American Samoa National Park
Turquoise breakers crash against emerald sea cliffs draped in tropical rainforest at Ofu Beach, National Park of American Samoa.
🌲 Park Overview
Spread across three volcanic Pacific islands—Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū—National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park south of the equator. It preserves 13,500 acres of pristine tropical rainforest, coral reefs teeming with 1,000+ fish species, and Samoan culture that still beats through traditional villages (fono) and communal fishing grounds. With soaring sea cliffs, powder-white beaches, and banyan-shaded ridges, the park invites snorkelers, hikers, and cultural travelers into a living Polynesian paradise far from mainland crowds.
🌟 Fun Facts
The park leases 80 % of its land from village chiefs—Samoan matai—rather than owning it outright, honoring communal land customs.
Home to the Pacific’s deepest coral reefs (to 400 ft) recently surveyed by deep-sea submersible.
Endemic flying foxes (fruit bats) with 3-ft wingspans soar at dusk—important pollinators of breadfruit & mango.
Ofu Beach’s lagoon is rated among the world’s clearest snorkel waters (visibility 100+ ft).
📅 Best Time to Visit
Season
Weather
Highlights
Caveats
May – Oct (Dry)
75–88 °F, tradewinds
Calm seas, top snorkeling, Teuila cultural festivals (Sep)
Flights to Ofu limited (2 / wk); book early
Nov – Apr (Wet/Hurricane)
78–90 °F, humid, daily showers
Lush waterfalls, turtle nesting (Nov–Dec)
Heavy squalls, cyclone risk Jan–Mar; inter-island ferries cancel
🎯 Things to Do
Families
Tisa’s Barefoot Bar Reef Walk (Tutuila) at low tide; kids hunt sea cucumbers & starfish.
Junior Ranger booklet; earn pandanus-leaf badge.
Picnic & gentle swim at Vatia’s Two Dollar Beach (calm cove).
Adventure-Seekers
Mount ‘Alava Trail (5.6 mi RT via Cable Car route) for ridge rope-ladder sections & Pago Pago Harbor vistas.
Fly to Ofu Island for remote beach camping, snorkel 30+ coral species in one drift.
Ta‘ū Lata Mountain trek (6 mi RT) through cloud forest to 3,170 ft sea-cliff summit.
Photographers
Sunrise glow on Pola Island sea arch (Tutuila north coast).
Aerial-like lagoon blues from Ofu Airport runway walk (ask ranger for window).
Milky Way over Ofu Beach fale huts (dry-season new moon).
🥾 Top Trails & Reefs
Trail / Site
Dist. / Gain
Highlights
Mount ‘Alava via Vatia
5.6 mi / 1,200 ft
WWII cable car towers, ridge ladders, fruit-bat fly-over.
Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
0.5 mi loop
Blowhole, ancient star mound (tia seu lupe), coastal views.
Ofu Lagoon Snorkel
shore drift
Giant clams, manta rays, 30-ft vis—enter near ranger station.
Tuafanua Trail (Vatia)
2.2 mi RT
Rainforest to sea cliff with rope descents, secluded pebble beach.
👨👩👧 Kid-Friendly Extras
“Umu Day” cultural demo: earth-oven feast & dance at Fagasa village (arrange via park).
Coconut-leaf weaving lesson with elder “Aunty Moe” at Ofu ranger cottage.
Stamp three islands in Park Passport—rare bragging rights!
♿ Accessibility Notes
Visitor center in Pago Pago harbor ADA; ramp & tactile exhibits.
Limited accessible facilities on remote islands—inform rangers for boat boarding assistance.
Boardwalk to Blunts Point WWII guns (first 0.2 mi) paved & gentle.
🗓️ Itinerary Ideas
4-Day “Tutuila & Ofu Highlights”
Day 1: Arrive PPG → stop at Visitor Center → hike Blunts Point guns sunset.
Day 2: Early Mount ‘Alava hike → swim at Fagatele Bay Marine Sanctuary. Evening fiafia dance in Pago Pago.
Day 3: Fly to Ofu (9-seater) → snorkel lagoon, sunset on beach fale.
Day 4: Drift snorkel again, short hike to Ofu volcanic tide pools → return flight.
🧳 Planning Tips
Flights: Samoa Airways 2–4 / wk PPG→Ofu; weight limit 30 lb—pack soft duffel.
Transport: Tutuila has taxis/buses; rental cars limited—reserve. Roads left-hand drive.
Lodging: Homestays in Vatia & Fagasa; Ofu has NPS Ranger Station campground (bring food!).
Health: Reef-safe sunscreen mandatory; watch for stonefish—wear booties.
🚧 Permits & Rules
Backcountry camping free but arrange with village chief & NPS; follow fa‘a Samoa customs—dress modestly, no exposed midriff in villages.
No drones without FAA & village approval.
Do not touch coral or remove shells—fines enforced.
🌄 Compare This Park With
Virgin Islands NP: Similar reef snorkeling, but American Samoa offers Polynesian cultural immersion & volcanic backdrops.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP: Both Polynesian islands; Hawai‘i has active lava, Am. Samoa has pristine reefs.
Biscayne NP: Continental U.S. reef vs. remote South Pacific lagoon.
🔗 Internal Links
Blog – “Island-Hopping Logistics: Tutuila to Ofu on 30 Pounds of Luggage.”
Printable – “Coral-ID Bingo & Samoan Phrase Card.”
📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)
Inter-island Flight Packing Checklist
Mount ‘Alava Route Map
Reef Safe Sunscreen Guide
🔍 SEO Keyword Targets
Best time to visit National Park of American Samoa
Ofu Beach snorkeling guide
Mount ‘Alava trail ladders
Flights to Ofu from Pago Pago
Samoan umu cooking demo
American Samoa national park itinerary 4 days
Pola Island hike directions
Fagatele Bay Marine Sanctuary snorkeling
American Samoa wildlife fruit bats
Camping Ofu Island national park
National Park of American Samoa guide—reef-ringed islands, rainforest ridges, and living Polynesian culture—is now fully drafted in its own document. Let me know if you’d like any tweaks, or which missing park you’d like to tackle next!