Uafato Conservation Area
A village-managed forest on Fagaloa Bay protecting stands of ifilele hardwood.
Updated 3 September 2026
Uafato sits at the eastern end of Fagaloa Bay and its village decided in the 1990s to protect the forest above it rather than log it, creating one of the earliest community conservation areas in Samoa. The forest holds ifilele, a slow-growing hardwood used for carving kava bowls and canoes, along with flying foxes and forest pigeons. Carvers in the village work the wood under rules the community sets on cutting.
What you'll find
- The ifilele forest - the slow-growing hardwood the area was protected for.
- The carving - kava bowls and other work made in the village from the timber.
- The community management - one of Samoa's earliest village conservation areas.
- The flying foxes - the fruit bats using the forest above the village.
When to go
May to October is the drier season for walking. The road in is rough at any time. Visits should be arranged with the village.
Practical notes
Visits need arranging with the village and cannot be turned up for. The road is rough and slow. There are no visitor facilities.
Nearby
Fagaloa Bay is west, and Apia is beyond it.
What to pack for Uafato Conservation Area
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry clothing - Board shorts or synthetics that shrug off spray and dry fast. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- Secure water shoes or reef boots - Grip on slippery launches and protection on rocky shores. Find on Amazon
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