Top 5 best scooter rentals in Apia

Apia moves at the pace of the sea breeze, and the best way to match it is on two wheels. Picture yourself cruising the harbourfront past the clock tower and market, then turning inland where the road climbs toward Vailima, once home to Robert Louis Stevenson, or slipping down a side track to the natural rock slides at Papase'ea. With a scooter rental in Apia, the island stops being something you glimpse from a bus window and becomes something you actually ride through.

Samoa's roads suit a scooter better than almost any other vehicle. Traffic around Apia is light and unhurried, distances between sights are short, and the coast road strings villages together like beads. Better still, many of the standout attractions — waterfalls, cave pools, sliding rocks — sit just off the main road up narrow, sometimes unsealed tracks that a scooter handles with ease but a car or tour van simply can't reach.

Top 10 things to see in Apia by scooter

1. Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (Vailima) — the writer's restored colonial-era estate just outside town, with gardens and a short climb to his grave on Mt Vaea.
2. Mt Vaea Scenic Reserve — a forested trail behind Vailima leading to Stevenson's tomb and sweeping views over Apia harbour.
3. Papase'ea Sliding Rocks — a short ride into the hills for natural rock waterslides into a freshwater pool.
4. Baha'i House of Worship — one of only a handful of Baha'i temples in the world, its domed silhouette rising above quiet gardens a short ride east of town.
5. Palolo Deep Marine Reserve — a snorkelling reef and drop-off just minutes from the waterfront.
6. Papapapaitai Falls — a dramatic roadside waterfall on the cross-island road, with an easy lookout stop.
7. Piula Cave Pool — a freshwater cave pool feeding into the ocean, on the north coast road toward Fagaloa Bay.
8. Falefa Falls — a roadside waterfall east of Apia, an easy add-on stop en route to the north coast.
9. Lalomanu Beach — classic white sand and overwater fales at the island's southeastern tip, a full-day loop from Apia.
10. Apia waterfront and the Mulinu'u peninsula — the harbour promenade past the clock tower and market, leading out to the memorials at Mulinu'u — a relaxed way to get your bearings.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Apia?

Visitors normally need to pick up a temporary Samoan driver's licence, issued locally on presentation of a valid foreign licence — an International Driving Permit alone usually isn't enough on its own. Rental companies expect an adult rider with some prior riding experience, and a deposit or credit-card imprint is standard practice before you ride off.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Apia?

Expect roughly 90–120 WST per day in low season, rising to around 150–220 WST per day in high season, with larger-engine or newer models running 250–350 WST per day.

• Prices climb from June to September, Samoa's dry season and the busiest stretch for visitors.
• Rates ease off from November to March, when the wet season keeps visitor numbers — and prices — lower.

When to book a rental scooter in Apia?

June through September is peak season: dry, sunny, and the best window for riding, so it pays to book ahead. If you'd rather ride the quieter months, November to March is cheaper and less crowded, though afternoon rain and occasional cyclone risk are part of the trade-off.

Local traffic rules in Apia

Samoa drives on the left, so keep that in mind if you're used to the opposite side of the road. Helmets are compulsory for all riders, and police checkpoints do operate around Apia. Speed limits are low — around 40 km/h through towns and villages, and about 56 km/h on the open road — so there's no need to rush. Drink-driving is an offence, and it's best to treat the acceptable limit as zero. One local custom worth knowing: during the evening village prayer curfew, or "sa", signalled by a bell or conch around 6–7pm, riders are expected to stop and wait quietly until it passes.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!