Saipan's Beaches and History

Saipan, the main island of the Northern Marianas, is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific, its western shore fringed by a long, sheltered lagoon of glowing turquoise water and soft white sand, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and watersports. The island also saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War, and its northern cliffs, memorials and preserved sites recall those events. The lagoon beaches are near Garapan; the clifftop memorials are in the north.

What's there

• The lagoon beaches - the turquoise water and white sands.
• The snorkelling - the reefs and clear lagoon waters.
• The northern cliffs - the dramatic clifftops and viewpoints.
• The war memorials - the Second World War sites and the northern cliffs.

When to go

December to June, the drier season, brings the sunniest, calmest weather ideal for the beaches and snorkelling, avoiding the wetter months; the tropical climate is warm year-round. The memorials and cliffs can be visited in any weather.

Good to know

Saipan has both lagoon beaches and wartime sites.

Nearby

Managaha island, the Grotto and the town of Garapan lie nearby.