About American Samoa

About American Samoa

American Samoa is part of the Samoan Islands chain, located west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 300 miles (500 km) south of Tokelau. To the west are the islands of the Wallis and Futuna group. The 2010 census showed a total population of 55,519 people.[1] The total land area is 76.1 square miles (197.1 km2), slightly more than Washington, D.C. American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States. (Wikipedia)

The Territory of American Samoa has a total land area of 76 square miles made up of five volcanic islands (Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ofu, Olosega and Ta’ū) and two atolls (Rose and Swains). Including our marine waters and 200 mile exclusive economic zone, the Territory’s total area is 117,500 square miles, about the size of the State of Oregon or New Zealand. With steep volcanic mountains, the tallest peak Mount Lata 3170 feet is on Ta’ū Island and Mount Matafao at 2142 feet is the tallest on Tutuila Island. American Samoa is a tropical paradise and the climate averages 82˚-83˚ Fahrenheit all year round and the ocean waters that surround our islands averaging 82˚-86˚ Fahrenheit. With 90% of our islands covered in untouched tropical rainforest our flora and fauna is very unique.

The National Park of American Samoa is the only US Park in the Pacific, offering challenging and dramatic hiking trails to historical sites, secluded beaches and villages. Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of only 13 conservation areas throughout the United States. From hiking tropical rainforests, to swimming, snorkeling, diving or fishing our surrounding ocean waters, American Samoa is an eco tourism haven for visitors wanting an undiscovered holiday paradise.

Fishing and fishing related industries comprise the larges sector of the private sector economy with two fish processing plants and dozens of commercial fishing vessels based out of Pago Pago Harbor. Sport Fishing is a growing interest and the Steinlager I'a Lapo'a Tournament hosted by the Pago Pago Game Fishing Association is rapidly becoming a regional draw for anglers from the South Pacific and the United States.

American Samoa Visitors Bureau

The American Samoa Visitors Bureau (ASVB) has launched their web site:

http://www.americansamoa.travel/

American Samoa Visitors Bureau (ASVB)
Contact Information:

If you would like a copy of our General Information Brochure and Map or any other information simply contact us below and we'll pop the information in the post to you.

American Samoa Visitors Bureau
Tel: +1 684 699 9805 I Fax: +1 684 699 9806
Skype: americansamoa.travel
Suite #200 I Haleck Center I Corner Ottoville & Ili'ili Roads I Ottoville
PO Box 4240 I Pago Pago I American Samoa 96799
Email: info@americansamoa.travel

For information about activities, dining, and facts about our territory, visit the ASVB web site.

Immigration and Visa Requirements

 

Visa and Immigration Requirements:

  • All visitors to American Samoa require a valid passport, return ticket or onward ticket and sufficient funds to support your stay.
  • US Citizens and US Nationals do not require a visa and may enter and leave freely. Australia, New Zealand and citizens of the United Kingdom upon entering American Samoa are issued with a 30 day permit under the US Visa Waiver Program.
  • All other international passport holders intending to visit American Samoa for business or holiday are required to apply for an American Samoa visitor's or entry visa. For further information on the American Samoa visitor's or entry visa, contact the Attorney General’s Office, phone +1684 633- 4163, or email citapene@yahoo.com.
  • Visit the American Samoa Government web site for current information on visas and immigration.

General Information

Airport Tax:
No departure or arrival taxes for American Samoa.

Currency:
The United States Dollar is the currency of American Samoa. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at the local banks & foreign exchange outlets.

Time:
American Samoa time is 11 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -11)

Electricity:
110 volts using American power points.

Climate:
American Samoa has a tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons, the wet and dry season. The wet season is usually between December and March and the dry season from April through September with the average daily temperature around 83 degrees Fahrenheit all year round.

American Samoa is a tropical paradise and the climate averages 82 – 83 degrees Fahrenheit all year around and the ocean waters that surround our islands averaging 82 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit. With 90% of our islands covered in untouched tropical rainforest our flora and fauna is very unique.

Dress
Dress standard – Island casual - Ties discouraged.

Local Buses
The buses operate throughout the day with services ending around 5.00pm Monday to Friday. On Saturday bus services are heavily reduced and on Sundays only a handful of buses operate.

Communication Details:
The country dialing code to call American Samoa is (+1 684). To make an overseas call from American Samoa to the US dial (1), area code, then the phone number and dial (011), area code and the phone number if calling any other country. BlueSky Communications and American Samoa Telecommunications Authority sell overseas calling cards. Rental phones are also available from Blue Sky Communications and the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority. AT&T customers may roam with Bluesky Communications.