SAMOA: PARADISE OVERLOOKED

At the beginning of the 21st century, Samoa still remains largely unsurfed and obscure, its indigenous peoples still clinging to a traditional Samoan village life which provides the backdrop to an incredible and surreal surfing experience. Samoa is blessed with many world class spots on mostly difficult to access reefs. Perhaps because it is not an ASP World Tour stop, that it hasn’t gotten the hype of Tahiti or Fiji which, despite elite waves such as Teahupoo and Cloudbreak, offer far fewer options for the recreational surfer who is merely keen on scoring some uncrowded, world class waves and not having to hassle.
Upolu Island, one of two principal Samoan islands, the other being neighboring Savaii, is a virtual swell magnet with surf on three 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 is arguably the primary focus (but not the only focus) where surfing on Samoa is concerned.
The largest south swells occur from March to November during the Austral fall, winter and spring months. Surf averages four to ten feet on the wave face, with occasional bigger days possible on the outer reefs. The waves consist of inside and outside reef breaks in the ration of approximately 70/30 lefts to rights. There is also one rather incredible lefthand pointbreak called Boulders. All of these breaks work best on mid-high tides, except for Boulders which is strictly a low tide break on swells of at least six to eight feet. Typically you surf around the mid and high tides on Upolu unless Boulders is on, then the party is nonstop with world class surfing through both tides as a possiblility. Upolu’s north coast also receives "summertime" swells from a northerly direction peaking during the North Pacific winter months of December to March.

Water Temps:
Water temps are warm year-round, averaging 80-85 degrees.
Winds:
From November-April, the dominant wind is a NE to NW wind that is due offshore along the south-facing reefs, occasionally we will see a light SE seabreeze during this period. In May, the SE trades start to come on and from mid-June through mid-September they blow about 60-70% of the time and up to 20-25knots in the afternoons. Early mornings before 10 a.m. usually are somewhat calm, and late afternoons can often glass off after thunderstorms. Even in the peak trade season during a SE blow, there are viable surfing options such as Devil’s Island, Pebbles, Boulders and Village Lefts which face to the West and offer side-offshore conditions, as well as Inside Siumu which is inside the bay and offers some wind protection from the outer waters. The trade winds generally subside by late-September and this time period through mid-November can offer more perfection on the South shore coinciding with late season south swells.
Crowds:
Crowds are a non-issueo on Samoa. 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. There is no significant base of expatriate surfers here either and few backpacker surfers as the vast majority of breaks are not accessible without a boat, and there are no boats for hire.

Upolu Island South Shore breaks:

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.
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. With the right swell direction, can be all time.
Boulders: A classic left-hand point break. Very powerful and protected from the SE trades. Can hold up to 15ft+.
Devils Island: A freight train left on an outer reef can produce long, insane barrels. Similar to Cloudbreak in Fiji.

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 off 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 400 meters, 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.

SA'MOANA RESORT
The Sa'Moana Resort offers its surfing guests access to the World Class reefbreaks on Upolu's rugged South coast via its 3 powerboats as well as truck transfers to all East and North coast breaks.
Accommodations:
Sa'Moana Resort is an oceanfront resort offering deluxe accommodation with traditional Polynesian style and elegance, and caters to a maximum of 26 guests (maximum 15 surfers) in traditional Samoan fales of modern hardwood construction.
Facilities:
A saltwater swimming pool cut directly from black lava rock at the water's edge provides guests with a relaxing place to cool off in the hot Samoan sun or post-surf and enjoy breathtaking ocean views.
Internet & Business Center
Sa'Moana Resort is pleased to offer fast ADSL internet (2.0Mbps) w/WIFI service in the main deck and bar areas.
Fale Aiga is the central relaxation house with panoramic views over the south shores spectacular coastline. Decked out with an impressive reception, huge undercover front deck for dining and relaxing, a lounge featuring TV, Video, Hi Fi, pool table and games/book library plus a fully stocked bar, Fale Aiga is the ultimate place to kick back after a rewarding surf.
The Food:
Cuisine is prepared by a professional chef assisted by kitchen staff. An emphasis is placed on healthy and nutritious food catering to all tastes. Seafood is plentiful and vegetarian entrees are available upon request. Sa'Moana Resort's bar offers soft drinks, energy drinks, beer, and mixed alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices.
Getting There:
Packages to the Sa’Moana Resort are available from Los Angeles including roundtrip airfare, airport transfers, six nights accommodations, all meals and unlimited surf transfers starting at approximately $2,600.

For more information contact: Wavehunters Surf Travel Toll free: 888-899-8823 // Email: wavehunters@wavehunters.com // Internet: www.wavehunters.com