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American Samoa is a collection of seven islands administered and influenced by the USA and lying about 100 km to the south east of Upolu Island in Samoa. Tourism is extremely low-key and there are few holiday resorts. There are daily flights from Faleolo Airport on Upolu Island to Pago Pago Airport on Tutuila Island, taking about 50 minutes, as well as direct international flights from Hawaii with connections to Los Angeles. Tutuila Island is by far the largest and most populated island of the group. Its coast is rugged, with few beaches and its mountains steep and covered in tropical rain forest. The international airport lies on the south coast of Tutuila Island about 35 minutes drive from the capital town of Pago Pago.
Pago Pago is the main centre and capital town for American Samoa set against steep mountains and a deep and extremely attractive harbour..Pago is a rather seedy place dominated by two large tuna canning factories, one which closed down in 2009 leaving almost 2,500 people unemployed. Pollution of the stunning harbour has recently been addressed and a conscious National clear up campaign has helped its image. The town retains its clapboard buildings and red light district so romantically written about by Somerset Maughan in his book Rain. The town is backed by the towering Matafao Peak (known affectionately as The Rainmaker), the highest point on American Samoa, standing at 653 metres and has the beautiful Nuuili waterfall at its base.. There are few distinct attractions about Pago except for the fine views offered from its hills.
There are several hotels and inns in downtown Pago Pago, all relatively expensive compared to Samoa, the most upmarket being Sadie Thompson Inn. One of the icons of American Samoa is the old Rainmaker Hotel (now Sadie's by the Beach), set alongside a picturesque beach just south of town.
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Sadie's by the Sea, American Samoa
A$ 159 per couple
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Set on a pretty beach overlooking Pago Harbour, the 40 refurbished rooms of this old hotel offer a comfortable base for those looking to explore American Samoa. There's a restaurant at the resort or its a five minute drive into downtown.
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Sadie Thompson Inn, American Samoa
A$ 120 - 195 per couple
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An iconic inn in central Pago Pago with comfortable rooms, 24-hr reception and an atmospheric restaurant and bar. This is the best choice for business travellers visiting town and walking distance to local bars and restaurants.
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Almost the entire north coast is inaccessible except for three roads that lead over the hills into three separate bays. One of these is Vatia Bay in the heart of the National Park. The access road for Vatia starts at the east side of Pago Pago harbour directly across the bay from Pago Pago Town and leads up through Afono Pass. From the Pass, there are splendid views back to Pago Pago and the harbour as well as looking north into the Park. The highlight of the journey into the Park is the stunning view of Vatia Village with its twin volcanic peaks looming above and the rocky Polar Island. A track leads from the village along Vatia Bay to the tip of Pola Island.
The main tourist attraction of Tutuila is its splendid tropical scenery and coastal views. The scenic south coast road extending west from the airport to Cape Taputapu and beyond to Fagamalo Village at the end of the road is particularly beautiful. The historical whaling town of Leone has several ancient archaeological sites including its rock quarries in the hills above town and the grinding holes along the coast where rocks where fashioned into tools. Beyond Leone, the coastal road winds through small fishing villages up and over coastal hills with panoramic views. The road from Pago Pago to Fagamalo Village takes about two hours one way.
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Tradewinds Hotel, American Samoa
A$ 150 - 242 per couple
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Tradewinds Hotel (Quality Inn) offers accommodation to an international standard with rooms from family units to presidential suites, all with teak furniture and satellite TV's. Located close to airport, ideal for business people and those wanting to explore the island.
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Another stunning coastal drive heads west from Pago Pago, also along the south coast. Alega Beach has perhaps the most picturesque beach on Tutuila although the surf here can be dangerous for all but the best swimmers. Further along the coast are several other picturesque beaches including Pyramid Rock and the sweeping beach at Tula Village at the very eastern point of the island. The weather station nearby at Cape Matatula has stunning views along the south coast to Aunuu Island and along the remote north coast to Pola Island and the National Park. There is no access road along the north coast with the coastal highway stopping at the village of Onenoa.
The Manu'a Islands, 100 km to the east of Tutuila is a stunning collection of three islands with superb scenery and is the traditional birth place of Samoa with lots of interesting archaeological sites. The main island is Ta'u, 15 sq. miles in size half of which is administered by the National Park of Samoa. The Park offers excellent bird life and incredible sea cliffs rising over 3000 feet from sea level. Neighbouring Ofu has a stunning white sandy beach, over 2 miles in length, with excellent snorkelling offshore and a couple of rudimentary guest houses.
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