Ladder Beach
A small southern Saipan beach reached by concrete steps, with caves in the cliff.
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Ladder Beach on Saipan's southern coast is reached by a flight of concrete steps cut down the cliff, which is where the name comes from, and at the bottom is a short beach with limestone caves and overhangs in the cliff behind it. The rock gives shade, which most Saipan beaches do not. Reef lies offshore and the water is generally calm on this side. The caves in the cliff were used as shelters during the fighting in 1944 and traces of that remain. The steps were cut to give access to what had been a difficult shore.
What you actually see
- The cliff steps - the concrete descent the beach is named for.
- The caves - the limestone overhangs in the cliff behind the sand.
- The shade - the rock giving cover the other beaches lack.
- The reef - the coral offshore in the bay.
When to go
December to June is the drier season. Typhoon season runs July to November. Weekends bring local families.
Honest expectations
The beach is small and disappears at high tide in places. The steps are steep. Litter after busy weekends is a problem.
Nearby
Obyan is southeast, and Garapan is north.
What to pack for Ladder Beach
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
