To Sua Ocean Trench
To Sua Ocean Trench
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Tosua literally means a Giant Swimming Hole. 30 meters deep and is accessible via a long ladder to the pool.Overlooking the ocean is a beach called Fagaoneone meaning white sand whereas opposite is a lava field with blow hole, tide pools and walking paths along the rocks near the ocean’s edge.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience To Sua Ocean Trench
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1 within 5 kms
See what travellers are saying
- MtulChristchurch, New Zealand168 contributionsEnvironmental beauty at To SuaBeautiful view of the beach and local environment, the sign could've been a bit bigger for the turn off but we made it. It's very clean which is great and the photo opportunities are amazing! We had young children with us but I would recommend going with older kids and people who are confident in ladder climbing and swimming in currents. Such an experience indeed!🤩Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 October 2023
- not happy janMelbourne, Australia10 contributionsAn absolute must do!Highlight of our trip to Samoa. Easy to find either by car or with a tour guide. Welcomed and given information by a lovely lady. There is a well stocked shop, clean toilets and changing areas and fales to put your stuff while climbing and swimming. The trench is absolutely stunning. I am a reasonably unfit mature lady and it tested my strength. I was absolutely terrified of climbing the steep ladder but equally determined I was doing it. I did it! There was a couple who went down with their baby in a pouch. The ladder goes into the water or you can jump from the platform into the warm clear water which has 2 ropes to hang onto. I took my pool noodle and I was able to snorkel and float much more away from the ropes. Plenty of fish and so much fun. The climb back up was tough but slow and steady and I did it. Don’t be inconsiderate and leave your stuff on the stairs or platform. An absolutely amazing experience I will never forget.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 December 2023
- Jade LWyee, Australia546 contributionsA must do!It was one of the most incredible experiences! To Sua Ocean Trench is just stunning the water beautiful and clean. I highly recommend getting there in the morning as I got there about 10 am, and there was next to no one there and almost had the place to myself. The ladder is not good for older, less mobile people, but there is a platform at the bottle that can sit 10/20 ppl comfortably.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 25 February 2024
- Theresa TBrisbane, Australia39 contributionsMust see in UpoluBeautiful here. The current was strong when were swimming, we took our time down the steps as they were wet but I recommend seeing. Ice cream was great and the place is spacious. My husband loved this and the gardens were lovely however, in the bathrooms there were no locks on the toilet, no toilet seat or roll holder, and no soap in the bathrooms. More pricey at $20 per adult but it’s worth the trip. Just glad we made it down and back up safely.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 July 2024
- Hannah T10 contributionsIncredibly Unique View, Clear Water, Must SeeThis was an incredibly unique swimming experience. One of the highlights of our trip. The ladder is sturdy, and we set our things down in a nearby beach fale. 20 tala per person. I would definitely go again.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 13 July 2024
- Karen I16 contributionsAmazing experienceAmazing experience. Lovely grounds to sit and eat or have a break watching ocean view. We visited late afternoon to avoid crowds and only two other people there. You climb down a long ladder into the trench then you can just slide off a platform into the water. There are ropes you can hang onto if you wish. Closer to where the sea enters you can feel a slight surge from the waves outside but closer up to the cave the water is quite still. The water is crystal clear with a few small fish. There is no supervision. There is a small supermarket type shop on the grounds.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 August 2024
- AstridHamilton, New Zealand20 contributionsBeautiful, not entirely safeThis is a fun thing to do and the trench is stunning. The ladder is very steep and not suited for any one with a fear of heights or not physically capable and confident on a steep wet ladder. Once at the bottom it is a lovely swim. Go very early to avoid crowds. Not really suitable for little people. Grounds are tidyVisited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
1,563 reviews
Excellent
1,205
Very good
288
Average
51
Poor
10
Terrible
9
Sam P
London, UK58 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Here with my patner it was 20tala$ each to enter the grounds. My friend decided the "ladder" was too dangerous and steep for him (he is 6ft+) and so decided not to go. He went to get a refund they they refused at first and also told him to leave the grounds, there was no smaller fee for someone to pay to be in the grounds. So I was down in the trench hole and it was very steep if you have any problem with heights it is not good.
This is actually not very safe, you take your own chance really and its totally unnecessary if designed better, e.g. could have two handrails and also a harness in case until you reach the lower platform and it should also be supervised as you have no way to control who is above or below you once you are on the ladder and moving.
I dont know why they dont on the shady side create a walkway that is like a 6 hairpin ramp, it would be much much safer and enjoy more people to use it.
It was fun to do, about 4.5 ft deep in places and goes deeper but I dont like being in any deep water so I stayed by the shallow area and rope to assist me. If anything had gone wrong on the way down or up on the ladder you are basically in trouble and at risk, so its quite poor that this is not done safer, when there are many safe designs that could be done not just a basic ladder. Each step has a rubber gripping, until you reach the last 4 when for some odd reason it does not!
My partner got upset then by a rather rude and abrupt woman manager, and when he waited by the car and wanted to meet me coming out when i waved to him he did, but then a nearby resident in a car beeped their horn to the lady who then sent a young guy to ask him to move off as he had not then paid the entry fee. It spoilt the experience for me, to see him so upset and be treated in that way, like it was all about greed and money from the situation.
No souvenirs were available to purchase on site either again poor for a major attraction. I bought some googles in their shop, they were scratched and an awful design, so useless and lasted one day. I have now had to buy another instead from the town centre.
Seems to be run mafia style! It really should be closed until it is fully health and safety compliant, not just island safety standards. And what they currently do is make you confirm to waive any legal rights! The government and owners should really shut this down until it is run in a much more safer way or someone could die or get seriously hurt.
This is actually not very safe, you take your own chance really and its totally unnecessary if designed better, e.g. could have two handrails and also a harness in case until you reach the lower platform and it should also be supervised as you have no way to control who is above or below you once you are on the ladder and moving.
I dont know why they dont on the shady side create a walkway that is like a 6 hairpin ramp, it would be much much safer and enjoy more people to use it.
It was fun to do, about 4.5 ft deep in places and goes deeper but I dont like being in any deep water so I stayed by the shallow area and rope to assist me. If anything had gone wrong on the way down or up on the ladder you are basically in trouble and at risk, so its quite poor that this is not done safer, when there are many safe designs that could be done not just a basic ladder. Each step has a rubber gripping, until you reach the last 4 when for some odd reason it does not!
My partner got upset then by a rather rude and abrupt woman manager, and when he waited by the car and wanted to meet me coming out when i waved to him he did, but then a nearby resident in a car beeped their horn to the lady who then sent a young guy to ask him to move off as he had not then paid the entry fee. It spoilt the experience for me, to see him so upset and be treated in that way, like it was all about greed and money from the situation.
No souvenirs were available to purchase on site either again poor for a major attraction. I bought some googles in their shop, they were scratched and an awful design, so useless and lasted one day. I have now had to buy another instead from the town centre.
Seems to be run mafia style! It really should be closed until it is fully health and safety compliant, not just island safety standards. And what they currently do is make you confirm to waive any legal rights! The government and owners should really shut this down until it is run in a much more safer way or someone could die or get seriously hurt.
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy J
London, UK6 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
I would strongly advise anyone without a good head for heights, or who does not relish taking stupid risks, not to enter this place. Forget all these fake ratings and the hype. It is run by a local family that does not care about your safety. The ladder you need to descend to access the pool is at a very steep angle and there are no hand rails. I repeat, there are no safety measures whatsoever and no supervision at the ladder. The drop from the top, should you slip as you start your descent is about 15+ meters and you would land on a solid wooden platform. If you fell from the top you would almost certainly be hospitalised or worse. You would never let your kids go down it before you. When it rains the wooden ladder becomes even more hazardous. It beggars belief how it is allowed to stay open in that state. I have heard that there have been accidents in the past but the community that lives off its fame and the 20 tala ($8) per person to enter the site would hush them up anyway. They claim to warn you of the hazards through the signage at the entrance but nothing prepares you for the scare you get at the top of the ladder. I was refunded my 20 tala after I complained about the lack of warnings (of course, they denied everything, implying that I was weak to be so fearful). But when I re-entered the site at the request of my partner (she was changing out of her bathing costume having braved the scary ladder and wanted me to help her) the owners of the site harassed me until I left. Shame on them and anyone who peddles the idea that this is a worthy tourist site. My strong advice is stay away from it until the safety issues are fixed: at the very least hand rails should be attached to the ladder, a clear refund policy should be in place if visitors cannot bear the descent having seen it close up (and not the misleading photos at the entrance) and supervision of the pool site should be carried out at all times by responsible staff.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John D
Atlanta, GA263 contributions
June 2021
Great experience and one of the best things to do in Samoa. There is a entrance fee but it’s a simple ‘pay and do what you want.’
The trench is on a large property with beautiful landscaping where you can walk around and enjoy the grounds.
The trench is near the ocean along a cliff-face which allows other great photo opportunities.
The trench is on a large property with beautiful landscaping where you can walk around and enjoy the grounds.
The trench is near the ocean along a cliff-face which allows other great photo opportunities.
Written 7 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mtul
Christchurch, New Zealand168 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Beautiful view of the beach and local environment, the sign could've been a bit bigger for the turn off but we made it. It's very clean which is great and the photo opportunities are amazing! We had young children with us but I would recommend going with older kids and people who are confident in ladder climbing and swimming in currents. Such an experience indeed!🤩
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenna
Gore, New Zealand28 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was amazing. A must do when in Samoa. I’m a terrible swimmer and not very fit and was worried about the ladder. Ladder is no big deal if you go slowly and carefully but apparently it can get a little slippery later in the day (we went first thing in the morning). The swimming was more difficult for me as it’s not as buoyant as the open ocean, there is a bit of a current and the ropes get difficult to use the higher the tide. If you aren’t a good swimmer then I strongly recommend to go at low tide. If you can’t climb a flight of stairs then no go on the ladder. But honestly, ladder is fine. A guy scared of heights nailed it in front of me. There is a rock you can sit on about 2m from the bottom of the ladder that is easy to access at low tide and has some wee fish swimming around it. A magical, beautiful wee spot of heaven. Be brave! Do it!
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jade L
Wyee, Australia546 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
It was one of the most incredible experiences! To Sua Ocean Trench is just stunning the water beautiful and clean. I highly recommend getting there in the morning as I got there about 10 am, and there was next to no one there and almost had the place to myself.
The ladder is not good for older, less mobile people, but there is a platform at the bottle that can sit 10/20 ppl comfortably.
The ladder is not good for older, less mobile people, but there is a platform at the bottle that can sit 10/20 ppl comfortably.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Riley Fleming
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
This place was incredible and was one of the highlights of our two week trip. We had been seeing lots of reviews and posts about this when you search up Samoa on google or Trip Advisor and decided this is where we needed to go. We arrived to a very nicely kept garden and entry and paid to go in. The price was pretty good and worth the money. We changed and went down the very steep ladder (make sure you use two hands as it is quite slippery). We got there and it was like heaven. Turquoise waters with little fish swimming around and the odd crab. We loved it here! Although there were no changing rooms so either get changed before you come or you might be using a towel! One last thing was it was quite pulley from the surge going through the underwater hole in the wall which freaked me out a bit. But there are ropes to hold onto all over the show. Over all, very relaxing and calming place!
Written 13 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Remy
4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Unbelievable spot for a swim! Incredible views and really well maintained. The ladder is very sturdy and less scary than you may think. The water is nice and clear with plenty of tropical fish to view. Beware of the strong current, I would recommend staying close to the ropes if you are not a keen swimmer. A must do activity!!
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa T
Brisbane, Australia39 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Beautiful here. The current was strong when were swimming, we took our time down the steps as they were wet but I recommend seeing. Ice cream was great and the place is spacious. My husband loved this and the gardens were lovely however, in the bathrooms there were no locks on the toilet, no toilet seat or roll holder, and no soap in the bathrooms. More pricey at $20 per adult but it’s worth the trip. Just glad we made it down and back up safely.
Written 4 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SYMEK
26 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I've been to To Sua several times, it's picturesque. Unfortunately the last visit I was very disappointed to see captive turtles in an enclosure. These are baby turtles that the ?manager advised he got from elsewhere. Originally had 4 now down to 2. He advised he is planning to release when they are bigger but I don't see why they are there. It appears to be a tourist grab as there is a sign that allows tourists to swim. There is no way that this is in the turtles best interests. There is lots of wild turtles, go see them where they belong. Not stuck in some small enclosure.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone confirm it is open on a Sunday from 12.30 as per the opening times here on Tripadvisor
Written 15 July 2023
Astrid Breach
Christchurch, New Zealand
How long would it take to get there from Sheraton Samoa Resort? and is this part of the fee?
Written 31 July 2019
Because you are near the airport I exxpect the taxi fee would be about 100 tala return. Would not be too difficult, yet enjoyable, to take a local bus and make a day of it. Much cheaper and interesting. Pick up the bus from downtown, airport or ferry terminal.
Written 1 August 2019
Hi and thanks for your review of this beautiful swimming hole. How did is the water?
Written 14 May 2019
Hi there,
There are areas around the edges where you can stand up depends on tide very clear can see the bottom
Written 1 June 2019
How was the weather in November when you went? We are debating on a trip this fall in November 2018 and it lists that it is the start of the rainy season. Anyone have any input as to the weather traveling in November?
Written 26 April 2018
Sorry for the late reply as I have been away. November was humid and muggy. It rained a fair bit also. I think the best time to go is, Spring or Winter.
Written 3 December 2018
Two options only - from the wooden deck at the bottom - even there stay left if diving head first, diving straight ahead from the ladder and you risk scraping your nose on the (loose coral & seashell) bottom. There is a small ledge to plunge just by the top of the ladder but feet first only - they will touch the bottom as you’d expect if you dive from about 9m height into just 2m of water.
Written 27 March 2018
What are the options and approx prices on how to get there from Aggie Greys Resort? We are trying to figure if we organise a rental car in advance. Thanks :)
Written 11 August 2017
There are many options but the cheapest is to approach one of the employees at your resort and ask them if they know anyone that could be your driver for the day. We did this and it cost about a quarter of what our resort was charging. Most of the staff share the same village so they know who has a van or car and would be able to take you. We paid about $40nz per person, there were five of us, for the day. The driver took us anywhere we wanted and waited for us to swim, snorkel or shop. Best day of our trip.
Written 6 September 2017
Yes you can is easy!! Around 50/ 80 Tala depending where you will depart from.
Written 24 April 2017
Is it easily accessible for children or are there age requirements? Thank you!
Written 18 January 2017
It's easily accessible for children above 6, I reckon. Just have to be careful going down the wooden ladder, as it's a bit slippery.
Written 18 January 2017
Good Morning - Do they have lockers to store your valuables? Many Thanks
Written 14 January 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 17
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing