Manono island is situated in Apolima Strait between Upolu and Savai, the two main islands of Samoa, a small island nation located in Polynesian region in South pacific Ocean. It is 3.4 km off the westernmost point of Upolu, Lefatu Cape. Apolima is a neighbouring island to Manono. It is situated 2.4 km northwest off the fringing barrier of Upolu’s westernmost edge. The islet of Nu’ulopa is located close to these small islands. Both Manono and Apolima islands are part of the Aiga-i-le-Tai district.

About Samoa:

Independent State of Samoa comprises the western half of Samoan island chain in the South Pacific. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and Savai’i. Apia, the capital is located in Upolu. Samoa has an area of 2,860 square kilometres and a population of 1,59,000.

About Manono:

Manono Island was known as Flat Island in the early 19th century, owing to its small, flat hilly and low-lying terrain.

It takes just 15-20 minutes to reach Manono by boat from the main islands of Samoa. The port in the main island, Upolu, is close to the airport and there are airport pick up facilities. The island is devoid of noisy vehicles and does not have roads either. One can move around the entire island within just one and half hours time and also get taste of the simple Samoan way of life by closely observing the local people’s lifestyle. There are no eateries here and the people are friendly. Manono is a beautiful tropical island surrounded by a blue lagoon. There is a monumental site built in memory of an ancient warrior, who is said to have been buried there standing upright! From atop the site, one can get a panoramic view of the entire island, the tropical blue waters, the crumbling waves as well as the dense cover of the rainforests.

Manono consists of four main villages, namely, Apai in the west, Faleu in the south, Lepuia’I in the southwest and Salua in the north. The population of Manono island is 889, the third largest in Samoa after Upolu and Savai.

One of Manono’s  attraction is the 12-pointed ancient star mount on the flat peak of Mount Tulimanuiva, the highest peak of the island with an altitude of 110 metres. Besides, towards the southwestern direction at Lepuiai village, there lies the Grave of 99 Stones, another archaeological site worth to pay a visit. Each stone here  is said to be representing the wives of the great chief Vaovasa. People of Manono are deeply religious and the only activity that is undertaken on Sundays is walking to and back from the church. Dogs are not allowed in Manono. Swimming and snorkeling in the marine protected lagoon are also popular activities undertaken in Manono.

Manono Accommodation:

Beach fales are available in the eastern part of the island for staying put here and local villagers will make arrangements for beds here.

About Apolima:

Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa with an area of less than one kilometer. Apolima features just a solitary village settlement called Apolima Tai in the northern side, which is inclusive of a population of just 75. Apolima island is actually a rim of an extinct volcanic crater that has a maximum height of 165 metres.