National Park of American Samoa guide · 1 min read
Reaching Ofu and Ta‘ū by Plane and Boat
Reaching the National Park of American Samoa starts at Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila, the largest island in American Samoa.
Hawaiian Airlines is the sole large carrier currently flying into the territory, operating two round-trip flights each week from Honolulu. Seats are limited, so book as early as you can.
Travelers coming from elsewhere in the South Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, can fly into Upolu International Airport in Western Samoa instead. Small aircraft run connecting flights from there to Tutuila almost every day.
From Tutuila, smaller flights connect to Ta'ū and Ofu, two of the Manu'a Islands where parts of the park lie. Seats on these flights are limited, and no formal public transit runs between the islands. Local fishermen often carry visitors by boat from Ta'ū to Ofu, but you must arrange this in advance through local contacts.
Ofu is where the park is almost entirely under water. Its coral reefs are pristine, and they draw snorkelers and scuba divers. Getting there takes some effort, but the snorkeling makes the trip worthwhile.
The park lies some 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii and offers few of the facilities found in most national parks. Transportation across the Manu'a Islands is limited, so plan your travel well in advance.
