Cape Taputapu: Where Legends Meet the Setting Sun

Cape Taputapu, known in Samoan as Tolotolo i Taputapu, is a captivating cape located in the Western District of American Samoa, marking the westernmost point of Tutuila Island. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1972, this site is steeped in both natural beauty and Samoan legend. The name 'Taputapu' translates to 'forbidden' in Samoan, a reference to the area being the sole location on Tutuila where paper mulberry trees grew. The discoverers of the trees gave the cape its name to keep the location secret so they could sell the bark to other parts of American Samoa.The cape's dramatic shoreline features volcanic rocks and blowholes, sculpted by the relentless force of the ocean waves that shaped Tutuila itself. These geological formations, including offshore volcanic rocks and rugged cliffs, offer a stunning illustration of wave action on the island's volcanic origins. One notable islet is identified as a volcanic vent, a reminder of the lava flows that once shaped the landscape.Cape Taputapu is also an important habitat for intertidal flora and fauna and is home to a colony of fruit bats. Hiking to the cape is possible during low tide from a trail in Poloa village. Reaching the cape requires a walk along the shoreline, approximately one mile from where the road ends. Remember to only hike at low tide. The cape is the last place on Tutuila where the sun sets.