With warm clear water that surrounds magnificent coral reefs, mangroves and lagoon areas, Samoa’s Safata Marine Reserve, which was established in order to preserve biodiversity, offers some fantastic diving and snorkeling. With sites suitable for all divers, and some which offer a look into deep canyons, where those with more experience can encounter some larger marine life, the reserve is a wonderful place to put your worries behind you. Here are just three favorite sites to help you plan for what is certain to be a fantastic adventure.
Lion’s Castle
A wonderful site for all divers, with shallow depths suitable even for beginners, this is an excellent place to become better acquainted with your underwater camera. Here, you’ll find the many lionfish the site is named for, swimming among fantastic underwater rock formations. Be careful not to get too close to these stunning fish; sometimes they can respond aggressively if they spot their reflections in your mask. In addition to the lionfish, you’ll find many other tropical species including damsels and wrasse, little barracudas, and parrotfish. At its best on weekdays and when tourist traffic is at a minimum, the site can be very busy as it is often used for diver training.
Amphitheatre
Featuring a beautiful backdrop of swirling lettuce corals and huge brain coral formations, the Amphitheatre is an excellent site for intermediate divers and up. Good buoyancy control is a must here, as even a small unintentional brush with coral can lead to structural damage for it and to a painful coral sting for you. Besides schooling snappers and wrasse, damsels and butterfly fish, the occasional Moorish idol or blue tang, you’ll find well hidden octopus and stonefish here, along with some very large green sea turtles. If you are lucky, you may even encounter white tip reef sharks as you explore this magnificent site.
Pinnacles
Stunning pinnacles rise up from the ocean floor and incredible canyons with soaring walls swathed in a colorful blanket of coral and sponge await at this magnificent site. Besides the many tropical species you’ll encounter here, you may also find yourself swimming with sea turtles, large rays, and even the occasional reef shark. Watch for large pelagic fish too; trevally, jacks and barracuda can be seen passing in the blue. Be sure to look for crustaceans too – there are lots of crabs, little lobsters, and other small creatures just waiting to be discovered.
Some of the best diving in Samoa is found here; the area encompasses ten no take zones and includes nine villages; Mulivai, Saanapu, Tafitoala, Sataoa, Fausaga, Lotofaga, Nuusuatia, Vaiee, and Fusi. The Marine Park extends from the high water mark onshore to one mile from the reef drop off offshore, and taking anything or touching marine life is strictly prohibited. Samoa’s dive operators are well equipped, offering various dive packages, and resorts offer plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation between dives. While diving is available year round, the rainy season between November and March does cause reduced visibility; on the flip side, resorts are less busy during those months and prices may be lower. Whenever you choose to visit, you are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.