Tropical bliss: The six best beach resorts in Samoa

Mesmerising blue waters, spotless white beaches and dense green forests ... the Polynesian island country of Samoa is a place of intense beauty combined with tropical temperatures year round. And it's not hard to get to: Qantas and Virgin have direct flights to its capital city, Apia, from Brisbane and you can also fly from Sydney or Melbourne via Nadi with Fiji Airlines. Now that we have sorted "getting there", let's get down to the next most important thing: Staying there.

Salani Surf Resort: Samoa is made up of two large islands (Savai'i and Upolu) and several smaller islands. This dedicated surf resort is located on the south coast of Upolu, just over a hour's drive from Apia's international airport, and offers direct access to two incredible waves: Salani Right and Salani Left. The resort employs "well-trained boatmen" to deliver guests safely into the perfect waves, and they have a list of other activities to indulge in outside of the surf. From $350 per room, per night; salanisurf.com

Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa: Forget the Maldives. In fact, forget overwater villas, too. Because at Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa you can check into an overwater fale (a traditional Samoan abode with thatched roof). Located on Upolu's south coast, the property is surrounded by villages, which means there are no high-rises blocking those sensational sunrise and sunset views. There are no phones or TVs here either, meaning you get away from it all for a complete off-grid escape. From $566 per room, per night; cbcsamoa.com

Read more on Explore:

Le Lagoto Resort: This one's located on the island of Savai'i, which means after you land on Upolu, you'll need to take a one-hour ferry to Savai'i, followed by a 45-minute drive to the resort itself. But you won't be complaining once you check into one of the 10 beachfront bungalows, with views of creamy beaches, swaying palms and hammocks swinging in the air. Just don't forget to take your appetite: the onsite restaurant specialises in local cuisine, with irresistible dishes such as the Samoan fish salad called oka i'a and roast pork cooked in umu (Samoan earth oven). For the less adventurous, there are buffets offering simpler fare such as garlic breads and potato salads. From $216 per room, per night; lelagoto.ws

Taumeasina Island Resort: Located on a minuscule island of its own, just outside the city of Apia, this property enjoys the best of both worlds - a sense of isolation from the big smoke alongside the convenience of being able to get to the city's main drag within minutes, just in case you need to stock up on supplies. Which you may at this resort, where accommodation ranges from king bedrooms to multi-room villas with fully equipped kitchens. A swimming pool, a tennis court, babysitting services and a daily program for kids between the ages of five and 15 complete the family-friendly picture. From $243 per room, per night; taumeasinaislandresortsamoa.com

Seabreeze Resort Samoa: Whether you check in to one of the entry-level Ocean View Villas with 45 square metres of real estate and a private sundeck with hammocks or book the the top-end Honeymoon Point Villa with its own plunge pool and gated courtyard, one thing is guaranteed here: absolute serenity. The property has been built with adults only - and in particular, honeymooners - in mind. Work up an appetite by exploring the crystal-clear waters in one of the resort's complimentary glass-bottom kayaks, then make your way to the hotel's Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, where you can can enjoy delicious fare with a side of sunset views. From $565 per room, per night; seabreezesamoa.com

Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa: You will experience a sense of calm as soon as you arrive at this resort, perched on the banks of a sheltered lagoon on the south coast of Upolu, just a 45 minute drive from the airport. For the full wellness experience, make a beeline for the tranquil onsite spa, where you can indulge in timeless Samoan rituals using traditional medicinal plants and herbs. Our pick would be Fofo Malosi - a 60-minute Samoan deep-tissue massage, designed to melt your knots away. From $404 per room, per night; sinalei.com

There's never a bad time to visit Samoa, but a number of cultural events take place throughout the year, and aligning your trip with one of them is not a bad idea. Here are a few highlights.

Get your heart racing: The 2024 Samoa International Marathon will take place on the island of Savai'i on July 13 this year, kicking off at the historical church in the village of Sapapali'i and finishing up in the beautiful village of Manase. Along the way, there will be lava fields, scenic beaches and breathtaking lookouts.

Join in the festivities: If you visit the island country in the first week of September, you can be part of the week-long Teuila Festival (September 1-7 this year), during which traditional dance and music competitions are held, with different villages competing for the top gongs. A beautiful end to the seven-day revelries is the annual Miss Samoa Pageant.

Head for the royal affair: Samoa will host the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (October 21-27) this year and the word on the beach is King Charles will be attending.

Celebrate the nation's independent spirit: Every year Samoa celebrates it's Independence Day (June 1) with three days of feast, fire-knife dancing, horse-racing and canoe-racing across Apia Harbour. Start planning your 2025 trip to coincide with this event now. samoa.travel