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Manono Island lies offshore from the west tip of Upolu Island and takes just 20 minutes by local ferry from the Manono-uta wharf. Manono is a small volcanic island, just 3 sq. km in size with four small villages and about 1000 residents. The island is the most laid back in all Samoa, with no cars, no dogs, a few small shops and one beautiful traditional accommodation.
Vaotuua Beach Fales are without doubt the most elegant budget over-the-water fales in Samoa, handcrafted from local timber with a private verandah and steps down into the turquoise lagoon. At high tide, you can hear the waves gently splashing beneath your fale. The small beach has fine white sand, there's a lovely swimming lagoon, and the views across the water to Upolu are stunning.
It takes a leisurely two hours to walk around the Manono Island coastal track, passing several palm fringed beaches with good snorkelling and the historical grave of 99 with its fascinating legend. On the far side of Manono, at the village of Apai is one of the most stunning views in Samoa - from here you can look down the coast of Manono across to the tiny island of Nuulopa, silhouetted against the larger Apolima Island which is silhouetted by the even larger Savaii Island and its high mountain peaks. Inland trails lead to an ancient star mound on top of Mt. Tulimanuiva, the highest point on Manono at 110m. However, the islands greatest attraction is its simple lifestyle and the opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their life of planting, weaving, fishing and kicking back.
Sunday on Manono is extremely quiet and most activities are restricted due to religious beliefs. The only thing you'll be able to do is to walk to church and back again - not that there's a great much more to do on this truly laid back island in any case.
Apolima Island, visible off the north and west coast of Manono, is a collapsed volcanic crater with steep cliffs. Access to the island is extremely difficult but there is one small village on the island with about 60 people.
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