American Samoa

Travel guide of American Samoa

The hidden, unspoilt gem of the South Pacific are the islands of American Samoa, the southernmost territory of the United States. Vulcanic islands covered with rainforest and a large territory of National Marine Sanctuary with rich coral and underwater life including the only atoll of Samoan Archipelago. Most services and the airport are located in the capital Pago Pago on Tutuila island, one of the five islands.

Useful information

Land

• South Pacific islands, the eastern part of Samoan Archipelago, located southeast of Samoa, only 80km from the shores of Upolu island
• half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
• 90% of the islands covered in tropical rainforest
• American Samoa is made up of 5 volcanic islands - Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu (Manu'a), Olosega and Ta'u and 2 coral atolls - Rose and Swains Islands
• total land area 76mi² / 122km², territory's total area 117.500mi² / 189.097km² including marine waters and 200mi exclusive economic zone
• the tallest peak of the territory is Mount Lata on Ta'u island - 3.170ft / 966m
• the tallest peak of the main island Tutuila is Mount Matafao - 2.142ft / 652m
• Pago Pago Harbor is regarded as the best natural deep harbor in the South Pacific, surrounded and sheltered by the mountain walls of 3 peaks: Mount Alava, Mount Matafao, Rainmaker Mountain

Climate & Weather

• average daily temperature 84-86°F / 29-30°C, warm ocean waters
• tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons, the wet and dry season
• wet season - usually November - March
• dry season - usually April - October

Travel season

• travel destination with suitable conditions all year round
• peak holiday season is June-August and December-January

Govermnent

• Pago Pago - the capital on the main island Tutuila
• American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior, American Samoa has a non-voting delegate in the US House of Representatives
• the chief of state is the president of the US
• Fono is the local Legislative Assembly consisting of the Senate with 18 seats and House of Representatives with 21 seats

Time zone

• UTC/GMT -11:00 (11 hours behind Greenwich Time)
• no daylight saving time (changing time)

Currency, payments

• US Dollar
• major foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport, Western Union retailers and the ANZ Bank
• two major banks on island, ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank (ANZ) and the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS)
• ATMs located around the island of Tutuila

Fly to American Samoa, airlines

• 5 hours flying time from Honolulu, Hawaii
• 35 minutes flying from Apia, Samoa
• destination operated by Hawaiian Airlines, Samoa Airways, Talofa Airways (2019)
• international airport in Pago Pago

Transport

• ferry service operated between Samoa and American Samoa once a week by Samoa Shipping Corporation
• local bus service
• car rentals, also international

Entry requirements

• passport valid for at least six more months and valid return ticket required
• U.S. Passport holders can travel freely to and from the Territory
• payment of 20 USD processing fee
• online application before travel to get "OK to Board"
• it is prohibited to work as a foreign press, radio, film, journalist, or other information media within the Entry Permit Waiver Program (EPWP) in American Samoa

Travelling since 2020

• Travel world changed in 2020 with the worldwide lockdown. Travel conditions are still being updated, airlines releasing new schedules, hotels and destinations applying new arrangements where necessary. As it is hardly possible to keep all relevant information on our websites up to date, we will inform you about current situation at the time of your request and of your journey.
• If the destination you choose is not yet accessible for travellers from your country, we will recommend a similar available option.

Duty Free

• travelers entering American Samoa may bring in 1 x bottle of alcohol (including wine), 1 x carton of cigarettes and 1 x case of beer
• amounts over these limits will be charged a percentage of duty by Customs

Electricity

• 110 volts using American power points

Population

• 55.000+ people
• Polynesian people, US patriotic
• the islands are thought to have been inhabited by people moving from the South East Asia at first to Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa, in the second wave from here to the Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti and Rapanui and in the third wave to Hawaii and New Zealand = called the great Polynesian migration
• Samoans are regarded today as the largest full blooded Polynesian race left in the world

Language

• Samoan and English spoken by over 95% of the population
• English is the main business language

Religion

• Christianity and local traditions

Dress

• light cotton summer clothing is recommended all year round
• swimwear is appropriate for the beaches but when going into the villages cover up or put on a t-shirt, shorts or wear a lavalava (sarong)
• if going to church on Sunday, slacks and shorts for men and a nice dress or blouse and skirt for women

Nature

• Ofu Beach in the Manu’a Island voted one of the most beautiful undiscovered beaches in the world
• The National Park of American Samoa is the only US Park in the Pacific
• Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary - one of just 13 conservation areas of the United States

National Marine Sanctuary

• one of 14 federally designated underwater areas protected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US
• the most remote sanctuary of the above, the only true tropical reef, supporting the greatest diversity of marine life
• comprises of 6 protected areas covering 13.581mi² / 21.856km² of nearshore coral reef and offshore open ocean waters across the Samoan Archipelago
• established in 1986 to protect the coral reef ecosystem of Fagatele Bay, extended in 2012 to include also Fagalua / Fogama'a bay also on Tutuila Island and the areas of Aunu'u, Ta'u, Swain Islands, Rose Atoll (named also Muliava by the residents of Manu'a) and Vailulu’u Seamount
• more than 150 species of corals, over 1.400 species of other invertebrates, variety of algae, seagrasses, humpback whales, hundreds of fish species, hawksbill and green sea turtles
• Fagatele Bay has the highest percentage of live coral cover around Tutuila Island, together with Fagalua / Fogama'a bays are also home to schools of damselfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, grouper and snapper
• possible to go hiking and snorkeling at own risk, permission from the family keeping the land is needed, an entrance fee might be requested
• Rose Atoll (approx 168mi / 270km East from the main island) or Muliava as known by Samoans - one of the smallest atolls in the world, the only one in Samoan Archipelago, southermost point of the United States
• Muliava sanctuary area comprises of the waters around Rose Atoll and Vailulu'u Seamount, the only hydrothermally active seamount within the Exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Rosa Atoll National Wildlife Refuge of the land and lagoon waters are separate from the sanctuary
• Rose Atoll is home to 270 species of reef fish and unique plant life plus bird life only found on this atoll, access is only for scientific and research purposes, permission from the US Fish & Wildlife Service necessary

The National Park of American Samoa

• authorised by US Congress in 1988, established officially in 1993 when a 50 year lease was signed with villages and the American Samoa Government
• 10.500 acre park spread over 3 sectors on 3 islands - Tutuila, Ta'u and Ofu
• almost all the land is rainforest
• about 2.500 acres of the park is underwater, offshore the 3 islands
• guided walks or hikes are possible to arrange with the National Park Visitor Centre in Pago Pago, a Home Stay Program is also available with a number of families in the villages surrounding the Park

Ecology

• eco-tourism destination, mostly untouched nature and undiscovered holiday paradise
• authentic experience of local life while staying at local people offering home stays

Culture & Traditions

• culture over 3000 years old
• the only strong foreign influence has been Christianity, which is now the spiritual basis of the society
• the customs are based around the mutual respect given to elders, church, visitors and aiga, the extended family
• check also the website of Samoa to find out more about the culture

Faa-Samoa - the Samoan way of life

• strong local culture based on family units aiga where Matai are the Chiefs and every member has their role to play in their tautua, service to the big family
• Samoans are wise people connected to their land and nature

Shopping, souvenirs

• retail outlets on the main island of Tutuila including a couple of shopping malls, Fagatogo Square and the Laufou Center
• Fagatogo Marketplace is a local favorite shopping spot
• a couple of US mainland stores such as Cost U Less and Ace Hardware
• boutiques and stores offering traditional Samoa handicrafts, but also US made clothing at very cheap prices
• shops are open Monday to Friday between 8.30AM - 4.30PM, on Saturdays 8.30AM-2PM, some bigger stores possibly longer
• most shops are closed on Sundays
• traditional Samoan garments, for women the puletasi (two piece long fitted blouse and skirt) and for men, Samoan Island shirt are great souvenirs to take home

Sports, activities

• take a ride in a traditional Fautasi or long boat with 40+ paddlers
• popular for hiking in the rainforest mountains
• water sports, f.e. kayaking, snorkeling
• fishing

Food, cuisine

• alike Samoa, being the same culture
• experience some traditional Samoan food like palusami and taro found in some local eateries and at the new marketplace in Fagatogo
• lunch at Utulei Beach and enjoy the spectacular view of Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain opposite

Special tourism

Accessible Tourism

• for visitors facing any challenges or disabilities we are ready to provide the best available options of transport, accommodation and services following their individual requirements
• let us know your special needs, we are happy to assist in creating a great holiday package fit for you

Events

• Olympic Day - June
• R.I.P. Tide Lantern Ceremony - June
• the Fourth of July - US Independence day
• Youth Day - July
• Tisa’s Tattoo Festival - October
• Samoana Jazz and Arts Festival
• Siva Afi (Fire Knife) Competition - November

Accommodation

• wide range of accommodation facilities spread around Tutuila and Manu'a Islands catering to all budgets
• mainly smaller hotels and accommodations, don't look for typical beach resorts here