American Samoa Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in American Samoa

The primary ferry service connecting Tutuila (Pago Pago) with the remote Manu'a Islands is operated by the Department of Port Administration's Water Transportation Division. This essential lifeline service provides the only regular public boat transport to these outer islands.

The MV Manu'atele and/or MV Sili make regular trips to the Manu'a Islands every fortnight. The typical schedule sees the vessel loading on Wednesday and departing Pago Pago on Thursday morning, arriving in Manu'a the same afternoon.

The ship normally remains alongside overnight in Manu'a and departs on Friday morning, arriving back in Pago Pago on Friday afternoon. However, it's worth noting that the ship is regularly out of service for monthly periods for maintenance and has been known to sustain damage during storms in the harbour, so we'd recommend having a backup plan.

Ferry Terminals and Route

The ferry departs from the Port of Pago Pago on Tutuila and follows a specific route through the Manu'a Islands. The vessel first stops at Ofu Harbour in Ofu Village on Ofu Island, then continues to Faleasao Harbour on Ta'ū Island.

For current departure times, contact the Water Transportation Division directly, as schedules change frequently based on weather conditions and operational requirements.

Ferry Journey Duration

The journey takes approximately five hours to reach Ofu, depending on weather conditions. If continuing to Ta'ū after boarding and visiting Ofu, the total travel time extends to eight hours.

The MV Manu'atele offers comfortable seating for 140 passengers with large cushioned seats with armrests and a spacious galley for refreshments during the journey.

Ferry Fares and Pricing

Ferry travel to the Manu'a Islands is remarkably affordable, making these remote islands accessible to most travellers:

Passenger Fares:

• Adults and Senior Citizens: US$30-$35 one-way, US$60 round-trip
• Children ages 11 and under: Free of charge
• Children ages 12 to 18: US$15-$20 one-way, US$30 round-trip

Vehicle Transport:

• Mini-Compact, Compact, and Mid-Size vehicles: US$250 one-way
• Large vehicles: US$500 one-way

For more costs to keep in mind for your trip, check out American Samoa Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to American Samoa Cost? LINK#TT008

Ferry Bookings and Reservations

Reservations are not held until the full fare has been paid. Given the limited frequency of service and the vessel's capacity constraints, we'd recommend securing your booking well in advance, particularly during peak travel periods.

Contact the Water Transportation Division for current booking procedures and to confirm sailing schedules before your planned departure.

The Water Transportation Division operates an aluminium catamaran called Segaula that caters for travellers between Ta'ū and Ofu islands in the Manu'a group. At around US$150, this is typically on par with flights from Pago Pago but offers a good option to visit both Ta'ū and Ofu-Olosega when you're short on time. The ferry/boat journey takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

There are sometimes private boat charters available, which are best organised at the wharf or through your accommodation host. In our experience, it's easier to get a boat from Ta'ū to Ofu rather than the other way around, so we recommend heading to Ta'ū first if you can.

Boats typically depart from Faleasao Harbor in the Faleasao district (sometimes from the smaller Ta'u Harbor in the Si'ufaga district) and arrive at Ofu Harbor in Ofu village.

Needless to say, the journey offers stunning views of the pristine waters surrounding these remote islands.

For more details on taking boats between the Manu'a Islands, check out How to Catch Boats & Water Taxis in American Samoa LINK#T023.

Another addition to the American Samoan ferry scene is the scenic 10-minute ferry ride from Tutuila to peaceful Aunu'u Island.

The journey starts from the village of Auasi on Tutuila's coast, whisking you across to this tranquil little island getaway.

For more information, check out How to Catch Boats & Water Taxis in American Samoa LINK#T023.

Ferry services in American Samoa operate between American Samoa and the neighbouring country of Samoa with Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC). The journey takes approximately eight to 10 hours, crossing a distance of 135 km (84 mi).

Learn more about visiting Samoa on our sister website, SamoaPocketGuide.com.

Ferry Terminals in American Samoa and Samoa

The ferry terminal for taking ferries from American Samoa to Samoa is at the Port of Pago Pago, which is easy to find in Utulei along Route 001.

In Samoa, the ferry terminal is in the capital Apia, at the Apia Harbour in the suburb of Matautu-Tai, just off Beach Road.

American Samoa - Samoa Ferry Schedules

Ferries between American Samoa and Samoa travel back and forth once a week, departing Pago Pago on a Saturday (typically around 8 am) and arriving back in Pago Pago on a Thursday (usually by 10 pm). Any cancelled sailings are usually posted on the Samoa Shipping Corporation Facebook Page.

Ferry timetables for American Samoa are available on the SSC website and are usually updated every month.

American Samoa - Samoa Ferry Fares

Ferry prices between American Samoa and Samoa are:

• Adults: US$75 one way or US$98 return
• Children ages 2-12: US$45 one way or US$60 return
• Infants under 2 years old: US$23 one way or US$30 return.

American Samoa - Samoa Ferry Bookings

Bookings can be made via email (reservations@ssc.ws / info@ssc.ws) or at the SSC Office in Apia (Beach Road, Matautu-Tai).

Note that if you are travelling from Samoa to American Samoa, you will need to apply for an Entry Permit before arrival - see our American Samoa Visa Guide