The Samoa Islands are part of Polynesia, a triangular area of the Pacific bounded by Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island. The Samoa Islands have been populated for 3,000 years, but known to the Western world for little more than two centuries. So important is Samoa to Polynesian culture that some believe this was where all Polynesian people originated.

American Samoa, the only US Territory south of the equator, consists of five rugged, highly eroded volcanic islands, and two coral atolls. The population is approximately 60,000, with most people living on the main island of Tutuila.

For the most fun in Samoa Islands, try these GORP picks:

Explore the Manu'a Islands
Well developed trail systems have yet to be completed in the park. But the park's low visitation rate allows for a little more personal interaction with the park staff. Hikers will want to arrange an excursion with a park ranger, who will take you to some out-of-the-way places and explain the park's fascinating ecosystem.

Why is Manu'a so rich in wildlife? In a word: wildness. All these islands have large areas untouched by villages, plantations, or roads. The interior of Ta'u especially is still largely unexplored wilderness. On Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u, the native animals of Samoa live with little or no interference from introduced animals.

Stay at a Samoan Home
Camping is not allowed in the park, so leave your backpacking gear at home. Instead, take advantage of the park's unique Home Stay program. This program provides an opportunity for visitors to become acquainted with Samoan people and culture in a village setting. Residents of villages associated with the National Park offer accommodations and the opportunity to learn local customs, crafts and the South Pacific lifestyle. Imagine staying in a village with the sights and sounds of the rainforest around you. Sleep in a Samoan house (fale), live with a Samoan family and start the day participating with village activities. Some may be familiar. Others, like cutting the Pandanus (laufala) tree leaves and drying them to weave mats, may not.

Dive the Reef
American Samoa's coral reefs are home to a very diverse and colorful gathering of plants and animals. About 890 fish species inhabit the coastal waters—twice the number of fish species found in Hawaii. At first glance, the coral reef seems to be an exotic panorama of mass confusion, complete with bizarre shapes of fish painted in psychedelic colors. It's like looking into an overstocked aquarium, but there is a basic structure to this seeming pandemonium. Many species are found only within certain habitats or even at particular sites.

Listen to the Whales
Humpbacks are famous for their unique "songs". During mating season, male humpbacks sing to either attract females or defend their territory from other male whales, much like birds do with their own songs. The appearance of humpbacks in Samoa is an important segment of their grand migration up and down the South Pacific Ocean. During the warm months of the southern hemisphere, Samoa's whales feed in the rich waters of Antarctica, 8000 miles to the south. September and October are the peak months when humpback whales visit the waters off of Samoa. They migrate there to mate and give birth to their young. Adult humpbacks grow up to 50 feet long and weigh about 40 metric tons (which equals the combined weight of 200 sumo wrestlers).

Contact and Links

ADDRESS
Superintendent
National Park of American Samoa
Pago Pago, American Samoa, AS 96799

Web site: www.nps.gov/npsa/index.htm
E-mail: NPSA_Administration@nps.gov

TELEPHONE
Visitor Information: 011-684-633-7082

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RELATED GORP LINKS
GORP Parks and Preserves
South Pacific Resources
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