Tutuila Island
Tutuila is the largest island in American Samoa by area (142.3 km²) and population (53,943). It is also the third largest in the Samoa archipelago. The Pacific island stretches from northeast to southwest for 30 kilometers. It is where American Samoa’s capital, Pago Pago, is located.
.Like the other islands of Samoa, Tutuila is of volcanic origin.
General information
The slopes and ridges of ancient volcanoes create the island’s amazing landscape. The highest point is Matafao Volcano with a height of 654 meters. Not lagging behind it is the beautiful 523-meter high Pioa. According to legend, these amazing volcanoes were turned by their father into two negligent brothers who threw stones at each other. So Pioa remained in the east and Matafao in the west. It is also worth paying attention to the most ancient volcano Tutuila – Alava, 491 meters high, because the vast bay of the capital was formed due to the destruction of its caldera. Incidentally, there is a hiking trail that offers good views of Pago Pago and the northwest coast if you tackle the 5-kilometer climb up the slope of Alava.
.The main attraction of the island is its wildlife. Low mountain ranges stretch in different directions and their slopes are filled with lush tropical plants. Scattered all around the island are picturesque bays and coves where you can feel in harmony with nature. In the southwestern part of Tutuila stretches the flat area – Tafuna. It is the youngest in geological terms formation of the island. Its age is about 20 thousand years. From a bird’s eye view you can see that around the coast of the island stretches a vast shallow shoal with depths up to 60 meters, exceeding the area of Tutuila 3 times.
.Tourists who have visited the tropical island, unanimously agree that it is a piece of paradise, where you can fully enjoy the silence, and then hear the mesmerizing sounds of nature: the sound of the surf, the rustling of forests and birds singing.
.Tourists
The average annual temperature on the island is +26 °C. In July it stays at +24 °C, in December it rises to +32 °C. Rainfall is between 3000 and 4000 mm per year. The island is not recommended to visit during the rainy season (from November to March), during which, and especially in November, hurricane winds are a frequent phenomenon. The dry season on Tutuila is April-October.
.On this island, travelers can easily find a variety of accommodations from cheap to expensive. Almost all stores are closed on Sundays. The island has many white sandy shores with all the conditions for swimming, which is a pleasant surprise for lovers of marine recreation, diving, snorkeling and kayaking..
