Water Recreation

There is even greater world to explore once you get in the ocean.

NPS Photo/V. Vaeoso

 

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in American Samoa

American Samoa’s islands offer some of the most breathtaking snorkeling and scuba diving experiences in the world. With thriving marine ecosystems, pristine coral reefs, and a rich variety of sea life, this remote paradise is an underwater explorer's dream. Whether you’re gliding over shallow coral gardens or descending into deeper, unspoiled reefs, American Samoa provides unparalleled access to the vibrant and diverse marine environments of the South Pacific. For those looking to escape the crowds and experience nature in its purest form, this hidden gem offers an unforgettable aquatic adventure.

 

Immersive Snorkeling Adventures in American Samoa

• Species Diversity: The waters of American Samoa host over 950 species of fish and more than 250 species of coral. Colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and schools of tropical fish thrive in the reefs, making it a stunning underwater world. Ofu Island is particularly famous for snorkeling, with clear waters and abundant marine biodiversity.

Top Snorkeling Spots

• Ofu Island: Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs close to the shore. Ideal for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
• Aunu’u Island: Located off Tutuila, this remote snorkeling spot offers access to less-visited coral formations and abundant marine life.
• Fagatele Bay: Part of the National Marine Sanctuary, this protected bay is home to larger species like sea turtles and sharks, along with vibrant coral reefs.

Getting to Ofu

• Reaching Ofu can be challenging. Flights to the neighboring island of Ta’u are limited, and once there, you'll need to hire a local fisherman for a boat ride to Ofu. While logistics can be tricky, the snorkeling experience is well worth the effort.

Bring Your Own Gear

• There are no rental facilities for snorkeling gear on Ofu or other remote islands, so pack your own mask, snorkel, and fins. An underwater camera is highly recommended for capturing the stunning marine life.

Modesty Considerations

• American Samoa has a modest cultural norm. Visitors should wear conservative swimwear like swim shirts or board shorts while snorkeling, avoiding revealing clothing such as bikinis or brief-style trunks. Rash guards are a great option for both sun protection and cultural respect.

 

  Exploring the Depths: Scuba Diving in American Samoa

Diving in Tutuila

The reefs around Tutuila, the largest island, offer excellent scuba diving. Explore Pago Pago Harbor and the island's south coast, where reef walls, coral gardens, and deep drop-offs await. Though the diving infrastructure is limited, these untouched landscapes make it a paradise for divers.

Gear Availability

• While air tanks can be rented on Tutuila, you’ll need to bring your own gear, such as dive suits, masks, fins, and regulators. Make sure to check your equipment beforehand, as there are few replacements available.

Charter Diving Trips

• Since there are no regular boat diving trips, you’ll need to arrange private charters to explore offshore reefs. Some local fishermen offer these services, but it's advisable to plan ahead to secure a boat and crew.

Recommended Dive Sites

• Alega Beach: A protected bay, perfect for beginners and experienced divers alike. Easy shore access and rich coral formations make this a must-see.
• Fagatele Bay: A deep dive within the Marine Sanctuary, offering encounters with larger species like sharks and turtles.
• Taema Bank: Off the southern coast of Tutuila, this site is great for exploring deeper reefs and witnessing the area’s rich marine biodiversity.

 

Additional Tips for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Marine Protection Zones

• You might encounter sea turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, and various reef sharks while diving or snorkeling. During certain seasons, you may also witness humpback whale migrations, a truly unforgettable experience.

Best Time to Dive and Snorkel

• The best time for underwater activities is during the dry season from May to October. Visibility is excellent, and the calmer seas create ideal conditions for exploring the reefs.

Safety First

• Always dive with a buddy and let someone onshore know your plans, especially in remote areas. Some spots have strong currents, so remain cautious and aware of your surroundings.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Guides

• Although commercial dive shops are rare, local guides are available and can offer valuable knowledge about the best spots to see specific marine life. They can also assist with safety precautions and navigating unfamiliar waters.

 

 

Fishing in the National Park of American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa allows fishing as a means of providing for customary and traditional uses, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.

Where to Fish

Subsistence fishing is allowed in all National Park of American Samoa waters, however it is important to obtain village permission prior to fishing at any location. For assistance with this, please reach out to education staff at the National Park of American Samoa.

Tips and Best Practices

1. Always ask for village permission prior to engaging in any fishing or in-water activities.
2. Don't fish on Sundays.
3. There is an ongoing study to determine what gear types are allowed for subsistence fishing. If you fish in American Samoa, keep in mind that the intent of the National Parks fishing regulations are to preserve the natural and cultural resources of American Samoa.
4. Be mindful of slippery rocks, hazardous ocean conditions, and village fishing restrictions prior to engaging in any fishing activities.
5. Marine weather forecasts are available at WSO Pago Pago (weather.gov)
6. It is illegal to sell your catch. Only fish for personal consumption or subsistence use.

Licenses

A license or permit is not required for visitors to fish in the National Park of American Samoa.

 

Fishing Regulations

Only traditional subsistence fishing is allowed in park waters.

Unless otherwise provided for, fishing regulations apply to all finfish found in both fresh and saltwater, and mollusks and crustaceans found in saltwater (shellfish).   Other taxa, including amphibians, and freshwater mollusks and crustaceans (e.g. waterdogs, crayfish) are not considered “fish” for the purpose of NPS fishing regulations and are addressed by NPS regulations governing “wildlife” (36CFR2.2). 

These fishing regulations apply, regardless of land ownership, on all lands and waters within the park that are under the legislative jurisdiction of the United States.

Fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Territory within whose exterior boundaries the park area is located (36CFR2.3(a)) except as provided below. Where there is a conflict between a Territorial regulation and a federal (NPS) regulation, the Territorial regulation is superseded by the federal regulation. 

For American Samoa fishing regulations please visit the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources fishing regulations page.

For more information on how NPS fishing regulations work, go to the regulations page on the NPS Fish and Fishing website (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fishing/how-regulations-work.htm).

The following are prohibited

• Possessing or using as bait for fishing in freshwaters, live or dead minnows or other bait fish, amphibians, non-preserved fish eggs or fish roe, except in designated waters. 

• Chumming or placing preserved or fresh fish eggs, fish roe, food, fish parts, chemicals, or other foreign substances in fresh waters for the purpose of feeding or attracting fish in order that they may be taken.

• Commercial fishing, except where specifically authorized by Federal statutory law.

• Fishing by the use of drugs, poisons, explosives, or electricity.

• Digging for bait, except in privately owned lands.

• Failing to return carefully and immediately to the water from which it was taken a fish that does not meet size or species restrictions or that the person chooses not to keep. Fish so released shall not be included in the catch or possession limit: Provided, that at the time of catching the person did not possess the legal limit of fish.

• Fishing from motor road bridges, from or within 200 feet of a public raft or float designated for water sports, or within the limits of locations designated as swimming beaches, surfing areas, or public boat docks, except in designated areas.

• Introducing wildlife, fish or plants, including their reproductive bodies, into a park area ecosystem. This includes the discarding and/or dumping of bait and bait buckets.

• The use or possession of fish, wildlife or plants for ceremonial or religious purposes, except where specifically authorized by Federal statutory law, or treaty rights.

The following regulations apply only within the National Park of American Samoa

Traditional subsistence fishing is allowed in all park waters, subject to Territorial laws and policies with the exception of the Fagasa No-Take Marine Protected Areas in Fagasa Bay. Traditional means of fishing are considered rod and reel, net or basket, or pole spear methods only.

• Subsistence fishing means any fishing activity where the catch is not sold or marketed but is shared within the family or village structure for the purpose of home consumption.

Fishing with a net, spear, or weapon in the salt waters of park areas shall be in accordance with Territorial law, except as otherwise designated, as follows:

• Fishing by means of traditional non-lethal means and collecting of shellfish and sea weeds is allowed in all park waters. The Park’s enabling legislation provides for the continued subsistence use by traditional means and no such uses shall be permitted in the park for other than subsistence purposes.

• No use of nets or traps other than those made by traditional means using natural products such as fiber or wood. The Park’s enabling legislation provides for the continued subsistence use of marine resources if such uses are generally prior existing uses conducted in areas used for such purposes and if such uses are conducted in the traditional manner and by traditional methods

• No spear fishing while SCUBA diving.

 

Fish Consumption Advisories in National Park Waters

The Environmental Protection Agency, states, territories, and tribes provide advice on fish and shellfish caught in the waters in their jurisdiction to help people make informed decisions about eating fish. Advisories are recommendations to limit your consumption of, or avoid eating entirely, certain species of fish or shellfish from specific bodies of water due to chemical or biological contamination.

Fish is part of a healthy balanced diet, but eating wild fish and shellfish caught in park waters is not risk free. Parks are “islands”, but the much larger “ocean” that surrounds them affects the natural resources inside a park. Other aquatic toxins are the result of natural biological processes. Also, chemical contaminants that originate outside of park boundaries can come into parks.

Mercury is an example of a toxin originating outside a park that can find its way into a park. Mercury exists naturally in some rocks, including coal. When power plants burn coal, mercury can travel in the air long distances before falling to the ground, usually in low concentrations. Once on the ground, microorganisms can change this elemental mercury to methyl mercury. This type of mercury can build up in animal tissues, and it can increase in concentration to harmful levels. This high concentration can occur in large predatory fish - those often pursued and eaten by anglers. Studies have shown that fish in some National Park System waters have mercury levels that may be a concern to people who regularly eat a lot of fish.

National Park Of American Samoa Fish Consumption Advisories

There are currently no specific fish consumption advisories in the National Park of American Samoa. However, some large groupers and other near shore secondary predators have been associated with Ciguatera poisoning, so use caution if you plan to fish these species.

To learn more about this topic, the National Park Service maintains information about Fish Consumption Advisories and Mercury and Toxins in Nature.

Aquatic Invasive Species

Imagine your favorite fishing spot and the wonderful memories. Things may look fine but underneath the surface there is a serious threat. Everything you remembered is now cemented together in a sharp, smelly mess. Invaders have wiped out the fish species you used to catch.

Aquatic invasive species are not native to an ecosystem. Their introduction causes, or is likely to cause, harm to the economy, the environment, or to human health. Aquatic invasive species are a growing risk to parks and their values. In the United States alone, there are more than 250 non-native aquatic species.

For many centuries, humans have contributed to spreading non-native species around the globe. You can make a difference. To learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species in the National Park Service, visit the Fish & Fishing website.

How You Can Help – Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

There are currently no aquatic invasive species in American Samoa

Fishing Throughout the National Park Service

We invite you to visit the Fish and Fishing website for more information about fish and fishing in the National Park Service. You will learn about conservation, different fish species, and parks that offer fishing.