount Matavanu's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 27°C. Heavy rainfall (3443 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (585 mm).
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Heavy rain (344 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (327 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (302 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (254 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (161 mm).
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July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (291 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (232 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (409 mm).
