Apia (Upolu) : Profile

Location

Apia is the only city in Samoa and lies in a natural harbour at the mouth of the Vaisigano River on Upolu's north coast.

Clearance

See Samoa/Clearance for details.

Apia Port Control requests that yachts call them on VHF Ch16 before entering the harbour, and they generally send a skiff out to guide arriving yachts to a marina berth.

All the officials will visit the yacht. All garbage brought in by the yacht will be removed for incineration. There is a charge per bag for this.

Yachts are now required to berth in the new marina, as the old anchoring grounds are needed as turning space for the container ships. See Marina listing below for berthing rates. The Marina Manager will contact all the appropriate authorities for clearance.

It does not appear possible to clear in after hours or on weekends.

If a yacht had to anchor in the harbour for any reason they would still have to pay the berthing rate. The harbour fee no longer has to be paid.

Permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Apia if you wish to sail to other islands in Samoa. This is easily obtained from Elisaia Galulolo, at the Prime Ministers office on the 5th floor of the government building. You will need a letter requesting the permit, which states the name of the vessel and the crew, and the duration for which the permit is requested. You will also need a copy of the crew list, your passports, and the vessel registration will make life easier. The permit is issued on the spot.

Last updated September 2011.

Samoa Ports Authority
PO Box 2279, Alpia, Samoa
Tel:+685 64400, Fax:+685 25870
www.spasamoa.ws/apiamarina.htm, spa@spasamoa.ws

Super Yacht Services (Samoa) Ltd.
P O Box 225, Apia, Samoa
Tel:20628. Cell (685) 757 1234, Fax:26868
sib@sails.ws
Work with Samoa's biggest Shipping Agent - TRANSAM . One stop shop for all Super Yachts from Inward - Outward - Clearance Customs, Bunkering and Provisioning. Also do Private Jet Clearances.

Docking

The harbour is clean and the marina, although subject to some swell, is well sheltered.

Apia Marina Manager, Clare Tai Tin, goes out of her way to welcome visiting yachts and contacts appropriate authorities.

There are toilets and showers on the dock where the port captain's office is located. There is a deposit and small charge for services (showers, washroom and garbage). A new building housing a restaurant and small hotel rooms is nearing completion and faces the marina.

For information on anchoring elsewhere see Savaii Island Anchorages

Note that the charts for anywhere but the north coast are not to be relied upon as accurate.

Apia Marina
Marina Manager: Clare Tai Tin
ctaitin@yahoo.com
Welcome cruising boats. Approx. 50 slips with water and electricity (220 volt, 50 cycle). The marina provides converting transformers at no charge for boats with 120 volt systems. Note that the marina only has round 3-pin shore power plugs. Berthing rates range from WS$28/day for a 12.5m yacht (1 USD = WS$ 2.5524) to WS$102 for a 30m yacht (2011 prices).