Richard Forrester, Brendan Linnehan and Mark McDermott were all staying on a tiny island off the north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second largest island, when the undersea earthquake hit at 3.48am local time.

Mr Forrester's daughter Stacey, 23, yesterday said her father phoned her, her mother June and her brother Bryce at 6.30am to assure them that he and his friends had survived.

"He said they felt the earthquake happen. He said they could definitely feel it because it went for a couple of minutes, at least," Ms Forrester said.

"They were staying on an island that basically had nothing on it, just huts on the beach, so they went to the wharf where the ferry docked to investigate.

"When they got there they were told to head to higher ground, so they did."

Ms Forrester said her father and his two mates, who make an annual trip to Samoa, remained on the island yesterday, but she was not sure of any further details of their experience because of mobile-phone problems.

"We got a text about 11am today saying it was all OK," she said.

"This morning after he rang, as soon as he hung up the phone, people started calling to ask what was happening and if they were OK.

"We're definitely relieved and really happy he's OK. I very briefly saw that American Samoa has been pretty devastated."

Ms Forrester said the three men had been in the Pacific for nearly 10 days and were due to return this weekend.

She said she was not sure if the tsunami would hasten their return.