American Samoa National Park Travel Guide: Tutuila & Ofu
Updated: 4 days ago
American Samoa National Park in American Samoa is one of America's premier outdoor sanctuaries. Encompassing 8,257 acres of protected wilderness, the park is celebrated for South Pacific tropical rainforests, coral sand beaches, paleotropical fruit bats, and Samoan cultural heritage.. Whether it is your first trip or your fifth, this guide covers the essentials for getting there and getting around.
"South Pacific tropical rainforests, coral sand beaches, paleotropical fruit bats, and Samoan cultural heritage."
How to Get to American Samoa
Reaching American Samoa takes some planning: most travelers fly into Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila, usually by way of Hawaii or Samoa. On Tutuila, rental cars, taxis and local buses get you around the island. To reach Taʻū or Ofu, you will need a small plane or a boat, and schedules change often, so plan inter-island travel carefully.
Know Before You Go
There is no entrance fee, but many trails and beaches cross village land, so ask permission and follow local customs. Cell service is limited in deeper sections of the park, so download offline maps before entering. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and respecting native wildlife.
Village Etiquette
Most of the park is village land, leased to the park, and the people who live there still use it. Ask before you swim, picnic or take photos near a village, dress modestly, and sit down before you talk with someone who is seated.
Sunday Tip
Sunday is a day for church and rest across the islands. Plan a quiet day, skip the beach and loud activities near villages, and go hear the singing at a church service if you are invited.
Best Time to Visit American Samoa
The best time to visit American Samoa National Park is May – October, the drier season, with more sun and calmer seas for snorkeling. The wet season, November to April, brings heavy rain and the chance of tropical cyclones.
Best Things to Do in American Samoa
Snorkeling, ridge hikes and time in the villages are the heart of any visit here. Key highlights include the reef off Ofu Beach, the sea cliffs around Pola Island near Vatia, the views of Rainmaker Mountain (Mount Pioa) over Pago Pago Harbor, and the park visitor center in Pago Pago.
Best Hikes in American Samoa
Hiking is the quintessential way to experience American Samoa National Park. Trails are few, steep and often muddy, from short beach walks to hot, humid ridge climbs. Top picks include the Mount ʻAlava Trail for views over Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain, the short coastal trails near Vatia, and the beach walk at Ofu.
Places to Stay
There are no park lodges; most visitors stay in small hotels and guesthouses around Pago Pago, and village homestays are another way to learn about fa'asamoa. Check the National Park Service website for current lodging and camping options, and bring cash, since cards are not widely accepted outside Pago Pago.
Fast Facts
Location: American Samoa
Established: 1988
Size: 8,257
Annual Visitors: 2,000
Key Attractions: Rainmaker Mountain (Mount Pioa), Ofu Beach Coral Reef, Pola Island, Mount Alava Trail
Sources
Photos
Ofu Beach. Photo: NPS / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
NPS & Government
