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Tutuila Island
American Samoa
american samoa travel guide
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The main tourist attraction of Tutuila is its splendid tropical scenery and coastal views. The scenic south coast road extending west from the airport to Cape Taputapu and beyond to Fagamalo Village at the end of the road is particulalry beautiful. The historical whaling town of Leone has several ancient archaelogical sites including its rock quarries in the hills above town and the grinding holes along the coast where rocks where fashioned into tools. Beyond Leone, the coastal road winds through small fishing villages up and over coastal hills with panoramic views. The road from Pago Pago to Fagamalo Village takes about two hours one way allowing for short stops along the way.
Another stunning coastal drive heads west from Pago Pago, also along the south coast. Alega Beach has perhaps the most picturesque beach on tutuila although the surf here can be dangerous for all but the best swimmers. Alega Beach is renowned for the famous Tisa's Barefoot Bar, a hive of activity amnongst locals on weekends. You can stay at Alega Beach Resort in one of two budget style A-frame bungalows right on the beach. Further along the coast are several other picturesque beaches including Pyramid Rock and the sweeping beach at Tula Village at the very eastern point of the island. The weather station nearby at Cape Matatula has stunning views along the south coast to Aunuu Island and along the remote north coast to Pola Island and the National Park. There is no access road along the north coast with the coastal highway stopping at the village of Onenoa a few kilometres past the weathr station.
Almost the entire north coast is inaccessible except for three roads that lead over the hills into three separate bays. One of these is Vatia Bay in the heart of the National Park. The access road for Vatia starts at the east side of Pago Pago harbour dirctly across the bay from Pago Pago Town and leads up through Afono Pass. From the Pass, there are splendid views back to Pago Pago and the harbour as well as looking north into the Park. The highlight of the journey into the Park is the stunning view of Vatia Village with its twin volcvanic peaks looming above and the rocky Polar Island. A track leads from the village alongVatia Bay to the tip of Pola Island. The only other walking track into the Park is from the western side a few kilometres from Pago Pago and offers a 5km trek through lowland forest to the summit of Mt. Alava (491 metres) for excellent views of the coast.
Aunu'u Island a mile or so off the south east coast offers the unusual Red Lake and quicksand in an extinct crater that makes for an interesting hike. The island has one sleepy village and can be visited on a day trip by local boat.
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Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:
Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide
Hawaii Travel Guide
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