Discovering American Samoa means encountering a distinctive contrast: volcanic islands alongside protected areas on land and at sea. The territory includes five volcanic islands—Tutuila, Aunuʻu, Ofu, Olosega and Taʻū—as well as the Rose and Swains atolls. The National Park of American Samoa is also spread across several islands. Its sections are located on Tutuila, Taʻū and Ofu. Landscapes on land and marine experiences are thus part of different sides of the journey of discovery.
Volcanic Bays and Coastal Landscapes
Fagatele Bay and the Fagalua/Fogamaʻa bays lie on Tutuila’s southwest coast. Fagatele Bay is one of American Samoa’s snorkeling areas. Fagalua and Fogamaʻa form the inner western part of a bay area that stretches from Steps Point to Sail Point Rock. The two bays were formed by a flooded volcanic crater and are surrounded by steep, forested cliffs. Their shared formation links the two bays geologically, while they remain distinguishable as separate places within the larger bay area.
Protected Areas on Land and at Sea
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa consists of six protected areas covering a total of 13,581 square miles. Three of these areas are on and near Tutuila. The National Park of American Samoa is a separate entity: about 4,000 acres of the park lie underwater and immediately offshore from the three islands where its sections are located. Together, these protected areas show that marine life has its own place in the natural world of American Samoa alongside the islands’ landscapes.
In the Marine Sanctuary’s protected areas on Tutuila, visitors can hike and swim as well as explore the reefs; access to some Sanctuary areas requires a boat. Scuba diving in the Marine Sanctuary is also among the activities visitors can enjoy in American Samoa. Hiking in the National Park of American Samoa offers a different focus: exploring the park areas on the islands.
Museum, Historic Sites and Regional Cuisine
The Jean P. Haydon Museum is located in the Fagatogo Historic District. First Lady Jean P. Haydon, after whom the museum is named, founded it in 1970. Its collection includes fine woven mats more than 450 years old, as well as moon rocks that recall American Samoa’s role in the U.S. Apollo space missions. These exhibits bring together very different perspectives: ancient weaving and the history of spaceflight. In A’asu, a monument commemorates the 1787 Massacre Bay incident; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also experience the flavors of regional cuisine on a trip through American Samoa.
Two visitor centers are located in Pago Pago to help visitors find their way: the National Park of American Samoa Visitor Center is there. The Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center is a visitor center for the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Both provide practical points of contact at the destination and complement its nature and culture themes, while representing different protected areas.
Plan Your Arrival and Exploration
The National Park of American Samoa can be reached by flying to Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila. Smaller connecting flights to Taʻū and Ofu are available from there. Because flight connections and other transport options can change, check them before your trip. This lets you combine different areas of interest in your plans: the national park’s island sections, the coastal bays and protected areas, and the history showcased at the museum and monument.
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