Mount MatavanuMount Matavanu at a Glance
About Mount Matavanu
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.
Nearby Attractions to Mount Matavanu
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 20° - 27° | 24° | 585 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 21° - 27° | 24° | 344 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 21° - 27° | 24° | 327 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 302 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 20° - 25° | 23° | 254 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 25° | 23° | 161 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 24° | 22° | 145 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 25° | 22° | 197 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 20° - 25° | 22° | 196 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 291 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 232 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 409 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
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.