Proudly standing at a distance of approximately 10 kilometres from Pago Pago, this is the amazing settlement of Alega, said as Alenga, seeming like a desert island, which allures thousands of visitors with its captivating landscape, electrifying snorkeling, and its freezing environs.

Risky Beach with Rewarding Snorkeling

The attractive beach here possesses the characteristics of that of the other beaches along the South Pacific – shelly blue waters safeguarded by dangerous outer reef. Be careful of the dangerous areas here are the channel flowing towards the open sea and the central area of the bay with 25 m high currents.

Regardless of these dangers, the ideal site of snorkeling is also amid these risks perhaps at the periphery of this current flow. However during the sport, a buoy and rope are provided on which you need to hang. If you adhere to this arrangement, you’ll be taken to a 5 m long, 2 m wide, and 45 m deep drop-off. Face these conditions bravely and you will be rewarded with the discovery of the magnificent marine life at the beach. If the weather is pleasant, you will be able to visualize until the depth and therefore, can explore the bottom to have a glimpse of the distinct vista and cross-section of reef living on the surface of the ocean floor. Not only this, if the tide is inwards, you will be lucky enough to spot loitering reef sharks at nearly 20 to 25 metres.

In Search for the Beach Use Permission

It is mandatory to first seek the permission to use the beach or swim by approaching the village matai or the chief named Candyman. You can search for this headman at the legendary Tisa’s Barefoot Bar and Restaurant where he sits with the bar-owner and his wife, Tisa. Embracing the east end of the beach, Tisa’s is an eco-friendly bar executed completely using the recycled or natural resources. Note the construction of the bar that is made from a mixed bag of palms and ship remains. Along with a bar, it is also offers a place for accommodation. However, currently in terms of stay, there is only a hut for five people here.

Festivals

The annual tatoo festival is the famous event held here wherein many artists come from all over Polynesia to this miniature side of the Pacific. Besides this one, one can be a part of many other events held throughout the year. Above all, kindly bear in mind that like most of the villages in the Samoas, avoid any kind of disturbance in the village on Sundays. This is because you will never be welcome at any point of time on that day.

Alega Beach Resort

Alega Beach Resort and the Tisa’s Barefoot Bar and Restaurant are located on the isolated beach with the tropical rain forest as the backdrop. The resort is a good option for stay located between Lauli’i and Avaio villages. The bar seems to be quite famous with the inhabitants of the Pago Pago when Friday and Saturday are filled with live entertainment. The resort offers an Umnu Feast on Sunday and arranges for a guided trek via the enclosing tropical forest for 3 hours for its visitors.

The resort currently has only two rooms perched in a wooden and thatch A-frame cabin not missing a tranquil personal veranda that provides you with a direct view of the beach. Between two rooms, there is a shared bathroom with the facility of both hot and cold water. Other facilities include air-conditions, fans, and breakfast. Rates for per night stay starts from $60.

Reaching Alega

The Pago Pago International Airport located at a distance of about 35 km is the nearest airport. From the airport, you can hire a car from a car hire agencies to reach here.

It might seem hard and trapping to reach here, but all will soothe by the fantastic sights of the island of American Samoa.