Apia shore excursion: Stevenson Museum, waterfalls & market

Four stops in one port call: mansion, temple gardens, two waterfalls and the local market

A guided shore excursion in Apia for cruise passengers visiting up to nine guests, timed to ship schedules. The itinerary covers Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (Villa Vailima), Bahá'í Temple gardens, Papapapaitai Falls overlook, swimming at Togitogiga Waterfall, Sinalei Reef Resort coastline, and Fugalei Fresh Produce Market. Port pickup and return included. A snack and air-conditioned transport provided. Designed by Samoa Surf & Turf Tours, an award-winning local operator.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Apia's culture and nature

• Visit Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
• See Bahá’í House of Worship gardens
• View Papapapaitai Falls lookout
• Swim at Togitogiga Waterfall
• Relax at Sinalei Reef Resort
• Browse Fugalei Fresh Produce Market

The experience

Your ship docks in Apia and you have a window to explore. This tour picks you up at the port and builds the whole day around your return time, so you don't have to calculate how long each stop takes or worry about missing the boat. A local guide leads a small group of up to nine passengers through four distinct parts of Samoa: the colonial-era mansion where Robert Louis Stevenson spent his last years, the Bahá'í Temple gardens (one of only nine continental houses of worship for that faith), and two waterfalls that show why the island's rainforest matters to locals.

Papapapaitai Falls plunges over 100 metres into a volcanic gorge and you see it from a roadside lookout. Togitogiga Waterfall is where you actually swim, a multi-tiered pool set inside the rainforest on the south coast. The route also takes in Sinalei Reef Resort, a locally owned beachfront property where you can sit by the lagoon (lunch is available to purchase separately), and ends at Fugalei Fresh Produce Market, the largest market in Samoa, where farmers and carvers sell directly and the pace and noise tell you something real about how the island works.

The tour runs six to seven hours total. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a snack included. If you want the guide and vehicle to yourself, you can book all nine seats even for a smaller group, which locks in private use at a fixed price based on nine guests. Samoa Surf & Turf Tours, the operator, runs other well-known tours on the island (Piula Cave Pool, To Sua Ocean Trench, Lalomanu Beach) and carries more than 250 five-star reviews across Google, review sites and GetYourGuide.

What’s included

• Port pickup and return.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking local guide.
• snack.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jan 2027

AgesAdult (5 to 80 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Samoa Surf and Turf

Is this one for you?A shared tour suits travelers who want local knowledge and don't mind a small group. Booking all nine seats gives you private use of the guide and vehicle if you prefer to travel as a family or close group. Either way, the fixed return time is what makes four separate stops fit inside a single port call without the stress of calculating your own schedule.

Top questions

How much time do I actually spend swimming at Togitogiga Waterfall?

Togitogiga Waterfall is a multi-tiered swimming hole where the tour includes time to swim, though the exact duration depends on the group's pace and the itinerary flow. The whole excursion runs six to seven hours from port pickup to return, covering four main stops plus the resort and market.

What was Robert Louis Stevenson's connection to Samoa?

Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, built Villa Vailima (the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum) in 1890 and lived there until his death in 1894. Locals knew him affectionately as Tusitala, meaning "the teller of tales," and the restored mansion is now a museum open to visitors.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but it is available to purchase at Sinalei Reef Resort, where the tour stops to relax by the coast. A snack is provided as part of the tour.

Can I book this as a private tour for my family?

Yes, you can book all nine seats for exclusive use of the guide and vehicle, even if your group is smaller. The total price is based on nine guests, so you pay one fixed rate regardless of how many people actually travel with you.

What time does the tour leave the port, and how do I know it will get me back in time?

The itinerary is planned around your ship's schedule, and port pickup and return are included. Confirm your ship's departure time when you book so the operator can time the excursion to match it.