National Park of American Samoa

Everything about this destination seems a world away, starting with the name of its capital, Pago Pago (pronounced pongo pongo). The meaning of "Samoa" itself is thought to be "sacred earth," and respect for these beautiful islands is deeply rooted in a local Polynesian culture with a 3,000-year history.

Islands steeped in tradition and worthy of reverence are indeed what you’ll find in this United States territory, home to approximately 45,000 people and situated about 4,200 km (2,600 miles) from Hawaii. Roughly 90% of the three islands that are home to the national park—Tutuila (Too-too-ee-lah), Ofu (Oh-foo), and Ta'u (Tah-oo)—consists of undeveloped rain forest, beaches, and rocky peaks. 

In 1984, Dr. Paul Cox, an American ethnobotanist working on American Samoa, advanced the idea of protecting the lowland rain forest from logging to preserve the habitats of local bats. Working with the assistance of local chiefs, Dr. Cox was able to protect portions of these islands through the Federal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. With that victory, the wheels began to turn a little faster, and the vision expanded a lot further.

By October 1988, the National Park of American Samoa had been established, although it took several more years to formalize agreements with several village councils and ensure the land would be protected for at least half a century. This southernmost national park now comprises 13,500 acres—9,500 acres on land and an additional 4,000 at sea.

Due to its remote location, the park greets around 12,000 guests annually (compared to, say, Grand Canyon's 4.8 million) making it the second least-visited park. There are just a few hotels, restaurants, and stores, especially on smaller islands; there's a slim selection of diving, deep-sea fishing, and other outfitters; and transportation between the islands can be challenging—and either basic or expensive. Visited primarily by cruise ship passengers and intrepid travelers, the appeal here is natural.

The tropical rain forests shelter 35 species of native birds as well as three species of native bats, including fruit bats with wingspans as wide as 3 feet. (So impressive is the Pteropus samoensis, also known as the flying fox, that the image of the bat is featured on the territory's American quarter.) The diverse marine system is equally noteworthy, with endangered sea turtles, humpback whales, 250 coral species, and 950 species of reef fish.

Outside the park, rides on local buses, explorations of villages, and homestays arranged through the national park service are great ways to learn about local lifestyles and culture.