Moonlight Harvest - Where to Catch Palolo in Samoa This Season

Palolo Rising! Islanders around the Moana are beginning the chase for the elusive palolo worm - here are the predicted best spots in Samoa according to the Ministry of agriculture:

Samoa’s treasured coastal delicacy, the Palolo worm (Eunice viridis), is about to make its annual appearance, a natural phenomenon that has fascinated generations of Samoans and visitors alike. The Palolo, harvested only twice a year, emerges mysteriously from the reef during the months of October and November, providing not just food, but also cultural celebration for families and communities.

What makes the Palolo even more remarkable is its timing. The worm’s rising is closely linked to the lunar cycle and ocean tides. Scientific studies have confirmed what Samoans have long known – Palolo emerges seven days after the full moon, during the third quarter of the moon, when midnight high tides shift to low tide at daybreak. These conditions create the perfect window for Palolo to rise to the surface.

It is important to note that what people are collecting during the rising are not the entire Palolo worms themselves, but the Palolo gametes (reproductive segments) known as epitokes are released by the worms from the reef. It floats on the sea surface in a mixture of two colours, bluish green for female gametes (eggs) and reddish brown for male gametes (sperm). These gametes emerge in large numbers, creating the shimmering appearance that people harvest and enjoy as a seasonal delicacy.

For 2025, Palolo is expected to appear on the following dates;
• 13th and 14th October 2025
• 12th and 13th November 2025

So set your alarms, grab your buckets and scoops, and join the excitement in the early morning hours! The rising usually happens before dawn, creating a magical scene of glowing worms on the ocean surface – a sight both delicious and unforgettable.

Best Spots to Experience Palolo Rising:
• Upolu: Tuialamu (Lalomanu), Falealili, Matautu Lefaga, Salamumu, Falelatai
• Savai‘i: Safotu, Fagasa, Asau, Sataua, Papa, Puleia, Satupaitea

For many families, Palolo rising is more than just a harvest; it is a time to gather together, share stories, and celebrate a cultural delicacy that connects people to the ocean and its cycles. The worms are often cooked or preserved for later meals, making them a true seasonal treat.

Read more: Palolo Rising

Members of the public are reminded that access to certain Palolo harvesting areas may require prior approval from relevant authorities or village councils, and everyone is encouraged to respect local guidelines and traditional rules, marine protected areas and fish reserve boundaries during the rising.

Don’t miss out on this unique natural wonder. Whether you are harvesting Palolo for the first time or continuing a family tradition, it’s an experience that blends science, culture, and tradition.

Check out these awesome catches from Fiji and Samoa in previous years!