american samoa tourism

A Complete Guide to Visiting American Samoa

American Samoa doesn’t see a lot of visitors, and most of those are visiting for the day from cruise ships. But this little U.S. territory is eminently worth a visit for its traditional culture, natural beauty and incredible hiking . Here’s what we wish we’d known when we were planning our trip to American Samoa.

There are five islands in American Samoa: Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ta’u, Ofu and Olosega. Most travelers to American Samoa will begin their journey on Tutuila: it’s home to the international airport and capital city as well as the majority of the population. But if you’ve come all the way here, don’t let your visit stop with Tutuila! It’s easy to get to Aunu’u as a day trip from Tutuila; getting to Ta’u, Ofu and Olosega (collectively called Manu’a) requires a bit more planning, but is completely doable and incredibly worthwhile.

The National Park consists of land on Tutuila, Ofu and Ta’u, but maintains trails in areas outside the park, too. The National Park of American Samoa is unique in that the land is leased to the NPS by the families who own it, rather than being owned by the federal government. It’s a system that respects the traditional familial land ownership of Samoans—the backbone of Samoan culture—and it means that the NPS works on conservation very closely with local villages. Locals still use park land for fishing, harvesting and other activities they’ve traditionally done there, and the NPS looks to village chiefs for permission and cooperation with park activities.

Getting There:

Currently, Hawaiian Airlines operates two flights per week to Pago Pago. These are the only flights that come here from the U.S. It’s rare to find a sale on this fare, but Hawaiian does occasionally offer deals through Expedia, so watch there for sales. If you’re planning this trip a while in advance, it might be worth looking into Hawaiian’s Mastercard offer: you can get a large signup bonus and use those points on your Pago flight.

If you don’t want to fly directly from the U.S., you can get to Pago from both Western Samoa and Tonga with Talofa Airlines. We took a circuitous route to American Samoa, first visiting the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and Western Samoa (we visited all these places over the course of a two-month-long trip , not all at once.) We booked each of those flights one-way and the total of all of them ended up being cheaper than a single flight from the mainland to Pago. If you have the time and would like to do some additional travel while you’re on the other side of the world (which we’d highly recommend!), play around with options in Google Flights and on Skyscanner to find the best deals on a series of one-way flights that will eventually land you in Pago.

Getting to Aunu’u:

Aunu’u makes a great day trip from the eastern end of Tutuila. Get yourself to the dock at Au’asi and wait there for the boat; it’ll cost you $2 each way. Before you set off on Aunu’u, make sure to ask the driver how late the boat will be running; you don’t want to miss the last one.

Getting to Manu’a:

There are two ways to get to the Manu’a islands: by boat or by plane. The boat is a large ferry that carries passengers and cargo roughly once a week. The schedule is unpredictable and changes so often that it’s not worth trying to work the dates out too far in advance; if you’re set on taking the ferry, make sure you have a large enough window of time in American Samoa to accommodate its schedule. Depending on the weather, this can be an extremely rough ride and it’s likely your fellow passengers will be puking their guts out around you (turns out Samoans are known for being prone to seasickness; who knew??) If you have a flexible schedule, a strong stomach and a very tight budget, the ferry might be a good fit for you. It costs $35 one way and takes about 5 hours. If your final destination is Ofu, you might luck out and have the boat stop there first; otherwise, you’ll be stuck going all the way to Ta’u and then riding back to Ofu.

If you want a less nauseous, easier-to-plan option for getting to Manu’a, you’ll want to take the plane. Samoa Airways currently runs four flights per week from Pago Pago to Ta’u (at time of writing, they’re on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday), and one flight per week to Ofu (at time of writing, it’s on Thursday.) Both are about $160 and can be booked within a month of your travel date. If you want to visit Ofu but can’t make the once-a-week flights, it’s easy to take the plane into and/or out of Ta’u and take a boat to Ofu. This will involve flying into one side of Ta’u, catching a ride to the wharf on the other side of the island (~$20), then taking the boat over to Ofu ($150 for 2-3 passengers). Because you have to pay for the boat, this route will cost you more, but it’s a good way to fit a visit to Ofu into a tighter schedule.

How Long to Stay:

We stayed in American Samoa for 8 days and really wished we’d had longer. Your trip will depend, of course, on how much time you have available, but if you’re on the fence, may we attempt to persuade you to stay at least two weeks if at all possible? Here’s why: American Samoa is on the other side of the world. It’s an expensive flight that’ll make your carbon footprint awfully big, and there’s a good chance you’ll only make it there once in your life. If you can really make it count by going all-in in terms of time and in-depth exploration, we think it’ll be 100% worth it.

There’s a lot to do in American Samoa and a lot of culture to take in. If you’re visiting the Manu’a islands on your trip (and you REALLY REALLY should), the easiest (and cheapest) way to do that is by flying in and out of Ofu. That flight only happens once a week, so you’ll spend that full week in Ofu. It’s quite hard to book the flight to Ofu more than a month in advance, since the airline (Samoa Airways) doesn’t generally schedule flights very far in advance. So if, when booking your international flight, you give yourself two weeks or more in-country, you’ll easily be able to fit a trip to Ofu within that window of time.

Connectivity:

If you need to stay connected to home, get a SIM card from Bluesky when you arrive in Pago. We had good service in most places in Tutuila, all over Aunu’u, and in the more populated spots in Manu’a. Internet access is easy to find in Pago’s hotels and Vaoto Lodge on Ofu also has WiFi. You won’t get the speeds you find on the mainland, of course, but it should work for most purposes.

Where to Stay on Tutuila:

There are plenty of accommodation options on Tutuila. Two popular choices are the Tradewinds Hotel (bland, but clean and nice) and Sadie’s By the Sea (which we heard several unfavorable reports of from fellow travelers, but may still be worth looking into). Tisa’s Barefoot Bar runs eco-fales on Eastern Tutuila and the beach there is beautiful, so it would be a good option for a laid-back stay if it’s in your budget. There are also several AirBnB options. If we’d had the time on Tutuila, we’d have loved to do a homestay. The NPS maintains a list of families who will open their homes to you; contact the Pago visitor’s center for up-to-date info. You’ll contact the family yourself, so be aware of the time change and be patient with the language barrier! (We contacted several homestay families before we decided to cut our time on Tutuila so we could visit Ofu. While most people in American Samoa speak English well, we sometimes had trouble communicating clearly over the phone.) For a fuller report on the homestay program from people who actually experienced it, check out this post from the Switchback Kids.

Where to Stay in Manu’a:

There are two main accommodation options in Ofu/Olosega: Vaoto Lodge and Asaga Inn . Vaoto is right next to the airstrip, so if you’re flying in and out of Ofu, it’s extremely convenient. It’s also right next to the NPS Visitor’s Center and a short walk from the national park area itself. Asaga Inn is right next to the bridge that connects Ofu to Olosega; it’s closer to Olosega village. Both have stunning views and are close to mind-boggling beaches.

On Ta’u, your options are more limited. The NPS can help you arrange a homestay with a Samoan family on the island; the ranger in Ofu should also know if there are any other options for accommodation. At time of writing, a small, family-run hotel is set to open on Ta’u, but it’s hard to get booking information online. Contacting the NPS will probably be your best bet for arranging something here.

It is possible to camp in American Samoa, though you’ll have to get permission from whoever’s land you’re landing on. In some places, the NPS rangers can give you an idea of where to camp and who to contact for permission; in other places, you’ll have to ask around the village for the chief and get permission directly from him. Samoans are very helpful and generous; this doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily grant you permission to stay on their land, but you’ll at least be able to find someone who can help you figure out if it’s possible. Make sure you have a backup option in case your camping plans fall through, and put all your Leave No Trace skills to the test. Be respectful of your hosts, pack everything out with you, and live lightly. Camping is not a mainstream activity in American Samoa—you might be the first experience someone has with a foreign camper, so don’t mess it up for everyone who comes after you. You won’t have any facilities, and there are very few public toilets on the islands, so be aware. Don’t try to stealth camp; Samoans take land rights very seriously and if you’re caught, it could mean trouble. And don’t even think about sleeping outside without a reliable mosquito net!

Planning Resources:

Even if you’re not a national park junkie, a visit to the NPS Visitor’s Center in Pago should be your first stop when planning your activities. The rangers there can give you loads of info. on trails and sights, and will be able to offer some cultural insight too. The American Samoa Visitors Bureau website also has lots of great information. Because American Samoa is not (yet) a super-popular destination, you will probably have great luck calling the NPS Visitor’s Center or Tourism board before your visit to get answers to specific questions; in our experience, these people were more than willing to take some time and help us out.

Getting Around:

Tutuila has a great bus system that can get you all around the island, though it might take a while to cover large distances. Hitchhiking is common and easy to do on any of the islands; we didn’t hitch since there are so many of us, but with one or two people, you can probably manage to get where you need to go without trouble. For maximum flexibility, it’s worth renting a car so you can squeeze as much into your visit as possible, though driving yourself always means missing out on the cultural experience of public transportation.

On Ofu, if you stay at Vaoto Lodge, you can borrow one of their bicycles. We cycled all around the island and it was an incredibly pleasant way to get around. Without a bike, your options here are limited to walking and hitching.

Where to Eat on Tutuila:

Pago has a good range of restaurants and plenty of well-stocked grocery stores to keep you fed. Traditional Samoan food is delicious and well worth a try. In the smaller villages and on Aunu’u, your food options will be more limited. Small stores stock lots of processed foods and few fresh options. If you want to eat healthy, your best bet is to stock up on produce, healthy snacks and sandwich fixings from one of the bigger groceries around Pago before you head to other parts of the island.

Where to Eat in Manu’a:

There are no restaurants in Ofu/Olosega and only four small stores spread over the two islands. All the stores have eggs and milk, plus a range of processed food (ramen is a staple.) Fresh produce is hard to come by, unless you’re getting it from the fruit trees on the island. Unless you want to subsist on ramen and Pringles, bring some food with you from Pago, or plan on having meals at your accommodation. We bought breakfast and dinner each day from Vaoto Lodge; they accommodated our vegetarianism deliciously and gave us some of the best food we had in all of Samoa (which is saying a lot—we had some excellent food there.) You can work out meals with your accommodations before you go, but definitely do think through this—getting food on the islands can be very tricky and you really don’t want to be stuck eating stale Marshmallow Mateys your whole stay.

What to Do on Tutuila:

American Samoa is one of the best places in the South Pacific for hiking , since the NPS has the resources to maintain trails in an area where things get overgrown super quickly. There are several trails around Tutuila that’ll give you a taste of both the jungle and the coast. Around the village of Vatia, the Tuafauna Trail leads through rain forest before dropping you off on a rocky beach with gorgeous views of Pola Island and it’s sea arches. The Lower Sauma Ridge Trail will take you down to an overlook of the northeast coast of Tutuila and the archeological site of a star mound (be careful on this trail, as it’ll be very slippery if it’s been raining before your hike!) The Mt. Alava Trail is more challenging and offers panoramic views of the island (or so we hear! It was closed when we visited, so we weren’t able to check it out for ourselves.) On the western end of Tutuila, another trail will lead you to the secluded beach of Cape Taputapu and long views over the ocean. On Aunu’u, you can follow the 4WD track around the island to see isolated sea arches, surf-pounded coves, a lake in the island’s volcanic crater, a lake of quicksand and taro marshes.

Aunu’u’s beach is lovely and a great way to cool down after you’ve spent some time exploring the island on foot. The water is clear enough to see the reef and some of its inhabitants even without a snorkel mask, but if you want to snorkel, this is a great place to do it. Alega Beach is regarded as Tutuila’s best, and Two Dollar Beach (which will cost you 5 dollars to access) is also lovely. Just outside Vatia, the rocky beach at the end of Tuafauna Trail is a bit rough for swimming, but a great place to watch the surf and listen to the shore’s stones clicking and clattering as the waves recede—it’s completely lovely. On the west side of the island, you can be the last person on Earth to see the sunset at Cape Taputapu’s beach.

You can rent a kayak from Sadie’s or from a few other outfitters in Pago. A paddle around the harbor is a great way to take in the gorgeous views around the city.

To get a taste of Samoan culture, stay with a family through the NPS’s homestay program! While we weren’t able to do a homestay here, we did stay at family-run fales while we were in Western Samoa and were able to have the experience of being brought into a Samoan home to participate in some of their traditions.

Attend a fiafia  show to watch traditional dances and to see some fancy fire spinning. The Tradewinds Hotel hosts a fiafia  on Friday nights. An umu  (often held on Sunday for lunch) is the Samoan method of cooking in an underground oven. Try taro, breadfruit,  palusami  (young taro leaves in coconut cream),  oka  (raw fish in coconut cream), pork and seafood.

What to Do on Manu’a:

You might just spend your entire visit to Manu’a thanking your lucky stars to be in this absolute paradise. This is a great place to slow down and just enjoy yourself, especially if you’re flying in and out of Ofu and have a full week on the island.

A Minimal List of Useful Gear for Traveling with Kids

The NPS maintains two trails on Ofu/Olosega and one on Ta’u. At the far end of Olosega Village, you’ll find the Oge Beach Trail, which leads up the side of Mata’ala Ridge and steeply down to Oge Beach. If you don’t want to descend all the way to the beach, just getting to the top will give you wonderful views over the island. Ask the ranger in Ofu to call the village chief for permission before you hike this trail.

Ofu’s most rewarding hike is up Tumu Mountain. The trail ascends through the jungle on a grassy track; at the very top, it opens up to a spectacular view over Ofu. The trail is mostly shaded on the way up, but you’ll still need lots of water: Ofu is very humid and this trail will make you sweat. Go early in the day for cooler temperatures and pack a picnic for the top.

No one is allowed to hike either of these trails on Sunday, so keep that in mind when you’re planning things out.

Beaches and Snorkeling:

Ofu Beach is regarded by loads of travel magazines and bloggers to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and we’d definitely agree with that assessment. The national park protects the stretch of beach and the reef extending from it; the coral here is one of the healthiest in the world and makes for incredible snorkeling. Research teams from all over the planet come to Ofu to study the secrets of the reef here—it’s wonderfully resistant to rising ocean temperatures and after being wiped out in the 2009 tsunami, rebounded quickly. Wait for high tide to snorkel at Ofu Beach so you have enough clearance over the coral and BYO snorkel gear.

Because the reef starts so close to the shoreline, Ofu Beach isn’t the best spot for a swim. For better swimming, try the end of the beach near Olosega Island, where you can jump off the bridge (if the current isn’t too brisk) or just have a splash in the deeper water below the bridge. Another good option is the beach in front of Vaoto Lodge, along the airstrip. This is also a great spot for a snorkel and it’s deeper, so you don’t have to wait til the tide is all the way up.

To swim at other spots around the island, get permission from the village chief first. On Sundays, you can swim in front of Vaoto Lodge or in the park, but nowhere else.

Stargazing:

If it’s a clear night, don’t miss laying out under the night sky for a while. These little islands are the definition of isolated and the clear air makes for some of the best starry nights you’ll ever see.

Coconut crabs are the largest land bug in the world, and they’re abundant on Ofu. We saw small ones in the rocks near the airstrip and enormous ones in the jungle on our way up Tumu Mountain.

One of the NPS’s missions is to protect the fruit bat population that calls American Samoa home. These bats, also called flying foxes, can be up to three feet across and feed on the fruit trees around the islands. We saw them everywhere we went, but most abundantly on Ofu around the beach.

The ride from Ta’u to Ofu is wonderfully scenic and is a great place to see some marine life. We saw loads of flying fish and had dolphins swimming and jumping around our boat. The boat ride between Tutuila and Aunu’u is also a good place to spot dolphins. The reef all around Ofu has lots of sea turtles and reef sharks; if you do enough snorkeling, you’re likely to see both. If you’re on the islands between mid-August and October, you may also get to witness the humpback whale migration. A ranger we talked to at the visitor’s center in Pago saw the whales from atop Tumu Mountain, and the water was so clear that he could see the whole pod in detail. Just his report of it had my jaw on the floor.

American Samoa is an incredibly special place, rich in culture and natural beauty, with friendly people, few visitors, and some of the best snorkeling in the world. If you get a chance to visit, don’t miss it!

And if you’ve got any extra time, we highly recommend adding a side trip to Western Samoa as well. It’s a quick and inexpensive flight away, and you won’t regret spending more time in this South Pacific paradise. See this post for some top spots in Western Samoa to inspire you!

Me, currently: ‘Hmmm… could I swing four weeks for my birthday?’ Hahahaha. We will probably only be able to do 4-5 days on Ofu since we’ll only have 3 weeks to do all three Pacific Island parks… but damn, I could go for two weeks just in Samoa. This is super helpful info though, even for me!

My husband and 2yr old identical twin boys and myself were enriched by spending 2yrs living in Tafuna From 1980-82 we explored the beaches enjoyed our Samoan friends and feasted on the Samoan food Everything in the above article is spot on The family bus or we called it the inga bus will take you most places It was .25 back then I was lucky enough to go to the only college on the island American Samoa Comm College while my boys went to nursery school They were the only blonds in school The Samoans loved them Soon they were speaking Samoan and English It’s a simple language and a beautiful language Back in the 80s there was no refined sugars on the island Most of the milk with the cream on top and butter came from New Zealand Common to drive down the narrow roads as Samoans went about there business in open falis watching one of the three channels on tv Tuunga was my best friend She taught me the daughters never leave home When they marry the man comes to live with her in her village Women do women chores men do men chores For supper we would look for the fisherman walking down the road carrying fresh fish my favorite was Parrot fish He would sell or trade for liquor or tobacco a fish large enough for four It’s been 40 yrs and I can remember so many details of this once in a lifetime experience We loved it Let me add 200” of rain a yr fills the road with giant snails and giant frogs The snails are poisonous if eaten We were told they were brought there hitchhiking in large pipes brought over on ships by Koreans The harbor in Pago Pago is the deepest in South Pacific 300’ deep which is why it is US Territory for use in case of war

Thank you so much for this! We have a trip booked to visit American Samoa (and side trip to Ofu) at the end of May 2019 and this has been so helpful in our planning. We’re coming from Columbus, Ohio and it’s been so hard to find really good information on American Samoa.

Oh I’m so glad it could be helpful! We had such a hard time finding info before our trip—hope everything goes smoothly for you guys and that you have a great time!

How did your trip go? I am in the early stages of planning. I was going to plan to stay just 3-4 days as my time is limited, I am probably going to rethink this approach after reading this page. Any tips would be well received – My e-mail is [email protected] . Thanks in advance.

My friends and I are planning to go to Samoa later this year and I was struggling for ideas when I found your lovely blog! Your pictures are so inviting! We want to visit so many different places, but our budget is limited, so your tips definitely help to plan our journey. Thank you so much!

I’m so glad it could be useful to you! We absolutely fell in love with it and hope you love your time there!

Thanks for your wonderful descriptions! I’ve not been to Samoa since 1969 (!), when I was in Afono for 3 weeks (including a side trip by the boat to Western Samoa). I would like to get in touch with someone — mayor or other village official — in Afono to send to photos of people who back then were so kind to me. Do you have any idea how i could locate a village address or official chief/mayor, etc., of Afono to do this? I’ve looked online and find nothing so far. I guess I could contact someone in Pago Pago and ask for referrals. Thank you again! It took me back, to read your lovely words. charles

Headed to American Samoa to teach computer classes to government workers. What can I take as a gifts? What can you not get there that would be a small token of appreciation? Thanks, Ron (in Florida)

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The Best of American Samoa: Restaurants, Hotels, and Things to Do

Discover american samoa’s best things to do, restaurants to eat at, and hotels to stay in with the afar guide to american samoa..

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American Samoa

There but for a more exotic name goes American Samoa. Mention of this distant archipelago more often than not elicits a blank stare, but despite its mundane moniker and confusing status (it belongs to, but isn’t a part of, the US), American Samoa is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful pockets of Polynesia.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Fagatogo Market

This is the town’s social centre on a Friday night. Locals come to gossip, ransack food stalls and pick over fresh coconuts, breadfruit and other produce;…

Fatu ma Futi

Get your camera ready: you'll spot these iconic offshore rock formations on your drive into Pago Pago from the airport. Legend has it that a couple named…

Ofu island's crown jewel is the beach along the south coast - 4km (2.5mi) of shining, palm-fringed white sand. The offshore waters are deep enough for…

Nu’uuli Falls

Standing in stark relief to Nu’uuli’s scruffy strip of restaurants and convenience stores, this secluded waterfall with a deliciously cool swimming hole…

Turtle & Shark Site

The most famous of Tutuila’s legends is set at this dramatic cliff-top site. According to one version, an old lady and her granddaughter were turfed out…

The village of Leone welcomed the first missionary to Tutuila in 1832. John Williams subsequently erected the island’s first church, garnishing it with…

This sacred site is where Tagaloa is said to have created the first humans before sending them out to Polynesia. Its volcanic boulders, wild surf and…

Masefau & Sa’ilele

A cross-island road leads from the village of Faga’itua up over a pass before winding slowly down to Masefau, a village that looks too idyllic to be true.

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Dec 12, 2012 • 6 min read

American Samoa, the only inhabited US territory south of the equator, is given the occasional nod for its love of American football and McDonald's, but…

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American Samoa

• 3 Other destinations
• 4 Understand
• 5.1.1 Passports not requiring visas
• 5.1.2 Passports requiring visas
• 5.2 By plane
• 5.3 By boat
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.4 By boat
• 10.2 Shopping
• 15 Stay healthy
• 16 Stay safe

American Samoa is a U.S. territory in the South Pacific Ocean that lies about 100 km (60 mi) east of its neighboring country of Samoa , which is part of the same archipelago. American Samoa consists of five main islands and two coral atolls; the largest and most populous island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll and Swains Island also included in the territory.

American Samoa is not well developed for tourism, and there are no five-star hotels. But is is a great place for lounging on a beach, hiking the national park, snorkeling the lagoons, visiting historical World War II sites, or diving in the marine sanctuary.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

• -14.27806 -170.7025 1 Pago Pago (pronounced "Pango Pango") - capital city

Other destinations [ edit ]

• -14.258333 -170.683333 2 National Park of American Samoa - The Samoan village leaders and the U.S. Congress have set aside the finest samples of the islands' land and seascapes as a national park.

Understand [ edit ]

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America . The citizens of American Samoa are US "nationals" and not US "citizens," but they are allowed to travel freely between American Samoa and the U.S. mainland. They are not required to obtain green cards or visas to stay or work in the United States, and they are allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces (and often do). There are some ways that American Samoa's special status as an unincorporated territory has interesting legal consequences. The U.S. Constitution is not necessarily the supreme law of the land in American Samoa, and Samoan cultural norms, in particular those related to the ownership of property and public displays of religion, actually trump certain well-settled U.S. constitutional rights in American Samoa.

The main city is Pago Pago and the smaller Fagatogo is constitutionally designated seat of government. The governor's office is in the village of Utulei, on the opposite side of Fagatogo from Pago Pago.

The islands are frequently referred to as Samoa , which is the name of a separate island, and independent country, that used to be known as Western Samoa , that lies about 100 km west of American Samoa. Also the whole island group, including Samoa, is often identified as the Samoan islands.

Settled as early as 1000 BCE by Polynesian navigators, Samoa was reached by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany (later Britain) and the U.S. divided the Samoan archipelago. The U.S. formally occupied its portion, a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago in the following year.

American Samoa is warm, humid and rainy year-round, but there is a long, wet summer season (October - May) and a slightly cooler and drier season (June - September). Total annual rainfall is 125 in (3,200 mm) at the Tafuna airport and more than 200 inches in mountainous areas. Such rainfall gave the English writer Somerset Maugham the name for his short story "Rain", based in Pago Pago, which was subsequently turned into a play and movie.

90% of the land in the group of islands is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the U.S. and the greater part of its foreign trade is with the U.S. The private sector is dominated by tuna fishing and the tuna processing plants, canned tuna being the primary export. Monetary transfers from the US Government also add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Since the emergence of U.S. influence and control the government of the United States of America has put up resistance to the emergence of local independence movements. In the early 20th century the American Samoa Mau movement was actively suppressed by the U.S. Navy.

The Governor of American Samoa is the head of government and exercises executive power. American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Its constitution was ratified in 1966 and came into effect in 1967.

In both American Samoa and (independent) Samoa there is traditional village political system common to all of the Samoa Islands, the "fa'amatai" and the "fa'asamoa" interacts across the current international boundaries. The Fa'asamoa represents language and customs, and the Fa'amatai the protocols of the "fono" (council) and the chief system. The Fa'amatai and the Fono take place at all levels of the Samoan body politic, from the family, to the village and include regional and national matters.

• American Samoa Visitors Bureau , Level 1, Suite #200, Haleck Center ( Corner Ottoville Rd & Ili'ili Rd, Ottoville, Pago Pago ), ☏ +1 684 699-9805 , fax : +1 684 699-9806 , [email protected] .  

Get in [ edit ]

Visas [ edit ]

American Samoa lies outside federal U.S. immigration and customs jurisdiction. All visitors (except U.S. citizens and green card holders) to American Samoa require a passport valid for six months or more, a return ticket or onward ticket and enough funds to support their stay. U.S. citizens and green card holders traveling from the U.S. may enter without ID, though it is still recommended [dead link] .

However, since American Samoa has an immigration system independent from the U.S., U.S. Green Card Holders traveling to American Samoa from another country (namely Apia Fagali’i Airport as it is the only foreign gateway) still have to present their passports, and if they are not citizens of any American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Countries , they still need to acquire an American Samoa entry permit before traveling. The only exception may be passengers on transit to another US destination (Apia-Pago Pago-Honolulu), who are granted to stay in Pago Pago for 24 hours.

Passports not requiring visas [ edit ]

Citizens of countries under the federal Visa Waiver Program , plus Canada, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands may visit for up to 30 days with an "OK to board". Citizens of Samoa are permitted to visit for up to 7 days with an "OK to board".

To obtain an "OK to board", travelers must apply online , and upload a copy of their passport (valid for at least 6 months after planned departure from American Samoa) and a copy of their round-trip or onward ticket at least 3 business days before travel. It costs $10 for Samoan citizens, and $40 for all other nationalities, which must be paid when you submit your application.

To obtain a business or residence visa or to extend your stay to 60 days, you must visit the Attorney General's office after arrival.

Passports requiring visas [ edit ]

All other international passport holders intending to visit American Samoa for business or holiday are required to apply for a visa (called an entry permit). This will require a local sponsor in American Samoa to apply and pay the required fees on your behalf. You must obtain a copy of the entry permit in order to board the plane, and your sponsor must present the original copy in person to immigration when you arrive. If you are joining a package tour, the tour company might be able to arrange this for an extra fee; check with them to be sure.

By plane [ edit ]

There is one international airport, Pago Pago International Airport ( PPG  IATA ), with a runway length of 2,750 m (9,000 ft). This is also referred to as Tafuna Airport (or Tafuna International Airport) and is at Tafuna 5 km (3 ml) southwest of the central business district of Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila.

• Hawaiian Airlines operates 2 return flights per week from Honolulu with Boeing 767 aircraft.
• Samoa Airways operates services to Pago Pago from Maota airport ( MXS  IATA ) on Savaii Island in (independent) Samoa.
• Talofa Airways operates flights to Pago Pago from Faleolo International Airport ( APW  IATA ) in (independent) Samoa.

Faleolo International Airport ( APW  IATA ) also serves as an international gateway to the region. That airport is 40 km (25 mi) west of Apia , the capital of (independent) Samoa . Daily inter-island flights between the Samoas are operated by Samoa Airways and Talofa. Samoa is in the western part of the Samoan islands archipelago.

The Faleolo airport in nearby Samoa has wider international connections including Air New Zealand to Auckland in New Zealand , Fiji Airways to Honolulu USA and Nadi in Fiji , Samoa Airways to Maota in Samoa and Pago Pago in American Samoa, Tongatapu in Tonga , Polynesian Blue (operated by Pacific Blue) to Auckland in New Zealand, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia .

The 2 airlines operating international services between Pago Pago and Apia , Samoa provide scheduled daily flights.

• Samoa Airways . Operate a 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft.  
• Talofa Airways Operates two 9-seater Twin Commander 690B aircraft.

By boat [ edit ]

The island of Tutuila has the international seaport of Pago Pago. This port is served by a number of passenger carrying cruise ships and cargo ships.

Get around [ edit ]

Samoa Airways is the only airline providing daily domestic air services between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Island of Tau.

• Flight time between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands is approximately 30-40 min. Samoa Airways will generally add additional flights as needed.

Fitiuta Airport ( FTI  IATA ), ( FAA LID : FAQ ), 975 x 23 m (3,200 x 75 ft) is a public use airport in the village of Fiti‘uta on the northeast portion of Ta‘ū island.

• Samoa Airways operates flights between Fitiuta Airport on Ta‘ū island and Apia (Faleolo International Airport ( APW  IATA ) in (independent) Samoa. Upon arrival at Ta'u airport, locals with boats are available to take visitors to Ofu and Olosega islands.

Ofu Airport ( OFU  IATA ) has a public airport one 2 km (1.2 mi) southeast of the village of Ofu on the island of Ofu which is not served by a commercial airline.

• Samoa Airways operates flights to Ta‘ū island

Tau Airport ( TAV  IATA ) 661 x 30 m (2,170 x 100 ft) is a privately owned, private-use airport 2 km (1 mi) southeast of the village of Ta‘ū in the northwest corner of Ta‘ū island. It is not normally utilized for scheduled services.

Rose Island (Rose Atoll) and Swains Island do not have an airport.

By car [ edit ]

Several car rental facilities are available at or near the Tutuila airport. On Tutuila taxis are available at the airport, and near the market in Fagatogo.

By bus [ edit ]

The island of Tutuila has good public transportation (frequent, but unscheduled) via "aiga" or "family" buses. For 50 cents to a dollar you can be taken around Pago Pago Harbor, and to the more remote parts of the island. Buses originate and terminate at the market in Fagatogo, the village next to Pago Pago. The roads are generally too narrow and the traffic too busy for bicycles.

Hail an aiga bus with a wave of your hand. Many Samoans carry a quarter or two in their ears for bus fare as the wraparound skirts ( lavalava ) don't have pockets. When you want off, tap the window a few times and the bus will stop and pay the driver by tossing your fare (a quarter up to a dollar depending on the route and distance traveled) onto the dashboard on your way out.

A weekly ferry service from Pago Pago to the Manu’a Islands is provided by government operated excursion boat. This service travels around Tutuila, calling at the north coast villages of Afono, Vatia and Fagasa. Regular small ferries also offer service to and from the island of Aunuʻu.

Talk [ edit ]

The native language is Samoan , a Polynesian language related to Hawaiian and other Pacific island languages. The Samoan language is still in use in daily exchange. English is widely spoken, and most people can at least understand it. Most people are bilingual to some degree.

Some common words/phrases:

• Hello - Talofa (tah-low-fah)
• Please - Fa'amolemole (fah-ah-moh-lay-moh-lay)
• Thank you - Fa'afetai (fah-ah-feh-tie)

See [ edit ]

• Fatu ma Futi or Flower Pot Rock , about 275 m (900 ft) out in the ocean stands a tall mini-island. It is home to many exotic birds and fruit bats.
• Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (requires a steep, moderately difficult hike)
• National Park of American Samoa , including the view of Pola Island, AKA Cock's Comb
• Turtle and Shark Site - Beautiful small cove in Vaitogi central to an ancient Samoan legend
• Tia Seu Lupe - The most accessible of American Samoa's ancient star mounds, used for the chiefly sport of pigeon catching, in Ottoville near Holy Family Catholic
• Blunt's Point Battery - Incredibly well-preserved WWII defensive cannons atop a mountain with a spectacular view. Accessible via a trail with a small, unassuming entrance to the right of the laundromat in Utulei.

Do [ edit ]

• To'aga Beach on the south side of Ofu. Bring your snorkel to explore the pristine coral reef that fringes its shore.
• There is abundant hiking on the island, especially in the National Park of American Samoa
• Tisa's Barefoot Bar & Grill on the eastern part of the island. Beach access but no shower. Features weekly umu feasts of traditional Samoan foods and an annual tattoo festival.
• Two Dollar Beach is a beautiful beach in Avalo with great snorkeling and many fish darting anong the rocks in its tranquil waters. Very affordable, even if it isn't just $2 anymore.

Events [ edit ]

• Flag Day Fautasi Races - Held on April 17th, the day the US flag was first raised over the territory. A team from each of the bigger villages races a fautasi, or 50-person longboat, in Pago Harbor.
• Tisa's Tattoo Festival - Festival of traditional body inking held every October at Tisa's Barefoot Bar in Alega.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

American Samoa uses the U.S. dollar (" $ , ISO code currency: USD ). It is divided into 100 cents.

Shopping [ edit ]

American Samoa has a lot of locally run shops and kiosks with products ranging from handmade clothing to traditional wooden weapons. A covered market operates in Pago Pago when cruise ships are in town. There is also a mini-mall, Laufou Shopping Center , in Nu'uuuli.

Eat [ edit ]

Tutuila has a wide variety of places to eat—from familiar fast food stops to fine restaurants. The outer islands have far less variety. Restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Polynesian. Tisa's Barefoot Bar in Alega holds weekly traditional Samoan Umu feasts.

Signature/national dishes include Palusami, Lu'au and Supoesi.

Drink [ edit ]

Kava is often considered to be the national drink. The beverage is made from the roots of the pepper plant ( Piper methysticum ). Kava is known for its mellow and relaxing effects. Many people drink kava because it is a natural alternative to alcohol and anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medication.

Flying Fox Brewing Company in Pava'ia'i is the island's first and only brewery.

Sleep [ edit ]

There is hotel-style lodging on the main islands, but not Olosega, Swains, or Rose (uninhabited).

Work [ edit ]

The tuna industry is very prominent, but about 30% of the population is unemployed.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

American Samoa has few health risks of concern for normally healthy persons visiting the islands. There are, however, a significant number of cases of dengue fever each year, and (since 2014) chikungunya, both spread by mosquitoes , so don't forget your insect repellent (containing DEET).

Another common danger, in or near residential areas, are packs of stray dogs. Most dogs, while they may nominally belong to someone, are left to fend and forage for themselves. They are territorial, and will often bite. The most common response by locals is to pretend to bend down and pick up a rock. This will often scare the dogs away because they are used to being abused and hit with thrown rocks.

Bring necessary medications with you, for supplies may not be available. Medical care is limited and there is none available on the Manu’a Islands. The LBJ Tropical Medical Center is on Tutuila island in the village of Faga'alu. It was once a highly regarded regional health center; however, it has fallen on hard times. It has staffing problems and only provides marginal (though inexpensive) service. A serious illness or injury will generally be evacuated to a hospital in Hawaii, Fiji, or New Zealand. When traveling in the region, carry some basic medications such as aspirin or paracetamol (acetaminophen/Tylenol), cold capsules, band-aids, sun screen, vitamins, anti-diarrhea pills, and a good insect repellant.

In many areas of Tutuila, the tap water is not safe for drinking or washing dishes due to E. coli contamination. Check with the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency for details or drink bottled water.

Stay safe [ edit ]

American Samoa has low crime rates, though it's best to stay where the crowds are while on the beach. While swimming, don't go too far out, as rip tides are common. Keep a close eye on your valuables, as theft is also common.

Respect [ edit ]

Except for perhaps a few thousand individuals nearly all inhabitants of American Samoa are indigenous Samoans of Polynesian ancestry. More than any other U.S. or Polynesian peoples, Samoans are oriented toward traditional customs and lifestyles. They closely follow the social customs and hierarchies developed prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in the region. This Samoan way, or fa'asamoa is still deeply ingrained in American Samoa culture.

The most apparent character is the Samoan matai system of organization and philosophy. In general, each village is made up of a group of aiga , or extended families, which include as many relatives as can be claimed. Each aiga is headed by a chief, or matai , who represents the family on all matters including the village council, or fono . Matais hold title to all assets of the aigas , or families; they represent and are responsible for law enforcement and punishment of infractions occurring in their villages.

The fono consists of the matais of all the aiga associated with the village. The highest chief of the matais of all the village aigas is the highest chief, or the ali’i , and heads the fono . Also, each village has a pulenu’u (somewhat like a police chief or mayor), and one or more talking chiefs, tulafale .

Over the centuries, distinct cultural traits emerged that we now call fa'asamoa (fah-ah-SAH-mo-ah). Whether you are a guest or simply passing through a village, please observe these customs as a sign of respect.

Follow the Samoan Way:

• Always ask villagers for permission before taking photographs, using the beach, or engaging in other activities, however unobtrusive your actions may seem. Permission will almost certainly be granted.
• In a traditional home, called a fale (fah-LAY), sit down on the floor before talking, eating, or drinking. Cross your legs or pull a mat over them; it is impolite to stretch out your legs uncovered.
• Sunday is the day for church, for rest, and especially for quiet around the villages. Activities that are acceptable on other days, such as swimming, may not be permitted on Sunday.
• Each evening around dusk, villagers observe a time for prayers called Sa . If you are entering a village during Sa , stop and wait quietly until Sa ends. You may even be invited to join in a family prayer. It is not necessary to stop for Sa on the main roads.
• It is considered an honor to be asked to share kava (a local drink made from the root of the pepper plant). To show respect, spill a few drops on the ground or mat in front of you, then raise your cup and say "manuia" (mahn-ooh-WE-ah) before drinking.
• Do not eat or drink while walking through a village.
• It is very disrespectful to walk in a village when a sacred ritual is in progress.

Connect [ edit ]

American Samoa uses the U.S. Postal Service with zip code 96799 and a state code of "AS". Postage between Hawaii, American Samoa, the mainland, and overseas military & diplomatic installations (APO, FPO, DPO addresses) is charged at the same domestic rates as it would be within a single island or between the islands of American Samoa.

American Samoa's area code is 684. When dialing any off-island telephone number, dial 1 + area code + phone number. Check with your phone/long distance company to regarding the rates.

American Samoa is not covered by US mainland mobile phone operators. There are two local mobile providers- BlueSky and ASTCA . iPhone users can freely choose either of the two, but not all Android devices are supported by the ASTCA network, so some Android users may be limited to BlueSky. Additionally, if continuing to Samoa later, BlueSky SIMs will roam in Samoa with the same pricing as local usage on certain data bundles (but not for voice or text, which are charged extra). If you have a data-only device such as an iPad or hotspot device, BlueSky also offers data-only prepaid plans (pricing details are here ).

In addition to mobile data, ASTCA and BlueSky both offer a few WiFi hotspots around Tutuila. ASTCA hotspots cost $2 for 24 hours of unlimited usage at up to 3Mbps, $10 for 7 days of unlimited usage at up to 10Mbps, and $40 for 30 days of usage at up to 20Mbps. BlueSky hotspots charge by usage instead of speed and time, and their pricing table can be found here.

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Top American Samoa Attractions

Things to do in american samoa.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Kids
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Mount Alava

2. National Park of American Samoa

3. Two Dollar Beach

4. Ofu Beach

5. National Park of American Samoa Visitor Center

6. Lower Sauma Ridge Hike

7. Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center (National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa)

8. Jean P. Haydon Museum

9. Matafao Peak

10. Tisa's Barefoot Bar

11. Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano i Amerika Samoa

12. National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa

13. Cloud Rainforest to Reef Hike

14. Fagatele Bay Trail

15. Utulei Beach Park

16. World War II Heritage Trail

17. Ma'ama'a Cove

18. Pala Lake

19. National Park of American Samoa Breakers Point Trail

20. Laufou Shopping Center

21. diocese of samoa pago pago.

22. Blunts Point Trail

23. Tour American Samoa

24. Pago Pago Marine Charters

What travelers are saying

General Information

Maimoana: American Samoa

Tropical Islands, Culture, and the National Park of American Samoa

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Matais (Family Patriarchs)

Credit: NPS

Tutuila Coastline

Blunt Point

Night Sky over Ofu Island

Tropical Fish

Traditional Samoan performance

• Overview & Pricing

Trip Details

• Related Trips

Settled by seafaring explorers three thousand years ago, the Samoan archipelago is the cultural hub of the Polynesian wheel. American Samoa – the only U.S. Territory south of the equator – is a true off the beaten path paradise, with rugged volcanic mountains, dramatic shorelines, empty beaches, colorful coral reefs, warm azure waters, and dense tropical forests. On this explorer’s journey, you’ll visit three islands, Tutuila, Ta`ū, and Ofu, each containing sections of the National Park of American Samoa.

Arrive into Pago Pago, American Samoa’s territorial capital. From a waterfront hotel, we head out for a variety of adventures over the course of three days, traveling by boat to visit with locals on the 375-acre Aunu`u Island and hiking along the Blunts Point Trail to a scenic high point.

Our next stops are the islands of Ta`ū and Ofu. First, we’ll fly to Ta`ū, half of which is the protected National Park of American Samoa, exploring the island’s archaeological sites and beaches. Later, we travel by boat to Ofu Island, for three nights and days spent hiking, snorkeling, and getting to know their share of the national park, beautiful mountains, lagoons, beaches, and coral reefs.

We return to Tutuila by plane, with time to take in more of the island’s features –Fagasā Bay to Afona Bay, Mount Alava, Maunaloa Ridge, and coastline. We take a walking tour of the village of Fagatogo and visit the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa and the National Park of American Samoa Visitor Center.

After a farewell dinner, we take the late-night flight to Honolulu.

Small Group Adventure

Departure Dates

8 days / 7 nights

Trip begins/ends

*Price per person based on double occupancy. Trip price includes all lodging, meals, ground transportation, guide services and activities as described in this itinerary.

Call Toll-Free 800-445-2995

Do you want to customize this trip.

We customize trips all the time! Email us today: [email protected] .

• Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

• National Park of American Samoa: You'll visit three volcanic islands and walk the national park's beaches and rain forests, explore crystalline waters and coral reefs, and marvel at emerald-green mountains that rise from the sea.
• Maimoana American Samoa Culture: Through traditional dances, cultural performances, ceremonies and interactions with local Samoans, you'll learn about "the Samoan way" and the history of the people whose ancestors traveled by sea from southwest Asia to the islands 3,000 years ago.
• Tropical Exploration: Opportunities abound for coastal beach walking, snorkeling, rain forest hiking, south-of-the-equator wildlife-watching and visits to island villages.
• The Essentials

Trip Type: Small Group Adventure

Territory: Oceania

Region: Pacific Islands

Trip Price: From $7,195

Single Supplement: $850

On-Trip Airfare: $550

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Pago Pago, American Samoa / Pago Pago, American Samoa

Minimum Travelers: 8 travelers

Maximum Travelers: 11 travelers

Select Terms & Conditions

Pricing detailed for this Small Group Adventure is based upon double occupancy. Additional charges for single travelers and any on-trip airfare required for the trip apply. A booking deposit is required to reserve your space. Small Group Adventure pricing includes all lodging, meals (unless otherwise noted), activities, baggage handling, transportation, and guide service. Not included are travel costs to/from gateway cities, guide gratuities, and personal incidentals including, but not limited to, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions .

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

The Energy Index for this trip is “Nice & Active”, with “No Sweat” elements, at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,650 feet. Activities include hiking 1 to 3 miles per day (with elevation gain/loss not typically more than 300 feet), canoeing, optional snorkeling, and boat rides with choppy water at times.

• Make It Private

Make this trip all yours!

Most all of our Small Group Adventures can be made private to just your traveling troupe. Just give us a call at (800) 445-2995 and tell us that you would like to “make it private”!

Generally, there are two ways to make a small group adventure private. First, you could capture one of our published departure dates for just your group. In order to achieve this, we have to have sufficient space available to create a separate private trip. Second, we could take the details of this itinerary and fashion it for just your group on dates of your choosing. For this, too, we just need to review your interest, group size, and preferred timing in order to create the trip.

In all cases, the process begins with a phone call so give us a ring at (800) 445-2995 and after just a few minutes gathering information, we can set to the task of making your trip a reality!

Day 1: Tutuila

Arrive into Tutuila Island’s Pago Pago on the night flight and transfer to our hotel. Tutuila is the largest of the American Samoa Islands, which sit in the heart of the Polynesian triangle formed by Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand.

Day 2: Tutuila

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll start our day with a visit to the National Park of the American Samoa Visitor Center—then we’re off to explore. Stretching over the middle of the island from Fagasā Bay to Afona Bay, this area’s main features are Mount Alava and Maunaloa Ridge.

Day 3: Aunu'u National Landmark and Village

This morning begins with introductions and breakfast at the hotel, followed by a brief orientation from our guide on the journey ahead. Our first outing takes us by boat to Aunu`u Island off the southeastern shores of Tutuila. Lunch will be hosted at the home of a local family, after which we’ll watch traditional Samoan cultural, ceremonial, and dance performances. 

Day 4: Tutuila

After breakfast, those interested can attend a local church service, noted for the Samoan singing, skits, dances, and performances. After lunch, you will have the option to experience the panoramic view of Rainmaker Mountain and the World War II historic landmarks of Breakers and Blunts Point under your own manpower with experienced paddlers in an outrigger canoe. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5: Tutuila to Ta`ū, National Park of American Samoa Ta`ū then Ta`ū to Ofu

We fly to Ta`ū this morning, American Samoa’s second-largest island. After a picnic lunch, we’ll visit Ta`ū’s Sau`a area to explore the “littoral zone.” We’ll then get ready to board a boat to Ofu Island. Upon arrival, we will check in and have dinner at the lodge, where we will spend the next three nights. 

Day 6: Ofu, National Park of American Samoa

Our days are spent exploring Ofu’s claim to National Park of American Samoa, one highlight of which is a strip of land running along the southeastern side of the island, with stunning mountains, lagoons, beaches and coral reefs. There will be time to hike, snorkel and explore the park’s beach environment and marine life. After lunch at the lodge, we’ll head out to get to know more of Ofu’s wonders. 

Day 7: Ofu, National Park of American Samoa

Interested hikers hop into the back of a pickup truck and travel to an island trailhead, spending the morning on a guided hike. Others enjoy free time, relaxing at the lodge or exploring nearby. We’ll gather for lunch at the lodge, then return to the national park to swim, snorkel, and kick around at the beach. Our last night on Ofu features a traditional Samoan dinner. 

Day 8: Village of Fagatogo, Flights Home

We enjoy one last breakfast on Ofu Island, then board a flight to Tutuila. There, we’ll visit the National Park of the American Samoa Visitor Center, after which we’ll set out to explore the park. After lunch, we set out to explore on our own for the rest of the afternoon. Our farewell dinner is at the hotel this evening. After dinner we depart American Samoa on late-night flights to Honolulu. 

Sadie's by the Sea

Sadie’s By the Sea is one of two Sadie’s Hotels in Pago Pago. The hotel sits on the rim of Pago Pago Harbor offering excellent views of the harbor and the beach right out the door. Built in the 1960s, the hotel has been renovated over the years. You’ll find down home and friendly service from the staff. Guest accommodations are in 46 rooms, each with air conditioning, telephone, cable television, WiFi, refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. The hotel has a swimming pool, day spa, restaurant, poolside café, and offers kayak and snorkel gear rental.  

Vaoto Lodge

Vaoto Lodge sits on the beautiful, unspoiled island of Ofu. The lodge was opened in the 1980s by Tito and Marge Malae, both of whom have now passed, but is still owned and operated by the Malae family.  The lodge is simple, with seven clean, comfortable rooms, each with a fan, private bath, and shower. There is a library, dining room, and outdoor patio. The lodge also offers easy access to the beach. Meals at the lodge are tasty and served family style.  While cell service doesn’t work at the lodge, a telephone is available, as is WiFi, though it is quite slow. The lodge accepts cash only and there are no ATM machines on the island.

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NORTH TO ALASKA

To receive our most complete detailing of this small group adventure, please provide your preferred contact information.

We are the premier tour operator in American Samoa.  To ensure you make the most of your time while here, book with the best!

In addition to our standard tours, we can tailor a tour to meet your specific needs. We also can arrange for excursions to Independent Samoa!

Manu'a is awaiting your visit.  Manu'a is one of the most remote places in all of the United States and the birthplace of Polynesia.

Our team consists of tour guides who love our islands and want nothing more than for you to love our island too!  And more often than not you will be accompanied by our owners Mike & Paula!

Testimonial

​​"On behalf of NPCA, Andrew and the rest of the PII staff, I wanted to send you a HUGE THANK YOU for all of your coordination efforts to assist our group with...well...pretty much everything!!!  From food, to transportation to being our subject matter expert tour guide and everything in between, we thank you! You have done so much to assist and support us with the logistics in American Samoa. You allowed our participants to have an unforgettable and unique experience that not many others get." 

-Taylor Auyoung

Pacific Island Institute

email: [email protected]

AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT JOB LISTINGS

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Serial #         Job Classification                Department/Agency                            Salary or Rate                          Closing Date

310-20           Service Coordinator         Department of Health (HHEIP)              GS-11/$12,519 - $31,369 p.a.             December 10, 2020​​

americansamoa.gov

THE OFFICIAL PORTAL OF THE AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT

ASG EVENTS IN APRIL

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Official Notice Regarding the 2024 Flag Day Fautasi Race

Statement: Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga’s Special Remarks for American Samoa’s 124th Flag Day Celebration

Executive Order 003 - 2024: Creating American Samoa Territorial Physical Addressing Initiative

National Child Abuse Prevention Month April 2024 (English & Samoan)

RECENT MEDIA

PR 001-04192024 - American Samoa Governor’s Office-Hawaii Celebrates Cultural Heritage at Chaminade’s International Extravaganza

PR 002-04182024 - Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga Receives $2,495,561 for Essential Projects in American Samoa

PR 002-04152024 - Commemorating the 124th Flag Day at Fatu-o-aiga Cathedral

Public Law 38-12: Polystyrene Foam Container Ban effective May 7, 2024

IMPORTANT ASG LINKS

2023 Tax Forms Available Here:

American Samoa Department of Treasury

Flag Day Parade  2024 Registration

FestPAC13: American Samoa Preparations for 2024 Pacific Arts Festival website

T he Official Website of the Secretary of American Samoa

American Recovery Plan Act Recovery Office

Read 2023 American Recovery Plan Performance Report (State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds) 

RECENT NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT

American Samoa’s 124th Flag Day Celebration

On April 17, 2024, the main event of American Samoa's 124th Flag Day Celebration commenced at the Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Tafuna.  Distinguished guests from off-island, esteemed local leaders, and the public gathered in the grandstands to join the celebration.

read more here

American Samoa's 124th Flag Day 'Ava Ceremony

The Office of Samoan affairs spearheaded the ‘Ava ceremony as a part of the 124th Flag Day celebration for American Samoa at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa in Utelei. Distinguished guests invited from off island were present to witness and participate in this sacred tradition.

American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities Hosts Opening of the 48th Flag Day Performing Arts Festival

On April 11, 2024, the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture, and Humanities commenced its 48th Annual Flag Day Performing Arts Festival, a three-day event.

Read Latest TAPUITEA Newsletter ASG News Archives 2023 State of the Territory Comprehensive Report 2024 State of the Territory Comprehensive Report

Where Can I Travel Without a Passport?

A mericans looking to renew or obtain a new U.S. passport have been met with myriad challenges in recent years, not the least of which has been long delays. And while passport processing times are finally coming back down a bit (now an estimated eight to 11 weeks , as opposed to 10 to 13 weeks earlier this year), it's still not ideal for those hoping to go on an international beach vacay, like yesterday.

Luckily for travelers caught in administrative limbo (or for people who don't care to get a passport), there are numerous destinations American travelers can visit with just a government-issued I.D. and proof of citizenship. Of course that includes the wealth of beautiful, nature-filled outdoor landscapes (including dozens of national parks ), and culture-packed city hubs Americans can travel to right here in the United States .

Beyond the 50 United States, these are all the places American citizens can visit without a passport.

U.S. territories

American samoa.

Blending Polynesian and American influences, these five islands in the South Pacific (located roughly 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii) are rimmed by white sand beaches and reefs teeming with marine life. And while American Samoa sees less than 23,000 visitors each year, any American citizen could legally travel there. Because American Samoa has been a U.S. territory since 1900, American travelers don't need a passport to visit -they just need a Real I.D. You'll also need an onward or return ticket to be let into the country, per the U.S. Department of State.

Micronesia's most populous island has all the usual trappings of paradise: golden sand beaches, swaying palms, cascading waterfalls, and a laid-back culture. And even though it's more than 6,000 miles southwest of Los Angeles, in Guam, U.S. citizens are considered domestic travelers, so no passport is required, if you connect through Honolulu (the other options are flying through Tokyo and Seoul, which would require a passport). You will need a government-issued I.D. and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, however.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands , a remote archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean just northeast of Guam, are another spot for American sun-seekers to experience tropical landscapes and crystal-clear water sans passport. However, like Guam, you'll need to choose a flight path that doesn't have layovers in countries where passports are required, like Japan-your best option is to fly through Honolulu and Guam. Travelers only need a photo I.D. and a birth certificate to visit.

Puerto Rico

With wildly diverse terrain, colorful historic towns, and a thriving nightlife scene, Puerto Rico makes a compelling case for leaving the mainland for a while. Because Puerto Ricans were given U.S. citizenship under the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, the island is considered part of the U.S. for immigration and travel purposes, even if it isn't a state. U.S. citizens are not required to have a passport to visit Puerto Rico-they just need a valid government-issued I.D., such as a driver's license or state I.D. card.

U.S. Virgin Islands

If you're keen on a holiday that involves gazing out at shimmering turquoise water and listening to the rhythmic shush of waves breaking on the beach, you might consider the U.S. Virgin Islands . Another Caribbean gem, the U.S. Virgin Islands, consists of three main islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) and has been a U.S. territory since 1917. All you need (beyond a plane ticket or cruise booking) is a valid government-issued I.D. and a birth certificate to be sipping cocktails on pristine beaches, snorkeling with riotously colorful fish, and dancing to the music of steel drums.

International cruises that don't require a passport

Another loophole for passport-less travelers who would like to experience an international locale are "closed-loop" cruises . A closed-loop cruise is a sailing that starts and ends at the same U.S. port and only visits select countries in the Western Hemisphere. On these cruises passengers aren't required to have a passport. Those countries include:

• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Turks and Caicos

Travelers are still required to have proof of citizenship, however. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection , that can include an Enhanced Driver's License (currently available only to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington); a government-issued birth certificate; or an official Certificate of Naturalization . Passengers who are 16 years and older also need to supply their photo I.D. (such as a driver's license).

It's worth noting, however, that if the cruise stops in even a single country or territory where passports are required (such as Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Bart's, and Trinidad and Tobago), you'll need a passport for the entire journey. And it's recommended that passengers bring a passport on these cruises, even if it's not technically required, in the event that they need to leave the cruise early and fly to or from an international destination.

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Monday, April 22, 2024 83° Today's Paper

American Samoa says restrictions on fishing are crippling the economy

By Kevin Knodell

April 14, 2024

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KEVIN KNODELL / [email protected]

The crew of an Oahu-based Coast Guard C-130 monitors a Chinese fishing vessel that was transiting through American Samoan waters during an aerial patrol in the U.S. Pacific territory. American Samoa currently has no Coast Guard planes or vessels permanently based in the territory.

Chinese fishing boats sit moored in harbor in Apia, Western Samoa.

Fishing vessels sit moored next to the StarKist Samoa tuna cannery in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The cannery is central to the territory’s economy, accounting for 99.5% of all exports.

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A proposal to expand fishing restrictions in the U.S. Pacific Remote Islands Area, referred to as PRIA, has sparked debate about conservation of Pacific fish populations, as well as an unlikely conversation about competition between the U.S. and China in the region.

Situated in the middle of Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, PRIA encompasses Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Wake Island, Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef.

Parts of the region’s waters were blocked off from fishing through the establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument by President George W. Bush in 2009, and it was expanded by President Barack Obama in 2014.

A new proposal from President Joe Biden in March 2023 would further expand it to protect 777,000 square miles of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, known as the EEZ — an area larger than Alaska — essentially blocking it all from fishing and making it the world’s largest marine protected area.

It’s based in part on proposals from environmental advocates in Hawaii, who have pushed for further protections. But officials in American Samoa have charged that the new restrictions would “destroy” their fishing industry and potentially lead to the closure of the StarKist Samoa cannery. According to the territory’s government, the cannery makes up 85% of American Samoa’s gross domestic product and is responsible for 99.5% of its exports.

In a letter to the U.S. Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in September, American Samoa’s Gov. Lemanu Mauga wrote that “fishing prohibitions not only weaken U.S. fisheries but also increase seafood imports and jeopardize U.S. food and national security.” Mauga argued that “the activities of the American Samoa-based (fishing) fleet provide a critical counterbalance to China’s growing influence across the region” and called the proposal “another step in the U.S. ceding the Pacific to China.”

According to the Honolulu-­based Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, better known as Wespac, which oversees fisheries in Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific island territories, American Samoa’s fleet caught 5,000 metric tons of albacore tuna in 2007. But today it barely brings in more than 1,000.

Wespac, as well as local fishermen and officials in American Samoa, blame the growth in China’s fishing efforts in the area. William Sword, who hails from American Samoa and is the current council chair, said, “China really does not care for human rights, sustainable fishing or other countries’ boundaries or EEZs, and we should be tired of China catching our fish and selling it back to us.”

>> RELATED: American Samoa wants more help from the Coast Guard as Chinese fishing effort grows

But advocates for the sanctuary expansion say that it’s a necessary move that will ensure Pacific fish — and fishermen — will thrive for generations.

Rick Gaffney, a Hawaii fisherman and environmentalist with the Pacific Remote Islands Coalition, said sanctuaries are “absolutely essential to preserving the Pacific fisheries for America and everybody else. Climate change is causing fisheries to move already. And the larger the protected areas that exist, the more certainty there will be fish for the future. It’s that simple.”

Economic woes

The Pago Pago-based fleet fishes on the high seas and has for years paid to fish in the tuna-rich waters of neighboring Pacific Island countries. But as the Chinese fleet expands and makes inroads in neighboring countries, that’s become more challenging.

In 2014 China secured the right to fish in Kiribati, and Chinese companies began buying up permits en masse, essentially pushing out many U.S. flagged vessels. Since then, Kiribati has reduced the fishing time it had allotted to the U.S. fleet, and American fishermen have increasingly found the new arrangement uneconomical and looked elsewhere.

American commercial fishermen in the Pacific have long complained that as foreign fleets regularly flout regulations, they continue to get slapped with new restrictions that hamper their ability to compete. Mauga wrote in his letter that “the proposed National Marine Sanctuary would continue to displace U.S. fishing fleets to international waters where they must compete with foreign fishing fleets.”

When Biden announced plans to expand the sanctuary in March 2023, it drew quick praise from environmental advocates. But in American Samoa, more than 1,200 cannery workers signed a petition opposing the federal proposal.

In one of hundreds of comments submitted to the federal government from American Samoa in opposition, cannery worker Iosefa Tanuvasa wrote, “This company has provided for my family of 6 children. The proposal should have been more focused on the protection of our seas from illegal fishing by the Chinese fishing boats.”

During a public hearing on May 25, cannery worker Tanielu Malae said, “I have seven children between the ages of 2 and 17, they are all in school, and I have been supporting my family working for StarKist … do the people in Hawaii that made this proposal know what it is like for people like us?”

But William Aila Jr. — a prominent Hawaiian cultural practitioner and advocate for the sanctuary — said the situation is more complicated on the ground, telling the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that “people are not opposed to sanctuaries in American Samoa, I was there and that was a message that was loud and clear at the scoping session for the PRI marine sanctuary proposal.”

Some village chiefs have expressed support and several residents of the territory sit on the Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Aila said that Wespac and other opponents of the sanctuary are overstating the potential impacts to the cannery and the fishing fleet in Pago Pago. A May 2023 study by University of California, Santa Barbara scientists found that purse seiners based in American Samoa spent just over 4% of their time over the past five years in the proposed restricted area.

Aila also asserted that Wespac tends to side with commercial fishing interests and notes it has been the subject of federal investigations — in 2022 it was ordered to pay back $837,000 of more than $1.2 mil­lion flagged by federal auditors the previous year.

But the tuna industry plays an outsized role in American Samoa’s economy and even the territory’s infrastructure. Businesses in the territory rely on the ships bringing in supplies for the StarKist cannery — which otherwise would probably rarely stop in the remote islands — to also bring in goods they need, keeping shipping prices in check. Tankers make fuel deliveries that are split up to run both the cannery and the territory’s electrical system.

“Their concern, in terms of the impact to American Samoa is I think legitimate, because they really have no alternative economy right now,” said Aila. “Unfortunately, past governments and the current government of American Samoa have allowed that condition to occur — therefore, they’re at the whim of the cannery. But in terms of the 4% of the fish that is caught in the proposed closed area, our science basically says that it shouldn’t impact the cannery and they should more than make it up in other areas.”

But Archie Soliai, director of marine wildlife resources for American Samoa, said that 4% of the fleet’s catch is no small matter in light of the sharp decrease in tuna hauls since 2007.

As fishing hauls have decreased, so has the size of the fishing fleet in Pago Pago, from once more than 50 vessels to now just 26. Soliai said that just last month, another Pago Pago-based boat was sold and re-flagged to another country by its new owner.

Meanwhile, China’s fleet has increased from 100 vessels in the region in 2007 to now over 520, not including Chinese owned and operated vessels registered under other countries’ flags. In some cases, former American Samoa fishing boats have in fact been bought up by Chinese companies.

In Mauga’s letter, he writes that the U.S. is “losing influence in the international fisheries management organizations … due to weakened U.S. fisheries. These impacts are exacerbated by the loss of U.S. fishing grounds as a result of monument designations.”

Protecting fish

Gaffney said he shares concerns about the Chinese fleet’s activities in the region, but from a different point of view. He notes that China has invested heavily in developing ports and other facilities in places like Kiribati, which in 2021 opened up the Phoenix Islands Protected Area — once one of the world’s largest marine life sanctuaries — to Chinese fishing companies.

“I think we also need to be worried because they are effectively convincing some of the Pacific nations to take their money and their construction in exchange for opening up their sanctuaries to Chinese fishing,” said Gaffney.

Gaffney said the sanctuaries are critical, citing the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument northwest of Hawaii. A 2022 study led by two University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers and published in the journal Science found that catch rates of yellowfin tuna increased by 54% in nearby waters around Papahanau­mokuakea, while catch rates for all fish species combined increased by 8%.

Gaffney said that demonstrates the benefit to fishermen, explaining “if you look at Global Fishing Watch, you’ll see a solid line of fishing vessels working the 200 mile boundary of the protected area.”

American Samoa’s government cites other studies that have mixed appraisals of the effectiveness of large, deep ocean “blue water” sanctuaries compared to those focused on reefs and seamounts. Soliai argued that rather than expanding sanctuaries, there should be an international effort to cap the number of fishing vessels various countries can have in a region. This would cut down on overfishing by large distant-water fishing fleets — like China’s — to restore balance.

There is also debate on how best to actually enforce protections and prevent illegal fishing on the high seas and in the American EEZ. In 2020, the Coast Guard declared illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing — or IUU — the top global security threat in the high seas, and since then has worked to step up operations in the Pacific.

Mauga wrote that “thousands of foreign fishing boats, predominantly Chinese, surround that PRIA region border and often encroach and illegally fish upon it.”

Officials in American Samoa assert the Coast Guard — which has 11 vessels and three planes assigned to Oceania — lacks sufficient resources to monitor the vast blue space. American Samoa officials and some members of Wespac have argued that small numbers of U.S. flagged fishing boats with permits to fish legally can help serve as lookouts for foreign vessels fishing illegally in the U.S. EEZ.

“You’ve got U.S. vessels that are out there that can see and report, ‘We saw these guys here, they shouldn’t be fishing in these waters,’” said Soliai. “I think that’s one of the advantages of allowing U.S.-flagged vessels to fish in our EEZ, which includes this monument expansion area.”

Under international regulations, all commercial fishing vessels in the region are required to use vessel monitoring systems such as the Automatic Identification System, or AIS, to report their locations. Gaffney argued that “basically, through a multitude of tools already in use, the waters of the PRI, and around the PRI, are being monitored. Therefore, the assertion that fishing in PRI by U.S. vessels is necessary to monitor and/or prevent potential incursions by foreign flagged vessels, is specious at best.”

But some vessels have been known to turn off their tracking systems or manipulate their signals.

Gaffney noted there is a push to bring other technologies into the effort to account for that. In May 2022, the leaders of the United States, Australia, Japan and India — a group known as “the Quad” — signed an agreement to launch the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness in hopes of boosting information-sharing between the countries, along with plans for a network of new high-tech sensors and satellites to track “dark” vessels and document activity across vast stretches of the Pacific and Indian oceans.

But regardless of who spots and reports illegal fishing, actual enforcement for violations still overwhelmingly falls to the flag country a vessel is registered to. Soliai said that’s a problem when those countries are unable — or unwilling — to make vessels in their fleets comply.

”I think we need to be more realistic with our efforts,” said Soliai. “If we’re serious about IUU, let’s do something about it.”