Why American Samoa for a Honeymoon
Couples who come here tend to be hikers, snorkelers or simply curious. The islands reward all three. The National Park of American Samoa protects rain forest, cliffs and reef on Tutuila, Ofu and Ta'u. It is one of the least visited parks in the whole system, which means you can climb to a summit or float over coral without anyone else in sight.
The park exists on land leased from village councils rather than bought, because nearly all land here is held communally by extended families. That arrangement shapes the whole experience. Villages sit inside or beside the park. You will meet people on every trail.
The scenery is outsized. Rainmaker Mountain towers over Pago Pago Harbor, flying foxes glide over ridges at midday and on Ofu a thin strip of white sand fronts a lagoon of clear water and coral. Picture an afternoon floating over coral at Ofu with the beach to yourselves and Olosega's cliffs behind you. It feels nothing like Hawaii, even though the flight is short.
Best Time to Visit
The islands are warm and humid all year, with temperatures in the low to mid 80s. Pago Pago itself is among the rainiest harbors anywhere, with around 200 inches a year as clouds stack against the surrounding peaks.
The drier, cooler season runs roughly from April or May through September, when southeast trade winds blow and humidity eases. That is the window for hiking and for flying out to Manu'a, since small planes and boats are less likely to be canceled. June to August is usually the most comfortable.
December through March is the wettest stretch. Tropical cyclones are possible from November to April. Downpours come fast and the trails turn to mud. Dengue occurs in the islands, so pack repellent. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for American Samoa. Flights and lodging do not swing much in price by season, so plan around weather and around the Hawaiian Airlines schedule. Flag Day in mid April brings fautasi longboat races and big celebrations, which can be a lovely time to be on Tutuila.
Where to Go
Tutuila is where you land and where most couples spend most of the trip. Our Tutuila guide covers the Mount Alava trail, Pola Island at Vatia, the south shore beaches and the few places to stay around Pago Pago Harbor.
Aunu'u, a tiny island off Tutuila's east end, is reached by small boat from Auasi. It has one village, a marsh and a crater lake. It makes a pleasant half-day.
The Manu'a group is the reason some couples come. Ofu and Olosega are joined by a bridge. The Ofu unit of the national park protects about two miles of beach and a coral lagoon at To'aga. Ta'u, next door, holds the largest and wildest part of the park, including Lata Mountain, the territory's highest point at 3,170 feet. Flights from Pago Pago to Ofu and Ta'u have been irregular for years and boats are informal, so treat Manu'a as a bonus, not the core of a fixed schedule.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1 to 3: Arrive in Pago Pago and settle in near the harbor. Drive the south coast west to Leone, swim off a village beach and watch the light change on Rainmaker Mountain.
Day 4: Cross to the north shore and Vatia for the Pola Island lookout, then hike part of the park trails nearby.
Day 5: Climb the Mount Alava trail for views over the harbor and both coasts.
Day 6: Take the small boat to Aunu'u for a village walk and a swim.
Days 7 to 9: If flights are running, fly to Ofu for three nights of snorkeling at Ofu Beach and doing very little. If not, spend the days on Tutuila's east end beaches and in the marine sanctuary waters.
Day 10: Return to Pago Pago for the flight home, or continue by short hop to Apia for a week in independent Samoa.
Budget and Costs
All figures below are approximate.
- Flights: the Hawaiian Airlines leg from Honolulu is the main cost. With limited seats it pays to book early.
- Hotels: Tutuila has only a few hotels and guesthouses. Expect roughly $150 to $250 a night for the better waterfront rooms, less for simple lodges. Ofu and Ta'u have only small guesthouses.
- Car rental: often $60 to $100 a day, with a limited fleet, so reserve ahead.
- Food: groceries are pricey because almost everything is shipped in. Local takeout and village market food is affordable.
- Extras: many beaches charge small fees, from a few dollars per person, paid to the family that owns the land. Bring cash.
There are few tours or packaged activities, which keeps costs down but means you organize most things yourselves. Tipping is not traditional in Samoan culture, though restaurants accustomed to visitors accept it.
Getting There and Around
Hawaiian Airlines flies Honolulu to Pago Pago, typically twice a week, in around five and a half hours. Pago Pago is one hour behind Hawaii. Independent Samoa, 80 miles away, sits on the other side of the date line, so a 40-minute flight from Apia changes your date by a whole day.
Bring your passports. American Samoa runs its own immigration check at Pago Pago International Airport, even for US citizens, so expect a line. Entry rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
On Tutuila, the colorful aiga buses are cheap and run along the main coast road from early morning until late afternoon, less on Sundays. A rental car gives far more freedom for trailheads and the north shore; driving is on the right and the island speed limit tops out at 30 mph.
For Manu'a, check current flight operators and schedules when you book. Boats between islands run when the sea allows.
Culture and Etiquette
Fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way of life, organizes everything here. Each extended family, or aiga, is led by a matai, a chief. Land belongs to families, which is why you pay a small fee to use a beach.
A few customs matter for visitors:
- Sa is a period of evening prayer, usually around dusk, announced by a bell or conch. Stop walking or driving through the village, stay quiet and wait for the all-clear.
- Sunday is for church and family. Many villages ask visitors not to swim or play music near homes.
- Dress modestly away from the beach. Wrap a lavalava over swimwear. Cover shoulders and knees in villages and churches.
- If you are invited into a fale, the open-sided house, sit cross-legged on the mats and avoid pointing your feet at anyone.
- Ask before photographing people or walking onto a village beach.
Talofa means hello. Fa'afetai means thank you. Both are welcome.
Quick tips
- Book flights first, then everything else: with two Honolulu flights a week your dates are set by the airline.
- Carry small bills for village beach fees, which many families charge for swimming and parking.
- Stop and wait quietly if a village bell rings at dusk; that is sa, the evening prayer time.
