Ofu · Manu'a · American Samoa

Vaoto Lodge

Where the reef meets the rainforest — and the world slows to the tide.

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Aerial view of Ofu and Olosega islands
The Lodge

The Malae family's
home on Ofu.

Ofu Island, 60 miles east of Pago Pago, has been called the jewel of the South Pacific. The island boasts one of the healthiest and most diverse coral reefs in the world. Located on its own sandy beach at the foot of Mount Tumutumu, Vaoto Lodge — owned and operated by the Malae family — is the premier lodging and dining choice on this quiet island of fewer than 200 people.

The National Park of American Samoa is a ten-minute stroll from the Lodge. Its warm, calm lagoon is a coral garden with every color imaginable — starfish, sea turtles, and thousands of fish of every shape and size will join you as you snorkel its shallows. After a long day hiking and swimming, a dazzling sunset gives way to a sky filled with stars. Thousands of miles from light pollution, Ofu's heavens will dazzle — the Southern Cross, falling stars, and the shimmering veil of the Milky Way.

Ofu's south shore is the icing on the cake. More than a mile of untouched, undeveloped, palm-fringed sand — part of America's least-visited National Park. You can walk its length every day, and chances are the only footprints you'll see will be your own.

60
Miles east of Pago Pago
14°S
South Pacific latitude
NPS
10-min walk to National Park
<200
People on the island
Accommodation

Rooms

Queen Room
Queen Room

A comfortable ensuite room with a queen bed, air conditioning, ceiling fan, and mini fridge. Perfect for couples or friends. Access to the communal kitchen, complimentary bikes, snorkeling gear, kayak, and paddleboard. Maximum 2 guests.

Per night $150
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Queen + Single Room
Queen + Single Room

A flexible ensuite room with both a queen and a single bed — ideal for families or three friends travelling together. Air conditioning, ceiling fan, and mini fridge included. Access to all communal facilities. Maximum 3 guests.

Per night · +$25 per additional guest $150
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Check-in 2:00pm · Check-out 11:00am · Cash preferred · PayPal accepted · ATM at Ofu Airport (may be unavailable — bring cash from Pago Pago: Territorial Bank of American Samoa, McDonalds, KS Mart or Cost-U-Less)

Before You Go

Frequently asked questions

The Lodge
Lodge owners Ben and Deb Malae live in a house on the east end of the property. They'll be there to meet you when you arrive and are always available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and help in any way possible. They also have dogs and cats — you may see them in the yard, but they won't be in your space or in the buildings.
Three of our rooms have air conditioning. Our Classic Rooms are well-ventilated with louvered windows, ceiling fans, and oscillating fans. All rooms have one queen bed — a single twin can be added if available. We allow a maximum of three adults per room. Specify your room preference when you send your reservation — if your preferred type is available, we'll hold it for you.
Free Starlink WiFi is available in the common dining area of the lodge. It is not available in the rooms — see this as your opportunity to get away from it all. Google Voice or other VOIP options over WiFi will let you connect to phones back home.
Probably not — consult your provider. You can purchase a SIM card or eSIM from ASTCA or BlueSky in Pago Pago that will work in some areas of Ofu.
Cash is our preferred method of payment; PayPal is our alternative. Payment is expected when you check out. There is an ATM at the Ofu Airport but it may or may not work — stop by an ATM near Pago Pago airport (Territorial Bank of American Samoa, McDonalds, KS Mart or Cost-U-Less) before you leave for Ofu. If you intend to book more than two rooms, a deposit will be required.
For the comfort of other guests and the well-being of your child in a location as remote as Ofu, we cannot accept families traveling with children under two years of age.
Yes, Ofu's water is safe to drink. Bring a reusable water bottle or flask and fill up before heading out for the day. Please avoid bringing disposable single-use plastic bottles to our island.
Getting Here
Fly Hawaiian Airlines to Pago Pago, connecting through Honolulu. Pago-bound flights from Honolulu depart on Mondays and Thursdays — flight time is five hours. We recommend spending at least one night in Pago Pago. From there, Samoa Airways operates two flights a week to Ofu (Tuesdays and Thursdays), with a flight time of about 25 minutes. Fares are approximately $150 one-way.
Vaoto Lodge is located 50 yards from the airport terminal. No pickup is necessary.
Pack light and pack smart. Samoa Airways limits Ofu-bound passengers to 15kg (33 lbs) checked baggage and 5kg (11 lbs) carry-on. Excess baggage starts at $2/kg. Pack your snorkeling gear, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hiking footwear, and a reusable water bottle. It's wise to keep important documents, snorkeling gear, and a change of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked bag is bumped.
Yes — even U.S. citizens should travel with a valid, machine-readable passport when visiting American Samoa. Foreign nationals are required to obtain Entry Permits. Contact us after requesting your reservation and we'll point you to the right resources.
There are no rental cars on Ofu. Hitching a ride is an accepted and safe way to get around. You can walk from one end of Ofu to the other in about an hour, and the National Park beach is a 15-minute walk from the lodge. If our truck is available, we can take you anywhere on the islands for $5 per trip one-way. We also have a couple of bicycles available for guests on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Island
The cool/dry season runs May through October — temperatures and humidity moderate slightly, and the sun swings northerly, keeping the lodge area cooler during much of the day. The wet season (November–April) is steamier, with a warmer lagoon and more verdant jungle. No matter the season, expect some rain every day. If the trade winds are blowing, humidity is less of a factor.

Manu'a Island weather chart
Yes. Bring proper shoes and pants for any hike. Note that any hikes or swims passing through Ofu or Olosega villages are forbidden on Sundays — the National Park beach, Vaoto Beach, runway beach, and sunset beach remain open on Sundays. Permission from village officials is required to hike Olosega's Piumafua mountain.
There are no SCUBA facilities on the island. Scuba divers should also be aware that the nearest decompression chamber may be as far away as Fiji or New Zealand — DAN insurance is a wise investment.
Ofu = OH-FOO  ·  Vaoto = VAH-OH-TOE  ·  Pago Pago = PAHN-GO PAHN-GO (almost like "bongo-bongo")  ·  Olosega = OH-LOW SEHN-GAH  ·  Ta'u = TAH-OO  ·  Tutuila = TOO-TOO EE-LAH  ·  Samoa = SAH-MOH-UH
Reservations

Before you arrive

Check-in and check-out is only available on flight days — currently Tuesdays and Thursdays. Plan your travel accordingly.

Payment: Cash preferred · PayPal accepted · Payment on checkout.

Deposits: Required if booking more than two rooms.

Checkout: 2 hours before your scheduled departure from Ofu Airport.

House Rules
  1. 01No smoking in any lodge structure, vehicle, or within 30 feet of any guest room or common area.
  2. 02Non-guests are not permitted on Vaoto Lodge property.
  3. 03Please keep excess beach sand out of your room, shower, and common areas. Rinse hoses are located near rooms 1 and 10.
  4. 04For the comfort of fellow guests, please observe quiet hours between 9pm and 8am.
  5. 05The lodge dining area closes and is locked at 10pm unless an approved event is happening.
  6. 06Please help conserve energy: turn off lights outside your room after 10pm, and turn off all lights, fans, and A/C when your room is unoccupied.
  7. 07Unless given specific permission, the kitchen, pantry, truck, garage, tool fale, and laundry are for employees only.
  8. 08Bed linens and towels are not changed daily. Fresh linens are available on request (fee applies). Free linen change after a 7-night stay.
  9. 09Please help keep our island beautiful — no trash on the property, beach, or in the ocean.
  10. 10No open containers of food in guest rooms unless stored in the room refrigerator.
  11. 11Please return all glasses, cups, dishes, and silverware to the dining room promptly.
  12. 12Checkout is 2 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart Ofu Airport.
Find Us

Plan your stay

Getting to Ofu takes commitment — and that's exactly the point. Fly Hawaiian Airlines to Pago Pago via Honolulu (Mon & Thu), spend a night in Pago, then take the 25-minute inter-island flight to Ofu with Samoa Airways. There is an ATM at Ofu Airport but it may not always be working — stop by an ATM near the Pago Pago airport (Territorial Bank of American Samoa, McDonalds, KS Mart or Cost-U-Less) before you go.

Location
Vaoto Lodge, Ofu Island
Manu'a, American Samoa AS 96799
Email
vaotolodge@gmail.com
Getting There
Samoa Airways from Pago Pago
~25 min flight · Baggage limit: 5kg