AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Mauga o Tauese Waterfall — also known as Nu'uuli Falls — is a 20-metre cascade that plunges into a cool natural pool deep in the rainforest above Nu'uuli village on Tutuila. A short, rewarding hike of about 10–15 minutes leads past a stream crossing and through dense tropical greenery to the falls. The waterfall is one of the few accessible cascades on American Samoa's main island, making it a favorite for both locals and first-time visitors looking for a genuine rainforest swim.↗↗
What Makes It Special
The name "Mauga o Tauese" honors the legacy of Tauese Pulu Sunia, the late Governor of American Samoa, and translates roughly as "Mountain of Tauese." The falls themselves sit on the forested slopes of the volcanic ridge that rises steeply behind Nu'uuli, a village once known as Ole Nu'u Po'uli'uli — "The Dark Village" — for its dense canopy of trees. Visitors describe the cascading water as breathtaking and the surrounding scenery as stunning, with the rainforest muffling the outside world into a peaceful green hush.↗↗
What sets this hike apart on Tutuila is the combination of a short, approachable trail with a real payoff at the end: a tall, free-falling waterfall feeding a swimmable pool where you can often have the whole spot to yourself. The Visit American Samoa bureau describes Nu'uuli Falls as having seven cascades, adding to its appeal for nature enthusiasts and photographers.