Salani Surf Resort- Are Surf Resorts the Go

So are you sick of winter and want to break out of the winter Dero habits that set in when the onshores blow and sun ain't shinning. Well we did and this is what we found. Non of the nine crew had ever been to Samoa so it was the obvious choice to check out. The budget was set at $2000 for an all in package. The boys did some research and thanks to the ever traveled Pete Head at Island Holidays the job was done with ease. With most of us on the strictest of budgets and very little time off work we just needed the closest flight with ease of surfing everyday, Salani was by far the standout spot.

Situated on the mouth of a river is 8 Fales that all look out towards the very fast hollow left reef of Salani. It was the perfect location, with great surroundings and lots of stuff for the crew to do on the down time. I liked the beer, Marty liked the Banana Blasters, but some of the guys actually git active and went fishing but only caught the power lines while others paddled their kayaks upo the river. Mind you wew were up at 6:30 eveyrday and in the boat to head straight out for a wave. Except me, Iliked getting another hours sleep, having a coffee and waiting to hear what it was like. After the coffe one of the Boatman would ask if I was ready and I would nod and head out. No need to rush with boats at your disposal.

The Boatman were all good guys, typical surfers, not much to say unless they were talking about themselves. Daniel came from Hawaii, JP from South Africa (he had never surfed there) and a kiwi from the Mount James Mitchell. The guys were buzzing about the eagerness of our crew. To be honest we never scored the reef epic but we did score waves and the guys surfed at least twice a day on the 7 day adventure. I am a bit more picky and selective but I almost surfed at least once a day.
The Resort had a long hollow left that I never got to surf and on the other side of the pass a short hollow right that packed a shit load of power. There were many trips to the bottom of the reef and many battle stories being told. Every now and then one rouge wave would show the true potential of Salani Rights and rifle down the reef with a gapping chasm.

Like I said we never scored it but we were taken to one of the most beautiful surf spots I have ever been to. Known as a secret spot I won't go in to it as the first American with money would be all over it. The Package we paid for covered everything, 3 square meals a day, boat tramsfers, flights and even all the little tourist things we did. I told you I was on a budget so I watched my money carefully and after a week I had spent $260 on alchol and $4o on Poker. Not bad in my thinking, all that fun surf and sleep for $2000.00.


I know you are probably thinking you can do it cheaper, and you can, but why bother when you can switch your brain off and just go with the flow. No worries just a bunch of mates having fun.
I rate Salani 7/10, it missed a pool to hang out in but the food was amazing. Best time to go according to Nick the manager is In Feb when the winds are settled and the swell comes from the south and the north opening up all of Samoa tobe surfed. We got the nasty trades but we still scored some good waves. Good luck searching.

Riki Mitchell