Tutuila Surfing

The only American land below the Equator, the territory of American Samoa consists of seven beautiful, tropical, volcanic islands, two of which are uninhabited coral atolls (Rose and Swains). Ta'u, Olosega and Ofu, known as the Manu'a group, are volcanic and dominated by high peaks. Tutuila is the largest island and also has the biggest population. Its nearest neighbour is Western Samoa, only 25 minutes away by plane. The surf in Savaií and Upolu is now well documented in the surf media, but Tutuila has mysteriously remained in the shadows for decades, despite being surfed by Americans since the early ?60s. In terms of scope little has changed; the surfing population is still ex-pat, no locals surf, and no surf camp has been erected. The waves are powerful reefbreaks with world class potential, but the reality is that surf conditions are pretty fickle and surf spots dangerously shallow. Most breaks are located on the south coast, way too exposed to prevailing SE trades and the north coast of Tutuila is mostly sheer, black lava cliffs. Fortunately, the south coast has a relatively flat volcanic platform with fringing reefs and submerged coral banks, producing many surfable breaks.