UpoluAbout Upolu
Upolu is the principal island of the Independent State of Samoa and contains the national capital, Apia, making it the political and commercial centre of the country. The island is the most populous in Samoa and a focal point for travel, commerce and government services.
On the north coast Apia offers markets, government buildings and a small harbour. The island’s interior is a mix of rainforest, ridgelines and short rivers, and the coast features notable natural attractions such as the To Sua Ocean Trench and popular sandy beaches like Lalomanu.
Outdoor activities include short rainforest hikes, coastal swimming and village-based cultural visits; many sights are reached by relatively short drives from Apia. The west coast hosts the international airport and the ferry terminal for connections to the neighbouring island of Savai’i.
Upolu has been inhabited for millennia by Polynesian peoples and experienced European contact from the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries it came under German then New Zealand administration before Samoa gained independence in 1962.
The island lies in the central Samoan archipelago in the South Pacific. Apia is located on the north coast, Faleolo Airport and the Mulifanua ferry terminal are on the west coast, and many of the island’s best-known beaches and natural sites are on the southern shore.
- Transport: International flights use Faleolo International Airport on the west coast; road distances across the island are short but inland roads can be narrow and winding.
- Inter-island ferry: Ferries between Upolu and Savai’i run from the Mulifanua terminal and are the main inter-island vehicle link.
What to See#
- Apia: The national capital and largest urban centre, containing government offices, the main port and the island’s principal commercial facilities.
- To Sua Ocean Trench: A large coastal sinkhole with a grassy terrace and laddered access to a deep swimming pool, located in the village area of Lotofaga on the south coast.
- Lalomanu Beach: A popular east-facing white-sand beach on the southeast coast known for swimming and local resort facilities.
- Mulifanua ferry terminal: The ferry terminal on the island’s west coast providing regular vehicle and passenger ferry links to the neighbouring island of Savai’i.
Nearby Attractions to Upolu
Best Time to Visit Upolu
May-October (the dry season) is generally the best time to visit Upolu for outdoor activities and more predictable weather.
Weather & Climate near Upolu
Upolu's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 26°C. Heavy rainfall (4525 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 712 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 484 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 434 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 307 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 20° - 25° | 22° | 273 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 20° - 25° | 22° | 185 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 19° - 24° | 22° | 213 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 24° | 22° | 218 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 19° - 25° | 22° | 235 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 20° - 25° | 22° | 374 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 535 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 20° - 26° | 23° | 555 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Upolu
Upolu is served by Faleolo International Airport (APW), about 40 minutes from Apia by road. Regular domestic and international flights connect Samoa with New Zealand, Australia and other Pacific islands. Ferries link Upolu with Savai’i from Mulifanua.
Tips for Visiting Upolu
- Use Apia as a base-the capital has the main services, ferries and car hires for island excursions.
- Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Vailima for a sense of the island's colonial literary history.
- If planning inter‑island travel to Savai'i, use the ferries from Mulifanua (short crossing) and book in advance during peak season.