Тhe only U.S. territory south of the equator, American Samoa had been heavily influenced by American culture over the past fifty years. Despite this, however, visitors to the islands can still experience much of the native culture as well as the beautiful South Pacific landscape. In 1988, President Reagan created the National Park of American Samoa. This park, which spreads across three islands, is home to many different types of plants and birds. The small village of Vatia provides basic accommodations and tours for park visitors. Nearby is The Pola, a tiny island inhabited only by seabirds. A number of forest birds and two rare species of fruit bat are found in the Amalau Valley. The park’s most easily accessible section is on Tutuila and visitors to this part will enjoy its protected coral reefs and ancient rainforests.
Travelers to American Samoa will also delight in the territory’s beautiful white sand beaches. One of the most spectacular stretches of sand is found on the south coast of Ofu. The shore is over miles long, and its waters are part of the national park where snorkelers and divers may see some of the 150 species of coral and 300 species of fish. Several operators offer a variety of tours around the islands. Some options include shoreline hiking with visits to blowholes and tide pools, reef walking, wildlife treks, and kayaking. Visitors to the islands may also enjoy a tour of native villages. Guests to these villages are treated to live Polynesian bands, craft demonstrations, and native food.
More independent-minded travelers may prefer to explore on their own. A good starting place is the Jean P. Haydon Museum of American Samoa. Housed in a former U.S. Navy Commissary building, the museum has cultural artifacts such as war clubs and kava bowls on display as well as several traditional thatched, open-sided buildings called fales. There are also natural history exhibits which showcase some of the native plants and animals. After the museum, visit the Fagatogo Market with its selections of locally-grown coconuts, breadfruit, and bananas. To get out into the territory’s wilderness, take a hike to Mount Alava. Although the trail is sometimes overgrown, the views of Rainmaker Mountain and Pago Pago Harbor are magnificent.
As a training area for U.S. Marines during World War II, American Samoa still has a number of relics from that era. Some of the most prominent pieces are found at Blunt’s Point near the mouth of Pago Pago Harbor where two huge six-inch guns have kept watch over the water since 1941. A more recent addition to the islands is the aerial tramway that takes visitors across the Pago Pago Harbor. Originally built in 1965, the cableway has been rebuilt several times. Excellent views of the island are available from its cable cars. To see the industrial side of the islands, it is often possible to arrange a tour of the Samoa Packing Plant, one of the two local tuna canneries which provide most of the territory’s exports.
Getting around on the island of Tutuila is fairly easy. Renting a car is a good way to see the island as are the local buses. The Fagatogo-to-Tula bus makes the fourteen-mile trip from the Fafatogo Market to the beaches of Tula. A similar bus takes passengers to the Leone Village, a small town with a beautiful waterfall as well as a number of South Sea churches and historical remains. Two small airlines operate flights between the islands as well as to other South Pacific destinations.
