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Samoa
may be readily located on a map of the Pacific Ocean by drawing
a line from Hawaii to New Zealand, upon which it will be found
about two thirds of the way down. The Samoan Islands lie spread
out from east to west, overlapping the fourteenth degree of south
latitude, at approximately 168 - 173 longitude west.
American Samoa's total land area is 76 square miles. Tutuila,
the main island where Pago Pago Bay is located, has a land area
of 54 square miles, with its highest peak, Mt. Matafao, rising
2,142 feet above the waters of Pago Pago Bay. The remaining 22
square miles include the three Manu'a Islands of Ofu, Olosega,
and Ta'u, which boast of the highest peak in the territory, Lata
Mountain, at 3,050 feet. Other islands in American Samoa include
Aunu'u, a satellite 1/4 mile off the eastern tip of Tutuila, Rose
Atoll, a wild life refuge 65 miles east of Manu'a, and Swains
Island, located 200 miles north of Pago Pago.
At the east most end of the Samoan archipelago lies the Manu'a
Island group, a part of American Samoa. With a resident population
of approximately 1,700, Manu'a today remains an undisturbed and
strongly culture-oriented part of the Samoas.
The villages of Ofu, Olosega and Sili are located on the islands
of Ofu and Olosega, or the twin-islands. The villages of Luma
and Si'ufaga are located on the island of Ta'u.
The Island of Tutuila is the main island of the group with Pago
Pago being the capital of the territory. The island is home to
approximately 55,000 friendly polynesian inhabitants. Long known
for its natural deep water harbor, Pago Pago is famous for its
sheer forested volcanic mountains surrounding the deep blue and
turquoise water that has been a shelter in a storm for many a
sailing and fishing vessel.
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Dive
Services
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Accommodations
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Travel
& Tips
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Travel
to Samoa
There are four airports
- Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'u
The Pago Pago international airport is an international
class airport with the capacity to accommodate any size
commercial aircraft. Traffic control is maintained by the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. It has two paved runways.
The recently built, modern terminal complex houses several
passenger service buildings, a comprehensive fire/crash
station, shops, a restaurant and an extensive lounge and
administrative area.
Polynesian
Airline of Samoa
Daily scheduled flights between American Samoa and Western
Samoa utilizing 19-seater Twin-Otter DHC-6 and 9-seater
Britton-Norman Islander aircraft. Connect on to other pacific
flights from Western Samoa to Hawaii, Los Angeles, Tonga,
Fiji, and New Zealand on Polynesian's Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
P.O. Box 487
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Reservations: (684) 699-9126
Administration: (684) 699-1704
Fax: (684) 699-2109
Air
Pacific
Flights between Nadi, Fiji and Apia.
Hawaiian
Airlines
Direct twice weekly wide-body 230+ seat DC-10-10 service
to/from American Samoa and Honolulu/U.S. Mainland.
Reservations: (684) 699-1875
Entry Requirements
Visas
Visitors do not require an entry permit if staying 30 days
or less. Those intending to stay longer should apply for
an entry permit at the Immigration Office prior to arrival.
Helpful Tips
Transportation
American Samoa has maintained its traditional quaint family
owned bussing business. For 50 cents, you can ride an "aiga"
bus from nearly anywhere on the island into Pago Pago, and
connections to other parts of the island cost an additional
25 cents. The buses are painted in fun colors and each is
its owner's pride and joy. Many have superb stereo systems
and some even show videos during your ride into town. Not
only a ride, but an experience to talk about!
Dining
Dining in Tutuila is a culinary experience. Local Barbeque
and stone hearth baked local foods such as breadfruit, pork,
chicken, and bananas are available in most villages, while
more exotic tastes are catered to by many local restaurants.
These include Korean, Chinese, American, Nouvelle Cuisine,
Japanese, Polynesian, Italian to mention a few. The common
factor in all of them is courteous, smiling service and
delicious, fresh meals cooked to order.
Shopping
Shopping in American Samoa is always a pleasurable outing.
With many small Korean, Samoan, and American stores carrying
the latest in foods, furniture, electronics, hardware, toys
and fresh local venue, American Samoa offers everything
imaginable. With a huge warehouse sales store in Tafuna,
even large families can stock up on those huge family sized
containers of dog foods, paper products, cleaning supplies,
and just about anything else needed around the house.
One hour photo processing, fashion clothing, handicrafts,
cellular phones, printing services, and yes, even Samoan
t-shirts can be found easily and reasonably priced in Pago
Pago.
Electrical Appliances
Electricity runs at 110 volts.
Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged, but neither is it discouraged.
Clothing
Due to the modesty of this deeply religious nation, women
are requested not to wear shorts in rural areas, and men
should wear shirts. The local lavalava, which can be purchased
anywhere, is comfortable and suitable. When at a beach near
a village, women should not walk around in their swimming
suits.
Time
With the International Dateline passing just to the west
of Samoa, the sunset of each day is last seen in Samoa.
It is 11 hours behind GMT and six hours behind New York.
There is no summer time clock change.
Water
Water is treated, but it's advisable to check the source
of all drinking water. If it isn't from the government system,
boil it or use bottled water.
Health
Visitors are advised to have typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations
and must be vaccinated against Yellow Fever if arriving
within six days of leaving or transiting an infected area.
Visitors should take the usual precautions to avoid drinking
untreated water. Give immediate attention to coral cuts
and other skin problems and avoid sunburn.
Medical Facilities
Medical treatment is available on Tutuila at the LBJ Tropical
Medical Center. |
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