tisa's barefoot bar

We were part of a tour off a cruise ship and are we glad we booked the whole tour. After reading some of the reviews that suggested just taking the bus to Tisa's to save money and have a seat at Tisa's, some cancelled out of our tour and, has been pointed out, were directed to another location. They not only missed the tour and Candy's interesting travelogue but also lunch at Tisa's. We, the members of the tour group, enjoyed Tisa's all to our selves - Tisa demonstrating weaving palm leaves, the umu lunch (all that was advertised) a musician playing island music, the beach (the water was almost uncomfortably warm)...Candyman (Candy Mann) was our tour guide on the bus and displayed his love of Samoa and it's culture as we drove around the island. The bus was an island bus so don't expect air-conditioned urban comfort - you're on a tropical island - enjoy the experience.We did not find anyone pushing Tisa artifacts and in fact I had to ask if a CD was for sale and also about the t-shirts.

Pretty much agree with previous reviews, if you want a tour with informative narrative ask for Tisa or Candy to guide you. Caution to those thinking they can take the taxi or bus and get the same experience at the bar. We had a tour of 50+ prearranged from our cruise ship and she closed the beach/bar to only our group and sent those showing up by taxi/bus to another location. The traditional umu dinner was as billed and delightful unless you are unadventurous. Cost of the tour for our group was $75 pp. Definitely recommend this tour.

Even though there was a storm the night before and we were unable to swim or snorkel, we had a wonderful afternoon with Tisa and candy man. Wonderful lunch and Piña Coladas

To see Tisa’s Barefoot Bar, the smart people take the local bus for US$2 each way, pay US$5 to use the beach and US$13 for lunch (plus drinks of course) – total US$22. The not-so-bright ones amongst us contact Tisa in advance by email, hand over the credit card details and sign up for a US$75 each, “five hour” tour including 3 photo stops, use of the beach and lunch.There were 6 of us from the cruise ship who had booked on Tisa’s 5 hour tour. When we arrived at the dock, there was much confusion as they only had 4 people on their list. Tisa’s chocolate brown bus had already been booked out (the guide pointed it out to me, full of people, as it went by) so there was only a twin cab taxi ute for 6 people. There was no suggestion of getting another taxi: the guide decided that the two sixty year old men could clamber into the rear tray and take the tour backwards. No seats or cushions of course - just sitting on the tray (although I must admit it was suggested that we share a slab of cardboard). I suspected the guide didn’t know where he was going on the fourth time past the fish factory. No commentary at all – just a lot of exhaust fumes when going uphill – until we arrived at the three photo stops. We’d left the dock at 8 am and arrived at Tisa’s Bar at about 10 am (must have something to do with “island time”). The tide was out and the current was strong but we went snorkelling anyway, trying desperately to find something to look at. Pina Coladas at the bar were US$8 each. Lunch was fried banana, a chicken leg, a sausage and some green salad on a banana leaf.When I complained about the transport, Candyman conferred with Tisa and gave me $20 off. The other guy in the back of the ute said nothing and so received no discount. I made sure I was in the front of the ute on the way back.It’s a pretty spot but definitely not worth the Tisa price and the “tour” is very disorganised. Next time I’ll take the bus.

We were taking a one month cruise of the South Pacific and many recommendations were steered towards Tisa's and her island tour. So....not having been there before and after reading many different reviews (like these), we pre-booked with Tisa via internet, along with perhaps 45 other passengers on our ship. The tour include an island 'tour', a 'native-island' lunch at Tisa's Barefoot bar, possible swimming/snorkeling at her beach and then return to the dock. About 4-5 hour commitment. Upon departing the ship for our 8am pick up by Tisa.... along with a thousand of our shipmates going all over the place, we all dumped into the port parking lot to find our tour! Since this island gets maybe one or two cruise ships per MONTH, anyone that could offer a 'tour' was lined up waiting for customers.....There were no less than 25 local busses (maybe all of the busses on the island!) lined up for various tours, taxis and various vendors selling day tours. Quite hectic, but we managed to find Tisa...she and her assistants guided us to the area she had her transports parked. We climbed aboard. The 'bus' was a converted something, with wooden seats, no windows, no ac of course and the interior roof was built of wood..clearly built by a boat builder. But, I wasn't expecting much more and all of the busses on the island are built the same way...very colorful. There were perhaps 22 passengers on our 'bus'. The seats were very small..hardly wide enough for two average adults and little storage for day packs. Bring a 'pillow' or at least a beach towel to sit on. So, we finally departed with our 'guide'...one of Tisa's assistants, who admitted she spoke little English, was on her first tour and Tisa climbed aboard the other bus. After spending about 2 hours or so bouncing around the island and getting off now and then for photo stop and eavesdropping on other tour's guides info to find out what we were looking at, we ended up at Tisa's barefoot bar and hotel. There, our group settled in to their assigned tables under a thatched roof. We made our own 'plates' out of palm leaves while we waited for our lunch to finish cooking the 'island way'....under coconut palm leaves, in a pit of hot rocks. A few headed to the small sand beach to wade or snorkel in the shallow lagoon. Some ordered (for a fee) drinks at the bar and we chatted. Of course, the obligatory 't' shirt sales and Tisa souvenirs were always clearly marketed. When lunch was finally ready (about 90 minutes after arrival), we lined up to buffet our lunch of hot, cooked pineapple, pork, turkey, misc other items and LOTS of Taro.Mostly Taro actually, very little of anything else. An experience? Yes. Filling lunch? No. But, Taro is the main staple here anyway...you either like it or you don't...I don't. If you have done any type of luau, you've been there done that, with most luau's I've done being better. Skip this lunch unless you've never tried this type of 'local' cooking. Tisa's DOES serve order off the menu meals...I can't speak for those.While our group was there, quite a few other folks were coming and going via taxi. Most came for a drink, the view, maybe bought a Tisa souvenir and the bucket list sign off that they've been to Tisa's!. It's a well known and popular spot. Gorgeous location, gentle/shallow lagoon, small sand beach, quiet, peaceful, drinks and conversation. Friendly and welcoming staff. No complaints at all.Upon completion of our 'lunch', we piled back into the bus and we're returned to the pier. Total time was about 4 1/2 hours. We had fun....can say we did it...but would skip an organized tour and go on our own...without the meal :) A taxi tour and guide split among several people would be a much better value.A note that EVERYTHING in this part of the world is EXPENSIVE..food, clothing, fuel, etc.... Tisa's souvenirs were fairly priced and bar drinks/sodas were not out of line..Kudo's to her for that. We can recommend, but go on your own. Say "Hi" to Tisa and her crew.