What's on in Apia (Samoa), Samoa through the year

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Busy — Independence Day

• Holiday

  Independence Day

  30 May – 3 JunNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  Samoa marks its independence, gained in 1962, with parades, church services and inter-village sport over several days around 1 June. Offices and most of Apia's shops shut for it. Source ↗

Busy — Independence Day, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Independence Day (30 May – 3 Jun)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Nature

  Humpbacks off the south coast

  1 Jul – 31 Oct · usuallyWhale season

  Humpbacks move through Samoan water in the southern winter and are seen from the reef edge and from boats along Upolu's south side. There are no dedicated whale trips here, so it is a fishing or dive charter and luck. Source ↗

Busy — Teuila Festival, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Teuila Festival

  30 Aug – 5 SepMajor festivalCrowded

  A week of siva afi fire-knife, choir and dance competitions and the Miss Samoa pageant, with the Apia waterfront handed over to it. The 2026 edition runs under a new name, the Measina Festival. Source ↗

Still on: Humpbacks off the south coast (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually))

Busy — Teuila Festival, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Humpbacks off the south coast (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually)), Teuila Festival (30 Aug – 5 Sep)

Busy — White Sunday, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  White Sunday

  8–13 Oct · usuallyNational holidayClosures

  On the second Sunday of October the children lead the church services dressed in white, and the Monday after is a public holiday. At the meal that follows the kids are served first, which reverses the usual order of things. Source ↗

• Nature

  Palolo rising

  15 Oct – 20 Nov · usuallyForaging season

  For a night or two in the week after the October and November full moons the reef releases palolo, and half the coast is out in the dark with lamps and fine nets. It sells for silly money and is eaten raw or on toast. Source ↗

Still on: Humpbacks off the south coast (1 Jul – 31 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Cyclone season

  1 Nov – 30 Apr

  The South Pacific storm season runs November to April and peaks in January and February. Most seasons pass Samoa without a direct hit, but the beach fale on the exposed coasts come down when one is forecast. Source ↗

Still on: Palolo rising (15 Oct – 20 Nov (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)