A Self-Guided Day Trip Around Ta'ū: One Day Itinerary

Distance: 11.4 mi (18.3 km), Drive time: 30-40 minutes, Cycle time: 1-2 hours, Walking time: 3-4 hours.

Since most visitors base themselves in Fitiuta, we'll start your adventure right there. Trust us, you'll want to get an early start for this one!

Setting Off on the Saua Trail

Morning is absolutely the perfect time to tackle the Saua Trail (also known as the Si'u Point Trail), one of the national park's most rewarding walks. The entire trail takes around three hours at a relaxed pace, but here's the beauty of it – it's an out-and-back trail, so you can turn around whenever you fancy.

To find the trailhead, simply follow the road south from Fitiuta. It transforms into a flat gravel road that's easy on the legs – something we've appreciated during our own visits!

First Stop: Ancient Grinding Stone

About 550 yards into your walk, you'll discover a fascinating roadside grinding stone. These specially carved stones were once essential for creating tools and weapons for daily survival. It's a wonderful glimpse into how resourceful the island's early inhabitants were.

Moa Li'i Tele Grave and Stone Well

Another 500 yards down the trail brings you to Moa Li'i Tele Grave, which isn't just the territory's most scenic gravesite – it also marks the beginning of access to some incredible beaches along this route.

Almost next door, you'll spot another piece of Ta'ū Island's historical puzzle: a stone well that continues the island's intriguing story along the Saua Trail.

Wildlife Watching and Lua Ma'a Beach

Take a moment to enjoy the shade of the trees here – it's perfect for bird spotting. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers and wattled honeyeaters flitting about.

Approximately 200 metres further down the trail, you'll reach Lua Ma'a Beach, one of the area's most gorgeous stretches of sand. The crystal-clear waters here are ideal for snorkelling, particularly at mid-tide when conditions are calm and visibility is at its best.

Pu'a Vai: Where Culture Meets Paradise

Another 400 metres along, you'll arrive at Pu'a Vai (also called Au Vai O Namo). This beach holds special significance – it's named after the fresh spring water that once flowed here, a sacred element in the creation story of Tagaloa, who placed the first humans near springs.

This stunning beach offers the perfect combination of cultural significance and tropical paradise. You'll also notice another stone well opposite the beach, easily identifiable by its distinctive small pyramid of stones in a clearing.

We've found this secluded spot provides excellent snorkelling opportunities at mid-tide when it's not too shallow (and hopefully the waves are behaving themselves). Even if the snorkelling isn't ideal, it's a perfect place to cool off after hiking – much more relaxing than the wild coast you'll encounter at the trail's endpoint.

The Final Push to Aufotu Cove

Here comes the longest leg of your walk – almost 2 kilometres to reach your final breathtaking destination. But don't stop at the beach itself!

Just around the corner from Aufotu Cove, a spectacular view opens up of the entire south coast of Ta'ū Island and its ancient caldera plummeting into the wild waves below.

Reaching the Epic South Coast Viewpoint

Head down to the shoreline where remnants of old walking trail signs hint at the area's rugged past (though much has been claimed by the relentless ocean over the years).

Round the corner and prepare to be absolutely awestruck by the epic south coast of Ta'ū, where dramatic bush-clad crater cliffs plunge into the raging Pacific below. From our own experience, this view is worth every step of the journey.

The Return Journey

Once you've soaked in those incredible views, simply head back the way you came. If you're feeling a bit knackered by this point, you can always skip the final push to the viewpoint altogether – there's no shame in knowing your limits!

Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km), Drive time: 15 minutes, Cycle time: 45-50 minutes, Walking time: 2 hrs 25 mins.

Foga Mutietele Park - Nature's Dramatic Theatre

If you skipped the Saua Trail earlier, or you're making your way back out, don't miss Foga Mutietele Park - you'll find it signposted towards the coast at the southern end of Fitiuta. This remarkable grassy park creates one of nature's most spectacular shows, where soft sand seamlessly transitions into ancient volcanic rock formations, forming a natural amphitheatre where waves crash dramatically over the cliff edges.

We're absolutely fascinated by the park's rock pools, carved naturally by centuries of wave action and tidal movements. These pristine tidal pools are teeming with marine life - it's like having your own private aquarium.

What truly sets Foga Mutietele Park apart is its reputation as the island's premier sunrise viewing location. The eastern-facing cliffs provide an unobstructed view of the horizon, making early morning visits absolutely magical (trust us on this one).

Fitiuta for Supplies and Sacred Spaces

On your way out of the park, head north through Fitiuta where you can pick up road trip supplies from either Esteta's Homestay or Fitiuta Lodge Shop. Between the two, you'll discover the magnificent EFKAS Fitiuta Church, which is well worth popping your head into.

At the northern end of the village, you'll see signs for the Mt Lava trailhead, but it's overgrown and not safe to tackle on your own. Besides, with the Saua Trail under your belt, you've probably done enough walking for one day!

A Scenic Island Crossing

Next, it's time to cross the island on the 10 km (6 mi) stretch of northern coastal road. We love this smooth and scenic route - it's absolutely ideal for cycling.

Approximately 3 km along the road, you'll come across Faga Beach with its fale in the centre. Note that it's private property, but you can call out to greet Manaia, the owner, and ask permission to use the beach. From what we've experienced, he's pretty relaxed about it - just say hello if you happen to see him.

Eastern Island Views

It's then another 6.6 km to reach the eastern side of the island, with a couple of short uphills along the way. You'll enjoy good views and pass through local plantations as you go.

When you reach the water tower, turn right - this is where Google Maps loses the road. That's why open maps like Mapcarta and Maps.me are so much better for navigation here.

Faleasao Viewpoint

Follow the water tower road (there's a fun downhill section here) to meet up with the main road that circumvents the cliff edges. You'll come across a parking area and safety wall saying "Welcome to Faleasao".

This is hands down the best viewpoint of the village, complete with stunning views of Olosega island in the distance. You can venture down to the village to explore the church and wharf, but otherwise, we'd recommend turning back here to continue your journey to Ta'ū Village.

Distance: 4 mi (6 km), Drive time: 12 minutes, Cycle time: 25 minutes, Walking time: 1 hr 10 mins.

Exploring Ta'ū Village and Beyond

From the Faleasao Viewpoint, head back along the coastal cliff road, but instead of returning to the water tower, continue straight down into Ta'ū village for a fascinating cultural journey.

Ta'ū Village Beach and Ma'afe'e Island

Your first stop should be the village beach, where you'll have a perfect view of Ma'afe'e Island (which translates to "Octopus Island"). It's a lovely spot to pause and take in the coastal scenery before diving into the village's rich history.

Malaetele - Deed of Cession Site

Continue along the coastal road for about 250 m into the village, and you'll come across an empty square that holds tremendous historical significance. Here you'll find the Malaetele - Deed of Cession Site, marked by flagpoles where the American and Manu'an flags are raised for Manu'a Flag Day.

This sacred gathering space is where the annual Manu'a Cession Day ceremony takes place each 17 April. The site honours the 1904 cession of the Manu'a Islands to the United States through traditional flag-raising ceremonies and authentic ava rituals that have been preserved for over a century.

You'll also discover the Tui Manu'a Graves here—the final resting place of the last rulers who held the royal title (interestingly, the final "king" was actually a queen).

EFKAS Ta'ū Church and Village Amenities

Continuing through the village, you can't miss the grand EFKAS Ta'ū Church. If you need to stock up on snacks, take the second left after the church to reach Sky Mart.

From there, it's around 800 m to Ta'ū Wharf. We don't recommend lingering at the wharf itself—instead, continue to the end of the wharf buildings for your next adventure.

Fagamalo Cove Coastal Walk

Here's where things get exciting. Don't take the road uphill; instead, follow the gravel road on foot along the cliffs to Fagamalo Cove. This scenic coastal walk offers an easy 1.2 km (0.75 mi) trek along dramatic cliff edges and lush forest paths.

The leisurely 15 to 20-minute walk is absolutely worth it. The gravel road has experienced some washout over the years, which actually makes it perfect for exploring on foot rather than by vehicle.

As you wander through the coastal forest, you'll be amazed by the impressive crabs clinging to cliff faces and disappearing into rocky crevices. The walk culminates at a picturesque beach where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the ocean (though the waters can be a bit choppy for snorkelling).

Return Journey Through Ta'ū

Return the way you came, then continue on the sealed road uphill, which connects back to the main road behind Ta'ū Village. This route isn't updated on online maps just yet, so you're getting a bit of insider knowledge here!

There's a lovely view of Ta'ū Village from the corner—perfect for one last photo opportunity. Then head right to pass the community hall, Manu'a High School (painted purple in the royal colours for good reason), and the police station.

That's the end of our itinerary—now it's time to enjoy the journey to your next destination!