Anyone been to Samoa? Longboard waves, accommodation, best time of year? Any info appreciated.
Maybe, just maybe got a leave pass and I've always liked the look of it.
Downwinder's response in this thread is pretty interesting:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Advice-on-SUP-surf-trip-to-Samoa/
(So is the one from Piros - but it looks to me like he's talking the Solomons not Samoa).
Cheers, Dave
Hmmm. I think it might be shortboard territory (or at least this place is when it's on)
Very heavy waves. My Samoan friends tell me it just like Hawaii or Tahiti. Does have days when you could ride a longboard.....mainly dredging pits over live coral
I would concur that Samoa would be predominately a short board wave, however with so many surf options about I am sure you could find a suitable wave. I have been there three times and found it very hit and miss with wave size and quality and very exposed to howling trade winds. It is an amazing tropical destination with crystal clear blue water.
My feedback about the places I stayed.
Sa'Moana Resort, located on Upolu is very nice with great food. Would be a good place to take a wife and kids, however is much more expensive to stay, eat and surf (these are all optional extras). You have to drive an hour plus, to get to your boat launch location to start looking at the more common consistent breaks.
Maninoa Surf Fales is my cheap-ass surf camp recommendation for Upolu. It is cheap, includes meals and a boat ride out to the surf. Your fale is located right on the waters edge. It is as close as your going to get on land to the more common breaks. Would only recommend it for a boys only trip as it is basic, but has everything you need. If you decide to take your girlie to Maninoa Surf Fales, be aware that the nicest and most expensive resort in Samoa is right next door and that's where she will want to stay!
The island of Savaii is where I enjoyed the most. I stayed at Aganoa Beach Retreat. It is owned by an Aussie guy called Keith and his wife. It is cheap, includes meals, fales right on the waters edge and you can paddle out to the breaks. It is a long left and a short right. There are plenty of other breaks on the island also.
In summary, I have loved my time in Samoa, for its people and unchanged culture. It hasn't been invaded by heaps of tourists like a lot of other surfing destinations. It is however not an Indo, Maldivess or Metawais for wave consistency. Hope this info helps.
Right on the money there Monzy. Great post. The problem with a place like Samoa is that when there is hardly any swell there are limited options and everyone will end up at the same spot. Being the pacific you often get long lulls between sets and sometimes only 2 or 3 waves in the sets - so if its small its nightmare. The setups are incredible though. Loads of wedging waves - if you like late drops and pulling in then you will have a field day. Make sure you go at the right time of the year as the winds can be a big issue. Lovely place to visit, people are incredibly nice and local beer is sensational (can turn an average holiday into a great one of the beer is good).
The joy of Samoa though is that because its essentially uncrowded and cheap to get there you could wait for a swell and then arrange details.
Thank you all. It is the culture as well as surf with a lack of crowds that appealed to me however my version of a short board is a 9'1' performer so i may have to consider other options. Anyone done a Taiwan trip?
Went with my wife before the tsunami and stayed at Coconuts Beach Resort on Apia one Christmas. I took a 9???1??? longboard and surfed the breaks around the resort. I paddled out to a few and found the return paddle back in through the channels with an outgoing tide to be challenge. Ted???s right about the 2-3 wave sets which was fine as there weren???t any crowds when I was there. Swell was small but clean, perfect for me. Take offs are interesting in such clear waters as 1m deep looks 10 cm, made spotting the friendly little reefs sharks easy. Later hooked up with a guy who had a tinny and he'd take surfers out to other breaks for a few dollars. Aside from the surf it???s a beautiful spot and the friendly locals are heaps of fun. Found it so laid back, once we had to wake the pool bar waitress who was asleep on the floor behind the bar. Loved the place and my wife shed a few tears when we left. Don???t expect 5 star service as the locals are so chilled, but that ???s the best part.
