Samoa: Lalomanu Beach & Snorkel (Revisited)
Lalomanu Beach at the southeastern end of Samoa is often named best in the Pacific – white coral sand and reef starting within just feet of the water’s edge. Palms bending over ocean in impossible shapes, and everywhere are beach fales – a typical Samoan structure of a wooden platform and thatched roofs. One can rent one just for the beach time or even stay overnight. This area took a direct tsunami hit in 2009 and 36 people died when it struck at 7am. The tsunami in Samoa in 2009 was a devastating event that occurred on September 29, triggered by an undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 8.1 near the Samoan Islands. The tsunami waves reached heights of up to 14 m (46 ft) in causing widespread destruction of the beautiful area.
