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Oceania Samoa Samoa Do & See Pulemelei Ancient Mound

Overview

Pulemelei Ancient Mound

The guide was updated: 2024-10-04

On Savaii, Pulemelei Ancient Mound is a historical site located on Letolo Plantation. At 12 metres tall, it’s the largest ancient structure in Polynesia. This massive man-made mound measures a whopping 61x50 metres. The mystery of how and why it was built still remains unsolved. It’s marked on some maps as Tia Seu Ancient Mound.

Useful Information

Address: Letolo Plantation, Palauli, Savaii, Samoa

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Lefaga Bay

Lefaga Bay

Famous for being the setting of the 2004 Gary Cooper film "Return to Paradise", Lefaga Beach is a lovely beach where to relax and sunbath. For those who likes to snorkel, this is a great place to search for giant clams in the crystal clear water or why not take a kayak and explore the shoreline? There is a nearby resort providing toilets, showers, a restaurant and other conveniences.

Swimming With Turtles

Swimming With Turtles

Swim with green turtles with guides that can show you these ancient mariners before they are released back into the wild. The Satoalepai Wetlands sanctuary is the ideal place to bring your family. The kids will love feeding these gentle giants and swimming among them will be a memorable experience.

To Sua Ocean Trench

To Sua Ocean Trench

A must-do adventure for all the tourists in Samoa is the To Sua Ocean Trench: climb down the steep ladder leading to a natural pool of crystal clear, serene waters, and enjoy the unique experience of swimming in a grotto!

The Rainforests

The Rainforests

Due to the tropical climate and fertile soils, the rainforests of Samoa are a lush and vibrant paradise. Native wildlife such as seabirds, skinks, flying foxes, geckos, as well as a plethora of unique flora call the forests home. Le Pupu-Pue National Park on Upolu is one of the best with extensive walking tracks and a listed 42 bird species. Tafua Peninsula Rainforest Reserve, in the southeast, is another bird watchers haven where you may see the rare Samoan tooth-billed pigeon. In the Falealupo Rainforest Reserve, take the treetop canopy walkway built about 40 metres above the ground among giant Banyan trees!

Lalomanu Beach

Lalomanu Beach

Beautiful beaches are one of Samoa's fine points and Lalomanu Beach is one of them. The picturesque white-sand and the blue-green transparent waters are like straight off a postcard, and the tranquil vibe just makes it a great place to relax and recharge your energy.

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

Villa Vailima mansion was built in 1890 by the famous Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson and was his home for the last five years of his life. Even though he only lived in Samoa for a few years, he did write quite a number of novels during that time. The Samoan people loved him and he was given the name Tusitala, which means 'storyteller.' A half-hour tour explores Villa Vailima and, inside the museum. You'll discover a myriad of artefacts, while outside carefully manicured lawns give an air of elegance. Stevenson and his wife Fanny Osborne are buried next door in the Mt Valea Scenic Reserve.

Alofaaga Blowholes

Alofaaga Blowholes

At Alofaaga Blowholes, witness jets of water forced hundreds of feet in the air. These impressive blowholes are found near the village of Taga, on southwest Savaii, so come here to have a look and if you are lucky you also notice some locals throwing coconuts into the holes, which then are blasted back into the air!

Samoa Cultural Village

Samoa Cultural Village

To get an insight into the customs and traditions of the indigenous population, save some time to visit the Samoa Cultural Village where ceremonies, rituals, songs, dances and workshops will be performed. Although participation is free, donations are accepted.

Swimming and snorkelling

Swimming and snorkelling

Under the waters surrounding the islands of Samoa, beautiful coral gardens are teeming with an astonishing 900 species of fishes and 200 varieties of corals. The coast from Lalomanu to Lotofaga has plenty of swimming and snorkelling beaches. Samoan Island Adventures organises snorkelling trips as well as tours and scooter rentals.

Togitogiga Waterfalls

Togitogiga Waterfalls

At the Togitogiga Waterfalls, in the village of Salailua, enjoy a swim in one of the delightful swimming holes. There is no entry fee here and toilets and changing rooms are always available.

Fuipisia Falls

Fuipisia Falls

If you are feeling more energetic, take the hike to the top of the 55m high Fuipisia falls. You will find this spectacular jungle waterfall off the pass road in the village of Lotofaga. This is also a great place for bird watching.

Sopoaga Falls

Sopoaga Falls

Another powerful waterfall is the Sopoaga Falls where you will find a lovely garden and picnic area. The garden is full of native plants and trees making it a beautiful place. Make sure not to miss the coconut-husking demonstration and taste the lovely fruit before leaving.

Mu Pagoa Falls

Mu Pagoa Falls

The Mu Pagoa Falls, mark the point where Samoa’s largest river tumbles into the sea. This is for sure an excellent place to take pictures and experience local villagers as they are engage in using this natural resource in their daily life activities.

Upolu

Upolu

Upolu is the main and most populated of the islands in Samoa. The nation’s capital Apia is located here, the perfect place to familiarise yourself with the island life, pick some souvenirs and get to know the cultural heritage and history.

Savaii

Savaii

Savaii is actually a little bigger than Upolu and offers their visitors a true insight into the traditional Samoan way of life. It is also here the nation’s highest peak, Mt Silisili rises 1866 metres and at Cape Mulinuu you can stand at the last place on earth and view the final sunset of every day.

Piula Cave Pool

Piula Cave Pool

A beautiful spot to explore, Piula Cave Pool is a crystal clear freshwater spring pool and cave that was originally formed by a lava tube. There are lot of small-middle sized fish to swim with and the amazing setting with the beach view just enhances the experience. A good advice is to bring your own food with you since there are no restaurant nearby. Also, there is a entrance fee.

Tafa Tafa Beach

Tafa Tafa Beach

Another beautiful scenic beach with white sandy beach and clear blue water, Tafa Tafa Beach is the ideal place for a day trip where to sunbath, swim and snorkel. After the tide goes out, search for the gorgeous shells and natural souvenirs to bring back home. There are organised trips to this beach with companies such as: Samoa Scenic

Papapapai-Tai Falls

Papapapai-Tai Falls

Admire the powerful Papapapai-Tai Falls plunging 100 metres from the lookout. This is one of the longest waterfalls in Samoa and is truly a beautiful sight even though visitors can't actually get too close to the waterfall for safety reasons.

Pulemelei Ancient Mound

Pulemelei Ancient Mound

On Savaii, Pulemelei Ancient Mound is a historical site located on Letolo Plantation. At 12 metres tall, it’s the largest ancient structure in Polynesia. This massive man-made mound measures a whopping 61x50 metres. The mystery of how and why it was built still remains unsolved. It’s marked on some maps as Tia Seu Ancient Mound.

Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral

Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral

Located in the centre of the capital city, Apia, you will find this beautiful church with stained glass and art on the walls. The architectural beauty and the decor blends Samoan culture and Catholicism and it is truly a place where to admire icons, paintings, marble floors and carvings.

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