Apolima Strait
Dive site
The Apolima Strait runs between Upolu and Savai'i, the two main islands of Samoa, and the channel's deepwater environment and strong tidal flows create one of the country's most exciting open-water dive experiences. Volcanic seamount features rise from depth into the current zone, creating upwellings that aggregate baitfish and the sharks, tuna, and rays that follow them. Oceanic whitetip sharks are occasionally sighted in the deeper sections of the strait, and hammerhead sharks pass through seasonally. The dive requires experienced boat handling and diver competence in current; conditions change rapidly with tidal phase and the site is only suitable in calm weather windows. When conditions align, the Apolima Strait offers the kind of large-pelagic encounter that few sites in Polynesia can match.
Conditions
Depth
12 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 35 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| Vis (m) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 15 |
| Current | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong |
Field journal
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