Article Overview: National Park Of American Samoa Facts

National Park Of American Samoa Facts! In this article, we provide you with 10 amazing facts about one of America’s most magnificent national parks.

More Than Just Parks is your one-stop-shop when it comes to learning everything you’ll need to know about America’s national parks. We’ve got expert guides, beautiful photos, helpful tips, breathtaking films and so much more.

I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind some of these natural wonders. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing some of the incredible stories about these beautiful places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!

More Than Just Parks takes a deeper dive with its national park facts. We’ve done our homework so that you’ll get more than you bargained for.

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Table Of Contents: National Park Of American Samoa Facts

National Park Of American Samoa Facts

Facts About National Park Of American Samoa
National Park Of American Samoa Facts

Facts About National Park Of American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa is a United States National Park located in the territory of American Samoa in the South Pacific. The park covers 9,000 acres and is made up of coral reefs, rainforests, and volcanic mountains.

It is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life, including over 1,000 species of fish, 180 species of birds, and over 100 species of ferns.

The park is also home to the Samoan culture, with many village sites and cultural artifacts found within its borders.

It’s a popular destination for snorkeling, hiking, and birdwatching.

National Park Of American Samoa Facts

Top 5 National Park Of American Samoa Facts

1. It Is The Only National Park In The United States Located South Of The Equator

If you’re looking for a national park experience like no other than how about a park that’s south of the equator?

That’s the first of our National Park Of American Samoa Facts. It is the only national park in the United States that is located south of the equator.

In fact, American Samoa is in the South Pacific Ocean between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.

It’s a place where a tropical climate prevails, which is unlike most of national park experiences.

If you’re looking to beat the cold weather then you’ll be pleased to learn that temperatures are warm or hot year-round (high 70’s to low 90’s F) with high humidity and rain showers which are frequent.

2. The Park Covers A Total Of 9,000 Acres, Which Includes Both Land & Marine Environments

Another National Park Of American Samoa Fact which sets this park apart is that the park covers a total of 9,000 acres, which includes both land and marine environments.

What you will discover there are secluded villages, rare plants and animals, coral sand beaches, and vistas of land and sea.

The islands of American Samoa rise thousands of feet from the Pacific Ocean floor as a series of broad shield volcanoes.

These volcanoes formed as the Pacific plate moved over a stationary hot spot deep in the earth.

3. The Park Is Home To Over 1,000 Species Of Fish, 180 Species Of Birds & Over 100 Species Of Ferns

If you love watching the flora and fauna then add to that a tropical environment and our next National Park Of American Samoa Fact will really make you want to book your airline reservation.

The park is home to over 1,000 species of fish, 180 species of birds, and over 100 species of ferns.

As a matter of fact, the surrounding waters are filled with a diversity of marine life including: sea turtles, humpback whales, over 950 species of fish, and over 250 coral species.

And, if you’re looking for a diverse array of wildlife then you can expect to discover the following at this incredible park:

Fruit Bats
Whales
Mollusks
Corals
Fishes
Land Mammals

Fruit bats roosting during the daytime – Courtesy of NPS

Experience Animal Life That’s Unique Among U.S. National Parks

The park is home to a number of unique and endangered species, such as the Samoan fruit bat, the Samoan flying fox, and the Pacific sheath-tailed bat.

The park also serves as an important nesting and breeding ground for several species of sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green sea turtle.

Its waters are also home to a variety of dolphins and whales, including the humpback whale, which can be seen in the park during the annual migration.

The park’s diverse habitats, including rainforests, coral reefs, and marine environments, make it an important sanctuary for a wide range of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.

4. The Park Is Made Up Of 3 Islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’ū

One of my favorite National Park Of American Samoa Facts pertains to the unique geography of this amazing park.

The park is made up of three islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’ū.

Almost all of the land area of these volcanic islands—from the mountaintops to the coast—is tropical rainforest.

About 4,000 acres of the national park is underwater, offshore from all three of the islands.

If you’re planning a visit, the national park headquarters and visitor center is open on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on weekends and federal holidays.

The visitor center is located in Pago Pago, across from the Pago Way Service Station.

Park rangers are available throughout the day to help you plan a safe and memorable visit to the national park.

5. The Park Is Home To The Samoan Culture

One of the most intriguing National Park Of American Samoa Facts involves the park’s connection to the local culture.

The park is home to the Samoan culture, with many village sites and cultural artifacts found within its borders.

Samoan culture is the traditional culture of the Samoan Islands,. It’s centered around the fa’a Samoa, which translates to “the Samoan way.”

This concept encompasses the values, traditions, and way of life of the Samoan people.

Samoan culture is based on a strong sense of community and family. Families are extended, with multiple generations often living in close proximity.

The concept of aiga, or extended family, is very important in Samoan culture and includes not only immediate family members but also extended relatives such as cousins, uncles, and grandparents.

A Culture That’s Rich & Vibrant

Samoan culture places a strong emphasis on respect for elders and for traditional leaders, who are usually men.

The fa’amatai is a system of governance based on traditional customs and practices. It’s an important aspect of Samoan culture.

This system is made up of several levels of chiefdoms, with the highest level being that of the matai, or chief.

The matai are responsible for making decisions for their extended family and for representing their family in the community.

The Matai System | National Park Of American Samoa Facts — Matai System: By virtue of the title, is the family patriarch. The title brings the family prestige, and the matai must uphold that prestige within the village and to a larger extent. (Courtesy of NPS)

Samoan culture is also centered around the concept of fa’asamoa, which refers to the unique customs, traditions, and way of life of the Samoan people.

This includes traditional practices such as tattooing, or tatau, which is a significant cultural and spiritual ritual for Samoan men and women.

Samoan culture is also characterized by its strong oral tradition, with storytelling, song, and dance being important forms of cultural expression.

Overall, Samoan culture is rich and vibrant, with a strong emphasis on community, family, and tradition.

Samoan villagers perform their traditional dance | National Park Of American Samoa Facts — Samoan villagers perform their traditional dance – Courtesy of NPS

Top 10 National Park Of American Samoa Facts

6. It’s A Popular Destination For Snorkeling

If you enjoy aquatic activities then this next National Park Of American Samoa Fact is for you.

The park is a popular destination for snorkeling, with a variety of coral reefs and marine life to explore.

According to the National Park Service, there are snorkeling options throughout American Samoa islands to view some of the more than 950 species of fish and 250 species of corals.

Ofu has some of the best snorkeling waters in American Samoa.

[Please Note: Getting to Ofu is challenging due to limited and sometimes unreliable transportation.]

National Park Of American Samoa — Girl in snorkeling mask dive underwater with fishes school in coral reef sea pool. (Shutterstock-Denis Moskvinov)

To travel to Ofu, you fly to the island of Ta’u and then hire a local fisherman to take you across in a boat.

Bring your own snorkel gear. There are no gear rental options however. (Source: NPS)

7. The Park Is Also Home To A Number Of Hiking Trails

My favorite activity, other than learning about the history of a place, is taking a good hike.

The National Park Of American Samoa is home to a number of hiking trails, including the Tafuna Ridge Trail which offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands.

As a matter of fact, the park offers a variety of hikes for all abilities. Visitors will enjoy experiences that include tropical rainforests, beach walks, and steep panoramic vistas.

Whether you need solitude, wildlife sightings, or are interested in history and culture, there is a hike for all interests.

View from the start of the Lower Sauma Ridge Trail | National Park Of American Samoa Facts — View from the start of the Lower Sauma Ridge Trail | Courtesy of NPS

8. There Are Several Endangered Species At The Park

One of the lesser known National Park Of American Samoa Facts concerns endangered species.

The park is home to several endangered species, including the Samoan fruit bat and the Samoan woodpecker.

It’s not only species that are endangered at the park however. Invasive alien plants and animals threaten the native rainforest ecosystems on all the islands.

Koster’s curse, Clidemia hirta, and mile-a-minute vine are immediate threats whenever the forest canopy is disrupted either by human clearing or the frequent hurricanes (called cyclones in Samoa).

9. It’s Located In A Tropical Rainforest

The tropical geography of this unique park creates some unusual opportunities for its visitors.

In fact, the park is located in a tropical rainforest, with an average annual temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re planning a trip then keep in mind that American Samoa is in the South Pacific Ocean, between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn.

This means that a tropical climate prevails. Temperatures are warm or hot year-round (high 70’s to low 90’s F) with high humidity. Rain showers are frequent.

They may last only for a few minutes, or it can last for the entire day.

The average annual rainfall in the drier portions of the island is 125 inches to as much as 300 inches in the highest mountains. Tropical storms are more prevalent during the rainy season (November to May).

Despite this serene beach view near Siu Point on Ta’u island, you should expect it to rain at anytime | Courtesy of NPS

10. The Park Is Co-Managed By The National Park Service & Local Government Of American Samoa

Our final National Park Of American Samoa Fact pertains to the unusual management arrangement which governs this national park.

The park is co-managed by the National Park Service and the local government of American Samoa.

In terms of its actual management, however, the National Park of American Samoa is managed by a small professional staff located near the village of Pago Pago, past McDonald’s and across from Pago Way Service Station.

What you need to know is that the friendly and professional staff which you have come to expect at all of America’s national parks will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Why Trust Us About National Park Of American Samoa?

We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.

You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We’ve spent our entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.

We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.

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Map Of American Samoa

List Of National Park Of American Samoa Facts

It Is The Only National Park In The United States Located South Of The Equator
The Park Covers A Total Of 9,000 Acres, Which Includes Both Land & Marine Environments
The Park Is Home To Over 1,000 Species Of Fish, 180 Species Of Birds & Over 100 Species Of Ferns
The Park Is Made Up Of 3 Islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’ū
The Park Is Home To The Samoan Culture
It’s A Popular Destination For Snorkeling
The Park Is Also Home To A Number Of Hiking Trails
There Are Several Endangered Species At The Park
It’s Located In A Tropical Rainforest
The Park Is Co-Managed By The National Park Service & Local Government Of American Samoa

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