Key facts
- COVERAGE
- Samoa
- NETWORKS
- Bluesky
- PLAN TYPE
- Data only
- IP ADDRESS LOCATION
- United Kingdom
- DELIVERY
- QR code by email
How it works
- 1Choose a plan and pay.
- 2Scan the QR code we email you. You can install it before you fly.
- 3When you land in Samoa, turn on data roaming for the Spidot line.
Questions about the Samoa eSIM
Which networks does it use?
Do I get a local phone number?
Can I use it outside Samoa?
How do I install it?
Will my phone work with an eSIM?
Will I have data in a beach fale?
Is a small plan enough for a week in Samoa?
Will I have data on the Savai'i ferry?
Can I use the eSIM in American Samoa?
Will WhatsApp keep working with my normal number?
Can I top up during the trip?
Samoa eSIM guide: mobile data for travellers
Samoa is an independent island nation in the South Pacific, made up of two large volcanic islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and a few smaller ones. Most visitors arrive on Upolu, home to the capital Apia and the international airport. Its south coast is known for the To Sua Ocean Trench, the white sand of Lalomanu beach and the waterfalls along the cross-island road. Savai'i, a short ferry ride away, is larger and quieter, with lava fields, blowholes and villages where life follows a slower rhythm. Many travellers stay in traditional open-sided beach fales and spend their days snorkelling, swimming and exploring by car.
A Spidot eSIM gives you mobile data in Samoa where local networks reach. You install it at home, switch it on when you arrive and keep your usual SIM for calls and texts. This guide covers how the eSIM compares with roaming and a local SIM, how much data to plan for, what coverage to expect on Upolu and Savai'i, and some Samoa-specific tips, such as the inter-island ferry and the quiet of a Samoan Sunday.
eSIM, roaming or a local SIM in Samoa
Here is an honest comparison of the three main options.
Roaming with your home SIM
Roaming works without setup, but Pacific islands are often expensive for roaming, and not every operator has a roaming partner in Samoa. Check your provider's terms for data, calls and texts before you go.
A local prepaid SIM
Local SIMs are sold in Apia and sometimes at the airport. A local number is useful for calling beach fale operators, car hire companies and drivers. On the other hand, you need to find a shop, provide identification, and remove your home SIM unless your phone has a second slot.
A Spidot eSIM
A Spidot eSIM adds a data line alongside your home SIM. You buy it online, receive the QR code by email straight after payment and install it before you travel. Plans start from $7.90. Your usual number stays active for calls, texts and verification codes. Most plans are data-only; if you need a local number for calls, see our Data + calls plans.
How much data to plan for
A Samoan holiday tends to be relaxed, and many travellers use less data than at home. These rough figures help you estimate:
- Maps and navigation: a few megabytes per hour of driving.
- Messaging and email: light, unless you send many photos and videos.
- Social media: moderate to heavy, especially with video.
- Video calls: typically several hundred megabytes per hour.
- Streaming video: heavy, often a gigabyte or more per hour in high definition.
Matching a plan to your trip
A week split between Apia and a beach fale on Upolu usually suits a small fixed data plan. A longer trip including Savai'i, with a rental car, uses a bit more for navigation, bookings and photo sharing.
If you are visiting family, working remotely or staying several weeks, an unlimited plan saves you from counting megabytes, though speed may slow after heavy use. A no-expiry plan suits people who return to Samoa regularly. You can check how much data is left and add more data whenever you need it.
Before you travel
Installing an eSIM needs an internet connection, so do it at home on Wi-Fi. First check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
Then follow the install guide for iPhone, Samsung or Pixel. Label the line "Travel", keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and set the Spidot line for mobile data.
- Install the eSIM a day or two before departure.
- Keep the QR code email safe.
- Download offline maps for Upolu and Savai'i.
- Save accommodation, car hire and ferry details offline, along with your hosts' phone numbers.
- Pack a waterproof phone pouch and a power bank.
Arriving in Samoa
International flights land at Faleolo International Airport on the north-west coast of Upolu, about an hour's drive from Apia. Flights connect Samoa with New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and other Pacific islands. Some cruise ships also call at Apia.
When you land, select the Spidot line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it, as explained in our data roaming guide. Allow a few minutes to connect; if needed, switch flight mode on and off. In Samoa, the eSIM connects to Bluesky.
From the airport
Taxis, shuttles and hotel transfers meet arriving flights, and some flights arrive late at night or early in the morning. Many visitors pick up a rental car at the airport. With data, you can message your accommodation, check directions and confirm your transfer. The ferry wharf for Savai'i, at Mulifanua, is close to the airport.
Coverage on Upolu and Savai'i
Mobile data generally works in Apia and in villages along the main coastal roads of Upolu and Savai'i. Coverage becomes less predictable away from the main roads and in the islands' interiors.
- Apia: the capital has the most consistent coverage, as well as most cafés and hotels with Wi-Fi.
- Upolu's south coast: popular areas such as Lalomanu and the area around To Sua generally have service, though some beach fales are in spots with weaker signal.
- The cross-island roads: roads over the mountainous interior, with waterfalls and forest, can have gaps.
- Savai'i: the coastal villages are usually covered, but long stretches of the road around the island and inland areas can have weak signal.
- Small islands: Manono and Apolima, between Upolu and Savai'i, are small and quiet; expect limited connectivity.
Cyclone season
The South Pacific cyclone season generally runs from November to April. Severe weather can affect power, networks and transport. If you travel during these months, follow official weather updates and keep your phone charged.
Data on the ferry, buses and road trips
Samoa is easy to explore by car, and the two main islands are linked by ferry.
The ferry to Savai'i
Ferries run between Mulifanua wharf on Upolu and Salelologa on Savai'i, a crossing of around an hour or so. Car ferries need booking at busy times. Keep your tickets and timetable saved offline, as signal can drop during the crossing.
Driving
Samoa drives on the left. The main coastal roads are generally in good condition, but watch for pedestrians, children, dogs and pigs, especially in villages. Download offline maps, avoid driving at night where possible and keep your phone mounted and hands-free.
Buses and taxis
Samoa's colourful wooden buses are an experience in themselves, but schedules are informal and service is limited on Sundays. Taxis are available in Apia; agree the fare before you set off.
Hotspot for laptops and travel companions
Personal hotspot lets you share your eSIM data with a laptop, tablet or a companion's phone. It uses the line selected for mobile data, so make sure that is the Spidot line. This is useful in beach fales and guesthouses that have no Wi-Fi or only a slow shared connection.
Laptops use a lot of data in the background. Pause cloud sync, automatic updates and photo backups before connecting.
Staying safe on public Wi-Fi
Hotels, resorts and cafés in Apia often offer Wi-Fi, though it may be slow. It is convenient but not always secure.
- Use your eSIM data for banking, payments and logins.
- Check the network name with staff before connecting.
- Turn off automatic joining of open networks.
- Keep your phone's software up to date.
Practical tips for Samoa
Some local knowledge that helps you get more from your trip:
- Currency: the currency is the Samoan tālā. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and some shops in Apia, but cash is essential in villages, at beach fales and at many attractions.
- Village entrance fees: many beaches, waterfalls and natural sites are on customary land, and the village charges a small fee. Carry cash.
- Sundays: Sunday is a day of rest and church in Samoa. Many shops and services close, and visitors are expected to be quiet and respectful in villages. Plan to have food and fuel ready on Saturday.
- Evening prayer: many villages observe a short curfew for evening prayer. Be quiet and do not walk or drive through villages noisily during this time.
- Dress: dress modestly in villages and at church, and cover swimwear away from the beach.
- Language: Samoan and English are both official languages, and English is widely spoken.
- Heat and water: keep your phone out of direct sun and in a waterproof pouch at To Sua and on boat trips.
Combining Samoa with other countries
Samoa is often combined with New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tonga. American Samoa is close by but is a separate territory, so a Samoa plan is not meant for use there.
For a multi-country trip, the simplest approach is one eSIM per country. You can install several in advance and switch the mobile data line when you arrive in each country.