SAMOA : Overview

Sa'Moana Resort is located on the south shore of Upolu Island in Samoa, a forty-five minute drive from Apia international airport. Centrally located to Samoa's best waves, guests will be guaranteed a unique surf travel experience. The Australian owned and operated resort is Samoa's first architecturally designed surf resort with first class accommodation catering primarily to surfers.

SURFING AT SA'MOANA RESORT:

Sa'Moana Resort offers its surfing guests, maximum 15 surfers, access to the World Class reefbreaks on Upolu's rugged South coast (Coconuts, Devil's Island, Siumu, Boulders, Spot X, and more) via choice of its 2 power boats, all boats offering seating beneath a canopy for protection during rain squalls.

Surf 1: 28ft monohull vessel with cover powered by 2 x 75 hp Yamaha's

Surf 2: 34ft twin hull vessel powered by 2 x 85hp Yamaha's

Both main surf vessels (Surf 1 & Surf 2) also offer excellent platforms for snorkeling and game-fishing.

Surf 1 and Surf 2 - Approx. Times to breaks by boat from the lagoon (in good sea conditions). Add 15 minutes vehicle travel from resort to lagoon

Obviously these times will be increased during bad weather.

Spot X, Y-Tops- 30 mins
Coconuts/Siumu - 15mins
Boulders - 20 mins
The Island - 30 mins

The North shore breaks can only be accessed by vehicle -minimum 1 hours travel time. These vehicles are ideal for exploring the North and East coasts of Upolu during summertime north swells or during periods of unfavorable winds for the south shore breaks.

Head surf guide is Australian Jono Shade. Jono has a commercial boating license from Australia, CPR training, and an intimate knowledge of all Samoan surf breaks and is a very capable all round 'waterman'. Jono is assisted by other Australian surf guides to ensure Sa'Moana guests don't miss a minute of surf-time.

At Sa'Moana our expert Australian surf guides are employed to assess conditions, offer advise to guests, observe guest surfing ability and offer suggestions as to where to sit and take off etc. Above all surfers are NEVER left unsupervised and if an accident was to occur emergency procedures are in place to react immediately and gain urgent medical assistance. Our boats on a couple of occasions have assisted stranded independent surfers stuck in currents on their long paddles back to land and delivered them back to safety.

Surfing in Samoa is relatively new tourism market. Independent surf adventurers have sampled Samoa's offerings of world class reef breaks over the years, however unlike several of it's higher profile Polynesian neighbors, Samoa is still pretty much a new frontier as far as surf travel destinations go. At this stage Samoa has less than a handful of local surfers.

The Weather :

Samoa is hot and humid year round. Lying near the equator between 13-16 degrees south, Samoa has a very tropical climate. Due to the mountainous regions, microclimates do occur. The dry season is from May to October however tropical showers do occur. A mild wet season occurs from November to April. Temperatures do not vary greatly throughout the year and the maximums are approx. 95F in summer and 90F in winter. From May to October the SE trades prevail. In summer NW winds are most common. Samoa enjoys warm water year round. The water temperature virtually remains unchanged at about 80F.

Upolu Island Interests :

Upolu Island is the second largest of Samoa's islands with a land area of 1,115 square kilometers and a population of approximately 120,000. Samoa has remained largely untouched and its economy is one that relies on subsistence agriculture and fishing. Samoa is an independent country. Apia, the nations capital is the only place that could actually be regarded as a town. Apia is the centre for commerce and business and has a population of approx. 35,000 people. Apia hosts excellent sporting facilities including a world class 18 hole golf course, squash and tennis courts, a quality gym and scuba diving and game fishing operators. All of these activities can be arranged by Sa'moana Resort management.

Upolu Island has distinct North & South shores. Both shores are openly exposed and incoming swells are unhindered by any land masses. A large mountainous region occupies Upolus interior and separates the north and south shores. This interior is abundant with tropical rainforest and waterfalls. The coastlines are palm fringed with pristine lagoons, sandy beaches and lava rock formations.