Palolo Rising 2026

Each October and November the palolo, a reef-dwelling worm, rises from the coral to spawn, and Samoan villages gather before dawn to scoop it up with fine nets and buckets. It is a prized seasonal delicacy and a beloved local tradition, on both Upolu and Savai'i. The rise follows the moon rather than the calendar: it comes about seven days after the full moon, around the third-quarter moon, when the midnight high tide turns to low tide at daybreak. Going by the 26 October 2026 full moon, the November rise is predicted for roughly 1 to 3 November, with the night before dawn the best time to look. This is a prediction only; the exact night can shift by a day or more, so confirm with the village or your host. Visitors should always ask permission before joining in on a village reef.