Travel in American Samoa – Hotels, American Samoa Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Vacationing In The Samoan Islands

a tropical beach hut in samoa, south sea

The Samoan Islands are an unincorporated part of the United States and is located in the South Pacific Sea. The island is comprised of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The islands are most frequently referred to as simply, Samoa. The inhabitants closely follow a tradition-oriented culture of social customs of hierarchies that evolved from its early European settlers.

The Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary is composed of a single coral reef ecosystem which is nestled inside an eroded volcanic crater on the island of The location is the smallest and most remote of all National Marine Sanctuaries and is located on the island of Tutuila. The National Marine Sanctuary has the only true tropical reef within the program. The sanctuary is home to a wide array of marine life including; turtles, whales, sharks and the most famous is the giant clams. The sanctuary was designed in 1986 by the American Samoan Government and protects 163 acres of bay area off the coast of Tutuila Island. The bay is an ancient flooded volcano with water visibility up to 70 feet and has a small bay with steep slopes of rare paleo-tropical rainforest. The fringed reef system contains more than 140 species of coral and related organisms that provide shelter for the wildlife found in the bay. Visitors are invited to tour the facilities with an experienced tour guide that will educated them about the treasures and the preservation efforts undertaken by the sanctuary.

In American Samoa tourists will fine the National Park of American Samoa. The US Government and Samoan village leaders designated some of the finest seascapes and the islands land to be used for a national park area. There are a series of three parks located on four separate islands. Lata Mountain on the island of Ta'u, has wild and remote forests, streams and a rugged coastline. Ofu and Olosega have the most easily accessible coral reefs and miles of some of the best beaches and coastlines found in the area. Tutuila is accessible by road and has abundant wildlife, forests and a scenic coastline. All four of the islands are made from extinct volcanoes and have rugged peaks and unique ecological dimensions.

Blunt Point on the island of Tutuila used to be the World War II training site for the US Marines. The most poignant reminders of this era are the two large six-inch naval guns that have been mounted to Pago Pago Harbor since 1941. The area is accessible for tourists on a foot path behind the oil storage tanks at Utulei. There is a set of steps that lead to the top of the site and the guns sit on a ridge, providing an excellent vantage point for viewing the ocean below. This attraction is a bit out of the way, but well worth the effort to get there.

For those who enjoy shopping the Pago Shopping Plaza to the west of Fagatogo is ideal. Here tourists can find Samoan artifacts, seashells and corals. In the visitor center guests are invited to watch a one-hour video which explains the history and culture of the island and then there is a question and answer session with a knowledgeable and friendly staff.

There are many wonderful lodges and inns on the island that offer visitors suitable and comfortable accommodations. The Tradewinds Lodge has a friendly staff and provides some of the best hospitality to be found on the islands. The Sinalei Reef Resort is the top resort in Samoa and offers guests access to the beautiful Maninoa Beach, rock gardens and a swimming pool. American Samoa has a tradition of warmth and congeniality, the islanders have a welcoming society and invites visitors with open arms.