Snorkelling in Samoa with Turtles
We love the water. Heck, it was the reason we decided to go Snorkelling in Samoa in the first place. We envisioned spending our mornings waking to the sounds of the surf pounding on the shallow reefs. Donning our hard bottomed reef-booties and heading out for a quick surf in Samoa before breakfast. Free-diving in the tranquil sea for hours as the hot summer sun beat down upon our backs.
Fortunately, we were not disappointed.
Our traditional Samoan accommodation – Beach Fale literally on the beach
Snorkelling in Samoa
One of the main reasons I wanted to go snorkelling in Samoa was to swim with turtles. Ever since we had first seen a turtle when I was just 7 years old at Plantation Island in Fiji, I have wanted to see them again.
In fact, even one of my bucket list items is to go volunteer to help with the turtles breeding somewhere like Greece.
So one blazing hot afternoon, the South Pacific Ocean embraced our skin with it’s warmth as we duck-waddled into the water off the beach in front of our Fale (there is no glamorous way to walk in flippers). The sand puffing up between our feet with each step as we eased our way in to the deeper water.
I tweaked the mask strap one last time so that it wouldn’t let in any water to disrupt my view and took the plunge face first.
The bubbles slowly evaporated around my lens to reveal the fish re-emerging from their hurried hiding places between the various outcrops once they realised this extremely pasty white body was no danger to them.
But the colours compared to my translucent body was amazing.
Oh, the colours! Reds, Blues, Yellows, Greens and every other imaginable colour of the rainbow were littered across the ocean floor.
With a few deep breaths and two swift kicks I let the current settle around me as I drifted calmly in to the main channel of the bay. Everywhere we looked the fish were carrying about their business. It always makes me wonder if the ocean life really is like Finding Nemo with every fish going about their daily rituals just as we do on dry land.
The sunlight filtered through the surface creating an eerie glow the deeper you swam. Fish parted before us like the Red Sea in front of Moses.
And then came a muffled cry. “Muuurrrtttllleeeeesss”. I lifted my head above the calm surface. Water ran from my ears, still blocked with the salt water from the last descent.
“What?!”
“TURTLE’S!!!!”
In just our first snorkelling in Samoa adventure, we had spotted turtles. And it was them. Not just one lazy little turtle but three. All slowly stroking their way across the width of the channel totally ignoring our delighted girly squeals from the surface (not from me of course…)
A little bit shy hiding under the rock
Their mottled green and brown armour plated shells blended in perfectly with the surrounding rocks and reef. The little heads were on a constant swivel as they surveyed their habitat with wary eyes watching out for fishermen who are still allowed to catch them.
As a side note, these same fishermen have quickly realised that the money they can earn from turtles as a tourist attraction far outweighs the money they gain from catching them so fortunately this is a rapidly declining business.
The turtles four hinged flippers protruded from their shells and cut through the water effortlessly as they glided across the lagoon. We continued to float on the surface as they gracefully moved about below us before I decided to investigate getting closer. I took one last breath of fresh air and duck-dived below the surface to sneak up on them from behind. Moving like a stealth submarine I suddenly realised that I was getting closer and closer.
My arms stretched away in front of me as I approached. 30 feet, 20 feet, 10 feet.
POW!
It was like a fire-bolt had shot from their behinds.
With one swift stroke they were off. And even though I had been a competitive swimmer in my teens there was no way I could keep up with them when they realised my intentions. I retreated to the surface huffing and puffing from my brief moment of exertion as they disappeared into the gloom.
Fortunately for us it wouldn’t be our last encounter with the turtles while snorkelling in Samoa.
We spotted others at least once a day as we cruised the sea in front of our own Fale as well as in different locations around the Island of Upolu. It probably helps that we have been water babies our entire lives and are confident enough to venture out further and deeper than most other tourists are willing to go and that we would spend upwards of 3 hours at a time free-diving from the beach. But on many occasions we would only be metres from the shoreline when we would spot turtles lounging in the shallows.
With all the excitement and again with the girly squeals, the only two I managed to get decent photographs of were hiding under rocks on separate occasions. Only venturing out when they needed to head to the surface for a breath of fresh air like ourselves.
It took me back to that one day over 15 years ago on the beach in Fiji when I spotted my first turtle. That sheer joy of floating in the crystal clear water with just the sea, sun and sea-life easing all our worries.
Perfection.
Have you had any similar experiences with wildlife that you had been “just dying” to see and were lucky enough to fulfil those dreams? Leave us a comment because we want to hear about it below!
Category: Adventure Travel, Oceania
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
First of all, wow what an amazing experience! I’ve been lucky enough to swim with turtles in the Bahamas and off the Yucatan Peninsula, but your location is simply stunning.
A similar “wow I’m really doing this moment” was when I jumped in with a school of about 1,000 common dolphin approximately a mile off the coast of Catalina Island (one of the California Channel Islands) when I was 14. The water was a deep blue color and as far as I could see down and to either side there were dolphins, swimming through the rays of sunlight. It was incredible.
If you don’t mind my asking, where in New Zealand are you from? I spent last semester there for a study abroad program through my college and absolutely fell in love with the country. What a spectacular place it is =)
You definitely have to get over to Samoa Kate. Was fantastic. Hopefully we will have the chance to return or at least find some other amazing spots too.
I love snorkelling with dolphins. Its amazing how quickly they swim past you just being curious. We used to see them a lot when we were off the Coromandel Peninsula in NZ if we were going out on our boat. Awesome experiences.
Don’t mind you asking at all. I am from Mount Maunganui / Tauranga originally and Adela is from Wellington. Where did you study? Where are you now?
I was studying at the University of Auckland, so most of my time was spent around the city… I did manage to get down to Matamata and the Shire, Waitomo Caves, Raglan, and Rotorua though, as well as go from Queenstown to Christchurch via Stray bus. Did my bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge =) Also spent 4 days out at Stewart Island, which was so relaxing and beautiful. Not that all of NZ isn’t… haha.
I’m back at my home uni now, in Rhode Island. The whole experience feels a little surreal, which is probably a feeling you’re used to, traveling around as much as you do. It’s pretty awesome what you and Adela are doing – I’m jealous!
I love Lord of the Rings yet I have never done any of the tours. Its one of those things that if its in your own backyard then you never visit it.
We love the States especially the East Coast area but never got to head out to Rhode Island during our 18,000 km road trip across Canada and USA. Will have to head back sometime.
Haha yeah know what you mean about the whole backyard thing. Did you make it into Michigan by any chance when you were in the US? I’m actually from the Upper Peninsula…only 5 hours away from Canada and yet I didn’t go there until the summer before my freshman year of college.
Not through Michigan unfortunately. We had so much to do and no where near enough time to do it. Will need to come back sometime to visit all the places we missed out on!
Sounds like a plan! I plan on going back to NZ when I have more time and a lot more money. Haha. And when I’ve gotten used to driving on the wrong side of the road! Lol.
WOW! These are amazing!!
Thanks! It was by far one of the coolest experiences ever.
What an incredible experience! I can think of quite a few reasons I’d enjoy being in Samoa, but this pretty much tops them all! Thank you — this gives me extra motivation to get that waterproof digital camera I’ve been wanting
I was lucky we managed to salvage these photos after my waterproof camera leaked on the last day! Extremely lucky. Hope you visit soon Ellen
This sounds amazing. I love sea turtles. They look like cute old men. Really trying to visit Samoa as soon as possible!
We would love to go back to Samoa! The warm and clear waters were fantastic. Plus they had excellent surfing nearby too.
I love snorkeling! Those turtles look so cute!
We were really lucky to see them nearly every day Ali. They were amazing.
That sounds so awesome! I’ve always wanted to snorkel with sea turtles. I tried in Hawaii, but didn’t see any. Was still very cool though!
We were just really lucky in Samoa that they seemed to be everywhere! Every time we went for a snorkel we would see some. Maybe you need a trip down there Amanda
Hi is there a particular beach we should go to to see these amazing turtles? We are hoping to head to savai’i,Samoa in july
Hey Louise.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment! We stayed at the bottom of Upolu Island near the village of Maninoa and this is where we did most of our snorkelling. However, my parents have stayed on Savai’i in the past and seen turtles there when they were snorkelling so I am sure your chances will be great!
Enjoy your travels and please let us know how it goes
Cheers,
Cole
There are several creatures I’d love to swim with turtles being included. Another is a whale shark…
Oh man I would love to swim with a whale shark Mary! My parents are off to Tonga this year to do it and I am so jealous!
This is super cool, you guys! I haven’t had any “oh my god” moments with wildlife yet (although I’m always excited whenever I see squirrels…does that count?) but I plan to next year on safari in Africa. I love turtles – they’re like modern day dinosaurs to me, plus Finding Nemo has taught us that they’re all super cool-slash-huggable.
Haha we were stoked to see squirrels the first time in Canada as well. After seeing them everywhere you kinda get over them. Although it is nice to see them run through the park in Edinburgh. Where on the safari are you going and who with? We want to plan one as well.
Planning on going to Zambia next August/September with Jackalberry Safaris. Check them out, Zambia isn’t as big as, say, Kenya/Tanzania/Botswana as a safari destination – remains fairly undiscovered and that means cheap prices & lots of animals! Maybe worth looking into.
That sounds exactly what we want to do. Thanks for the recommendation Tom.