Ladder Beach

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 steps were cut to give access to what had been a difficult shore.

The landscape

• 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.

Practical notes

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.