Port overview
Port of Apia at a glance
Traditional Polynesian culture.
Our AIS tracking recorded 2 cruise ship calls at Port of Apia since Jul 2026, about 0.1 a week, from 2 cruise lines. The busiest lines are Seabourn Cruise Line, Princess Cruises.
Sunrise 5:54, sunset 18:30 local time on Nov 1 (12 h 36 min of daylight)
Cruise ships in Port of Apia todayRecent arrivals at Port of Apia
- In port now
- 0
- Ship calls, since Jul 2026
- 2
- Ships seen
- 2
- Cruise lines seen
- 2
observed tracked since Jul 1, 2026; we capture most, not all, calls. How we track ships
Cruise ships dock at Apia Harbour on Upolu, the main entry port. The Samoa Tourism Authority puts central Apia a 5-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute walk from the dock.
Cruise ship calls at Port of Apia
Last 90 days, Aug 2 to Oct 31, counted from AIS ship tracking. Updated Oct 31, 2026.
- Calls, last 30 days
- 1
- Calls, last 90 days
- 2
- Calls per week
- 0.2
Walk or take a taxi from Apia Harbour
Walking into central Apia takes around 20 minutes. Samoa has plenty of taxis, including at the port, and the ride takes roughly 5 minutes. Drivers usually accept only cash in tala, and the tourism authority says it is normal to confirm the price with the driver before you depart.
Tala, ATMs and what to carry
Tala is the only accepted currency in Samoa, and not every business, taxis included, takes cards. Markets, local restaurants and public transport run mostly on cash. ATMs are mostly in urban areas. Tipping is not customary or expected, though the tourism authority says it is well received.
Beach Road, the fale and the police band
The Samoa Tourism Authority Information Fale stands on Beach Road next to the harbour, and you can book tours there. Some shore excursions may be bookable on board before you arrive. The Samoa Cultural Village is on Beach Road next to the fale. Every weekday morning at 8:45, the Royal Samoan Police marching band walks a few blocks down Beach Road to the Government Building, plays the national anthem as the flag goes up, and marches back to Police Headquarters.
Fugalei market and the fish market
The Marketi Fou at Fugalei, a produce and food market, is a short distance from the centre of town, next to the Apia bus station. The tourism authority suggests the Apia Fish Market at around 6am, which only works if the ship is alongside that early. Sunday has a larger variety of seafood, including freshly cooked fish and chips. Central Apia also has shops selling local crafts, churches, museums and restaurants.
Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
Palolo Deep Marine Reserve is a 5-minute walk from Apia town, which is itself about 20 minutes on foot from the dock. It has basic shower and change rooms. The tourism authority advises visiting at high tide, and says reef shoes are optional.
Vailima and the Museum of Samoa
The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and the Vailima National Reserve are about 5 km from Apia. Museum entry is ST$20 for adults, ST$10 for students and ST$5 for children under 12 (checked 2026-10-26). Shoes and food are not allowed inside. The Museum of Samoa sits in a colonial building more than a century old, once a German school, on Vaitele Street, 5 minutes by car from Apia. Entry is free and a donation is welcome.
Papase'ea and the south coast
Papase'ea Sliding Rocks, in Se'ese'e in the Faleata district, are about 15 minutes by car from Apia. Beaches on the south coast such as Lalomanu are 1.5 hours away by car. To swim or stop for any length of time at a beach or natural attraction, seek permission and pay the small fee.
Safety
The UK government warns that Samoa's tides can produce powerful currents in lagoons, that fatal accidents have happened at popular beaches, and that you should take local advice before swimming. It says local communities expect modest dress in towns and villages, and notes that stray dogs are common in Apia and can become aggressive if approached. It rates serious crime as low and petty theft as uncommon and opportunistic.
Apia call counts and the walk to the dock
Over the date range shown above, WakeRadar's AIS tracking counted 2 calls at Apia, about 0.2 a week. The dock is a roughly 20-minute walk from town, so count that walk when you plan your way back.
- Port type
- Port of Call
- Time zone
- Samoa Standard Time
- Terminals
- 1
- Annual passengers
- 50,000
- Max ship length
- 280 m
- UN/LOCODE
- WSAPW
- Also known as
- Samoa
Facilities
- Hotels Nearby
How this page is made
Ship calls come from WakeRadar's AIS tracking (date range shown above). Facts were checked on 2026-10-26 against the sources below. The text is reviewed by the WakeRadar editor.
Sources
- https://www.samoa.travel/samoa-travel-advice/arriving-by-sea/
- https://www.samoa.travel/samoa-travel-advice/when-you-arrive-in-samoa/
- https://www.samoa.travel/samoa-travel-advice/currency-banks/
- https://www.samoa.travel/discover/the-islands-of-samoa/upolu-island/apia/
- https://www.samoa.travel/plan-book/activities/robert-louis-stevenson-museum-rls-museum
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/samoa/safety-and-security
Harbour facts
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Harbour type
- Coastal (Natural)
- Shelter
- Good
- Channel depth
- 11 m (36 ft)
- Tide range
- 1 m (3 ft)
- Pilot required
- Yes
Source: NGA World Port Index (Pub 150), October 2026 edition.
Cruises
Cruises Visiting Port of Apia
Port of Apia is a port of call, not a departure port. Cruises do not embark here, but many itineraries include a stop.
Ship calls, since Jul 2026
Who calls here most
observed tracked since Jul 1, 2026; we capture most, not all, calls. How we track ships
Shore excursions
Things to do in Apia
Tours and activities near Port of Apia, bookable ahead of your port day.
Browse excursions on KlookWe may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you.
Where to stay
Hotels near Port of Apia
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Hotels & Accommodations Near Port of Apia
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