ROPES, LADDERS, AND LOTS OF MUD | HIKING the MATAFAO TRAIL | NATIONAL PARK of AMERICAN SAMOA
Hiking the MATAFAO TRAIL has been on my bucketlist since we first moved to American Samoa. I always thought I would go without the kids, but we decided to give it a shot.
Matafao is the highest point on Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa, and the trail is definitely difficult. Combine mud and a rainstorm with this already challenging and treacherous trail and that could be a recipe for disaster.
See how our adventure turns out and if we were able to reach the summit.
A great bug THANK-YOU to the National Park rangers who cleared the trail and installed ropes and ladders to make the trail passable!!
Tofa Soifua.
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WE SURVIVED THE MOUNT ALAVA ADVENTURE TRAIL | Hiking the National Park of American Samoa
We started hiking the Mount Alava Adventure Trail with partly cloudy skies, fresh legs, and energetic kids. A few rain storms, muddy legs, 56 ladders and 783 steps later, we made it to the summit of Mount Alava.
We lost the trail a few times, as the trail was incredibly overgrown and each time we thought we were almost there, we'd see another ladder ahead of us, we had to dig down deep and find the willpower to keep going.
But we finally made it, 3.5 hours later.
The hike back down was much faster, as gravity was helping us out and we were all ready for a treat, a shower, and a nap. haha
The Mount Alava Adventure Trail is challenging, both mentally and physically, but the reward of knowing that you conquered it is unbeatable.
If you enjoyed this video, let us know by hitting that thumb's up and leaving us a comment. Tell us if you've hiked the Adventure Trail or if you think you'd be up to the challenge. Then, if you haven't already, click that SUBSCRIBE button and the bell, so you don't miss any of our future videos.
Thanks so much for joining us again!
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VATIA TIDE POOLS | Lower Sauma Ridge Trail in the NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA | Starkist Cannery
AmSamFam returns to one of our favorite places in AMERICAN SAMOA - the VATIA TIDE POOLS.
On our way, we practice our breathholds, through the Starkist Tuna Cannery, finding out who can hold their breath all the way through. We stop at the top of the mountain pass, to behold the stunning beauty of Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain.
Then, comes the hike through the NATIONAL PARK of AMERICAN SAMOA. We take the Lower Sauma Ridge Trail, carefully making our way to the natural tide pools.
If you're on-island and want a fun adventure, check the tides, and plan a day to hit the Vatia Tide Pools at low tide. It's an experience you don't want to miss!
As always, thanks for watching! Make sure to give us a thumb's up if you liked this video and let us know in the comments below what else you'd like to see or learn from our beautiful island home.
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National Park of American Samoa
This year we're visiting all 59 National Parks to celebrate the NPS centennial year and share the park love! National Park of American Samoa was #24. It's the only park in the southern hemisphere, it's the farthest in our travels and it's completely unique. Since the park doesn't have camping, we utilized its unique homestay program to stay for a week in Vatia village with a family. The village was surrounded by the park on all sides and we were constantly exploring the park right behind the house with the kids. Check out our video to see how we found our park through the beautiful land, cultures and mostly people of American Samoa!
#FindYourPark #Contest
OUR TOP 5 FAVORITE HIKING TRAILS IN AMERICAN SAMOA | EXPLORE AMERICAN SAMOA TRAVEL GUIDEBOOK
We're taking you back up the trails of American Samoa, but this time we're showing you all our own personal favorite hikes on Tutuila and Ofu (part of the Manu'a Islands), and one of the trails is a new one we haven't shown you in our videos before.
If you haven't checked out our new guidebook, EXPLORE AMERICAN SAMOA, you can head over to Amazon to see all of our TOP 5 lists.
You can purchase your own eBook or paperback copy of “Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu’u, and Manu’a Islands” on Amazon, at
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0:00- Intro
1:38- Lower Sauma Ridge Trail
3:02- Blunt's Point Trail
4:35- Mount Alava Trail
6:09- Tuafanua Trail
8:11- Mount Tumu Trail
10:27- Tofa Soifua
American Samoa National Park
American Samoa is an island park located on three volcanoes, with tropical rainforest, beaches and coral reefs.
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#americansamoadocumentary #americansomoanationalpark #usnationalpark
THE OLD PAGO PAGO TRAIL | NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA | BLUESKY COMMUNICATIONS SPONSORSHIP
We found a new trail!!
Our friends at the National Park of American Samoa have been hard at work, maintaining the existing hiking trails and clearing new trails too.
Today we're showing you The Old Pago Pago Trail. We started at the same trailhead as the Mount Alava Trail, but instead of taking the path most taken, we opted instead for the narrow, steep, and challenging path that meets back up with the main Mount Alava Trail.
This alternate route is about 0.7 miles long (one-way) and includes ropes, natural root steps, and a beautifully visible star mound (tia seu lupe).
We want to thank our sponsors- Bluesky Communications for their continued support of our channel and our island. We wouldn't be able to bring you these videos without their reliable services. Make sure to check out their services, devices, and accessories, including their IOT products.
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00:00- Introduction
00:28- Driving to the Trailhead
01:16- What Is the Mount Alava Mystery Trail?
02:16- Our Hike Begins
04:02- What Is the Old Pago Pago Trail
06:41- We Found Wild Ginger Growing
07:51- Break Time
08:41- Thank You Bluesky Communications!
10:26- Star Mound (Tia Seu Lupe)
14:36- We Found the Main Mount Alava Trail
18:19- Tofa Soifua
HIKING the WWII HERITAGE TRAIL in AMERICAN SAMOA | HOMEMADE ICE CREAM at SAMU'S
We're ready to head back to the rainforest trails of AMERICAN SAMOA. Come along with us as we hike the WWII HERITAGE TRAIL.
The trail is rated as challenging, our guess is because of some steep ascents/descents, as well as lots of roots and boulders to make your way over. It may be challenging, but it is definitely worth it!
We start this through-hike in Gataivai, heading up to Blunt's Point, then keep going past the second gun. The trail was more overgrown than we're used to seeing, but still easy to find. With plenty of World War Two landmarks along the trail, this is as much an education in history as it is a great workout.
Thank you to everyone who has subscribed to our channel! Especially, everyone who participated in our LIVE video last week. We've received such positive responses and so much love.
As promised, we randomly chose a winner from everyone who commented during the LIVE. And our winner is... Westbrook Originals! Congratulations! Make sure to message us with your mailing address, so we can send your package full of snacks and treats from American Samoa.
Thank you again to everyone! Once we hit 10k subscribers, we'll go LIVE again, with another chance to win.
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HIKING to FAGATELE BAY | SNORKELING in the NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY of AMERICAN SAMOA
It's time for another AMSAMFAM ADVENTURE!
Today, we're heading out with some friends, to hike the jungle trail that leads to FAGATELE BAY, the only US NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY in AMERICAN SAMOA.
Fagatele Bay has always been a safe haven for marine animals, but in 1986 it officially became a protected area. Today, you might see anything from parrotfish to manta rays to dolphins. Between the months of June-October, if you listen very carefully while under the water, you might even hear a humpback whale's song, as it makes its way south, just off-shore.
Thanks for watching and for your continued support! Please make sure to give us a thumbs-up if you like our videos and don't forget to subscribe and hit that bell, so you'll be notified each time we release a new video.
Fa'afetai Lava!
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FAGA'ALU WATERFALL | One of AMERICAN SAMOA'S BEST HIDDEN TREASURES
AMSAMFAM is getting back out and showing you one of AMERICAN SAMOA'S best waterfalls- FAGA'ALU WATERFALL.
We drive through the village of Faga'alu, past the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, and park just outside of an active rock quarry. We walk through the quarry without a problem and start our slippery, sometimes precarious, hike through the tropical rainforest to find our very own island waterfall.
The water is cool and refreshing and we scale the side of the mountain for some heart pumping cliff jumping. The boys are fearless, but Nate and I discover that the pool is a little shallow for us adults to be jumping from that high.
If you can handle the narrow trail and steep drop-off, you will be rewarded with a true Tropical Paradise all to yourself!
Let us know if you've been to Faga'alu Falls. After shooting this video, we learned that you can actually hike beyond this waterfall and find multiple others, but I think we might leave the kids home for that adventure.
Have you been to Faga'alu Falls? Tell us if you've ever hiked up past these falls or if you know someone who has. We'd love to hear a first-hand account.
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American Samoa Rain Forest Hike
The National Park Service trail from Vatia to Mount Alava. Experience ocean to cloud forest and back in 5 hours. Nothing like it anywhere in the world. American Samoa's classic adventure and education.
NATE'S GREATEST FALL | BUSHWACKING TO FIND the WATERFALL IN AUTO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Have you ever heard the saying, curiosity killed the cat?
Well, one cool cat in our AmSamFam crew almost let their curiosity get the best of them while trying to find the WATERFALL in AUTO, AMERICAN SAMOA.
Luckiily, our crew is still going strong and no amount of misadventures can keep us from adventuring around the island of Tutuila.
And next week... We'll be sharing a boat update to show you how we've been settling into our new life and what projects we've been able to complete.
Tofa Soifua!
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00:00- Intro
00:08- Driving the East Side
02:50- What Will We Find
03:56- Hiking Back
06:10- Attack of the Giant Ants
07:29- Holden's Lost Slipper
09:10- Melinda Falls
09:23- Racing the Setting Sun
11:50- Nate's Great Fall
13:34- Brief Military History of Auto
15:14- We All Laugh about Nate's Misfortune
17:08- Back On the Trail
17::49- Tofa Soifua
I'M CREEPED OUT PADDLE BOARDING ONE of the WORLD'S DEEPEST NATURAL HARBORS | American Samoa | Pago
I brought my paddle board with me, so as soon as I was finished with work, I could hop out and paddle around the harbor.
Did you know that Pago Pago Harbor is one of the deepest natural harbors in the world?
With nothing but a stand-up paddle board, crossing the deep blue waters of the harbor can be unnerving, to say the least. Between schools of jellyfish, a run-in with the US Coast Guard, and the unknown of the deep blue, it takes a strong heart to brave it.
But if you can, the views of Tutuila from the water make it all worth it!
I paddled around a lot of the harbor this time, but let me know if you think I should take on the challenge of going all the way across next time.
Thanks for coming along on this American Samoan adventure with me.
Tofa Soifua
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EXPLORING THE ANAPE'APE'A SEA CAVES & SEA CLIFFS | AFONO, AMERICAN SAMOA | KAYAK ADVENTURES
Exploring American Samoa is one of our favorite things to do as a family. Today, we're showing you what we discovered near the village of AFONO. The legendary ANAPE'APE'A SEA CAVES were a bit of a struggle to get to, but once inside, they were incredible. Just thinking of how much history these caves have seen and what may have taken places in these places conjures pictures of long ago people and traditions in our minds.
Come along with us, as we show you the sea caves that have had historians and adventurers alike talking for years.
And a huge FA'AFETAI TELE LAVA to our sponsors, BLUESKY COMMUNICATIONS! They've been providing our family with fast and reliable internet and phone services for almost five years now. We're proud to work with a company we trust and appreciate so much!
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00:00- Introduction
02:16- Driving to Afono
03:49- The Village of Afono
05:07- Kayaking Out
07:49- Exploring Sea Caves & Cliffs
12:50- Thank-you to Our Sponsors, BlueSky Communications
14:16- Beach Life
15:59- We Love It Here
17:46- Tofa Soifua
PALAGI BEACH - LOW TIDE ADVENTURES | CAPE TAPUTAPU - CAN'T GET ANY FURTHER WEST in AMERICAN SAMOA
We're joined by our friends the Daskam's on our adventure today, as we hike along the western shoreline of Tutuila to find Palagi Beach. This super remote and completely isolated beach is basically the furthest west you can go before leaving the islands that make up American Samoa.
The trail to get to Palagi Beach is only accessible at low tide and is still treacherous with slippery and sharp rocks, steep eroded bits, and crashing waves, but the payoff at the end is totally worth it!
We had a great day, carefully making our way to Palagi Beach, then enjoying this little slice of paradise with our friends.
When are you going to go check it out?
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You can purchase your own eBook or paperback copy of “Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu’u, and Manu’a Islands” on AMAZON, at
Or on APPLE BOOKS at
If you'd like to support our channel, please consider pledging to our PATREON account, where you can pay $5, $15, or $25 per month, helping us keep these and other videos about our life and adventures in American Samoa coming each week.
If you’re digging our music, be sure to check out EPIDEMIC SOUND, where you can get access to all their copyright-free songs and sound effects.
00:00- Intro
01:23- Ankle Breaking Hike along the Coastline
04:12- Why We Make this Hike
05:31- We Made It!
05:52- Meet the Daskam's
06:52- Playing at Palagi Beach
08:55- Exploring the Rock Island
10:11- Rock Jumping
10:54- The Tide's Coming Back In
11:43- Tofa Soifua
SEA TURTLES, CORAL REEFS, & FISH | SNORKELING AT FATUMAFUTI, AMERICAN SAMOA | Drone Footage
FATUMAFUTI can sometimes be overlooked as one of the great snorkeling spots in AMERICAN SAMOA because of its easy, central location, as well as its popularity as a beach to just hang out on, but we're here to tell you that just under the surface is a whole other world full of alien-looking coral and brilliant sea creatures.
As we snorkel along the coastline of Fatumafuti, we're always amazed by the stark difference between the lively groups gathered on the beach and the peaceful, allurement of the world below.
That's not to say that we don't enjoy joining in on the fun, especially jumping from the protruding rocks into the cool water and building castles in the sand.
Come along with us as we enjoy all that the beautiful Fatumafuti has to offer and then, hopefully, experience it for yourself when you get a chance.
Tofa Soifua!
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You can purchase your own eBook or paperback copy of “Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu’u, and Manu’a Islands” on AMAZON, at
Or on APPLE BOOKS at
If you'd like to support our channel, please consider pledging to our PATREON account, where you can pay $5, $15, or $25 per month, helping us keep these and other videos about our life and adventures in American Samoa coming each week.
If you’re digging our music, be sure to check out EPIDEMIC SOUND, where you can get access to all their copyright-free songs and sound effects.
00:00- Introduction
01:10- Drive from Pago
03:49- Rock Jumping
06:01- Snorkeling Fatumafuti
09:51- We Saw a Sea Turtle!
10:34- Tofa Soifua
Kuhne's hike to Larson Bay, American Samoa 9 19 10.wmv
Kuhne's hike to Larson Bay, American Samoa
Hiking on Tutuila, American Samoa
This video was taken on my trip back home to Tutuila in January, 2017. I do not own any rights to this song. Enjoy!
VaughnPel Hiking in Dominica. Kalinago Canoe Trail. Rainfall, Mud and River Crossings
This trail was used in the past by the Kalinago Warriors as a route to find wood in order to carve out canoes. They would spend months at a time in the forest before they returned.
Tutuila National Park
Hiking mount Alava in American Samoa National Park - the episode from the series The Life And Adventures on the sailboat Beruta.
Восхождение на гору Алава в Национальном парке Американских Самоа - эпизод из серии Жизнь и приключения на яхте Бирута