| National Park of American Samoa | |
Things to Do:
The National Park of American Samoa includes sections on three islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta'u. To make the most of your visit, stop at the park visitor center in Pago Pago on Tutuila. Activities within the park include hiking, scenic driving, wildlife viewing, snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, and fishing.
Tutuila
The volcanic island of
Tutuila is the largest of the seven islands (five volcanic islands and two
atolls) that comprise American Samoa. Pago
Pago Harbor, a collapsed volcanic caldera is one of the largest natural harbors
in the South Pacific. It cuts deeply into the south-central coast almost
dividing the island in two. From east to west, a steep mountainous spine runs
the 20-mile length of the island, punctuated in places by notable summits
including Matafao Peak, Tutuila's tallest mountain at 2,142 feet; North Pioa
Mountain, popularly known as Rainmaker Mountain, 1,718; and Mount 'Alava, the
steep ridgeline looming to the north of Pago Pago Harbor, marking the south
boundary of the park area.
A scenic road leads from Pago Pago to the north coast. Allow a few hours for this drive, including stops. You may wish to stay in overnight in the villages next to the park, but prior arrangements should be made. Along the road there are panoramic views, especially from Afono Pass. The Amalau Valley is a good place to watch above the trees for flying foxes (aka fruit bats). There is a foot trail out towards Pola Island from the village of Vatia.
Mount Alava lies to the north of Pago Pago Harbor. A hiking trail along the maintenance road leads to the 1610 foot summit; the trailhead is located at Fagasa Pass, a short drive west of Pago Pago. The hike is 6 miles round trip; allow 3 hours for your hike up and 2 hours for your return to the pass.
About one mile southeast of Tutuila's eastern tip is the volcanic island of Aunu'u the smallest of the inhabited islands; it can be reached by boat and explored by foot in a day. After you visit the National Park, visits to the east and west ends of the island will reveal more island and ocean scenery and insights into Samoan culture.
Manu'a Islands
The Manu'a Island group includes the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega (joined
by a bridge), and Ta'u. These islands lie 60 miles east (a 30-minute flight on a
small plane) from Tutuila; flights are available between Ofu and Ta'u. These
islands are sparsely populated - each village has only a few hundred people.
Visiting Ofu
A section of Ofu's pristine shoreline and fringing reef is protected
within the National Park. The beach is fine coral sand, ideal for walking long
stretches uninterrupted. Coral communities are some of the prettiest in the
South Pacific, offering an ideal place to observe hundreds of species of fish,
corals, and other marine life. Visitors planning to snorkel should bring their own
gear
from Tutuila. There is
also and excellent view of Lata Mountain (3,170 feet) on Ta'u, the tallest peak
in American Samoa.
Visiting Ta'u
The park area includes the southeastern half of Ta'u. Visitors can stay
overnight in the village of Fitiuta on the northeast coast or in Faleasao or
Ta'u in the northwest. Rental cars are available locally. Recommended
activities include a visit to Saua, a sacred site considered by many to be the
birthplace of the Polynesian people, and a hike along the beaches on a
plantation road southward from Fitiuta. If you hike in remote areas, go with a
guide. Park staff may be able to arrange a guide service. (Ta'u is where
anthropologist Margaret Mead conducted studies in the 1920's for her
controversial book Coming of Age in Samoa.)
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National
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