Site Visit Title
Samriels Aunu'u Island Getaway Featuring the National Marine Sanctuary
Cost per person
$40.00
(additional $4 ferry roundtrip paid at the dock)
Max # of Participants
30/tour
When(Date, hours)
Saturday, August 11, 9:00am-3:00pm
Activity Type
Hiking including: village wells, wetland taro fields, tide pools and lagoon (plus legend of Sina & Tinilau at cliffs and marsh for full day tour)
Exertion Level of Activity (Low, Medium, High)
low-medium
Requirements
Sun protection, water, hat, hiking shoes (shorts and rash-guard or t-shirt for both men and women who would like to snorkel/swim)
Site Visit Description
Afio Mai: Welcome to Aunu'u: Known for its unspoiled beauty, genuine hospitality, and strong cultural heritage, Aunu'u Island is a true Pacific treasure. Located Southeast of Tutuila in American Samoa, this charming little island offers superb camping, hiking, swimming, and surfing opportunities. Whether you're looking to hike the trail to the Vaisuatoto Lake or take a quick visit to the Taufusi (wetland taro fields), where the best taro in American Samoa grows, Aunu'u Island is sure to exceed your expectations. Aunu’u is a small, volcanic island with a land area of 0.58 square miles. Major features of the island include Aunu’u Crater, Pala Lake (a unique area of red quicksand), and Faimulivai Marsh, the largest freshwater wetland in American Samoa. The area surrounding the island overlaps with four distinct biogeographic regions, making it a highly diverse marine area that includes hot spots for coral cover, fish biomass, and fish richness. A total of 5.8 square miles of reef and offshore waters around Aunu’u have been included in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, with 3.9 square miles designated a research zone and allows surface fishing for pelagics only, and 1.9 square miles multiple use zone that allows traditional and non-destructive fishing practices. The research and multiple use zones will allow for comparisons over time of an area that prohibits the take of reef fish and bottom dwelling species and benefits to an adjacent area of higher human uses that meets the needs of day-to-day living in sustainable ways.
Samriels Aunu'u Island Getaway Featuring the National Marine Sanctuary
Cost per person
$40.00
(additional $4 ferry roundtrip paid at the dock)
Max # of Participants
30/tour
When(Date, hours)
Saturday, August 11, 9:00am-3:00pm
Activity Type
Hiking including: village wells, wetland taro fields, tide pools and lagoon (plus legend of Sina & Tinilau at cliffs and marsh for full day tour)
Exertion Level of Activity (Low, Medium, High)
low-medium
Requirements
Sun protection, water, hat, hiking shoes (shorts and rash-guard or t-shirt for both men and women who would like to snorkel/swim)
Site Visit Description
Afio Mai: Welcome to Aunu'u: Known for its unspoiled beauty, genuine hospitality, and strong cultural heritage, Aunu'u Island is a true Pacific treasure. Located Southeast of Tutuila in American Samoa, this charming little island offers superb camping, hiking, swimming, and surfing opportunities. Whether you're looking to hike the trail to the Vaisuatoto Lake or take a quick visit to the Taufusi (wetland taro fields), where the best taro in American Samoa grows, Aunu'u Island is sure to exceed your expectations. Aunu’u is a small, volcanic island with a land area of 0.58 square miles. Major features of the island include Aunu’u Crater, Pala Lake (a unique area of red quicksand), and Faimulivai Marsh, the largest freshwater wetland in American Samoa. The area surrounding the island overlaps with four distinct biogeographic regions, making it a highly diverse marine area that includes hot spots for coral cover, fish biomass, and fish richness. A total of 5.8 square miles of reef and offshore waters around Aunu’u have been included in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, with 3.9 square miles designated a research zone and allows surface fishing for pelagics only, and 1.9 square miles multiple use zone that allows traditional and non-destructive fishing practices. The research and multiple use zones will allow for comparisons over time of an area that prohibits the take of reef fish and bottom dwelling species and benefits to an adjacent area of higher human uses that meets the needs of day-to-day living in sustainable ways.