National Park of American Samoa

Permit Information

NPS Special Use Permit required for weddings, vow renewals, and most group activities. Most of the park is leased from local Samoan villages, so the park also requires village chief permission for any ceremony on leased land. Contact the park at 684 633 7082 or npsa_administration@nps.gov at least 90 days before your date to coordinate with the village council and start the permit application. Accessible only by flight from Honolulu.

Planning Your Day at National Park of American Samoa

One-Spot Day

American Samoa is not a day trip. Plan a 7 to 10 day trip minimum. Hawaiian Airlines flies Honolulu to Pago Pago twice weekly (about 5.5 hours). Base yourself on Tutuila for Mount Alava and Pola Island, then take a Samoa Airways inter island flight to Ofu for the beach ceremony. Inter island flights cancel for weather, build in a 2 day buffer. Sunday is Sa (sacred observance), no ceremonies, no loud activity, modest dress in all villages.

Ceremony + Portraits Split

Three islands, three completely different looks. Ofu Beach for the powder white sand and volcanic peaks (the iconic shot). Mount Alava for a 1,610 foot summit ceremony over Pago Pago Harbor (earned by a 7 mile hike). Pola Island viewpoint for 400 foot basalt cliffs and seabird skies (15 minute walk from Vatia village). Most elopements pick one and commit. Combining two means island hopping on an unreliable flight schedule.

A Note on Light

Dry season is May through October with temperatures 75 to 85 degrees and reduced rainfall. June through August has the clearest skies. November through April is wet season with heavy rain and tropical storm risk. Equatorial light is harsh 10am to 3pm, plan ceremonies for early morning or late afternoon. Sunday worship hours (typically 6am to noon) shut down village life entirely, time ceremonies around them.

Ceremony Spots at National Park of American Samoa

• Ofu Beach — Couples seeking the most pristine and remote tropical elopement in the US park system
• Pola Island Trail Viewpoint — Couples wanting dramatic Pacific cliff views and seabird rich coastal backdrops near Vatia village
• Mount Alava Summit — Adventurous couples who want a summit ceremony overlooking Pago Pago Harbor and Tutuila's rainforest ridges