America's Most Remote Island Destination Is A Tropical Paradise You've Never Heard Of

The United States offers travelers so many wonderful landscapes to explore. There are thick deciduous forests filled with towering trees, otherworldly desert landscapes with prickly cacti, beautiful white sand beaches, and rugged snowcapped mountains that extend above the clouds. The country even has few balmy tropical vacation destinations. Hawaii is one of the most popular tourist hot spots in the country, and Puerto Rico, an overseas territory of the United States, offers history, culture, and charm. These destinations attract tourists from all over the world, but there's a lesser-known island that most travelers have never even heard of — Ofu Island.

Ofu Island is located in American Samoa, and it's part of the only U.S. National Park south of the equator. It's wildly remote and nestled within the South Pacific, about 5,000 miles from the United States mainland. The independent island nation of Samoa is its nearest neighbor, New Zealand is about 2,000 miles away, and Hawaii is around 2,600 miles away. American Samoa is the ancestral land of the Samoan people, and they still maintain ownership. The National Park Service signed a 50-year lease on the land when the national park was established in 1988. The parts of the island that fall outside of the National Park of American Samoa are owned communally by Indigenous people who call the island home.

Getting to Ofu Island isn't easy, but if you're willing to travel off the beaten path, you'll be able to experience a remote tropical paradise that few travelers ever even consider. For those in search of adventure, Ofu Island is an ideal destination for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Ofu Island is one of three islands that make up the National Park of American Samoa, one of America's least visited national parks. It shares the protected area with Ta'u and Tutuila, but Ofu Island is the most remote. Only about 12,000 travelers visit the park each year, and most remain on the island of Tutuila. According to an adventurer named Colin Duthie, who discussed his experience visiting Ofu in a YouTube video, fewer than 100 people visit the island each year, and only about 40 people live there. Ofu Beach is a popular spot, but you'll probably have it all to yourself. It stretches for 2.5 miles, and the stunning scenery includes two volcanic peaks. Duthie called it a "10 out of 10 experience" in his video. At night you can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the stars since there is very little light pollution.

Between the months of August and November, Ofu Island is a great destination for whale watching. Southern humpback whales and their babies migrate through the area. Ofu is also a prime destination for snorkeling. The pristine, untouched reefs that surround the island are full of marine life, and the water is sparkling blue and unbelievably clear. Fishing is possible, but you will need special permission from the mayor. 

There aren't a ton of hiking trails on Ofu, but you can climb Tumu Mountain, which sits just outside of the national park borders. From the top you can enjoy epic views of the beaches below. It's a challenging 6-mile hike that takes about four hours to complete. People who have reviewed the hike on AllTrails note that the path is not well maintained, so use caution.

Ofu Island is one of many national parks that are hard to see because getting there is something that only the most ambitious travelers will attempt. Although American Samoa is technically a United States territory, you'll need a valid passport to visit. The best time to visit is between May and October when the weather is cool and dry.

The first step of your journey to Ofu Island will be traveling to Hawaii. From there you can catch a flight to American Samoa. There is one airport, Pago Pago International Airport, located on the island of Tutuila. The only commercial airline that services the islands is Hawaiian Airlines, which operates flights from Hawaii. To get to the island of Ofu from Tutuila you can book a flight on Samoa Airways or get a ride on a boat with a local. The National Park Service website reminds travelers that Ofu Island is extremely remote. There is no medical care available on the island, and if you face a medical emergency, the response may take days. "Visitors should take extreme caution in all activities, come prepared, and stay within their limits. If you do not already travel with a well-stocked first-aid kit, consider bringing one when you visit the island," the NPS website states.

There are only a few places to stay within the islands, and camping is not permitted, so you'll want to arrange your accommodations well in advance. On Ofu Island there is only one place to stay: Vaoto Lodge. It's near the beach just outside of the national park border, and you can walk there from the airport. There are no restaurants on the island, but lodge guests have access to a communal kitchen to prepare meals. The simple rooms cost around $165 per night and include WiFi access.