Home › Travel Guides › Oceania Travel Guide › Pacific Islands Micronesia › Northern Mariana Islands › Things to see and do in Northern Mariana Islands
Image gallery

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

© Creative Commons / ctsnow

Things to see and do in Northern Mariana Islands

Banadero command post

Visit the last command post of the Japanese Imperial Army known as Banadero, with WWII cannons, tanks and artillery preserved in a limestone cave.

Glass-bottomed boat

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.

House of Taga

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.

Rota

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.

Saipan's western shore

Explore Saipan's western shore: it is encircled by a barrier reef, creating a lagoon with white sand beaches.

Spectacular views

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).

Stone remains

See huge and ancient stone remains carved by the Chamorros at the Taga Stone Quarry, on Rota.

Tinian

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.

Underwater scenery

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 (www.submarine.co.mp).

Village fiesta

Attend a village fiesta in honour of local patron saints.

watersports

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.

Wedding Cake Mountain

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.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.