These twin islands, separated by a deep channel but linked by a bridge, are as close to paradise as it gets. Ofu’s lone village crouches at its western end, leaving the rest of the island largely – and delightfully – uninhabited. Taking up its southern shoreline, exquisite Ofu Beach is 4km of shining, palm-fringed white sand, flanked by outrageously picturesque peaks that rise behind it like giant shark’s teeth. This, along with 140 hectares of offshore waters, comprises the Ofu section of the National Park of American Samoa. The reef here is considered to be one of the healthiest in all the Samoas. Huge schools of coloured fish dart through jaw-droppingly clear waters, occasionally pursued by reef sharks: they’re harmless, to humans at least, but can induce heart palpitations for the novice snorkeller. Equally squeal-inducing (but just as benign) are the giant coconut crabs you'll likely see clattering around; they're the biggest land bugs in the world (not to mention very tasty).