American Samoa Travel Blog

One last stop before returning to the 50.

American Samoa is 6 hours south of Hawaii.  And 2 hours north of Tonga.  Sitting 14 degrees south of the equator.

I blogged about my wild flight here in my Tonga Blog …   Wow, what a way to arrive in American Samoa.

But now what?  I’m back in a US Territory.  Does it feel different ?  I cross the international date-line as I arrive.

I left Tonga on May 7th… two hours later I’m in American Samoa on May 6th. Kinda weird.

Immigration was unique.  I still had to fill out a form.  But,  they didn’t look very close.. they did put an American Samoa Stamp in my passport.  I don’t think they see many Americans coming in from Tonga.  Most flights only arrive from Hawaii,, once or twice a week only.  The airport is idle all other times.

My visit here is short.. just a 4 days to look around.  So this blog is at-best a starting-point if you plan a visit… but no-matter your plan,, this is a tiny island, with just a few things to do… be prepared for a remote experience.

First off.. No cell service. WTF?  I even had service in Papua New Guinea.. What’s that about ?  I ask Western Union to call my hotel.. NO airport taxi’s around .... the airport is empty.

I have booked Tradewinds Hotel. Making my arrangements easy .. the hotel rescues me from the airport.  Ahh. Cool.  There are more hotel choices here than Tonga offered (my last stop) …   But unless I jump to Manu’a (an out island) … this hotel is the best choice. 

American Samoa isn’t a normal tourist destination…not much here to do … it seems more of a curiosity.  And a history lesson.  They don’t promote tourism.

The highlight of my 4 day visit to American Samoa…. Was renting a car and driving the island. Easy to do.

Easy, great roads along the coast .. impossible to get lost,,,one road brings you to the far north/south of the island.

Beautiful lush mountain tower over the rugged coast line..  dramatic Kirst-like rocks just off-shore.  Loved the vibe of those Kirst’s … they created several beautiful sand beaches.  Very picturesque at times.  Two-dollar beach for example is gorgeous, even a little snorkeling is available there.

American Samoa has a large National Park, with some great mountain rainforest hikes.  But Unfortunately,. For my entire visit;  the weather brought rain and more rain.

It’s not beach or hiking weather.  To-bad,  the hiking could have been the best thing America Samoa has to offer. My-loss.

I stop in Pago Pago.. kinda cool..   at least to look at the Sadie Thompson Inn.  Check out the old 1928 silent movie.  I love old cinema… and this movie has great back-story.

My stop at Sadie’s prompts me to download W. Somerset Maugham’s stories about this island.  I’m reading them now,,  and about his fictional Sadie Thompson.  I’m digging that!!  A history lesson and great English author.

A funny experience driving American Samoa; was passing the Tuna Cannery – a big employer here.  Outside the cannery, along the road - a big statue of Charlie the Tuna.. 😊  Famous from the old-school TV commercials for canned Tuna fish.  I had to smile about that.

Remember those old Commercials ?

Sorry Charlie ?   or Tell them Charlie sent you!!! 

American Flags everywhere on the island.  Very inspirational. That’s another highlight.  Made me feel proud… Wonder why you never see this in the 50?

I stop at a volcanic rock coastline.  With powerful Pacific waves crashing.  If nothing else ... these views are spectacular.

Interesting to be walking along the calm harbor of Pago Pago, and 30 minutes later, walking on a black volcanic beach – with raging wild-side waves of the Pacific.  This is a tiny island.. it doesn’t take long to move around.

Parts of American Samoa remind me of Morea in French Polynesia – beautiful steep mountains with a ring-road and a few beautiful beaches ,,, and at other times it reminds of the big island in Hawaii with a volcanic rock coastline.

I walk to dinner from my hotel one night… being very cautious of the wild dogs.  The dogs are not cool here.  For example; During my drive around the island;  I stop to look at the National Memorial in Pago Pago.. but a pack of dogs chased me away ... they owned the park.. I withdrew. No one else was around.

Good food is hard to come by here ….  like many other small Pacific islands.. Places like Micronesia or Tonga the food options are poor .…. but, I had hoped for better food in American Samoa … Oh well, it’s an adventure. Another lesson.

I attempt to arrange scuba diving – hoping for the best.  Calling the only dive operator on the island.  He only offers full-boat charters.. No solo divers.  No other dive options; a failure.  Kinda sucks.. another island with reefs waiting to dive.  But no dive infrastructure.

If I ever return to American Samoa. I’ll make sure to immediately jump to an out island.  I’ve read  Manu’a islands may be a better experience.  But no dive infrastructure there either, yet it does have a better reputation for snorkeling and beaches. And - Maybe a little more authentic Samoan vibe.

My visit here didn’t highlight Samoan culture.. that is better experienced on Western Samoa.  American Samoa has lost most-all of that vibe (sadly).

My stay in American Samoa was short,, and I failed to enjoy the hiking due to weather.  So,, I can’t say I really enjoyed my visit.  Yet,  it was a great history lesson,  and continues to help me better understand the South Pacific and Polynesia.

Onward.