999 Reasons

 

We visited the Western Samoan island of Upolo in 2005 for a surf trip with the family. It is a lot cheaper than Fiji and a nice small island that is safe and easy to get around. The surf is not consistent but when it is good it is uncrowded and you can always drive around the island and take in all the sites when there are no waves.

Samoa in Polynesia is well known for it's easy going atmosphere and the people are warm and welcoming. The whole family went - consisitng of: surfing husband, beach relaxing wife and 1 year old wanting to swim daughter and we stayed in a surf camp called Sa'Moana Resort where each family have their own Fale or hut right on the beach. There were lots of activites and tours around the island every day and a great central hut where all the scrumptious meals are served, books are to be loaned and games are played. You can snorkel right out the front and see amazing blue starfish, turtles and fish in abundance with the clear white sand as your backdrop. 

The camp is surrounded by villages where the culture is preserved so that tourists can get an insight into the real Samoan traditional customs. I reccommend taking a walk up the road to meet the locals like we did and see the simplistic life they lead.

The capital Apia has markets set up for the tourist trade and there are shops to buy essentials plus some nice newer cafe's and a McDonalds for a change of resort food but you wouldn't want to spend much more than a few hours here wandering around as it is pretty run down. There are some big resorts like Aggie Greys which may appeal to some people with larger families but I am not sure you will get the real Samoan experience like we did.

Many of the surf breaks are accessible via a boat from the surf camps and the surrounding resorts all take it in turns to use them rather than all descend on one break. So enjoy your time here and be ready to relax like the locals as there isn't really alot else to do.