Diving in Upolu

Explore 8 dive sites in Upolu, Samoa. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Upolu

The warmest water temperatures in Upolu occur in January, averaging 29.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 29.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.4°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • February: 29.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • March: 29.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • April: 29.4°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • May: 29.4°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • June: 29.4°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • July: 29.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
  • August: 29.4°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • September: 29.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • October: 29.4°C (air: 26.1°C)
  • November: 29.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • December: 29.4°C (air: 26.4°C)

Marine Life in Upolu

Home to 461 recorded species including 339 reef fish, 70 hard corals, 16 sea snails & nudibranchs, 8 sea cucumbers, 7 whales & dolphins, 6 sharks & rays.

Dive Site Difficulty in Upolu

Upolu has 1 beginner, 2 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Upolu

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Upolu

  • Aleipata MPA - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Safata MPA - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Palolo Deep - Marine Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Cape Puava Forest - Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fusi-Tafitaola Reef - Other Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Uafato - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
  • Sasina - Other Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Apai Manono-tai - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Apolima-uta (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Asaga - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Asau - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Auala - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Aufaga Lepa (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Eva Anoama'a - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Faala Palauli - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fagae'e - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fagali'i Vaimauga - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fagamalo - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fagasa - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Faleu Manono-uta - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Faleula - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fasito'o-tai - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fatuvalu - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Foailalo - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fogatuli - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fuailolo'o Mulifanua (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Gagaifo Lefaga - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lalovi Mulifanua (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lelepa - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lepa (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lepuiai Manono-tai - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Leusoalii Anoama'a - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Lu'ua Faga - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Manase - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Matatufu (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Matautu Falelatai - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Neiafu (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Nofoalii Aana - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Papa Palauli - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Poutasi Falealili - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Pu'apu'a - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Ava o sina - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • punaoa - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Afaga Tele - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vaiee - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Fausaga - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Faaofi laulu - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Saleapaga Lepa (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Saletagaloa & Foua (Salelologa) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Salimu Faga (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Salua Manono-tai (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Samatau Falelatai (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Saoluafata Anoama'a - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sapapalii - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sapini Faga (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Satalafai & Sapulu (Salelologa) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Satapuala Aana - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sataua (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Sato'alepai - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Savaia Lefaga (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Siufaga Faga - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Siufaga Falelatai (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Solosolo Anoama'a - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tafagamanu Lefaga (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Tafatafa Falealili (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vailuutai Aana - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vaisala - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vaitoomuli - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vaiusu Faleata - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vaovai Falealili (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)
  • Vavau Lepa (e) - Community Based Fishery (IUCN Category Not Reported)

Getting to Upolu - Nearest Airports

  • Pago Pago International Airport (PPG), Pago Pago - 43 km away, approx 62 min travel time
  • Faleolo International Airport (APW), Apia - 109 km away, approx 134 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres