Oceania

Samoa

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half-way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

The level of crime is low, but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. Personal security, general travel, navigation, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters. Traditional moral and religious codes are very important. Beachwear should be kept to the beaches.

Use bottled water only.

Two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior.

Tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October).

Occasional typhoons; active volcanism, earthquakes, tsunamis.

Hepatitis A, polio, typhoid, yellow fever.

Soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing.

Night time driving out of built-up areas should be avoided. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and traffic violations occur routinely.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.