Scuba Diving Companies Providing Scuba Tours and Rentals in American Samoa
Here's something that might surprise you: despite being home to some of the most stunning marine parks in the Pacific, including the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, and absolutely sensational coral reef snorkelling, American Samoa has just one dive operator.
We know, it sounds almost impossible given the underwater wonders waiting beneath the surface.
This means you've got two choices if you're dreaming of exploring the depths. You can either plan well in advance with the island's sole dive operator (trust us, they're in high demand for good reason), or you can bring your own gear and dive independently.
From what we've experienced, both options have their perks, and we'll walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your underwater adventure in this comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents
5 Quick Tips for Diving in American Samoa
- Best diving season: November to April. The period from April to May offers unseasonably calm conditions ideal for scuba diving. Avoid May to October when trade winds reach 20-35 mph, making diving unsafe and very uncomfortable.
- Check Weather and Location Before Every Dive. Always verify weather conditions and choose your dive site accordingly. When swells and wind come from one direction, the opposite side of the island is usually calmer. There are dive sites on both east and west sides of the island.
- Bring Your Own Gear When Possible. Local divers prefer bringing their own equipment due to maintenance concerns with rental gear. If you must rent, ensure equipment has been properly serviced and certified.
- Plan for Shore Dives. Boat operators are typically busy way in advance, with the easiest way to scuba in American Samoa being shore dives without a guide.
- Respect Marine Protected Areas. No spear fishing while diving in National Park waters. Only traditional fishing methods are permitted. Rose Atoll is a marine protected area with strict regulations requiring special permits and equipment sterilisation.
What Scuba Diving Operators and Dive Shops are Available in Pago Pago and American Samoa?
Pago Pago Marine Charters
If you're looking to explore American Samoa's underwater world, needless to say, Pago Pago Marine Charters is your go-to operator based right out of Pago Pago Harbor. However, it's important to understand the nature of this operation and set realistic expectations.
What You Need to Know
Timing is Critical: The best diving season is from November to April. From May to October, trade winds of 20-35 mph make diving unsafe and very uncomfortable. The operator emphasises that even during "calm" periods in the off-season, conditions can be challenging for visitors.
Where They'll Take You Diving
You'll love the variety of dive sites available through Pago Pago Marine Charters. The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is just one of its spectacular destinations, particularly in Fagatele Bay.
The operation primarily serves areas around Tutuila Island. Rose Atoll is not available as a tourism product despite website claims - it requires special permits, quarantine procedures and diving gear sterilisation due to its status as a marine protected area.
There's more to unpack when it comes to dive sites in AS., so check out The Best Scuba Diving in American Samoa: Top 10 Places to Scuba Dive to "dive" deeper.
Pago Pago Marine Charter's Boats and Diving Experience
What They Offer
Pago Pago Marine Charters operates with fully certified captains with a US Coast Guard "six pack" licence and fully certified dive instructors, so you're in safe hands from the start.
They offer cylinder refill and rental services, tanks, weight belts and even have a hyperbaric chamber for safety. However, we should mention that while they have a hyperbaric chamber, it's currently in dry storage and isn't maintained or certified. If there's an emergency, the hospital has an acrylic chamber with limited capabilities for decompression sickness treatment.
Here's something we've learned from our experience: their dive equipment has been sitting in storage without maintenance and would need servicing before use. The operator is certified to service equipment but is often busy with boat building and other work priorities.
Our recommendation? Stick to renting scuba tanks - this is their main line of work and something they do exceptionally well. For everything else, you're best off bringing your own gear.
Meet Their Two Vessels
You'll love their two boats, each offering different experiences:
The Double Hooked is a 15 m (50 ft) catamaran powered by two 450hp Caterpillar diesels. She'll cruise at 21 knots with a top speed of 31 knots.
Fancy an overnighter? The accommodation includes four bedrooms sleeping six people, plus additional sleeping space for four more. There's a restroom with a shower onboard too.
Safety is clearly a priority with an abundance of equipment, including a motor-powered life raft, satellite phone, GPS and life vests for adults and children.
The Double Barrel is a 12 m (39 ft) power catamaran powered by two Mercury Verado 300hp outboards. She's faster, with a cruise speed of 23 knots and top speed of 36 knots.
It has all your expected helm features, plus a large cabin, double room and restroom onboard.
Her low deck design and comprehensive safety equipment make her an excellent diving platform.
The Cost of Scuba Diving in American Samoa
- Boat charter: US$1,200 (regardless of one to six people)
- Equipment rental: US$40 per person (when available)
- Maximum capacity: six divers
Services and Limitations
What's Included:
- Boat charter with certified captain
- Ice and water
- Basic safety equipment
What's NOT Included:
- Food or refreshments (you must bring your own)
- Hot drinks between dives
- Gear maintenance guarantee
Booking: They can accommodate short-notice bookings when not busy with scientific work, which takes priority over tourism.
Customer pickup from hotels can be arranged, and they can accommodate cruise ship passengers when conditions and schedules permit.
Our Tip: Book Well in Advance
It's important to note that Pago Pago Marine Charters offers much more than just scuba diving – they also provide game fishing, whale watching and sightseeing tours, as listed in the 5 Best Boat & Sailing Tours in American Samoa.
On the flip side for travellers, Pago Pago Marine Charters is primarily a boat-building operation that also does scientific research work. Tourism is secondary to their main business. As the operator states: "We're just a bunch of guys who love being out on the water" who have created charter services to meet demand.
The majority of their schedule is filled with science-based activities, including coral surveys, water sampling and deep diving research partnerships with the National Park Service.
All things said, they are refreshingly honest about their limitations and encourage realistic expectations.
All in all, book well in advance and confirm equipment status and weather conditions before your trip. Consider bringing your own gear if possible.
More About Dive Shops and Operators in American Samoa
That's it for our guide to the best dive shops, operators and tours in American Samoa. More dive operators will be added to the list when they become available. In the meantime, how about planning the rest of your epic excursion to paradise?
- The Best Scuba Diving in American Samoa: Top 10 Places to Scuba Dive
- The Best Snorkelling in American Samoa: Top 10 Places to Snorkel
- 10 Best Snorkelling Tours in American Samoa
Finally, for a variety of experiences in American Samoa, don't miss the 101 Best Things to Do in American Samoa: The Ultimate List.
