Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• There is some risk to your safety in some parts of Samoa and we advise caution due to the devastating tsunami on 29 September 2009 (local time) and potential for earthquake aftershocks.  We advise against all but essential travel to the south coast of Upolu until further notice.  Most of Samoa, and particularly the sister island of Savaii, did not suffer damage. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for further details.
  
  
• There are reports of a confirmed human case of A (H1N1) - Swine Flu in Samoa.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• There is no resident British diplomatic mission in Samoa.  Routine consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Wellington but in an emergency the British Honorary Consul can be contacted.  See the General (Consular Representation) section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Samoa has recently implemented a policy to switch the side of the road on which vehicles travel from right-side to left-side. As many vehicles currently being driven in Samoa have steering wheels on the left (LHD) care should be taken when driving on the roads.
  
  
• You should avoid driving out of built up areas at night.
  
  
• Most visits to Samoa are trouble-free but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Samoa in 2008.
  
  
• Samoa lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and regularly experiences seismic and volcanic activity. On 28 September 2006, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale was recorded 185 miles south west of Samoa. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• The tropical storm season in Samoa normally runs from November to April. See the Natural Disasters (Tropical Storms) section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism in Samoa.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and that you carry with you any specialised medication that you may routinely require during your stay.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice for more details.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.