American Samoa Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to American Samoa?

American Samoa presents a few environmental hazards but very few diseases. Like travelling anywhere in the world, it's smart to have your travel vaccinations up-to-date and to prepare a first aid kit for injuries or minor health issues that might occur. See our advice in What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for American Samoa and Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to American Samoa?

Medical Issues That Can Occur in American Samoa

The most common medical issues that can occur in American Samoa are sunburn, heatstroke, mosquito bites and coral cuts. These are very easy to keep in check with simple precautions.

Other medical issues may occur when it comes to drinking water and food, which we cover in our "Food and Water Hygiene" section.

Heat Stroke

Overexposure to the sun and high humidity can lead to heatstroke. Symptoms include exhaustion, confusion, headache and vomiting. To avoid, wear high-factor sunscreen, reapply every three hours or straight after swimming, and drink plenty of water. If symptoms occur, move out of the sun immediately and try to cool the victim down by wrapping a wet towel around them. See a doctor as soon as possible.

For more sun protection tips, check out The Best Sunscreens for American Samoa + Sun Protection Tips.

Mosquito Bites

Mosquitos can leave a nasty itchy bite, which is enough to ruin an evening under the stars. What's more, day-biting mosquitoes transmit dengue fever (see below) and, more rarely, chikungunya and Zika.

Check out 10 Best Insect Repellents for American Samoa + How to Treat & Avoid Bites for ways to avoid bites.

Ciguatera

Ciguatera is fish poisoning caused by eating reef fish that have eaten particular types of toxic algae. Symptoms occur within 24 hours of eating contaminated reef fish and include vomiting, diarrhoea and numbness in the fingers.

The best way to prevent it is to avoid eating reef fish altogether; eating deep-sea fish, like tuna, wahoo and mahimahi, is fine.

Coral Cuts

Cuts from live coral can leave prolonged infections, so if you are injured by live coral, get out of the water immediately and cleanse the wound. Take out all of the bits of coral, apply antiseptic cream, and cover with a dressing.

You should have all this stuff in your American Samoa First Aid Kit!

Diving Decompression

Scuba diving is a popular activity in American Samoa, but neglecting the strict depth and timing precautions of scuba diving can result in decompression illness, otherwise known as "the bends".

American Samoa is fortunate to have two hyperbaric chambers on the main island, Tutuila (Pago Pago): one at the LBJ Hospital and the other with Pago Pago Marine Charters.

Infectious Diseases

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a mosquito-transmitted disease that has regular outbreaks in American Samoa. It is only the day-biting mosquitoes (black and white striped) that cause the infection, so take a precaution by preventing mosquito bites.

See the How to Treat & Avoid Mosquito Bites for tips.

Chikungunya

Similar to dengue fever, chikungunya is another mosquito-transmitted disease also spread by day-biting mosquitoes. Outbreaks have been known to occur in American Samoa, such as in 2014 when cases reached more than 700.

There is no vaccination or specific treatment for the disease, so, again, sensible mosquito avoidance is recommended.

E.coli (Traveller's Diarrhoea)

E.coli is a virus, resulting from food and water that is contaminated with faecal matter, for instance.

Precautions to take include boiling water for at least 10 minutes if the water is not from a safe source and washing hands regularly. See Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa? for more tips.

Symptoms include fever, drowsiness and diarrhoea. If symptoms occur, hydrate by taking small sips of fluids continuously, alternating between electrolytes and water. If you don't have an electrolyte solution, drink Coca-Cola or salty broth.

In most cases, you will need to wait out the symptoms, as antibiotics rarely treat E. coli effectively.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 virus has been present in American Samoa. Symptoms are flu-like including fever, cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell.

It is recommended that you are fully vaccinated before travelling to American Samoa. See Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to American Samoa? for more details.

Typhoid Fever, Meningitis, Measles and Hepatitis A

While rare, typhoid fever, meningitis, measles and hepatitis A outbreaks have occurred in American Samoa over the past 10 years.

It is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations and to get travel vaccinations, such as diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, regardless of where you are travelling to.

Find out more in Do You Need Vaccines to Travel to American Samoa?

Although American Samoa is usually blessed with buckets of sunshine, its location in the South Pacific means that it is at risk of extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Cyclones

The South Pacific cyclone season runs from November to April. On average, American Samoa experiences a big cyclone once every five or so years.

American Samoa is well prepared for cyclones; however, so check out Cyclones in American Samoa: A Guide to Cyclone Safety for advice on safety precautions.

Tsunamis

Being just north of a major earthquake zone, American Samoa has had rare but serious incidents of being impacted by tsunamis.

Anyone visiting American Samoa should know how to identify the signs of a tsunami and know what to do in the case of one before visiting; The Guide to Earthquakes & Tsunamis in American Samoa will give you some pointers.

Volcanic Eruptions

American Samoa sits on some seriously active geological ground, with Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega and Ta'ū all considered potentially active volcanoes.

The last confirmed land eruption happened on Tutuila between 1,400 and 1,700 years ago, but underwater activity has been much more recent.

The real hotspot is Vailuluʻu seamount, a submarine volcano 45 km (28 mi) east of Ta'ū Island that's erupted multiple times over the past 50 years.

In 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey raised Ta'ū's alert level to "Yellow/Advisory"; the first time it had been assigned any alert level.

American Samoa doesn't have any poisonous spiders or poisonous land snakes (one of the 25 Fun Facts About American Samoa LINK#TT040), but there are venomous fish, as well as other animals that you'd best avoid. These include:

• Aedes aegypti - The day-biting mosquito that can transmit dengue fever.
• Centipede - Will leave a painful bite if provoked.
• Dogs - More of a problem for their bark than their bite.
• Crown-of-thorns starfish - Has venomous spikes.
• Stonefish - A rare but camouflaged fish that have venomous spines.
• Fire coral - Has bright yellow branches and leaves a nasty sting or rash.
• Lionfish - Fish that leaves a painful sting.
• Man o' war jellyfish - Rarely seen but they can get carried over reefs after storms.

For more information about the sort of animals you'll see in American Samoa, check out 20 Animals & Birds Found in American Samoa LINK#TTD074.

Food and water in American Samoa are generally safe and readily available, but you shouldn't drink from any old tap. Basic travel-health rules are worth keeping in mind. We go over a few food and water hygiene tips for American Samoa here.

Know What Water is Safe to Drink

Tap water is generally not safe to drink, even if locals are drinking it. Hotels and lodges normally let guests know where to get safe drinking water at their facility. Many have their own filtration system installed but always be sure to ask where to get safe drinking water (as it's not always from your bathroom's tap). Otherwise, bottled water is readily available to buy throughout American Samoa.

To avoid water-borne diseases, such as traveller's diarrhoea, and reduce the negative impact bottled water has on the environment, take precautions like boiling water for about 10 minutes before drinking it. Water purifying tablets and Lifestraw bottles are also effective, but boiling water is the safest option.

See Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa? for much more of a deep dive into the subject.

Focus on Hygiene Especially When Staying in Villages

Doing a homestay can be an enriching cultural experience, but you will need to accept a small portion of risk with conditions being different from home.

First, focus on hygiene by washing your hands regularly or using a hand sanitiser, especially before eating food.

In the unlikely case that you do start feeling ill, act quickly by seeking medical attention. If you let the situation worsen, it may be very strenuous to wait to see a doctor.

Be Aware of Food Safety

Eating in restaurants or at tourist accommodations is usually very safe in American Samoa. But if you're eating street food, like from roadside barbecues/cookouts, then there are a few things to be aware of. For instance, if you're in an area that may have unsafe water, avoid eating salads or uncooked food that might have been washed with contaminated water. Preferably, eat food that has been cooked in front of you. Vegetarian food is usually the safest option.

To avoid gastro bugs, use hand disinfectant and only eat cooked food. If you get diarrhoea, drink water regularly and alternate between electrolytes and water. If other symptoms occur, see a doctor.

Finally, avoid salmonella by not eating runny eggs or undercooked meat. If you have blood in your stool, see a doctor immediately.

Travellers with gluten intolerance can get advice from The Gluten-Free Guide to American Samoa LINK#TTD056.

Healthcare in American Samoa

If you have health issues or serious injuries while in American Samoa, then there are hospitals (some of which also act as medical centres/GPs), as well as private medical centres and pharmacies. Basic over-the-counter medical supplies can be bought at supermarkets and some convenience stores LINK#TT011.

Note that the phone number in an emergency is 911.

Pharmacies in American Samoa

• LBJ Tropical Medical Center Pharmacy, Route 104, Fagaalu, Tutuila (main hospital)
• Tafuna Family Health Center Pharmacy, Route 117, Tafuna, Tutuila
• Manu'a Health Center Pharmacy, Ta'u, Manu'a Islands

Medical Centres and Hospitals in American Samoa

• LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Route 104, Fagaalu, Tutuila (main hospital)
• Tafuna Family Health Center, Route 117, Tafuna, Tutuila
• Saelua Medical Corporation, 5799 Tafuna Industrial Park, Tafuna, Tutuila
• Leone Clinic, Route 004, Leone, Tutuila
• Fagaalu Clinic, Fagaalu, Tutuila
• Amouli Clinic, Amouli, Tutuila
• Ofu Clinic, Ofu, Manu'a Islands
• Ta'u Medical Dispensary, Luma, Manu'a Islands

For map locations and up-to-date opening hours, check out the Department of Health website.

Plus, for more essential services around the islands, take a look at Information, Shops & Services in American Samoa LINK#TTD096.

Crimes Against Tourists in American Samoa

American Samoa is generally very safe when it comes to crime, while tourist scams are unheard of. However, there is the occasional petty crime, like theft in cases where valuables are on display. Rarer still, violent and sexual assaults have occurred in American Samoa.

Theft in American Samoa

Beach and hiking trailhead locations are higher-risk areas for theft of unattended items. Thefts are very rare for items that are out of sight, but leaving items on display in your rental vehicle is a potential trigger for theft.

Take the usual precautions for vehicles; don't leave valuables visible. Ideally, take valuables with you.

In short, theft is not something to be too worried about in American Samoa, but a bit of commonsense precaution is always advised.

Violence in American Samoa

American Samoa is certainly not a violent country. However, the usual precautions like avoiding walking through poorly lit streets, hitchhiking alone or heading out to bars alone should be taken.

One precaution generally advised in the Samoan Islands is that if you're in an accident or witness an accident, don't get out of your vehicle unless it is safe to do so. Drive to the nearest police station to report the accident.

American Samoa Department of Public Safety (American Samoa Police)

Emergency number: 911

There are police stations in the following locations:

• Department of Public Safety Headquarters, Route 001, Fagatogo, Tutuila
• Leone Police Sub Station, Route 004, Leone, Tutuila

Water activities are a highlight of American Samoa, but precautions should be taken when out swimming.

Not all beaches are good for swimming in American Samoa, so you should always seek advice before heading out.

Snorkelling, for instance, is generally recommended around mid-tide or slack tide in some snorkelling spots like Ofu Beach, where the waves break over the nearby reef at high tide, but the coral can be too shallow at low tide. Trust us, you'll want to avoid coral cuts!

Most essentially, swimmers should be wary of currents and tidal changes, particularly the swift movement of water through reef passages. Reef passages can usually be spotted from on-shore - better from an elevated position - as a width of darker (deeper) water can usually be spotted extending out to the reef.

Finally, never swim alone and always seek local advice on conditions.

The final danger or potential hazard in American Samoa is the roads. Although speed limits are low and there are efficient road rules in place, the roads can be congested in Pago Pago, and accidents on the road do happen. Some safety tips for driving on the roads in American Samoa include:

• Take it easy and stick to the speed limit.
• Watch out for children and animals on the road.
• Be mindful of the buses.
• Wear a helmet when riding a scooter.
• Take extra care when driving on unsealed roads.
• Don't park under coconut trees.
• Wear your seatbelt (even if the locals don't).

We have elaboration on these safety tips in our guide, How to Drive in American Samoa + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know LINK#T042.