The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in American Samoa

As we mentioned earlier, bicycle hire isn't available on the main island of Tutuila – although scooter rental provides the next best thing, which you can find out more about in our Scooter Hire in American Samoa: Where to Rent, Cost & More guide.

Pushbikes in the Manu'a Islands

The good news is that if you're heading to the outer islands, you'll find some excellent bicycle options waiting for you.

Fitiuta Lodge Bike Rentals

Fitiuta Lodge on Ta'ū Island is the island's most comprehensive and upscale accommodation, and they've got you covered for bike rentals.

Their rental rates are quite reasonable at US$20 per day, with a long-term rate of US$28 for 28 days (essentially a monthly rate). They operate both car and bike rentals, making it easy to sort out all your transport needs in one go.

We love using their bikes to explore the other side of the island – it's a brilliant way to cross the northern road and reach Ta'ū and Faleasao villages. Just a heads up though: we don't recommend using bikes for the gravelly Saua Trail in the National Park.

Va'oto Lodge Bike Rentals

Over on Ofu Island, Va'oto Lodge takes a different approach with five bikes available for guests, and they're complimentary for lodge guests!

The bikes are available alongside snorkelling gear, kayaks and paddleboards, so you can really make the most of your island adventure. As essentially one of the only ways to get around Ofu-Olosega, these bikes get a lot of use, so expect some of them to be a little worn. Head out early to get the best ones if there are other lodge guests staying at the same time (winky face).

You can learn more about these accommodations in our Where to Stay in Ofu, Olosega & Ta'ū (Manu'a Islands): 10 Best Accommodations guide.

If you're looking for a little extra power to help with those pedals, electric bikes and mountain bikes are fantastic options for exploring American Samoa. With some challenging uphills on Ta'ū and the intense heat of the American Samoan sun, e-bikes are definitely worth considering.

Fitiuta Lodge E-Bike Rentals

Fitiuta Lodge is like the Swiss Army knife of accommodation on Ta'ū Island – they do a bit of everything, including having mostly e-bikes in their rental fleet.

These bikes are perfect for cruising across the island to Ta'u and Faleasao villages, though you'll still need to tackle a few hills along the way. From our experience, e-bikes can deteriorate pretty quickly in these salt-battered islands, so we'd recommend asking for a test ride and checking you've got a full battery before setting off.

Trust us – there's nothing worse than having to push a heavy e-bike all the way home! Rental prices are US$20 per day.

Bringing your own bike to American Samoa is definitely doable, and we've found the best approach depends on which route you're taking.

Bringing Your Bike on Hawaiian Airlines

Your best bet for bringing a bike to American Samoa is with Hawaiian Airlines from Honolulu. We've found their bike policy to be the most straightforward.

You'll need to pack your bike properly in a bike box or bike bag (bike boxes are usually available for purchase at airports). The good news? You don't need to deflate the tyres, but you will need to make a few adjustments:

• Turn the handlebars sideways or wrap them safely, remove the pedals or fit them into protective foam
• Keep the total packed weight under 70 lb (32 kg) with dimensions within 115 linear inches (292 cm). This way, it qualifies as a bicycle case and falls within the standard baggage allowance.
• If your packed bike exceeds 70 lb (32 kg) but stays under 100 lb (45 kg), be prepared to pay international excess weight fees.
• If it's oversized beyond 115 in (292 cm), it cannot be accepted at all.
• You'll also need to sign the required Bicycle Liability Release Form at check-in.

An important note is that there's no guarantee your bike will travel on your flight. If space is tight, it'll go on the next available one, and Hawaiian Airlines doesn't provide ground transport beyond baggage claim.

Our tip? Seal the box securely, label it with your name and phone number, and pack any accessories in a separate bag within the bike box.

Can You Bring a Bike on Samoa Airways?

With Samoa Airways, bringing a bike is possible but less reliable. You'll likely pay cargo fees, and your bike will only be loaded if there's available space (it's not treated as priority). This applies to flights from Apia and between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands.

For Talofa Airways, don't even go there; they have even less space for cargo and cannot take bicycles.

Getting Your Bike to the Manu'a Islands

For a more reliable option to the Manu'a Islands, we recommend the Manu'atele Ferry. As a cargo ship, it has plenty of space for bikes, though a small fee may apply.

Alternatively, charter flights with Pago Flight Charters offer cargo room for your group. You'll find more details about them in our Domestic Flights in American Samoa: Your Guide to Interisland Flights.

For more comprehensive information about getting to American Samoa, check out our Getting Here: How to Get to American Samoa guide.

Due to its rugged terrain, limited shoulder space, and warm, humid climate, Tutuila is better suited for adventurous cycle touring than casual day rides. That said, it's certainly possible to bring your own bike and explore, especially for those comfortable riding alongside traffic and tackling hills. We personally love how cycling gives you time to soak in the island’s incredible views, from sea cliffs to lush jungle.

While there are currently no dedicated bicycle rental shops on the island, you can bring your own bike on some flights to Pago Pago—see our guide above for how to do this.

How Long Does it Take to Cycle Across Tutuila?

At a relaxed pace of 12 kph (7 mph), it takes roughly 3 hrs and 10 minutes to cycle from Tula on the east coast to Poloa on the west coast. The full ride is about 54 km (33.6 mi) following the main coastal road, with plenty of scenic stop opportunities along the way. For a more relaxed experience, consider splitting the journey into two or three days, staying in villages or accommodation along the way.

Cycle Touring Times and Distances on Tutuila

(Miles (Kilometres) Minutes)

• Pago Pago to Fagatogo (Administration Centre) – 1 mi (1.6 km) / 8 mins
• Pago Pago to Tisa's Barefoot Bar (Alega Beach) – 6.2 mi (10 km) / 50 mins
• Pago Pago to Tula (East Coast) – 14.7 mi (23.6 km) / 2 hrs
• Pago Pago to Poloa (West Coast) – 18.9 mi (30.4 km) / 2 hrs 30 mins
• Pago Pago to Blunt's Point Trailhead – 2.3 mi (3.7 km) / 20 mins
• Pago Pago to National Park Visitor Centre – 0.4 mi (0.7 km) / 5 mins

Please note: Times are estimates based on a relaxed cycling speed and local terrain, which can include steep hills and high humidity.

Cycling on the Manu‘a Islands

The islands of Ofu, Olosega and Ta‘ū offer limited but much more easy-going and beautiful cycling routes ideal for short exploration rides. With low traffic and flat stretches of coastal road, cycling here is a peaceful way to see the villages and beaches, though most visitors walk or drive due to heat and limited infrastructure. We personally love how remote and untouched it feels.

Cycle Touring Times on Ofu–Olosega

(Miles (Kilometres) Minutes)

• Ofu Village to Va'oto Lodge – 1.4 mi (2.2 km) / 15 mins
• Ofu Village to Ofu Beach – 1.7 mi (2.8 km) / 20 mins
• Ofu Village to Asaga Strait Bridge – 4.3 mi (7 km) / 40 mins
• Ofu to Olosega Village – 5.2 mi (8.4 km) / 50 mins
• Olosega to Asaga Strait Bridge – 0.8 mi (1.3 km) / 10 mins

Cycle Touring Times on Ta‘ū (From Fitiuta Airport)

(Miles (Kilometres) Minutes)

• Fitiuta Airport to Fitiuta Lodge – 984 ft (0.3 km) / 3 mins
• Fitiuta Airport to Saua Site – 7,218 ft (2.2 km) / 15 mins
• Fitiuta Airport to Faleasao – 5.6 mi (9 km) / 45 mins
• Fitiuta Airport to Luma – 7.3 mi (11.7 km) / 1 hr
• Fitiuta Airport to Si'ufaga – 7.5 mi (12 km) / 1 hr

To see how this compares to driving, take a look at the American Samoa Travel Times & Distances: How Long Does it Take to Travel Around American Samoa?