Ultimate Upolu Highlights Tour – Apia Cruise Ship Shore Excursion
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Upolu, Samoa
- 6 to 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- All Fees and Taxes
- Bottled waterAnd snack
- LunchNo lunch included
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Port of ApiaMatautu-tai, Apia, Samoa
Pickup details
Start time will be later if your ship arrives after 9am, so disregard the 9am start time if your ship arrives later than 9am.
Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Piula Cave Pool
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
To Sua Ocean Trench
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Lalomanu Beach
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
4
Papapapaitai Falls
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 72 reviews
Dominick_B, May 2026
Sean and Janette area amazing hosts and guides with great commentary and they made us feel at home on their beautiful island.
Sharon_G, Apr 2026
Great day of different beaches and sights. Shawn is very knowledgeable and personable. Lots of different sights traveling all over the island. We were gone from 9-4 so we had a full day. We saw a lot of the island and felt it was a good use of time. My husband got some snorkeling in as well
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks for taking the time to give us a review, safe sailing home.
Shawn
Stephen_W, Apr 2026
Sean and Jeanette treated us like friends welcoming us to Samoa. Their tour was eye opening to the Samoan culture and sites on their beautiful island.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks Stephen, It was great meeting you both and we are happy you enjoyed the day in Samoa with us. Safe travels.
Shawn and Janette
Pamela_B, Mar 2026
Best tour ever! Jeanette was a fantastic guide! She took us to all of the highlights as planned plus extra ones too!!!! She knows so much about the island and shared all of her knowledge. She gave each of us cinnamon rolls and banana chips before we began the tour. We also had a delicious lunch on the beach in a beautiful setting.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your review, I am so happy you enjoyed the day with me despite the rainy weather. Take care.
Janette
Alison_B, Mar 2026
This was a small group private excursion for us when in port on a cruise ship.
Only 9 of us in a minibus which was perfect. Clear helpful information about where to find them when we disembarked meant that we were on our way and managed to access the fabulous scenic points before the crowds. Lots of helpful information, just the right amount of talking and lots great stops. Samoa was a beautiful welcoming country and this gave us the best experience we could have asked for in a shore excursion trip.
Shawn and Janette organise and guide these trips personally and very efficiently- thanks!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks Alison for your review. We are happy you enjoyed your day with us. All the best on the rest on your cruise. Take care.
Shawn and Janette
Cheryl_S, Jan 2026
This was the best trip Ever! Shawn & his beautiful wife, Jannelle (spelling) were the very best hosts I have had! They were friendly, informative, professional, and More! There were 19 of us on this adventure and we all had a Blast!! We all agreed that we would go on more tours that their company "SAMOA SURF & TURF" offered!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thanks Cheryl,
Had a great day with you all. Take care
Shawn and Janette
Mary_D, Oct 2025
We are on a 42 day cruise and this tour has got to be our favorite so far!
Jeanette's knowledge of Samoa as we traveled to our adventures was super interesting.
The stops were a blast. Swimming in the refreshing spring water of Piula Cave was amazing. Then we got to descend the hefty built ladder down to the ocean trench. A bucket list item, for sure. Then we ate at a marvelous restaurant where they caught our fresh yellow fin tuna that morning. While cooking up our lunch, I got to swim in the beautiful ocean right off the restaurant deck. Next we stopped at an amazing waterfall plunging deep into the lush valley around us. Jeanette took care of our every need, even surprising us with her favorite cinnamon rolls from the local bakery.
We couldn't have found a better tour.
And no worries...you will get back to the ship with plenty of spare time!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much Mary for your kind review.
All the best,
Shawn and Janette
Lynn_B, Oct 2025
Samoa Surf & Turf Tours is an outstanding option to experience Samoa while in port on a cruise ship. There is no worry that they will get you back to the cruise ship on time, before last call. And upon booking your tour, Shawn & Janette are easily available to answer your questions. And they communicate where & when pickup is before arriving in Samoa.
Now, for the tour itself. Their knowledge of the island is shared throughout the tour. The small group atmosphere allows you to spends quality time at each of the locations. We were fortunate & the weather cooperated for each of our stops.
A big thank you to Janette for such a memorable day. The island, you call home, is so beautiful and begs to be explored.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much Lynn for you review.
Safe travels home
Shawn and Janette
Scott_Z, Oct 2025
It was a very wonderful day. Couldn't have asked for better weather and the two guides were outstanding. The only downside was one gal who seemed to complain about everything, but you know there's always one of those on these tours.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks Scott,
We are happy you enjoyed the day with us and it was nice to meet you both.
Shawn and Janette
Nancy_B, Oct 2025
A very well planned itinerary for this beautiful island. These two really know the island and present it beautifully. The vans are comfortable, air-conditioned in the whole day is very nice.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you Nancy for your kind review and all the best on you journey around the South Pacific.
Shawn and Janette
Mark_K, Jun 2025
I highly recommend this tour! The pre-tour communication was responsive and informative. The tour operators are very professional and took great care of us. They made sure we saw everything, had a chance for lunch by the beach, and made it back to our cruise ship in plenty of time. The sights are beautiful- you’ll come for the Trench but stay for the beach!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your review and it was our pleasure showing you Samoa. Safe cruising to your next port.
Shawn and Janette
Joe_S, May 2025
Excellent tour with great scenery and local flavor. Good lunch location (on) your dime with beautiful warm ocean water for swimming
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks for your review and safe sailing to your next port.
Shawn and Janette
Mario_P, Apr 2025
We had separated and prepaid for a tour of the island starting at 9:00. The tour operator unilaterally changed the time to ten minutes after the gangplank was down.. We were unable to open the email notifying the change in time. Passengers from our ship began to disembark at 8:00 AM. Our party disembarked by 8:20 AM. Our tour operator was nowhere to be found, even though we tried reaching him over the phone four times. We searched the entire port area, with no luck, and missed the prepaid tour. Viator refused to refund us because of the email the operator had sent, which we had been unable to open. We are never using Viator again
Response from Host, May 2025
Hello Mario,
Look at the pattern here. Other passengers from the Sapphire Princess had no problem finding us and gave 5 star reviews, but your 1 star review is not consistent. You might be the problem here and not us or Viator. I will explain in detail the chain of events that happened.
1) it clearly explains when you book the tour our time frame in description. It is based on the ship's schedule as all ships arrive in port at different times.
2) You were emailed 2 weeks before you arrived with detailed information. Pictures of your guides(myself and my wife) Our company logo to look for an area of wharf to meet at and times of departure.
3) We operate 2 vans on this tour with small groups and we are located right in the location we are supposed to be and others from your ship found us no problem.
4) The first van when filled leaves and the 2nd van my wife drives leaves later when other passengers arrive. She waited until 9:05am and this can be verified by other passengers who were waiting for you. You seem to think your time is more important than other people on the tour and we are not going to ruin other guests' day by waiting for you to arrive and find us.
5) Your excuse of not having wifi to read email is not valid as all ships have wifi access and you had 2 weeks to read this email.
6) We never received a call from you and we have two numbers listed to contact us and neither number received a call from you.
7) You demanded a refund and you were refused by Viator as you didn't follow instructions, so now you are angry. I find it funny that you didn't have wifi access to read the detailed instructions we sent 2 weeks before, but you magically have it now to write a review.
My only advice to you Mr. Mario Pabon is to stop blaming others for your failure to follow basic instructions.
Kind Regards,
Shawn and Janette
Kathryn_F, Feb 2025
We had a very enjoyable day in Samoa with Shawn. Pickup was prompt and easy to find, everything was well organised and Shawn was a helpful and informative guide. Highlights for us were swimming in the cave pool and the lunch stop at the beach.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you Kathryn for you review and happy you enjoyed your time in Samoa
Shawn
maureen_F, Feb 2025
What a wonderful day. Off Queen Anne cruise ship picked up and returned to port. We joined a group 14 in a mini bus. Shawn from Samoa Surf and Turf Tours was friendly, informative and even looked after our belongings as we explored the different stops. Water, pastry and crisps were provided - delicious. Great adventure swimming in fresh water at the cave, climbing the steps into the warm water of the sinkhole and then the wonderful warm sea at the beach. The beach cafe served lovely food and drink. Was impressed with toilets and changing facilities at each stop. Enjoyed the drive through the lush green and colourful countryside. Thank you so much.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you Maureen for your review, had a great day with you all.
Shawn
Elaine_G, Feb 2025
A great choice to go on this tour rather than on the ship run tours. We were a party of 9 and Jeanette took us to some amazing spots that you just wouldn't have been able to go to with a large coach load of people. The pools and beach were just out of this world and the weather was perfect.
Jeanette spoke about the island, it's people and culture. She also told us her story of how she came to be living and working in Samoa. Really interesting and enjoyable to listen to.
Go and book the tour, it's a great way to see this special island and have the most wonderful time.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you Elaine for your kind review and take care and happy cruising to your next port.
Shawn
Cordula_U, Dec 2024
Everything perfect! Very good communication, nice guide, everything shown as in the program plus one more waterfall and the Robert Louis Stevenson house.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hello,
Thanks and I am happy you enjoyed your tour with us.
Shawn and Janette
Ron_Z, Nov 2024
Our tour leader was alwa ys responsive and clear about how the tour the tour proceeded..he did exactly what he said we were going to do and everything was on time, while being respectful and polite unique experience swimming in the lava tube..not to be missed thanks Shaun it was a memorable day
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you Ron. It was a pleasure spending the day with your group. Glad you enjoyed exlporing Samoa. Safe travels on your way back to home.
Shawn
Andrea_M, Feb 2026
A perfect day with Jeanette from Surf & Turf Samoa. The whole trip with all the points was very interesting and very exciting, we learned a lot about Samoa's country and people. Jeanette took a lot of time, answered every question in detail. We were on a beautiful beach with very good seafood lunch. It was our first visit to Samoa and we really feel we know something about the island and its inhabitants.
Auto-translated
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your kind review and it was lovely meeting you. Take care.
Shawn and Janette
Ralf_L, Oct 2025
A wonderful ride....great experiences everything was fine Jeanette was a great driver!!!!
Great vehicles
Auto-translated
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks Ralf for your review, it was lovely meeting you both.
Shawn and Janette
holgerricarda, Feb 2025
Exzellenter Ausflug mit einem sehr guten Van und einem sehr freundlichen, kompetenten Guide.
Der Ausflug dauerte über 7 Stunden. Der Guide plante die verschiedenen Stops so, das dort wenig Andrang war.
Mega interessante Naturerlebnisse. Pünktlich wieder am Schiff.
Vielen Dank
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you very much for your review.
Shawn
Katja_A, Dec 2024
Die Tour war hervorragend. Wir haben in kürzester Zeit viel von der Insel erlebt, sogar beide Seiten der Insel, was andere Anbieter meist nicht machen. Wir hatten trotzdem überall ausreichend Zeit und konnten auch baden. Shawn und Netty sind sehr nett und haben noch Sehenswürdigkeiten dazu genommen, die nicht im Programm waren. Shawn hat uns sogar zu einem Souvenirladen gefahren, nach dem die Tour vorbei war und noch in den Supermarkt. Die beiden machen das wirklich mit Leidenschaft und kümmern sich sehr um ihre Gäste! Wir haben auch direkt nach der Tour ein Gruppenfoto zugeschickt bekommen. Ich komme definitiv wieder und würde jederzeit wieder eine Tour mit den beiden buchen. Vielen Dank für diesen tollen Tag!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hello Katja,
Thanks for the review and really happy you found the beer can for your dad. Safe travels.
Shawn and Janette
Frank_W, Dec 2024
Das Team hat die Tour perfekt organisiert. Wir haben die Big 4 von Samoa besucht, es war immer ausreichend Zeit zum Schwimmen und Fotografieren. Eine unfassbar freundliche und ruhige Art strahlte unser Guide aus. Wir hatten sogar Zeit für ein paar Haltestellen, die nicht eingeplant waren.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for the lovely review and enjoy your cruise.
Shawn and Netty
From $145.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Ultimate Upolu Highlights Tour – Apia Cruise Ship Shore Excursion
71
7 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$145.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
More Tours in Upolu