SOMOA : The Surf

Samoa has surf year-round. Samoa is blessed with many world class spots on mostly difficult to access reefs. At the beginning of the 21st century, Samoa still remains largely unsurfed and obscure, undeveloped and still in its pristine, natural state, its indigenous peoples still clinging to traditional Samoan village life, which provides the backdrop to an incredible and surreal surfing experience.

Upolu Island one of 2 principal Samoan islands, the other being neighboring Savaii, is a virtual swell magnet with surf on 3 sides: south, east and north. The most consistent swells come from way down in the southern ocean and intensify before exploding on Upolu Island’s rugged south shore, with its many world class reef breaks arguably the primary focus (but not the only focus) where surfing on Samoa is concerned.

Water Temps : Water temps are warm year-round, averaging 80-87 degrees.

Crowds : Crowds are a non-issue on Samoa. Sa’Moana guests will have virtually all the breaks on Upolu to themselves (12 surfers max.) including Coconuts, Siumu Lefts, Spot X, Y-tops and Devil’s Island. The reason is the vast majority of breaks are outer reefs with boat access only. Other breaks such as Boulders which have land access (albeit difficult) are still largely uncrowded with rarely more than a dozen guys in the lineup at once. The Samoans largely do not surf.

Upolu Island on Samoa has the potential to offer surf all year round, subject to swell and wind conditions.

Ability : Surfers must be of intermediate level or higher to safely enjoy the array of powerful reef-breaks.

Samoa has several surf seasons outlined as follows:

May to September
The most consistent swells come from way down in the southern ocean
and intensify before exploding on Upolu Island's south shore during the
May to September season.

During this period the SE trade-winds that are the prevalent in the Sth Pacific can have an impact on some of breaks that are more exposed to the wind, whilst other breaks are un-affected eg. Boulders is protected by the headland and Devils Is. is off-shore in SE winds. At times the SE trades can be VERY strong and there MAY be times when conditions are not ideal (un-safe) for boat travel to the surf breaks. On these occasions the surf-guides will do all possible to track you down some surf by vehicle access (even travelling to the North Coast where the breaks will be smaller in size but not wind-affected). During the peak Sth swell months (May-Sep) there will be days when there is very little wind and conditions will be perfect.

Upolu Island's south shore breaks include:

Village Lefts: A down the line left-hander within walking distance from Sa'Moana resort, can get very good.

Resorts: Right and left peaks set up out front of the resort, breaks similar to a beach break, except on reef

Pebbles: Super round left that horse shoes almost to 90 degrees off a wedge, offshore in SE trades. Out the back is a much longer mellow left, big walls, big turns

Wackas: Hence the name, a very fun playful left, great for surfers of all ability and craft.

Barras: A perfect right hand set up breaking on shallow reef. Starts off small, growing into the barrel of your life.

Coconuts: An incredibly hollow and sometime intimidating righthander. Has been compared to HT's in the Mentawais.

Inside Siumu: A short fun left with wackable walls.

Outside Siumu: Longer and bowlier than inside, in the right swell direction, can be all time

Boulders: A classic left-hand point break. , Very powerful and protected in the SE trades. Can hold up to 15ft+

Devils Island: A freight train left on an outer reef can produce long, insane barrels.

There are a couple of other SECRET spots not mentioned above that Sa’Moana guest can surf ALONE when conditions are appropriate. 2 breaks in particular offer mindless perfection at times and are regularly sampled by lucky Sa’Moana guests. It is common to encounter other surfers when surfing at the better known breaks (easily accessible) of Boulders, Coconuts, Devils Is. & Siumu/s, however conditions could rarely be described as crowded, however at the lesser known spots (difficult to access) you will usually just surf with other Sa’Moana guests.

February to April & October:
During the months of Feb/Mar/April & October, the Sth Shore breaks can get VERY good with glassy, clean conditions due to lack of wind factor at this time. South West swells (generally not as large as May- Sep months) are common over this period, being the favoured swell direction of some of the right-handers on the Sth Coast eg. the worldclass set-up of Coconuts. During this same period the North Shore of Upolu can often have good waves also due to Nth Swells pushing down from Hawaii.

November to January:
The Summer is when the north shore of Upolu is at its best. North swells originating in Alaska travel via Hawaii and hit Samoa's north shore approximately 3 to 5 days after hitting Oahu (Hawaii).

Upolu’s north shore breaks include:

Tiavea Bay: A series of breaks on offer in this incredible bay.
1. A "Sunset” style right-hand peak that provides heavy tubes, can hold huge swell, has been seen at 15ft plus.
2. A rivermouth with lefts and rights breaking of a peak, not as critical as some waves, great for doing turns.

Fagaloa Bay: A series of points, not dissimilar to Noosa - needs exact swell direction. (Very difficult to access without boat and rarely surfed for this reason.)

Solo Solo: Three separate, medium length hollow right-handers breaking on shallow coral reef stretching over 400m, all varying in difficulty. Swell magnet and offshore in most winds

Laulii: Right hand point break also offshore in most winds. Playful, medium length wave, which will barrel when it gets bigger. Needs a big swell.

Dragons Breath: This wave is world class, possibly the best set up on Upolu Island. 10 min out from Apia, approx 15 min paddle out, can hold huge swell. The right hander has big open barrels you can drive a car through, breaks very similar to Pipeline, The left off the other side is longer 150m-200m, fast really hollow tubes, has three separate sections, with this perfection always comes a price, experienced surfers only.

Pudding Rock: Short playful right-hander (featured on front cover of Surf Adventures).

Waterfalls: Another short, fun right hander, 1 min from pudding rock, Unlike other breaks best at low tide Once again many more unnamed breaks exist on Upolu's north
shore.

During ‘Summer’, SW swells can also occur giving Sa’Moana guests the opportunity to sample some Sth Coast breaks also (usually very glassy conditions on the Sth Coast over Summer). Sa'Moana Resort offers its surfing guests, maximum 15 surfers, access to the World Class reef breaks on Upolu's rugged South coast via choice of its 2 power boats, both boats offering seating beneath a canopy for protection during rain squalls and heavy sun. The boats are moored in a lagoon only 20 minutes drive from the resort, which provides better logistics and even more convenient access to the breaks than ever before. Please note the boat can only be launched 3 hours each side of high tide as it is too shallow at low tide.

An average surf trip duration is 4-6 hours duration taking into account travelling time.

Surf 1 is a 28ft monohull with plenty of shade and powered by 2 x 75hps Yamaha’s, she can accommodate max. 8 surfers + 2 guides.

Surf 2 is a 34ft twin hull with plenty of shade and powered by 2 x 85hp Yamaha’s, she can accommodate max. 15 surfers + 2 guides.

Both surf vessels also offer excellent platforms for snorkeling and game-fishing (separate excursions available at extra cost.)

Surf 1 and Surf 2 - Approx. Times to breaks by boat from the lagoon (in good sea conditions). Obviously these times will be increased during bad weather.

Add 20 minutes vehicle travel from resort to lagoon.
Spot X, Y-Tops- 35 mins
Pebbles – 10 min
Barras – 15 min
Wackas – 15 min
Coconuts/Siumu - 20 mins
Boulders - 25 mins
The Island - 35 mins

The North shore breaks can only be accessed by vehicle.

Sa'Moana Resort employ 2 full time Australian surf guides who have intimate knowledge of all Samoan surf breaks and are very capable all round 'water-persons '. The guide’s main focus is to ensure Sa'Moana guests safety and maximum surf-time.

Surfing in Samoa is a 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 neighbours, 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