🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all drone laws links & known rules around recreational & commercial drone use in Samoa (Apia). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our knowledge & does not replace official sources & your research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Samoa
✅ Samoa follows the same drone's regulation as New-Zealand, therefore to avoid miss-updated context, please refer to the NZ ultimate guide for relevant information. When it comes to the onsite contacts, drone regulation in Samoa falls under Samoan’s Civil Aviation Authority which can be contacted anytime via:
Email: enquiries@mwti.gov.ws
Phone: +685 21611
Mail: The Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Works, Transport & Infrastructure P.O. Private Bag, Apia, SAMOA
Can I travel to Samoa with my drone?
✅ Currently, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Samoa as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
Where can I fly my drone in Samoa?
✅ We did not find an official fly zone map for drones in Samoa "If you have more information about this, please let us know in the Forum". Thankfully, app.airmap.io has listed all flight zones in a convenient way based on your flight intentions organised in a 3 colors.
Samoa drone fly map
🦅 National parks & reserves might be on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities.
🙋♂️ Special note to the land culture in the Samoan community. Even if you've the 'legal right' to fly in the country's airspace, be mindful that most land is privately owned by the same families since generations & there are very attached to it so best to always ask locally as well.
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above Samoa's awesome landscapes & create videos like this one:
✅ Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Samoa! Have fun & safe flight!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
Other resources
Samoa drone fly map (Airmap)