Samantha McClymont enjoys a traditional Samoan Sunday
Sundays in Samoa are a beautiful reset, where the usual island bustle clears out to make way for a quiet day of deep faith, booming church hymns and family filled feasts.
Sam McClymont was excited to experience a Samoan Sunday in the capital of Apia on the main island of Upolu.
Getaway’s Samantha McClymont enjoys a traditional Samoan Sunday. Nine
Location:
Apia, Samoa
Costs:
Orator Hotel www.facebook.com/oratorhotel
Sunday lunch To’onai buffet costs $54 for adults and $28.50 for kids
Taumeasina Island Resort www.taumeasinaislandresortsamoa.com
Rooms start at $440 per night & villas start at $970 per night, both include breakfast Samoan cooking classes start at $34 per person (min. 2 people)
For more travel inspiration visit www.samoa.travel
Info correct at 06.06.26
Highlights:
If you want to understand the true rhythm of Samoa, make sure your holiday has you there on a Sunday. On this day, the entire country undergoes a beautiful transformation. The pace drops away, the village streets go quiet, shops close their doors, and everything centres around one defining pillar: the church. For anyone landing on these shores, joining the locals for a Sunday service isn’t just a cultural checkbox—it’s an open invitation to experience a way of life where faith and community are completely woven together.
Even in the capital city of Apia, located on the north coast of the main island of Upolu, modern life hasn’t managed to crowd out tradition. Christianity has been a cornerstone of Samoan culture since missionaries arrived in the 1800s, and today, Sunday remains a strictly holy day of rest.
While the country is home to over 400 churches, the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral right in the heart of Apia is a standout. Rebuilt on the historic site of Samoa’s very first Catholic cathedral, it serves as a massive gathering hub for the entire community. Inside, families and friends pack the pews, and the hymns are sung loud and proud. Whether you consider yourself religious or not, sitting among the locals and sharing that wall of sound is an absolute privilege.
That deep sense of community doesn’t wrap up when the church service ends. Instead, it moves straight to the dining table for to’ona’i—a massive Sunday lunch where family is everything. While many gather at home, those in the know head straight to the Orator Hotel.
The Sunday buffet here has earned a massive reputation, widely considered by locals as the absolute best feast on the island. It’s a full-scale spread of local favorites where dieting goes out the window.
Please note prices are valid at time of transmission
www.getaway.com.au
It’s the ultimate time for family members to come together, laugh, and pile their plates high with taro, slow cooked beef, and fresh seafood.
The Sunday buffet here has earned a massive reputation, called the best feast on the island. Nine
Once the feast wraps up, a short drive across a narrow causeway leads to Taumeasina Island Resort. Set across six hectares completely surrounded by water, this resort offers a mix of modern rooms and villas, all with stunning water views. Along with the pools and private beach, guests can enjoy a range of activities from water sports and spa treatments to cooking classes, a great way to get a hands-on look at traditional Samoan life.
Resort staff hold weekly demonstrations to show guests the magic of the umu, a traditional above-ground earth oven, similar to a Māori hangi. The process relies on the simplest ingredients, starting with the coconut—locally dubbed the “Tree of Life” because it forms the base of almost every island dish.
Sam watched on as they created a beloved Samoan dessert called fa’ausi. Fresh papaya was mixed with dough, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on the umu. Sugar was then melted over hot rocks and mixed with coconut cream to create a rich caramel. After cutting the cooked dough into cubes, the caramel was poured over for the most delicious sweet and sticky bread pudding.
The umu infuses everything with a distinct smoky flavor. It’s a style of cooking reserved for Sundays and major family milestones. Walk through any Samoan neighbourhood on a Sunday afternoon, and that rich, smoky aroma is exactly what you’ll smell drifting through the air. Spend a Sunday here, and
You quickly realise it’s these deep traditions, family values, and warm hospitality that make Samoa so unforgettable.
