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Meridiela.

Vatia

A village on Tutuila's north coast inside the national park, below steep forested ridges.

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Typevillage and bay
WhereTutuila
Nearest cityPago Pago
Best seasonMay to September
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereRoad over the ridge from Pago Pago, around thirty minutes
EntryFree

Vatia sits in a bay on the northern side of Tutuila, reached over a ridge from Pago Pago, and the village is almost entirely surrounded by the National Park of American Samoa: forested slopes rising steeply on three sides and Pola Island standing offshore as a sheer rock wall with seabirds nesting on it. The bay is shallow with reef, and the Lower Sauma ridge trail starts from the road above the village.

What you actually see

  • Pola Island - the sheer rock stack offshore with nesting seabirds.
  • The forested ridges - park land rising steeply around the village on three sides.
  • The bay - the shallow reef water in front of the settlement.
  • The ridge trail - the walking route starting from the road above.

When to go

May to September is the drier season. Cyclone season runs November to April. Sundays are strictly observed in the village.

Honest expectations

Sunday observance is strict and moving through the village during services is not acceptable. Facilities are almost nonexistent. Rain on the north coast is frequent year round.

Nearby

Pola Island is offshore, and Amalau Valley is west.

What to pack for Vatia

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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