Many visitors hire a car to drive around this main island, stopping often to admire and explore the spectacular coastline and rugged mountains. Special places include the Afono Pass, Forbidden Bay, and Amalau Valley, which is a good site to watch for flying foxes. It's possible to stay overnight in Afono and Vatia Villages.
Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, on the southernmost point of Tutuila Island, is a submerged volcanic crater surrounded by steep cliffs and featuring hordes of brightly coloured tropical fish and coral. However, permission to visit, dive and snorkel must first be arranged with the Marine and Wildlife Resources Officer in Pago Pago. The site is also great for whale watchers when the southern humpback whales visit between August and November.
Fishing charters with bare or fully loaded boats are available and the seas around the island are richly stocked with big fish.
Scuba diving and snorkelling are also available, though experience is often necessary where the coral is shallow coral and the surf high.
American Samoa is a burgeoning region for hiking. Tracks are being established in the National Park of American Samoa, but for the most part, the steep mountains lack established trails and thus pose a true challenge to the most experienced bush-walkers. Half the fun of such wild hikes is taking a local guide who knows the folklore and wildlife and turns the hike into a special experience.
Tourist information about another destination in American Samoa