American Samoa is a group of six Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. The Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary was established to protect the corals reefs and marine life in the area and a thriving coral community and numerous tropical fish live in the clear warm waters around the islands where visibility is greater than 30 metres.
The coral reef ecosystem, in the Fagatele Bay Sanctuary, contains many of the species native to this part of the Indo-Pacific region. Turtle, whales, sharks and the giant clam all find refuge in this protected area. The Southern Humpback Whales winter here from August to November and porpoises and sperm whales visit regularly.
Humpbacks can be seen from July-December, while peak time for whale sightings is between September-October.
They travel north to breed and give birth to their young and then pass by again on their way back to their feeding areas in Antarctica.