9 Best Boat Tours in American Samoa

American Samoa's leading commercial boat charter with more equipment than you can shake a stick (or a fishing rod) at, Pago Pago Marine Charters delivers private full-day fishing adventures around Tutuila.

Target the region's prized species, including yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, dogstooth tuna, marlin and sailfish. The eight-hour charter accommodates up to six people for the same price, whether you're solo or with a full group, and includes all fishing gear, fuel, crew, ice and water.

There are plenty of fishing grounds to cover, including the outer banks, where fishing pressure is significantly lighter than closer inshore waters, dramatically improving your chances of landing trophy fish. You'll keep the majority of your catch, making this both an adventure and a practical way to stock up on fresh seafood.

Run by passionate locals who genuinely love being on the water, the operation offers convenient pickups from cruise ships and hotels. Just remember to bring your own food and drinks for the day, though there's a handy bakery near the marina for last-minute provisions.

A seriously strange but totally fun way to get on the waters of the Pago Pago Harbor is with a waterbike tour with Adventures Unlimited!

Explore the deepest natural harbour in the South Pacific in a truly unique way aboard innovative waterbikes with expert guides.

These unusual contraptions, essentially a bicycle mounted on two canoes, create a surprisingly stable and fun watercraft that provides an entertaining and memorable way to discover the harbour's hidden gems.

Pedal across sheltered waters surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and traditional villages as your guide leads you to hidden coral gardens and prime sea turtle spotting areas.

Learn fascinating Samoan legends as you explore the sacred amu'ula coral formation and spot the legendary mountains of Pioa and Matafao.

The tour culminates at sunset as you return to Aua Beach under a hue of reds and pinks.

A way to explore the Pago Pago Harbor using a method you may be more familiar, South Pacific Watersports (SPW) offers an epic selection of watersports rentals conveniently close to town.

This versatile operation provides everything from kayak and paddleboard rentals to guided outrigger canoe tours around the harbour's pristine waters.

The equipment rental options cater to all skill levels, with single kayaks, double kayaks, snorkel gear and stand-up paddleboards all available at an hourly rate. For those wanting to explore longer, half-day and full-day rental packages are available upon request.

Once you're geared up, you have a vast area of the Pago Pago Harbor to explore - one of the world's largest natural harbours! The harbour is well-sheltered and boasts pockets of coral reef that make taking snorkelling gear with your kayak or SUP well worth it. We highly recommend staying within the harbour for safety, where you'll discover vibrant coral formations perfect for underwater exploration.

Keep your eyes peeled for the local marine life - turtles are frequently spotted gliding through the waters, and you might even catch a glimpse of them from the business's porch before you head out. Operating six days a week, there's plenty of opportunity to experience these incredible water activities during your visit.

Experience the profound cultural significance of American Samoa's traditional fautasi outrigger canoes with South Pacific Watersports.

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.

Another way to experience a boat tour with Pago Pago Marine Charters is by chartering their boats for scuba diving.

They offer private scuba diving charters for up to six divers, with the same price whether you're diving solo or with a full group. Run by passionate boat builders who love the opportunity to get out on the water, this operation primarily focuses on scientific work, including coral surveys and deep diving research, making tourist charters available when their schedule permits.

While the operator is both a certified scuba instructor and the only person with a US Coast Guard licence to captain the boat, this creates unique logistical considerations for training courses. We recommend bringing as much of your own gear as you can. Although equipment rental is available, it's typically not in the best shape and requires servicing before each trip.

Bookings can often be made with short notice, and they'll arrange pickups from cruise ships or hotels. You'll need to bring your own food and drinks, though there's a bakery near the marina for last-minute provisions.

Ok, so you're only on the boat for a max of 20-30 minutes total, but we are totally going to class the day trip to Aunu'u Island with Best Tours as a boat tour activity!

The 15-minute boat crossing delivers you to an island where time stands still: no traffic, minimal vehicles and a pace that lets you truly disconnect.

Your local guide will lead you through ancient taro patches to the waterfront cultural site of Sina and Tigilau, before potentially tackling the loop trail around the island's dramatic freshwater crater (conditions permitting). The adventure continues with tide pool exploration and bird watching at the fascinating quicksand area, where you'll witness nature's unique phenomena up close.

Back in the village, you'll enjoy a traditional lunch with optional swimming or snorkelling to cap off this authentic South Pacific experience. With knowledgeable local guides and customised itineraries available, this tour accommodates last-minute bookings for spontaneous adventurers.

Experience the complete Manu'a Islands adventure with this expertly arranged day tour with Fitiuta Lodge from Ta'ū Island to the stunning twin islands of Ofu and Olosega, connected by a scenic bridge. And yes, the experience involves travelling between the two islands by boat!

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.

Technically not a "tour" in the traditional sense, but we'd argue it's one of the most authentic experiences you'll have in American Samoa. The alia boats serve as the primary transport between the islands in the Manu'a Islands, and the journey takes about 45 minutes, depending on water conditions.

Only a handful of locals run these alia boats, but when we travelled with Clint and his son Sitaua, they transformed what could have been a simple transfer into something magical. They shared fascinating legends about the dramatic cliffs and island formations we passed, making the journey as memorable as the destination itself.

The real highlight? The skipper took the time to navigate around Nu'utele Island on our approach to Ofu Harbor, specifically to show us the island's incredible natural archways. It's these spontaneous moments that make alia boat transfers feel like private tours.

Learn more about alia boats in our comprehensive guide to water transfers in American Samoa.

Samriel Aunu'u Island Getaway offers an authentic fishing experience that goes far beyond simply casting a line.

Led by Pika, this flexible operation provides both trolling and bottom fishing charters using traditional local vessels like the alia boats, a genuine American Samoan fishing boat.

Pika's commitment to authentic cultural experiences is what makes this tour truly special; he's not just a fishing guide but a cultural ambassador who aims to plant seeds of American Samoan traditions with every visitor. His network of local colleagues ensures that even larger groups can be accommodated, whilst his honest approach about weather dependency reflects the authentic reality of island life.

The flexibility is handy, with Pika describing himself as the go-to organiser who can arrange virtually anything across these remote islands. Whether you're after a half-day trolling adventure or a full cultural fishing experience, the focus remains on creating meaningful connections that visitors can share with their families worldwide.