Boulders
Boulders is Samoa's crown jewel—a world-class left-hand point break that produces some of the South Pacific's longest and most powerful rides. When solid southeast groundswells march across the Pacific, Boulders transforms into a 150-meter mechanical freight train, with thick lips detonating over boulders and coral. The wave handles serious size and rewards committed tube riders with extended barrels and room to maneuver. Located near the Salani Surf Resort area, Boulders has earned its reputation as one of the most consistent and high-quality waves in the Pacific Islands.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSE (150°)
- Direction range
- 120° - 180°
- Size range
- 1.5m - 5m
- Ideal size
- 3.1m - 4.1m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 320° - 40°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 0.8m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Accessible from Salani Surf Resort area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Boulders?
Boulders is a point break in Upolu, Samoa, that mostly breaks left.
What swell works best at Boulders?
Boulders picks up swell from the ESE round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSE. It starts working at around 1.5m and handles up to about 5m, with the sweet spot around 3.1 to 4.1m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Boulders?
A N wind is dead offshore at Boulders, and anything from the NW round to the NE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Boulders?
Boulders is at its best around low tide, roughly 0.2m to 0.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Boulders?
The most reliable run of swell at Boulders comes May to Oct. Dry season best. Handles big SE swells.
How cold is the water at Boulders?
The water at Boulders averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Boulders good for beginners?
No. At 9/10 for difficulty, it's strictly for experts. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 2/10). Heavy wave over boulders and coral. Long hold-downs possible.
How do I get to Boulders?
The nearest airport on our list is APW, then it's roughly a one-hour drive. Accessible from Salani Surf Resort area.
What other surf spots are near Boulders?
The closest breaks we track are Coconuts (3.7 km), Nu'usafe'e Island (6.9 km) and Salani (19 km), handy when Boulders isn't working. We track 4 spots around Upolu in total.
Best Season
Peak: May-Oct
Dry season best. Handles big SE swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Coconuts
🥥 Picture-perfect rights • Tropical barrel machine • Resort access
Nu'usafe'e Island
😈 Devil's Island • Trade wind shelter • Empty tropical perfection
Salani
🇼🇸 Samoan paradise • Rights and lefts • Uncrowded perfection
K-Land
🇼🇸 Named after G-Land • World-class reef pass • Heavy Samoan left
Aganoa Right
🇼🇸 Savai'i signature • Powerful right barrel • Aganoa Lodge