8 Best Day Tours in Pago Pago & American Samoa

Best Tours has earned its reputation as one of the most reliable tour operators in Pago Pago, expertly balancing large cruise ship operations with personalised experiences for smaller groups and individual travellers.

The "National Park Plus Tour" offers an immersive exploration of American Samoa's stunning landscapes with plenty of time to immerse yourself in each stop. You'll visit the historic Aerial Tramway, National Park Visitor Center, Mt Pioa (Rainmaker Mountain) as you climb the mountain pass over to and Lower Sauma Ridge, and hike the short trail down to the tide pools and walk along the coastline, before continuing to Pola Island.

For those seeking more adventure, there's an option to swap in the Blunts Point Trail, which takes you up and over the ridge with switchbacks, ladders and ropes. The tour remains refreshingly flexible—if your local guide spots something interesting happening along the way, they'll pull over to investigate, as is the nature of American Samoa, where life happens rather than rehearsed activities for tourism.

Using knowledgeable local guides with deep insights into this fascinating part of the South Pacific, the tour company prides itself on professional yet friendly service. They offer customised itineraries tailored to different interests and schedules, and they're particularly accommodating with last-minute bookings.

North Shore Tours operates with a refreshingly personalised approach that completely avoids the "one size fits all" mentality.

Your guide Rory, an American expat who has called Tutuila home for most of his life, prefers to understand what travellers are really about before tailoring each experience accordingly.

The "Historical and Cultural Tour" focuses on sharing deep knowledge about the island's fascinating history, including the colonial period, the deed of cession signed in 1900, and the various political upheavals during the Navy governance period from 1900 to 1929. Rory takes visitors to see old naval buildings and explains the cultural significance of various sites, including some that have traditional restrictions or spiritual significance.

With a whole assortment of different activities to choose from, his philosophy is more like offering a smorgasbord where people can pick what interests them most, bringing together an international perspective with deep local knowledge to create truly authentic adventures.

Samriel Aunu'u Island Getaway offers an authentic cultural immersion on one of American Samoa's most unique islands through Pika's signature "Aunu'u Island Tour".

This comprehensive walking tour begins with transfers to 'Au'asi Harbor where you'll take the alia boat over to Aunu'u LINK#D008. The tour takes you through the island's renowned taro plantations, where you'll discover why Aunu'u produces the finest taro in the islands and learn the fascinating history behind this superior variety.

The experience showcases the island's distinctive geological features, including a rare quicksand area and the dramatic Sina and Tigilau cliffs positioned beside a crater with breathtaking views. Your guide also demonstrates the island's rainwater catchment systems and functioning water wells, one of only two locations in American Samoa where you can still draw water using traditional bucket methods.

Traditional cooking demonstrations and cultural activities provide deeper insights into Samoan heritage, with Pika's personal connections ensuring an authentic local perspective throughout your visit.

For a day tour out on the water, Pago Pago Marine Charters offers all the gear and premium boats for something truly special.

Their charter boat service specialises in diving and fishing expeditions, but also provides access to stunning locations like Fagatele Bay for those seeking more of a sightseeing experience from the water, or wish to do a spot of snorkelling instead.

Their premium equipment and group-friendly pricing, whether you're travelling solo or with up to six people, means you'll pay the same rate. The boat accommodates small groups, creating an intimate marine adventure tailored to your interests.

While they provide snorkelling gear, we recommend bringing your own for the best experience. You'll also need to pack your own food and refreshments for the journey.

Although not exactly a tour that lasts the whole "day", the "Fautasi Outrigger Canoe Tour" with South Pacific Watersports (SPW) is an alternative guided experience you can find in American Samoa.

These magnificent racing craft, once used for warfare and transport, now embody the Samoan values of teamwork and collective achievement that have been passed down through generations of boat-building families.

Your harbour tour offers a unique perspective of Pago Pago from the water, guided by experienced steersmen (and women). Learn how each fautasi represents not just a village but centuries of maritime heritage, whilst enjoying stunning waterfront views that can only be appreciated from this traditional vantage point.

These tours accommodate both small and large groups, providing an authentic cultural experience that connects you directly to the racing traditions that draw entire communities to Pago Pago Harbor during the celebrated fautasi races.

Experience the complete Manu'a Islands LINK#D012 adventure with this expertly arranged day tour from Ta'ū Island to the stunning twin islands of Ofu and Olosega, connected by a scenic bridge.

Fitiuta Lodge leverages their local connections to coordinate seamless transportation via traditional alia boats, ensuring you don't miss any of these pristine islands. The lodge handles all logistics, including packed lunches and return transportation, though guests pay boat owners directly for the marine transfer service.

This self-guided experience offers the freedom to explore at your own pace across both islands, from Ofu's world-renowned beaches to Olosega's dramatic landscapes. The arrangement service comes at no additional cost from the lodge (just pay your alia boat captain), making this an accessible way to maximise your Manu'a Islands experience.

Another unconventional method of experiencing guided day tours around American Samoa is using taxi drivers as tour guides.

Here's how it works: taxi drivers negotiate prices directly with you based on where you want to go and what you'd like to do. They'll typically pull out a map, chat about your interests, and work out a fair price together. It's refreshingly personal and often works out cheaper than organised tours (though admittedly more informal).

If you're arriving on a cruise ship, you'll love how flexible these drivers are. They specialise in day tours for cruise passengers, offering everything from snorkelling and swimming trips (bring your own gear) to scenic island tours. The best part? They'll tailor the duration and activities to exactly what you fancy.

What we've found particularly valuable is their local knowledge. These drivers understand the cultural rules and regulations of different villages, so they'll guide you on appropriate dress codes and behaviour – something we've experienced ourselves as being incredibly helpful for respectful travel.

They also know all the photogenic spots and will suggest scenic stops along the way, making sure you're comfortable and safe throughout your adventure.

Learn more about how to do a day tour with a taxi in our complete guide, Taxis in American Samoa: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

If you're looking for an authentic day tour experience in American Samoa, guided hikes are absolutely the way to go.

Some of the territory's most spectacular trails—like Lauitau Waterfall on Ta'ū, Mt Lata (also on Ta'ū), Mt Matafao on Tutuila, and Massacre Bay—actually require a local guide. These trails can be tricky to follow and potentially dangerous without someone who knows the way.

Mt Tumu on Ofu is a bit different. While you can tackle this one solo if you're feeling confident, you can go with a guide from Ofu village. They know all the shortcuts and can really enhance your experience with local knowledge you simply won't get on your own.

The best part? Organising these guided adventures is refreshingly straightforward. Simply chat with your accommodation host once you're on the island—they'll know exactly who to connect you with.

It's a brilliant way to experience American Samoa's stunning landscapes whilst supporting the local community. Ensure you bring enough cash to pay your guide, which can range from US$50-$300.