Luggage List: Packing for Samoa

When I was packing for Samoa, there was one thing I knew for certain: it was going to be hot.

That immediately meant that I could put aside my warmer clothes, saving myself a lot of space in my bag.

The climate in Samoa is tropical, meaning that it is hot and humid all year round.

It also means that you are likely to get some rain on your trip, even if you’re travelling in the dry season. So keep this in mind when you’re packing.

We went to Samoa for 7 days and we managed to pack everything into a carry-on bag, but if you’re going for a longer trip you may want to check in a bag on your flight.

In this Luggage List, you’ll find recommendations for the basic necessities for packing for Samoa, ensuring you have a fun and comfortable time in this tropical paradise!

Luggage List

Clothing

• Light layers: In this warm climate you’ll mostly be in shorts, T-shirts, vests, dresses, etc.
• A warmer layer: Occasionally, the wind can pick up around a rainfall and drop the temperature by a few degrees, so it’s a good idea to have a warmer layer with you.
• Dress clothes: You may want to visit a nice restaurant or one of the bars in the city, so pack a nice outfit or two.
• Shoes: I spent the majority of my time in flip flops or barefoot on the beach, but I’d also recommend bringing some comfortable shoes for walking, too.
• Swimwear: If there’s one thing Samoa is great for, it’s swimming in the crystal clear waters at one of its stunning beaches.
• Raincoat: Whichever season you are travelling in, you will likely get some rain. Pack a light waterproof jacket that will keep you dry without being too hot.

Accessories

• Sunglasses/sun hat: The sun can be pretty intense in Samoa. Protect yourself with sunglasses and a hat.
• Quick dry towel: Depending on where you’re staying, you will likely be provided with a towel, but a quick dry towel is great for beach trips.
• Filter bottle: It is recommended not to drink the tap water in Samoa, but you will need to drink a lot to keep yourself hydrated. Save your money and the planet by avoiding plastic bottles and filtering your own water.
• Phone/camera: Samoa is an absolute paradise and makes perfect photos. Need I say more?
• Charger/adaptor: Samoa uses the same plug system as Australia and New Zealand, so bear this in mind when packing your electricals.

Toiletries

• Sunscreen: Even on a cloudy day, keep your skin protected from the strong sun with a good sunscreen.
• Deodorant: Hot and humid climates mean getting sticky quickly. Keep yourself as comfortable as you can.
• Shampoo/body wash: You may want to shower more often after a hot day out or a trip to the beach.
• Insect spray: Unfortunately, there are mosquitoes in Samoa. Keep yourself safe and avoid the itch with a good repellent.

There are, of course, a lot more items that you may want to add to this list, but these are the basic essentials that I recommend when packing for Samoa.

We travelled there in the wet season, but we only had rain on two out of the seven days that we were there, and only for a short part of the day.

Most tourists will visit in the dry season, meaning that there were less people around and the prices were lower for our trip!

So don’t be put off if you’d like to visit between November and April.

Are there any other essentials you’d add when packing for Samoa? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

Want more like this? Check out these articles:

• 6+ reasons to add Samoa to your bucket list
• Luggage List: Packing for Hong Kong
• How to actually save money for travel

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