Northern Mariana Islands Top Things To See & Do
• Explore Saipan's western shore: it is encircled by a barrier reef, creating a lagoon with white sand beaches.
• Visit the last command post of the Japanese Imperial Army known as Banadero, with WWII cannons, tanks and artillery preserved in a limestone cave.
• Enjoy spectacular views from the Puntan Sabaneta (also known as Banzai Cliff) and Laderan Banadero (also known as Suicide Cliff because of thousands of Japanese soldiers who jumped to their deaths to avoid capture).
• Take a trip to the southern island of Tinian, which has a rugged coastline with tiny coves. At Abbas on the northern shore, there are blow holes where incoming waves shoot 6m (20ft) into the air.
• Also on Tinian, visit the House of Taga, a temple or meeting house associated with the legendary chief Taga. It consists of magnificent stone pillars, carved in the traditional way and transported from nearby coastal areas.
• Hop over to Rota, a small and friendly island with a variety of natural attractions. Outside the main village of Songsong, sights include Toga Cave, a huge limestone cavern with stalactites and stalagmites, so large it was used as a wartime hospital.
• While on Rota, see the fascinating Wedding Cake Mountain, which resembles a layered cake. Curious artefacts can also be viewed at the Rota Cave Museum, located in a gigantic limestone cave.
• See huge and ancient stone remains carved by the Chamorros at the Taga Stone Quarry, on Rota.
• Take a glass-bottomed boat trip out to Isleta Maigo Fahang (also known as Bird Island) a beautiful, unspoilt island set aside as a nature reserve.
• Try some watersports: There are many suitable diving and snorkelling locations; windsurfing is popular on Saipan. Parasailing is available. Local fishing competitions are held in several places.
• If you'd rather explore underwater scenery and wrecks whilst staying warm and dry, take a submarine cruise. For details, contact Pacific Subsea Saipan Inc (website: www.submarine.co.mp).
See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.
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