american samoa tourism office

Entry Requirements

Be sure you know the immigration laws of American Samoa before traveling.

All visitors to American Samoa require a valid passport, return ticket or onward ticket and sufficient funds to support their stay. US Citizens and US Nationals do not require a visa and may enter and leave freely, with return or onward tickets.  Australian, New Zealand and citizens of the United Kingdom upon entering American Samoa are issued a 30 day permit under the US Visa Waiver Program. All other international passport holders intending to visit American Samoa for business or holiday are required to apply for an entry visa.

American Samoa is the only United States Territory that has retained oversight of its own borders and the Department of Legal Affairs is tasked with protecting our borders and regulating travel to and from the Territory. Specifically, the Immigration Office ensures lawful entry of all travelers into and out of the Territory.

Immigration officers are stationed at all ports to ensure all travelers entering or departing American Samoa have the proper travel documents. Our office is located on the first floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building (also known as “EOB”) in Utulei.

ENTRY PERMITS

Entry Permits are listed as follows:

• 7 Day Permit – Applicable only to travelers from the Independent State of Samoa and only as a block permit. A minimum of ten (10) travelers is required for issuance of a block permit. Click here  for more information. 

14 Day Permit – Applicable only to travelers from the Independent State of Samoa. Click here  for more information.

• 30 Day Permit – Applicable to all foreign travelers. Click here for more information.
• Multiple Entry Permits – Applicable only to business travelers with affiliations or ties to local businesses.  Click here for more information.

For further information contact the Attorney General’s Office, phone +1 (684) 633-4163.  Or visit the Immigration Office website here .  Email the Immigration Office for further information at immigration@la.as.gov . 

Don’t even think about bringing drugs to American Samoa .  The customs officers are highly trained to spot drug carriers.  There are dogs at the airport and post office that reliably find drugs.  The penalties for drug smuggling, possession and use are absolutely horrendous.  Marijuana is not legal for any purpose.

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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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.

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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Alerts in effect, explore the islands of sacred earth.

The National Park of American Samoa welcomes you into the heart of the South Pacific, to a world of sights, sounds, and experiences that you will find in no other national park. Enjoy this unique national park and the welcoming people of American Samoa. We are here to protect its rich culture and natural resources. Come explore them with us!

When you aren't snorkeling, enjoy a walk in the sand or relax in the shade along this quiet and remote beach.

Because fa'asamoa is important to this park, subsistence farming is allowed on some parklands. You will see small plantations around.

This park is home to over 35 resident and migratory species, including seabirds, water birds, forrest birds, and shorebirds.

The Samoan fruit bat has the habit of flying during the day as well as at night and usually seen roosting.

The daughter of a high chief in a village.

Fine mats are used for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and the bestowing of chiefly titles.

Last updated: May 6, 2024

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National Park of American Samoa MHJ Building, 2nd Floor Pago Pago, AS 96799

684 633-7082 x22

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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 Guide to Visiting St. George, UT

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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Ofu Island's coral reef lies within the 13,500 acres of National Park of American Samoa, the first U.S. national park in the Southern Hemisphere.

Visit This Unique, Tropical National Park

The oft-overlooked American territory of Samoa is home to a national park spanning rain forest, beach, and coral reef.

Location: American Samoa Established: October 31, 1988 Size: 13,500 acres (9,500 land, 4,000 marine)

For some 3,000 years, the people of Polynesia's oldest culture have been keenly attuned to their island environment, holding it to be precious and managing it communally. The name they gave their land reflects their attitude: Samoa means "sacred earth."

Located roughly 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, American Samoa, a United States territory, comprises ten volcanic islands (five inhabited) and two coral atolls (one inhabited). In 1988 Congress authorized the land for a national park. In 1993, Samoan chiefs agreed to sign a 50-year lease that enables the National Park Service to manage an area of rain forest, beach, and coral reef on three islands. Samoans help manage the park, and their villages offer a few guest facilities (ask the park about its unique homestay program).

The park protects hundreds of plant species in five distinct rain forest communities: lowland, montane, coast, ridge, and cloud. It is the only such rain forest on American soil. Among the fauna visitors can see are tropical birds and the endangered flying fox—a fruit bat with the wingspan of a barn owl.

On Tutuila, American Samoa's largest island, lofty volcanic ridges overlook the deep blue waters of Pago Pago Harbor. Except for a few villages, and the scenic drive that skirts the harbor and the dramatic southern coastline, there is little level land. Atop this crumbled terrain and plunging steeply toward the sea on the island's northern side lies the park area—about 2,500 acres of land and some 1,200 acres of ocean.

Parkland on Ta'u, the easternmost island, encompasses about 5,400 acres—including Lata Mountain, American Samoa's highest peak—and 1,000 acres offshore. Unforgettable is the panoramic view from the cloud forest toward the rugged cliffs of the southern coast. Small, remote Ofu Island includes what many call American Samoa's loveliest beach. Its main attraction is the 350-acre coral reef.

How to Get There

There are flights to Pago Pago from Honolulu twice a week that take 5.5 hours. Time from California is about 14 hours, including a 3- or 4-hour Honolulu layover. From the airport, taxi or rent a car to the Sadie Thompson Inn, Sadies by the Sea Hotel, Pago Airport Inn, Tessarea Vaitogi Inn, Tradewinds, or Motu-o-Fiafiaga Motel. From any of those accommodations you can reach the park visitor center in Pago Pago by bus or car. Accommodations are also available on Ta'u, Ofu, and Olosega. To get to Ta'u requires about a half-hour flight from Pago Pago while Ofu visitors are transported to Ofu Island by local fisherman. Ofu's park begins at the edge of the airport; parkland on Ta'u is about a half-hour walk from the airport.

Any time. The islands are 14 degrees south of the Equator, giving them a hot and rainy climate year-round. The heat and rain abate slightly from June through September.

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How to Visit

Contact the park headquarters before you visit. For information, write National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799, talk by phone at +1 684 633 7082 ext. 22, or visit the website . You can also drop in at the visitor center, located in Pago Pago across from the Pago Way Service Station.

The National Park of American Samoa is the only National Park Service site south of the Equator.

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American Samoa

Travel guide.

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Things to See
• Best Restaurants
• Organized Tours
• Walking Tours

Planning a Trip in American Samoa

Visitor Information

The American Samoa Office of Tourism, P.O. Box 1147, Pago Pago, AS 96799 (tel. 699-9411; fax 699-9414; www.amsamoatourism.com), has offices inconveniently located in Tafuna, near the airport. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. The brochure of the National Park of American Samoa contains the best map of the territory .

The Delegate from American Samoa to the U.S. Congress (Eni Faleomavaega) also dispenses some tourist information. His address is: U.S. House of Representatives, 2422 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 (tel. 202/225-8577; www.house.gov/faleomavaega/index.shtml).

Entry Requirements

Except for Samoans, New Zealanders, and a few others, entry permits are not required for stays of up to 30 days. American citizens and nationals need valid passports or certified birth certificates (forget the birth certificate, you will need your passport to go home). Everyone else needs a valid passport and a ticket for onward passage. Women more than 6 months pregnant are not allowed entry.

Immunizations are not required.

Climate -- "It did not pour, it flowed," wrote W. Somerset Maugham in his 1921 short story "Rain," the famous tale of prostitute Sadie Thompson, who seduces a puritanical missionary while stranded in American Samoa. This description, however, applies mainly to Pago Pago, which, because of its location behind appropriately named Rainmaker Mountain, gets an average of over 500cm (197 in.) of rain a year. The rest of American Samoa enjoys a typically tropical climate, with lots of very intense sunshine even during the wet season from December to April. Average daily high temperatures range from 83°F (28°C) in the drier, somewhat cooler months of June through September to 86°F (30°C) from December to April, when midday can be hot and sticky. Evenings are usually in the 70s (20s Celsius) all year round.

Holidays & Events -- The biggest celebration is on April 17, when American Samoa Flag Day commemorates the raising of the Stars and Stripes over Tutuila in 1900. The second Sunday in October is observed as White Sunday; children attend church dressed in white and are later honored at family feasts.

Public holidays are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Mon in Jan), President's Day (third Mon in Feb), Good Friday, American Samoa Flag Day (Apr 17), Memorial Day (last Mon in May), the Fourth of July, Labor Day (first Mon in Sept), Columbus Day (second Mon in Oct), Veteran's Day (Nov 11), Thanksgiving (fourth Thurs of Nov), and Christmas Day.

United States currency is used in American Samoa. Samoan tala are not accepted, nor can they be exchanged here.

How to Get Local Currency -- The Bank of Hawaii and the ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank, both in Fagatogo, are open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm. Both have ATMs at their main offices, and ANZ has one in Pago Plaza, the shopping center at the head of the harbor.

Credit Cards -- American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diners Club are accepted by the hotels, car-rental firms, and airlines. Otherwise, it's best to carry cash to cover your anticipated expenses. No one here accepts Discover.

Getting There

From Samoa -- Polynesian Airlines (tel. 800/644-7659 in the U.S., 22-737 in Apia, or 633-4331 in Pago Pago; www.polynesianairlines.com), Inter Island Airways (tel. 42-580 in Samoa, 699-7100 in American Samoa), and South Pacific Express (tel. 28-901 in Apia, 699-9900 in American Samoa) fly between Faleolo Airport in Samoa and Pago Pago several times a day. I always fly on Polynesian because it is a licensed scheduled carrier while the others are charter airlines. Round-trip fares are about S$310 (US$124/£62) if purchased in Apia, US$155 to US$165 (£78-£83 plus taxes if bought in American Samoa.

For the adventurous, a relatively modern ferry, the Lady Naomi, makes the 8-hour voyage between Pago Pago and Apia at least once a week, usually leaving the main wharf in Apia at 11pm on Wednesday and departing Pago Pago's marine terminal at 4pm on Thursday for the return voyage. Tickets should be bought at least a day ahead. One-way fares from Pago Pago to Apia are US$60 (£30) for a seat, US$75 (£38) for a cabin. The Lady Naomi is operated by the Samoa Shipping Corporation, whose ticket office is on Beach Road, opposite the main wharf in Apia (tel. 20-935; www.samoashipping.com). The American Samoa agent is Polynesia Shipping Services (tel. 633-1211 ). Because the trade winds prevail from the southeast, the trip going west with the wind toward Apia is usually smoother.

From Other Countries -- The only international carrier serving American Samoa is Hawaiian Airlines, which flies from several U.S. West Coast cities to Pago Pago, with a change of planes at Honolulu. Otherwise, you can fly to Faleolo Airport in Samoa on Air New Zealand, Air Pacific, or Polynesian Blue, and then connect to Pago Pago.

Arriving & Departing -- Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) is near the village of Tafuna, about 11km (6 3/4 miles) west of Pago Pago. Taxi fare is about US$15 (£7.50) from the airport to Pago Pago harbor. The "Tafuna" local buses stop at the airport terminal on their way into Pago Pago. Bus fare is US75¢ (38p).

Departure taxes are included in the ticket price.

Seeing American Samoa as a Day Trip from Apia -- You can see American Samoa as a 1-day side trip from independent Samoa. The easiest way is to buy a package from Oceania Travel & Tours, at the Kitano Tusitala Hotel in Apia (tel. 24-443; fax 22-255). The US$350 (£175) per-person fee includes round-trip airfare, a guided tour of Tutuila island, and lunch. Oceania's American Samoa office is above the main post office in Pago Pago (tel. 633-1172 ).

To do it yourself, reserve a rental car in Pago Pago at least a day in advance (there is too much to see to rely on the bus system or even a taxi). Then fly early in the morning from Faleolo airport to Pago Pago. Go to the airline's office and reconfirm your afternoon return flight, then pick up your car. Drive into Pago Pago and take a stroll. Drive to the eastern end of the island, then backtrack to Pago Pago and have lunch. If you have time, drive out to the western end. Catch the last flight back to Apia.

Getting Around

Inter Island Airways (tel. 42-580 in Samoa, 699-7100 in American Samoa; www.interislandair.com), the local carrier, flies to the Manu'a Islands, but don't count on it. The territory always has trouble keeping a domestic airline flying.

By Rental Car -- The only international car-rental firm in American Samoa is Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 or 699-2746; www.avis.com), which rents air-conditioned models for US$70 to US$110 (£35-£55) per day, including unlimited mileage, plus an optional US$13 (£6.50) for insurance. Less reliable local firms include Sir Amos (tel. 699-4554 ), Friendly (tel. 699-7186 ), and Dollar Rental Car (tel. 633-7716; [email protected]). The latter is not affiliated with the international rental company of the same name.

Driving Rules -- Your valid home driver's license will be honored in American Samoa. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and traffic signs are the same as those used in the United States. The speed limit is 15 mph in the built-up areas and 25 mph on the open road.

By Bus -- Gaily-painted aiga buses prowl the roads from early morning until sunset every day except Sunday. Basically they run from the villages to the market in Pago Pago and back, picking up anyone who waves along the way. Some buses leave the market and run to Fagasa on the north coast or to the east end of the island; others go from the market to the west. None goes from one end of the island to the other, so you'll have to change at the market in order to do a stem-to-stern tour of Tutuila. Most drivers are helpful, so just ask how far they go in each direction. Fares are between US75¢ and US$2 (£38p/£1) per ride.

By Taxi -- There are taxi stands at the airport (tel. 699-1179 ) and at the Pago Pago market (no phone). None of the taxis have meters, so be sure to negotiate the fare before driving off. The fares should be about US$1 (50p) per mile.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT JOB LISTINGS

(Click on job to see complete posting)

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 JUNE

 View FestPAC13 American Samoa Delegation Booklet here

Notice of Intended Action to Amend Immigration Rule in the American Samoa Administrative Code Title 41 Chapter 11 (posted 6/04/2024)

Proposed Amendment of American Samoa Administrative Code (ASAC) 41.1102 (C)

RECENT MEDIA

PR001-06092024 - Day 3 Highlights of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture

PR001-06082024 - Day 2 Highlights of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture

PR005-06052024 - American Samoa Department of Commerce Dedicates Super Alia 'Tautai Mua': A Milestone in Local Fishing Advancement

IMPORTANT ASG LINKS

2023 Tax Forms Available Here:

American Samoa Department of Treasury

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

Official Opening of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture

The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture kicked off with a spectacular Wehena opening ceremony held at the Stan Sheriff Center. The event brought together representatives from 23 different Pacific Island nations to showcase their unique cultural heritage through music, dance, art, and more.

read more here

FestPAC13: American Samoa Delegation at 2024 Pacific Arts Festival in Hawaii

The  American Samoa Delegation is in Honolulu, Hawaii for the 2024 FestPAC Festival. Read about our representatives and Schedule of Events below.

read Delegation Booklet here

Fifth Atoa Executive Meeting Concludes with Commitment to Prosperity and Unity

the Fifth Atoa o Samoa drew to a close with the formal signing of its outcomes. Leaders from both Samoas convened to review the results of their collaborative efforts within various sectors and to solidify their next steps.

Fifth Samoa O Atoa Executive Meeting Outcomes

Read latest tapuitea newsletter asg news archives 2023 state of the territory comprehensive report 2024 state of the territory comprehensive report.