Photos of southern Savai'i and its dramatic coastline, Samoa

The south coast of the island of Savai'i has less reef than the north and as a result it has some dramatic coastline, like Cape Asuisui where the Alofa'aga blowholes shoot out great plumes of water as the waves force the water through narrow passages and out of holes on the surface of the rocky shore.

There are waterfalls, like the picturesque Afu-A-Au waterfall with its cool pool and the impressive Mu Pagoa Falls, flowing straight into the sea in the village of Puleia and there is good surfing off Aganoa Beach on Tafua peninsula.

This part of Savai'i is quite sparsely populated and is quite different from the north coast with its beaches and tourist accommodation. But it has a great place to stay about halfway the south coast, in the village of Satuiatua, where the Satuiatua Beach Resort has large sturdy beach fales with big beds and even curtains. Food is great too and snorkelling off its beach is the best on Savai'i. And Aganoa Beach Resort near Tafua Peninsula is a bit more upmarket and popular with surfers.

Tafua Peninsula has a rainforest preserve and is in fact another extinct volcano. Very worthwhile is a trek through the jungle to the top of the Tafua Savai'i crater with its steep bare walls and flying foxes. It is a place that seems very far away in time and place.