Family Travel Guide to American Samoa: What to Expect, Eat, and Do
If you are looking for a quiet island getaway with lots of culture, a national park, new foods, friendly locals, and gorgeous beaches, consider adding American Samoa to your bucket list. Melinda Clayville from AmSamFam lives in American Samoa with her family and she shares what visiting families will love to see, do, eat, and explore on a visit to these beautiful islands in the South Pacific.
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“American Samoa is a great place to slow down and enjoy the pace of island life.”
Things to Note About Visiting American Samoa
The borders are currently closed due to the pandemic. Once the borders open, then flights will become available.
If you want to use a beach in American Samoa, you need to ask someone in that village if you may have permission to use the beach. It’s a way of showing respect for the land and the people.
Almost everything, including the beaches, is closed on Sunday.
Plan to stay and visit for at least a week. Make it two weeks if you can spare the time.
While in Tutulia, plan to ride an Inga bus around for a fun, immersive experience. These offer transportation around the central part of the island and have some limited hours including that they don’t run on Sundays.
Melinda and her family on the beach in American Samoa
What is the best way to get to American Samoa?
There are not any direct flights from the US mainland to American Samoa.
Many people add American Samoa to a trip to New Zealand or Australia.
Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline that flies from the US to American Samoa. They have two flights per week.
What are accommodations like in American Samoa?
Plan on spending most of your time on the main island of Tutulia.
Less than 10 Airbnbs.
Several hotel options.
There are hotels right in downtown plus a couple of hotels that are more remote and out on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Melinda’s Top 5 Reasons to Visit American Samoa
Visit the National Park of American Samoa. If you want to check all of the national parks off of you list, you’ll need a visit here to complete the trek. The park is on three of the islands (Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’u) but the most beautiful beach and the coral reef is on Ofu. Plan to take a quick flight from the main island of Tutulia over to Ofu to see the best part of the park
You get to experience authentic culture. American Samoa is not majorly influenced by tourism. You will experience a true island vibe without a lot of commercialism. There is traditional dress worn every day with great music and wonderful people.
You will receive a friendly welcome from the locals. American Samoans and genuinely generous, kind, and want to get to know others.
There is incredible snorkeling. Of course, the snorkeling in the national park on Ofu is spectacular but you will find beautiful places to snorkel throughout Tutulia too.
With amazing beaches, a culture center museum, ocean center, boat tours, and tour groups, you will not run out of fun things to do with your family while visiting.
Connect with Melinda!