I'Chenchon Bird Sanctuary

The I'Chenchon sanctuary on Rota's eastern coast is a stretch of clifftop set aside for the seabirds that nest on the ledges and in the vegetation below: white terns, brown and black noddies, boobies and tropicbirds, with the birds working the updraught along the cliff face. A viewing area and short paths run along the top. The Pacific is directly below with nothing between here and the horizon. Rota holds several bird species that have disappeared from Guam, which is why its sanctuaries matter regionally.

What you actually see

• The nesting seabirds - terns, noddies, boobies and tropicbirds on the ledges.
• The updraught - the birds working the air along the cliff face.
• The clifftop viewing - the paths and platform along the top.
• The open ocean - the Pacific directly below the cliff.

When to go

December to June is the drier season. Seabirds nest through much of the year with peaks in spring. Typhoon season runs July to November.

Honest expectations

Birds are below the cliff and binoculars help. The clifftop is exposed and windy. Facilities are limited to the viewing area.

Nearby

The swimming hole is south, and Songsong is west.