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. Yet the island also carries a poignant history, having seen some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War, and its dramatic northern cliffs, quiet memorials and preserved sites offer moving reminders of those events amid the tropical beauty. From the calm lagoon beaches near Garapan to the sobering clifftop memorials in the north, Saipan combines idyllic tropical relaxation with a thoughtful encounter with a defining chapter of Pacific history.

What you actually see

• 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 moving Second World War sites.

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 are worthwhile in any weather.

Honest expectations

Saipan blends idyllic beaches with sombre wartime history, so a visit balances tropical relaxation with reflective moments at its memorials and cliffs. As a beautiful island of turquoise lagoons and white sands set against dramatic cliffs and moving history, though, Saipan offers a genuinely rewarding and thought-provoking Pacific experience.

Nearby

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