The project is located on Tau island approximately 66 miles east of Tutuila, American Samoa. Tau Harbor was authorized under Section 107 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1960, as amended. The project was completed in September 1981 at a cost of $2,380,887 (Federal: $1,855,317; non-Federal: $525,570).

The existing project consists of an entrance channel 520 feet long, 130 feet wide, 16 feet deep; a turning basin of 85,000 square feet, 14 feet deep; a rubblemound breakwater 290 feet long; a 450-foot-long revetment; a 200-foot-long groin; and, aids to navigation. The local sponsor is the American Samoa Government.