31 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in American Samoa

Travelling during the low season offers a more sustainable, affordable and peaceful experience in American Samoa.

Plan your trip between February and March or September and November to enjoy fewer crowds, lower prices and reduced strain on local resources.

Most visitors to American Samoa stay on Tutuila, where the capital Pago Pago is located.

To help reduce the strain on its limited infrastructure, consider exploring lesser-visited yet equally stunning destinations like the Manu‘a Islands—Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘ū, or the small volcanic island of Aunu‘u.

It is no secret that your flight to American Samoa will have the largest carbon impact of your trip.

Consider extending your stay (or waiting until you can) to make the most of the heavy environmental cost of your flight.

Plan a longer trip with the help of our American Samoa Itinerary: 14 Days / 2 Weeks LINK#TI037.

Resuseables, such as metal straws, water bottles and shopping bags, can help save dozens of plastic from going into landfills. By packing your own (and making sure you use them), you’ll help reduce the need for single-use items during your trip and keep your waste to a minimum.

More advice on using reusable water bottles can be found toward the end of this listicle!

Shampoo bars are both a great way to save money on haircare (they last much longer) and reduce the amount of plastic used. Plus, this will also help you avoid the use of mini-toiletries in your resort that are extremely plastic-inefficient.

We like New Zealand-made Ethique shampoo bars.

You'll easily find brands all over the world and even in American Samoa.

When exploring American Samoa, avoid littering by packing a small bag to take your rubbish with you.

Know that aerosol sprays, batteries and many plastics, for example, are not properly recycled in American Samoa, so take them back home where you are more likely to recycle them properly (or avoid bringing them at all).

Standard sunscreens are made with oxybenzone and octinoxate which are harmful to American Samoa's coral ecosystems. Use reef-safe sunscreen to enjoy American Samoa's amazing coral reefs without damaging them.

Check out our favourites in The Best Sunscreens for American Samoa + Sun Protection Tips LINK#TT024

DEET is the main component of standard insect repellents that contaminate soil and waterways and isn’t all that great for you either. Use lemon and eucalyptus sprays, and cover your arms and legs.

You can check our 10 Best Natural Insect Repellents for American Samoa LINK#TT023 for our recommendations.

Travel pamphlets and brochures are everywhere in American Samoa, and many of them are super useful.

On departure, what about leaving them behind in your accommodation’s lobby, for example, so they are used a second time?

American Samoa’s “aiga buses” are colourful and affordable and offer an authentic way to experience local life, all while being more eco-friendly than renting a car or relying on taxis.

Even though the buses are older, they still produce fewer carbon emissions per passenger than private vehicles.

See all of your options for travelling in the American Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around American Samoa LINK#T036

That's right, there are more and more options for travelling sustainably in American Samoa! The islands are perfect for bicycle touring.

Learn more about where to hire bicycles in The Ultimate Guide to Cycling in American Samoa LINK#TTD061.

While taxis are a convenient way to get from Pago Pago International Airport, booking a shared shuttle service in advance is a more eco-friendly option. Shared transfers, such as hotel or guesthouse shuttles, help reduce carbon emissions per traveller by grouping passengers together.

Learn more about your airport transfer options in the 10 Best Airport Transfers in American Samoa/Guide to Airport Transfers LINK#T030

Pretty much every airline offers options to offset the carbon footprint of your flight, however, most are not so transparent and are questionable in how much real "carbon off-setting" they actually achieve.

We always recommend looking into your own choice of carbon off-setting. If you haven't got the time, we recommend myclimate.org or flygrn.com which offer better options than those offered by most airlines.

It is no secret that flying direct can save you a lot of time. But did you know that it also results in a lower carbon footprint? Making your total flight time shorter reduces the carbon footprint of your trip and we’re all better for it.

Check out where you can take direct flights to American Samoa using Which Airlines Fly Directly to American Samoa? LINK#T027

American Samoa has a great selection of locally run guesthouses, lodges and homestays that use fewer resources than large hotels or more upscale villas. These smaller stays often have a lower environmental impact and directly support the local community.

Learn more about the accommodations available in Where to Stay in American Samoa LINK#A003. More specifically, see guesthouses in 10 Best Budget Accommodations in American Samoa LINK#A001.

Admittedly, it's only a tiny selection of hotels and lodges in American Samoa that actively try to make a significant effort to offer their clientele a more sustainable stay.

By picking accommodations that positively impact their surroundings, you’ll turn your trip into something good for you, the local community and the planet.

Resort laundries are notoriously heavy on chemical detergent and water usage, so consider keeping your towel for a few days.

All you’ve got to do is hang your towel to dry instead of leaving it on the floor; the housekeeping staff will get the message.

Rooms can be cooled in a matter of minutes using the air conditioning, so there’s no need to let it run all day.

Before heading out, do a quick check around your room and turn off all the appliances to help decrease the power consumption during your stay.

Air-conditioning machines have to work extra hard when set in larger spaces… And there is no larger space than the great American Samoa outdoors!

Make sure to keep your doors and windows closed when cranking up the A/C in your room. It will significantly reduce your power usage. Better yet, switch off the A/C, open the doors and windows at the front and back of the bungalow and use nature's A/C: the ocean breeze!

Instead of using mini-toiletries in your accommodation that are extremely plastic-inefficient, use your own soap (and reusable soapbox for easy travel)! Not only will it reduce waste, but it means that you can stick to your loved and trusted brand and avoid any nasty surprises.

If you choose to use the mini-toiletries included in your resort’s room, take them with you when you leave. No matter how much of it you have used, it will be discarded by the housekeeping staff and that’d be a shame.

Many travellers are shocked by the fact that you have to pay to visit natural attractions in American Samoa LINK#TTD076, including beaches.

With one of the biggest barriers to a healthier planet being over-consumerism, however, isn't it better to pay locals to preserve the natural wonders in their backyard than these sites being exploited for resources to keep up with consumer needs? It's only a few dollars, after all.

Learn more about customary entry fees in our guide to American Samoan Etiquette: American Samoa Customs & Traditions LINK#TT033.

Some American Samoa tour operators make a significant effort to offer travellers a more sustainable experience.

By picking tour operators that positively impact their surroundings, you’ll turn your trip into something good for you and the planet.

It's rare, but some souvenirs found in American Samoa are not local and have been shipped from all over the world to be packed and transported back into your country.

Pick locally made souvenirs and sustainable gifts rather than, well, plastic tatt. Check out some local gifts in the 10 Best Souvenirs & Gifts from American Samoa LINK#TTD092.

Going on a walk LINK#TTD130, snorkelling LINK#TTD099 and relaxing by the beach LINK#TTD082 are not just some of the most memorable experiences in American Samoa, but they are also some of the most sustainable.

The scenery above and below the surface is, arguably, the country’s biggest selling point so why not enjoy it without the fluff of, say, a motor-powered tour?

Speaking of snorkelling and relaxing at the beach, another thing to be mindful of when looking to travel more sustainably in American Samoa is how you impact coral. Try not to stand on coral or break any with your fins; it takes years to regrow.

Enjoy coral from a safe distance. Besides, there is some marine life you will not want to touch anyway, as outlined in our American Samoa Safety Tips: Is it Safe to Travel to American Samoa LINK#TT027?

One thing that may surprise visitors to American Samoa is the amount of roadside litter, an issue the community is actively working to improve. Public education around waste management takes time, but positive efforts are visible, especially along beaches where you’ll often spot woven rubbish baskets made from sustainable local materials.

If you see stray litter, do your part, pick it up and dispose of it properly. It helps keep American Samoa clean, beautiful, and safer for its people and wildlife.

While some restaurants and cafes in American Samoa are using biodegradable plastic takeaway containers (which still need to be put in the normal landfill waste, by the way, as they only degrade in landfill settings), some cafes and restaurants still use plastic straws and utensils.

Don’t be afraid to say no to them and use your own reusable alternative (or, you know, simply drink from the cup). Our team does this regularly and we never receive as much as a bad look.

When travelling, there’s no need to have the same imported treats from home. Try something local! Fresh locally sourced ingredients are better for the environment than those that had to travel far (and emit a lot of carbon) to get here.

Plus, you’ll hardly regret trying some of the local delicacies!

Check out some local eats in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in American Samoa LINK#TTD042 and Traditional American Samoan Food: 20 Foods to Try in American Samoa LINK#TTD044.

Travelling is a great opportunity to try new things. You may have heard that plant-based food is easier on the planet, so why not give a shot at a vegetarian meal or two during your trip?

You may discover something new and delicious. Plus, it will help reduce your impact in a multitude of ways. See some fantastic options in our guide, American Samoa for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants LINK#TTD054.

Water is a bit of a tricky one when it comes to sustainability when travelling in American Samoa. Using a normal reusable water bottle and refilling it at any old tap in American Samoa could well lead to some health issues, so buying bottled water might seem like the only safe solution.

However, our team travel the islands without having to buy bottled water thanks to water purification bottles like Lifestraw. Some resorts and hotels even supply their own water bottles to refill at their drinking water stations, so there are options to stock up on water before heading out for a day of sightseeing!

See Is the Water Safe to Drink in American Samoa LINK#TT025? for a much deeper dive into the subject.