Manuʻa Islands

The Manuʻa Islands are a small archipelago in the Manuʻa District of American Samoa, made up chiefly of Ta’ū, Ofu and Olosega. They are among the most remote inhabited parts of American Samoa and include the territory’s highest peak, Lata on Ta’ū.

The group offers isolated beaches, coral reefs and traditional Samoan villages on three main islands. Ofu and Olosega are notable for their close twin-island layout and sheltered lagoons, while Ta’ū features rugged interior terrain and the highest viewpoints in the group. Marine life around the islands is an attraction for snorkelling and small-boat trips, though facilities are limited.

The islands have been settled by Polynesian Samoans for many centuries and retain strong traditional culture and chiefly systems. In the modern period they became part of the US-administered territory of American Samoa; infrastructure has remained limited and the islands have changed little compared with the main island of Tutuila.

The Manuʻa group lies in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the main island of Tutuila within American Samoa. The islands are remote and reached by occasional inter-island flights or sea connections from the territory’s main islands.

• Access: Reached by short inter-island flights from Tutuila; services are infrequent so schedules can change with little notice.
• Highest point: The summit of Lata on Ta'ū rises to 931 metres, providing the highest elevation in the Manuʻa group.

What to See #

• Ta'ū: The largest island in the group, home to the highest point Lata at 931 metres and the main airstrip that links the group to Tutuila.
• Ofu and Olosega: A pair of small islands joined by a short bridge and causeway, noted for narrow bays and coral-fringed beaches.