Honolulu - Apia, Air New Zealand (direct), Hawaiian Air (via Pago Pago)

Pago Pago - Apia, Polynesian Airlines, Samoa Air (twin otter aircraft)

Auckland - Apia, Air New Zealand, Polynesian Airlines (direct or via Tonga)

Nadi - Apia, Air Pacific (direct)

ARRIVAL :

Upon arriving at Faleolo International Airport you will be greeted by the heat in the terminal building and maybe a serenading guitarist (or maybe not). Immigration and customs clearance is not fun and it can be a hassle if you want it to be. So stick to surfing and the tourist thing as your reason for visiting the islands. If you are travelling in an aircraft with Samoans you can guarantee that the flight will be stuffed with luggage so prepare to wait around while the ground crew unload luggage manually. DO NOT attempt to bring any drugs, firearms, fire crackers, explosives or Billy Ray Cyrus cd's into Apia. Any of the usual prohibited items. The penalty for taking drugs and consuming excess alcohol in Samoa is waking up snuggled next to a fafafine with a massive headache and loss of memory (and probably your manhood).

Once you get out of the terminal you have two choices to get to town, either a taxi or the airport bus. A taxi will cost you TALA$40 and the bus will cost you TALA$6. One guess to what the popular choice is. The bus will drop you off at any destination in the Apia area, the ride is about 45mins. All local travellers are usually met by their families so the buses have a lot of space. They also have more room for your boards and the crew are also familiar in dealing with surfers and handling their equipment. Make sure your quiver is secure in a travel boardbag. Now all you need is somewhere in Apia to go. Refer Accomodation page.

Most flights arrive at night or the early hours of the morning and transportation will not take you directly to the villages where the surf is. You will have to go to Apia and stay there a night or two to get a feel of the place. Only unless you are booked into one of the surf camps then somebody will be there to meet you. Otherwise its no big deal.

DEPARTURE :

Hopefully you would have scored some good waves and insane barrels and unfortunately all good things must come to an end. The airport bus leaves from all the major hotels in Apia 2 hrs before departure time so you can catch it there. You will have to come back to Apia to catch your flight back to reality. There is a departure tax of TALA$20 so make sure you got one handy. 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE :

All major overseas currency is accepted in Samoa i.e anything accepted in Aus and NZ is accepted throughout Oceania. Your best rate will be at the bank, however, many local shops do accept some foreign currency (only NZ, Aus, US). Travellers cheques are probably your best option. Cash based transactions are the most favourable and only in the main hotels can you use your credit card. Personal or other cheques take 2 weeks to clear so leave them at home. There are bank branches at the airport and they are usually open for any banking needs when international flights arrive or depart. Refer Local Knowledge page for more info on banks.