Surfing in Samoa – A Ride of a Lifetime
The outboard motor coughed, spluttered then died as the anchor was thrown overboard. For 10 minutes we had motored along the shoreline as we searched for the perfect spot to go surfing in Samoa.
Silence descended around the small rubber boat as the first line of the swell marched in across the open expanse of water before our eyes.
From the deep blue trough the first wave began to rise. Slowly building in height as the swell met the shallow coral seabed. As the lip of the wave folded over to crash into a churning blue and white foam, a cheer from one of the guys was quickly swallowed by the deafening roar reaching our tiny boat floating in the safety of the channel.
Diving into the crystal clear blue water, still chilled from the night, I threw back my head and eyed up the surfing takeoff spot.
Fresh surfboard wax clung to my torso as I paddled closer to the only spot you could launch from. My fingers felt as if they would scrape on the razor sharp shallow coral filled water below.
I was glad I was wearing my thick soled rubber surfing booties for when I would have to inevitably stand on those same jagged corals.
Squinting into the rising sun I tried to gaze through the glare. Every ripple danced across the ocean surface and glistened from the early morning sunshine.
As the first swell pushed underneath my shortboard, I could feel the power tugging at my legs beneath the surface. Each wave ready to throw itself against the coral seabed and dash its beautiful form into a churning mess.
Giving a surfer only a few seconds to pounce to their feet to grasp onto an unforgettable experience.
Pointing my surfboard back towards the beach I dipped my arms in. The swell reached my toes.
Once, twice, three times I stroked. My muscles coiled inside as my board became as light as a feather. It was now that I had to spring.
Planting my rubber covered feet and grabbing the outside rail of my surfboard I leaned against the rushing wall of water. The power of the wave threatening to tear me from my stance and throw me onto the coral reef just 2 feet below the surface.
A fall that would not leave me unscathed.
The surfboard bucked once as I found my balance. As the wave pitched higher I tried desperately to coax more speed out of the surfboard.
A shadow loomed up over my left shoulder before pitching down over my right. The barrel of the wave fitting perfectly over my hunched torso. My eyes fixed on the point of safety just a few short seconds away.
Bursting into the sunlight I ripped one last turn with a quick glance behind. A grin splitting my faces as I realised I had done it. I had pushed my limits and succeeded.
I was surfing in Samoa.
A ride of a lifetime.
Extra Travel Information
We stayed at Maninoa Surf Camp (pictured above), for our surfing in Samoa trip. It is a dedicated surfing resort with beachfront fales and delicious food to keep you fueled.
You can fly direct to Samoa from New Zealand or Australia with a number of different airlines.
Surfing in Samoa is good all year round but the peak swell seasons are from April – November on the South Shore of Upolu Island. Not really recommended for beginners as the waves can be very fast and hollow for those who want a challenge.
If you want a slightly more relaxing experience then try snorkelling with turtles in Samoa.
Have you ever surfed before? What did it feel like?
Category: Adventure Travel, Oceania
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi slang for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We love all types of adventures that make us step outside our comfort zone, in comfort, including surfing, skiing, snowboarding, diving and cruising on our bikes. You can find out more 
It’s an incredible feeling of being part of the ocean, really riding on top of the world. It’s easy to see why surfers love surfing so much as it gives the inner peace. There is only one place I get that feeling and it’s in the surf. Surfing is just an amazing activity something I don’t normally experience in a lot of other outdoor sports.
Totally agree with you there Peter! Cannot get enough of it
Felt like I was on the board with you. Although, there’s no way I’d have tried it:)
Probably not the best place to start as a beginner
Fantastic writing — I could almost feel the salt water spray on my face.
Thanks Jen
Was a fantastic experience. Can’t wait to head back down-under in a few weeks to get some more surfing in.
Love that corals shot. *sigh* Miss my diving days. But I never tried surfing though.
The coral is not so fun after you have taken a fall onto it from a surfboard! Luckily I only sliced my side up a little bit
Passionate surfer from the heart here! Not that I am an expert but I try to keep practicing. Passion born in Costarican waves back in time a few years ago. Seems like Samoa deserves a sip!
I have dreamed of surfing in Costa Rica since I saw the movie Endless Summer II. Such a beautiful spot and warm water!
gorgeous!! i’d do the snorkeling, just saying…
Haha fair enough. The snorkelling there was superb. We snorkelled with turtles every single day just by stepping off the beach in front of our fales!
So poetic my friend…such vivid expression of your experience on the water from the waves to the thrill coursing through your veins as the approaching wave drew nearer and nearer until you finally conquered its crest rode to glory. Wow, I loved every word of this post! Beautifully done my friend…you certainly have a new fan in me!
Great to hear Jeff and thanks for your kind words!
Great description – and loved the photos.
Was one of the best family holidays so far Mum
I dont even like swimming near Coral – let alone surfing with coral around… im tooscared of getting cut up. Ill keep to snorkelling with turtles for now
Snorkelling with the turtle is a good idea! They are so cute
Loved your ride. And three cheers for surfing booties. That coral looks killer!
You could still feel it when you stood up on the corals. So sharp! Would never surf without booties above coral reefs!
I used to do a lot of canoe surfing on the reefs of Seychelles when I was growing up. All fun and games until you come off.. and either have a kilometre long swim to retrieve your canoe (none of that ankle strap stuff for me!) or do battle with the coral. We used to say it wasn’t a good day unless you got back to the beach bleeding. Ah.. youth
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Oh just when you “lived in the Seychelles” aye
. Would love to venture down that way sometime. We just grew up on beach breaks back home. No reefs for us.
Honestly, I’m not too sure whom I’m more envious of right now – Laurence for growing up in the Seychelles or Cole for surfing in Samoa!
Love this – made me want to rush out and book tickets for somewhere warm.
Well our adventure was only for a week and we didn’t get to grow up there
An adventure well done and compellingly re-told. And I don’t even surf!
Thanks Karen. We love being able to write about the stuff we are really passionate about!
Working toward another family holiday – we gotta do the snorkelling/swimming with whales as a family, a sureal incredible moving lifetime experience. Cant wait to see you Cole B!!
Great story! Tony and I just learned to Surf in Bali last week and we had a blast… Although, we learned on a nice sandy beach with baby waves-Your experience sounds MUCH more intense!
Now you should head over and surf in Spain some more around their coastline
Awesome photos! I’d love to catch some waves in the South Pacific!
Blog trip?
I am keen to arrange it if we can haha
I’ve lived in California for 11 years now and have never surfed. No real interest in it. I guess that comes from growing up on the east coast of the US where there isn’t much surfing. And then there’s that shark thing. However, I love the underwater photos in this post!
Haha sharks are not going to get you
Well, Adela doesn’t believe me either.
I have never surfed before. Although we live by the beach, it is by the Mediterranean Sea and the waves are not high enough for surfing. Maybe in one of our travels…
Yea the Mediterranean isn’t a great surfing spot. Try it next time you head to a surf beach in Spain or France
Yes, we’ve tried surfing. On the wild and wet west of Vancouver Island. And San Jose del Cabo in Baja, Mexico. Not easy! We think we’ll stick to SUP – at least we can get up on those boards!
Believe it or not, we have never been SUP! Really need to do that sometime. Would love to surf in Mexico or Vancouver Island. We didn’t make it there on our travels around North America unfortunately.
Wow gorgeous place, fantastic adventure you’ve had!
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Would love to spend a summer there working and just chilling out! Maybe that can be our next adventure.
BEAUTIFUL photos. I’d love to try out surfing there!
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Cheers Cheryl
Warm water, good waves and sunny weather. Can’t ask for much more when surfing!
Sounds like you had an amazing time. Doesn’t falling on the coral damage the reef as well as your body?
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The coral is actually just rocky under where the waves break Mary, so while still sharp, they are not really the ones in the pictures
Don’t worry, we are huge believers in protecting the coral reef ecosystems when we are diving and surfing!!!
Surfing doesn’t really appeal to me, but it is pretty cool to watch people doing it. Sounds like an awesome experience! Great photos!
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Yea it isn’t for everyone to try. But when someone does try it, they are hooked
I haven’t surfed since I have no upper body strength to speak off and I’m pretty sure I’d either injure myself or make a fool of myself (if not both!). However, the ocean there in Samoa looks positively inviting, so I’d definitely find some kind of water activity to make the most of it!
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If you go snorkelling in Samoa then you can swim with Turtles! Must more relaxing than surfing
I found it relaxing…
Awww I am well Jealous! Samoa looks amazing and as they say “only a surfer knows the feeling”. Surfing is definitely my favorite sport and a huge part of why I travel. If you both liked Samoa, not far from there or NZ is Tonga, I stayed at a surf camp there right by the waters edge but protected by the tropical jungle. A very nice a quiet place to relax and surf, worth checking out.
Cheers, I hope you keep on surfing
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Definitely keen to lock in Tonga for a surfing trip. Would love to tie it in with swimming with the Whales there.
Very Amazing. I love surfing, done it in Hawaii and Australia, hope to visit Samoa one day.
Thanks
John
Thanks John! I haven’t had the chance to go surfing in Hawaii yet but it is on my list
I don’t have to be into surfing to appreciate this post and the pictures. I want to get to Samoa bad. And Palau, and Micronesia, and Tonga and and and…. Keep up the good work!
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If you go to all those places can I come too