For those that may not know, Liza and I recently returned from a short trip to the Pacific Island nation of Samoa. We hired a car and toured both Upolu and Savai’i islands, covering all the main sights, as well as just cruising through and stopping at many local villages . One site of particular interest that we visited were the Taga Blowholes on the Island of Savi’i. The Taga Blowholes are quite the attraction, and worth the visit. Especially after they were given a boost by Jeff Probst and crew, after the filming of the Survivor TV series.
The Taga Blowholes are formed by the intense power of the ocean, and the volcanic lava tubes created during previous eruptions of Mt Matavanu.
The Taga Blowholes Are Best Viewed at High Tide
The raging ocean swell pushes its way up the tube under immense pressure, where it is then forced out an opening above ground. This creates the blowhole effect, with water spewing tens of meters into the air. I’ve seen quite a few blowholes around the world, including a couple in my home country of Australia, but I was quite impressed with the Taga Blowhole.
There is also another attraction at the site, and that is one very industrious old fella, who (for a slight cost of course) will throw coconuts into the blowhole at exactly right moment. The pressure blasts them quite high into the sky, well over 100 feet was my guess. Check out the video Liza captured below, and you’ll see what I mean.
The coconut man has no doubt been preforming this act for quite some time, and it was impressive to watch him count through each set of waves as they pounded the jagged volcanic shore. It seemed like every seven or eighth wave would have the greatest swell and pressure, and therefore give the best spectacle.
How To Get To Samoa’s Taga Blowholes
The Taga Blowholes are located on Samoa’s Island of Savai’i, and are only a short 30 minute drive from the town of Salelologa. This is the largest village on the Island of Savai’i, and is also the location where the Samoan inter island ferry docks. If your on a tight budget then you could arive at the blowholes via one of Samoa’s eradic bus services, or even take a taxi (approx 80-100 Tala return).
Considering the cost of hire cars in Samoa are so afordable (approx 100-160 Tala per day), then I feel this is the best option, and also allows you the freedom to spend the day visiting other sites as well. If your not up to driving, many of the Beach Fales, Guest Houses and Resorts can also organize day tours that also include a vist to the Taga Blowholes at varying prices. (conversion rate at the time of this post is $1 US = 2.25 Samoan Tala)
