Do you dream of a vacation that’s far away from the madding crowd, in a place with breathtaking, natural beauty? Islands that are replete with incredible beaches, towering cliffs, colorful coral reefs and a warm and friendly people? Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? This heavenly place exists and it is called American Samoa. A small group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, American Samoa is truly a tropical paradise. Everywhere you go there is something to dazzle your senses, and the relaxed and laidback ambience is just ideal for a total break from your everyday routine.

Pago Pago

The capital of American Samoa, Pago Pago, is located on the largest island of Tituila. Pago Pago features a stunning deep water harbor, which is actually a collapsed volcano crater. With a tiny population of around 4800, Pago Pago has a distinct character. Surrounded by towering mountains and a highway that passes by dozens of small, scenic beaches, Pago Pago is your first introduction to the many delights that American Samoa lays out for the entranced visitor. You can trek along the trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Alava or Mt. Matafao or take a stroll along the highway around the harbor, which has many beaches on the southern approach and is ideal for swimming. The curving coastline is dotted with coves and bays, where you can snorkel, swim or just relax in blissful and total solitude. The choice is yours.

Manu’a Islands

Situated just 100 kilometers away from Tituila are the Manu’a Islands, which will offer you an unforgettable experience. Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u are separate islands, but have the same beautiful beaches, enormous cliffs rising from the waters, lagoons with dazzling coral reefs and a calm sense of timelessness, which will transport you to a bygone era of peace and harmony with the environment. As you swim in the coral-filled waters near Ofu beach, you can see the glimmering sea all around, and look up at the surrounding cliffs with the birds flying across; not a sound breaks the silence, except an occasional truck or a friendly dog barking at a passer-by. Whether you are an active trekker out on the trail of some of the highest sea cliffs in the world, or a leisure lover just wanting to laze on the spectacular beaches, you will be happy that you visited this tropical paradise.

Samoa National Park

This Park was formed through an agreement between the US government and the Samoan chiefs in 1988 and stretches from Tutuila to Ta’u, the easternmost island, and then to Ofu, lying west of Ta’u. This magnificent natural habitat encompasses lagoons, villages and a highway along the coastline. In the northern section, the volcanic cliffs rise above Pago Pago harbor.

The park is home to innumerable species of tropical vegetation, birds and other wildlife. The combination of the sea and beaches, colossal rock faces rising in imposing splendor, sparkling coral reefs in crystal-clear waters, cascading waterfalls, extinct volcanic cones and the ever-smiling Samoans is a heady mix and one that is not to be missed.

The People

The inhabitants of the Samoan islands are a charming and friendly people who are eager to welcome any visitor with warmth and hospitality. In fact, the best way to have a vacation in this tropical paradise is to arrange a home stay in one of the villages, where you would get a real taste of the local culture. Living in a thatched hut, or fale, is really a memorable experience. You get to eat the typical local cuisine; coconuts, taro root, fish, pork and bananas; and get to know Samoan customs and their lifestyle.

American Samoa is one of just a handful of destinations left that are unspoiled by external influences, lying calm and unruffled in the middle of the Pacific Ocean like an undiscovered gem.