December 16, 2025
Today we went to see giant clams and turtles at a protected reef area on the southwest side of Upolu, very near where Return to Paradise is located. We would have done yesterday, but it is protected by a village and like almost everything in Samoa, closed on Sundays. Sunday is just for Church and Family in Samoa! Our guide was Chief Tupu and he had his son driving one of the vans with 5 of us and his daughter in law driving the other with our 4. He was so animated and ran a first class operation. The SUV was comfy and roomy, he provided snorkel gear and towels, that they handed to you as you came out of the water. His information and insights were fascinating as were the local tales he shared with us. Would highly recommend him and Tupu Tours!
The predator for clams are octopus and humans. The local village toys to keep both out of this reef and fosters the growth of new clams within the corals. The largest clams are about 8 years old and span over a meter in width. The 12 to 18 " wide colorful clams we saw in abundance are about 3 years old. I never knew clams were this colorful! They protect themselves by slamming shut and can break the tentacle off of an octopus or a human foot or hand. When they sense the water move around them they close up quickly. We had to make sure we went at least 2 hours after low tide, to allow enough water coverage to snorkel over the them in the reef.
The turtles were in another section of the reef, just hanging out munching on coral on the ocean floor for lunch. We saw at least six. They gave me lots of chances to get familiar with my new underwater camera. I can't wait to show you all the wonders I have been discovering in the seas!
