Explore, Experience, Enjoy!
– Take a tour of Maugaoali’i Government House the official residence of the Governor and First Lady.
– Visit the National Park of American Samoa on Tutuila and the Manu’a Islands.
– Take a drive from Pago Pago Harbor over to the village of Vatia and enjoy the breathtaking view of the harbor below.
– Drive towards the west and visit the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa at Fagatele Bay.
– Lunch at Utulei Beach and enjoy the spectacular view of Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain opposite.
– Experience some traditional Samoan food like palusami and taro found in some local eateries and at the new marketplace in Fagatogo.
– With a map in hand hop on a local bus and head east or west and take in the picturesque villages and explore.
– Visit a local church on a Sunday morning and enjoy the rousing sermons and melodic singing.
– Let’s go shopping for American and International goods at prices cheaper than anywhere else in the world and no sales tax to boot.
– American Samoa has an extensive US Naval History, so pick up a US Naval History and World War II Guide and explore and learn.
– Take a trip to the Manu’a Islands, half an hour flight east of Tutuila Island.
– Visit Ofu Beach in the Manu’a Islands voted one of the most beautiful undiscovered beaches in the world
– Catch a local alia boat for the short trip to Aunu’u Island and hike to the quick sand lake.
– Take a ride in a traditional ‘Fautasi’ or long boat with 40+ paddlers (see photo below).
– The view of Pago Pago Harbor from the water is one of the most spectacular in the Pacific, and nothing could be more so when you are viewing it from an outrigger canoe.
– Traditional Samoan garments, for women the puletasi (two piece long fitted blouse and skirt) and for men, Samoan Island shirt are great gifts to take home.
– Take a drive up to the mountain village of Aoloau and take in the grand views of the Tafuna Plain below and the northern Pacific Ocean.
– Take a visit to the Jean P. Hayden Museum in Fagatogo and view the exhibit of American Samoa’s link to the Apollo Moon Missions complete with moon rocks.
– There is nothing like the hustle and bustle of local market and the new Fagatogo Marketplace is a local favorite shopping spot.
– The thrill of catching some big game fish like tuna, marlin and sailfish is only a half hour boat trip from shore.

TAKE A TOUR
There’s nothing like taking a tour of a new destination to get a feel of what the place has to offer and get a glimpse and taste with the experts. So if you like high adventure, shopping or something more relaxing one of our many tour operators on island can help you out.

For those wanting to see nature at its best then North Shore Tours, South Pacific Watersports, Fitness ASAP and Samriel Aunu’u Island Getaway is who you need. The have a range of tours available from hiking the trails of National Park and Aunu’u Island, giving you a guide tour of all the rainforest flora and fauna, kayaking or taking a outrigger ride on Pago Pago Harbor and guiding you to some of the historic World War II sites around the island of Tutuila.

If its the adventure of the high seas you want with some game fishing for marlin, wahoo or masimasi or diving then Pago Pago Marine Charters are the boys you need to see. They have three boats available for hire with fully experienced captains to take you to some of the best untouched fishing and dive spots around Tutuila and the Manu’a Islands.

For those that prefer a guided tour is a local bus or private van Pago Pago Tradewinds Tours and Alofas Tours can arrange those for you. Everything from shopping tours, to visiting mountain villages and historic sites are just some of the itineraries they offer, as well as tailor made options as well.

American Samoa’s islands make up the eastern part of the Samoan Archipelago, whose people are Polynesian. Archaeologists state early Polynesians traveled from South East Asia into the Pacific populating the islands of the western Pacific from Papua New Guinea to Tonga and Samoa. It was from to Tonga and Samoa sometime later that they migrated east and populated the Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti and Rapanui (Easter Island) before heading north to Hawaii and south to Aotearoa (New Zealand) on the last legs of the great Polynesian migration. Today Samoan’s are regarded as the largest full blooded Polynesian race left in the world.

 

Fa’a Samoa or the Samoan way is the foundation of Samoan society culture and heritage. Aiga or extended family is the core of the Fa’a Samoa, where at the head of the family are matai or chiefs and each family member has their role to play in their tautua, or service to the extended family. Our customs and culture are over 3,000 years old and has changed very little over this period. The most major western influence accepted into Samoan custom has been Christianity which forms the spiritual basis of our society.

Fa’a samoa
Fa’a Samoa or the Samoan Way is the foundation of Samoan society culture and heritage. Aiga or extended family is the core of the Fa’a Samoa, where at the head of the family are matai’s or chiefs and each family member has their role to play in their tautua, or service to the well being of the extended family throughout life. Christianity is also a major foundation block in Fa’a Samoa.

Customs & culture
Fa’a Samoa customs and culture are over 3000 years old and have changed very little over this period. The most major western influence accepted into Samoan customs has been Christianity which forms the spiritual basis of our society.

Our culture and customs are based around the mutual respect given to our elders, the church, visitors, and the extended family.

Matai or chiefs make up the heads of the extended family units and each person has their duties to play in the well being of the family and its members and come together when ever needed.

Pago Pago Harbor is a regular stopover for cruise lines either on around the world voyages or seasonal repositioning cruises to Australia, North American and Asia.

Cruise lines that visit include – Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourne, Silversea, P&O Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line Phoenix Reisen, Royal Caribbean International and Japan Cruise Line.

So if you’re planning a cruise and want take a voyage that includes a visit to American Samoa below we’ve listed confirmed sailings to date over the next few years.

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is one of 14 federally designated underwater areas protected by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Of all the areas in the National Marine Sanctuary System, the American Samoa sanctuary is the most remote, and supports the greatest diversity of marine life.

The sanctuary is comprised of six protected areas, covering 13,581 square miles of near shore coral reef and offshore open ocean waters across the Samoa Archipelago.

Of these, three areas are located on and near Tutuila are relatively accessible; Fagatele Bay and Fagalua/Fogama’a are along the southwest coast of the island, and Aunu’u Island is just southeast of Pago Pago Harbor. The other areas are remote and accessible only by boat.

The sanctuary includes deep water reefs, hydrothermal vents, some of the world’s oldest and largest Porites coral heads, rare archaeological resources, and also encompasses important fishing grounds. It is also the only true tropical reef within the National MarineSanctuary System.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the areas on Tutuila – hiking, swimming and exploring the magnificent reefs within the sanctuary.

While the other areas are open to the public, they require a reliable vessel and experienced captain for safe access.

These areas are important for scientific research and to protect unique natural and cultural resources.

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 in the United States. Located some 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, this is one of the most remote national park’s in the United States.

You will not find usual facilities of most national parks. Instead, with a bit of the explorer’s spirit, you will discover secluded villages, rare plants and animals, coral sand beaches, and vistas of land and sea. The national park includes sections of three islands – Tutuila, Ta’u, and Ofu. Almost all of the land area of these volcanic islands – from the mountains to the coast – is rainforest. About 4,000 acres of the national park is underwater, offshore from all three islands.

The NPS Visitor Center and exhibit is located Pago Pago across from the yellow Pago Pago Way gas station. Park Rangers are available to help you plan your visit to the National Park. Exhibits feature the natural and cultural resources of American Samoa.

Fa’a Samoa is strongly focused on respect and service and Samoans welcome the opportunity to share their heritage with visitors. So bearing this in mind we have listed some local protocols when you visit villages, beaches and scenic sites.

– Samoan’s are very religious and in some villages each day a “sa” or curfew is imposed during the evening prayer curfew (usually between 5.00pm and 6.30pm) depending on the village. Avoiding walking around the village during these curfews, which normally last about 30 minutes. Not all villages have prayer curfews, so ask someone before visiting during these times.

– Sunday in American Samoa is a day of worship, spending time with family and rest, so no work is done and people are asked to respect this day. All major shops are closed, but visitors can buy goods from the local villages stores found through the islands. Visitors are welcome to attend church and if you wish to do so please dress appropriately, a blouse and long skirt for the ladies and the men, shirt and trousers.

 

Behavior and Dress
– Wearing skimpy clothing around the village is not allowed, so please dress appropriately so not to offend your hosts and other residents.

– Nude and topless swimming or sun bathing is forbidden throughout American Samoa.

– Beach swimwear – bikini’s etc, are appropriate to wear while at the beach, but if you intend to go into the village please cover up by putting on a tee shirt or lavalava (sarong).

– When entering a fale (home) always remove your shoes or slippers at the door.

– Never stand inside a fale when elders are seated

– When sitting in a fale on a mat on the floor, sit crossed legged. If you cannot cross your legs, tuck them to the side and never point you feet at someone. If you cannot cross your legs at all, take a lavalava or mat and cover them while seated on the floor.

– Always ask permission from your hosts or someone before taking photos in a village.

– Tipping is not expected or customary in American Samoa. If you wish to leave a gift for good service, you are most welcome to do so.

– If you are not sure about protocols or what to do, simply ask your host or someone.

 

Beach Access and Donations
If you intended to stop off at a beach, also ask permission to use the beach at a nearby home as these are normally located on customary land. In some cases a small donation or fee is charged.