Summary
$0
Entrance fee
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is October–November, when around 25% of annual visitors arrive. For lighter crowds, aim for June–August.
Plan Your Visit
Ocean & Terrain SafetyStrong currents▾
Getting to the Park3 islands, no fee▾
TutuilaMain visitor center
Pago Pago
Reached by international flight; the park visitor center and most of the rainforest/coastal trail units are here, accessible by car, taxi, or local bus.
Ofu & Ta'ūManu'a Islands
Fly or ferry from Pago Pago
Samoa Airways flies to Ofu and Fitiuta airports roughly 3x/week (~$310 round-trip); the MV Manu'atele ferry runs about every two weeks ($60 round-trip). Ofu's reef is considered one of the best-preserved in the National Park System.
Things to Do5 categories▾
Hiking Trails6 trails▾
Pola Island TrailEasy
Short, fairly flat trail from Vatia Village to a rough, rocky beach facing Pola Island's seabird nesting cliffs
0.1 mi RT
Lower Sauma Ridge TrailEasy
Interpretive walk to an archeological star mound site with views of the Vai'ava Strait National Natural Landmark
0.4 mi RT
Tuafanua TrailModerate
Switchbacks from Vatia Village through rainforest, descending ladders and ropes to a secluded rocky beach
2.2 mi RT
Mount 'Alava TrailChallenging
Full rainforest climb from Fagasa Pass to panoramic summit views across Tutuila; fruit bats and native birds along the way
7 mi RT
Mount 'Alava Adventure TrailChallenging
Ridgeline loop with 56 ladders and 783 steps, descending to Vatia Village before looping back to the trailhead
5.6 mi RT
Si'u Point TrailModerate
Old-road trek on Ta'ū past the culturally significant Saua site to the island's southeast tip
5.7 mi RT
Snorkeling & Diving4 sites▾
Ofu IslandFly/boat via Ta'ū
Crystal-clear water and a shallow fringing reef close to shore, suited to beginners and experienced snorkelers alike
Fagatele BaySnorkel & dive
Protected National Marine Sanctuary bay on Tutuila with sea turtles, sharks, and vibrant coral
Aunu'u IslandOff Tutuila
Remote spot off Tutuila with less-visited coral formations and abundant marine life
Alega Beach & Taema BankCharter/own gear
Recommended dive sites on Tutuila's south coast — easy shore access at Alega, deeper reef walls at Taema Bank
Wildlife Viewing2 ways▾
Flying FoxesIslandwide
Two fruit bat species (Pteropus samoensis & P. tonganus) with wingspans up to 3 ft, active by day and night over the rainforest canopy
Marine WildlifeWhales seasonal
Sea turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, and (seasonally) migrating humpback whales visible while snorkeling or diving
Village Life & Fa'a Samoa2 ways▾
Village EtiquetteLocal custom
Ask permission before photos, beach use, or hiking in villages; pause quietly during evening prayer (sā); Sundays are reserved for church and rest
Homestay ProgramFee varies by host
Stay with a Samoan family in a traditional fale on Ofu or Ta'ū, coordinated in advance with the visitor center
Bird WatchingTop 5 species▾
Pacific Kingfisher
Ti'otala · Pola Island overlook
Samoan Starling
Fuia · rainforest canopy
Pacific Imperial Pigeon
Lupe · native rainforest
Samoan Myzomela
Vivid red, easily seen
Wattled Honeyeater
Iao · native forest
Islands & Ecosystems3 distinct units▾
Tutuilalowland ridge forest▾
Mount Alava Trail
Ridge-line hike above Pago Pago Harbor with sweeping views
Ofucoral reef beach▾
Ofu Beach
Widely considered one of the most pristine snorkeling reefs in the entire park system
Ta'ūcloud forest▾
Lata Mountain
American Samoa's highest point, cloaked in cloud forest — the most remote and least-visited park unit
Park Contact Information