A tiny haven of diving and World War II history
About eight kilometers southwest of its neighbor Saipan, the tiny island of Tinian is a place where visitors will find pristine and secluded beaches, World War II landmarks and world-class scuba diving. But unless you’re a real beach bum, dive fanatic or history buff – or if sleepy Saipan is too fast-paced for you – Tinian is probably not somewhere you’d want to spend more than a night or two. At just 19 kilometers long and nearly five kilometers wide, most of the sights on this lovely little island can be seen in a few hours.

The Manhattan Connection
In World War II, when much of the island was used as an air base by the U.S. Navy, the local streets were laid out and named after those in New York City. You can still drive on Broadway, 42nd Street, Lenox Avenue, Riverside Drive and Eighth Avenue, even though you’re 13,000 kilometers away. The abandoned runways can be seen in North Field, where plaques mark the pits where the Enola Gay and Bockscar planes were loaded with atomic bombs before heading off to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Monuments and Artifacts
The prehistoric taga stones are relics of the ancient palace built by the Chamorro King Taga over 3,000 years ago. More recently, Tinian was an agricultural producer for a local Japanese sugar and rum company, and evidence of Japanese habitation is visible in the Shinto shrines, cannons and ruins dotted around the island’s jungles and caves. The most spectacular natural monument is the Blowhole, where columns of water shoot 10 meters in the air.

Recreation on Land and Water
Scuba diving is the primary reason visitors come to Tinian – numerous reefs, wrecks and caves lie under the waters surrounding the island. Favorite spots include Dump Cove, where you’ll see planes, tanks, ammunition and Jeeps from World War II, and Tinian Grotto, the most popular cavern dive. Spear fisherman will like Unai Dankulo, which means “Long Beach,” on the eastern shore, while cliff fishing can be done from Oceanside Cliffs. If you’d prefer to just lie on the beach and do a bit of snorkeling, spend some time at Taga Beach, Tachogna Beach or Chulu Beach. Stroll by the harbor during a visit to San Jose, the island’s largest village.

A Pacific island paradise where the sea reigns supreme
Known as “Nature’s Treasure Island,” this tiny, remote island in the Northern Marianas is only 20 kilometers long and gets many more visitors than it has residents. They are drawn to this U.S. territory for its laid-back island culture, balmy weather, sensational sights, and superb scuba diving and water sports. Rota’s residents share welcoming smiles, warm hospitality and unique local cuisine with guests as they explore both land and sea.

Into the Blue
Numerous tour providers can arrange a snorkeling or scuba diving trip to any of the undersea walls, shipwrecks or vivid coral reefs surrounding the island. Popular sites include the World War II wreck of the Shoun Maru, Blue Hole and the Grotto, a collapsed limestone cavern with underwater passageways. Divers can see stingrays, clown fish, eels, nudibranchs, surgeonfish, parrot fish and white-tip sharks. If diving’s not your thing, try windsurfing, parasailing and banana boating. On the west end of the island lies Swimming Hole, a small hidden pool that visitors seek out for a refreshing dip and photo opportunities.

Where Nature Meets Culture
On the opposite end of Rota is picturesque Tweksberry Park, which grows thick with coconut palms. In between are sites like the Rota Zoo, the Old Japanese Cannon and the Rota Latte Stone Quarry, where you can learn how pillars were carved by the ancient Chamorro people. At Songsong Village Lookout, pause for a great view of Mount Tapingot, also known as Wedding Cake Mountain. Nearby you’ll find the Marianas Trench Cave Museum, which is housed inside a cave. Learn about Rota’s birdlife at Sagua’gaga Seabird Sanctuary and discover the plant life at Taisacana’s Botanical & Nature Trail.

When You Go
Most eateries are casual snack bars or cafés that either serve basic American fare or fresh local delicacies like ayuyu (coconut crab) and kadun pika (hot spicy beef). A smattering of restaurants offer international cuisine. When you’re ready to book accommodations, bear in mind that there are no five-star hotel chains or resorts but rather low-key independent hotels, inns and bed-and-breakfasts. One upscale option, Rota Resort & Country Club, has a golf course that you can use even if you’re not a guest.

Summer year-round on this fun Pacific island
Sunbathers, underwater explorers and history buffs will feel like they hit the jackpot in Saipan, the largest and most developed of the Northern Mariana Islands. Golden beaches and spectacular scuba diving are the primary draws of this U.S. territory, but they are complemented by excellent restaurants, hotels, nightspots, shopping, monuments and golf courses.

Breathtaking Beaches
Visitors can take their pick of dozens of places to swim, sun and snorkel on Saipan. Bring a family picnic to Obyan Beach or Pau Pau Beach, walk on soft sandbar islands at Micro Beach or collect shells at Wing Beach. Dive and see turtles at Laolao Bay or do like the locals and take a “boonie stomp” (long walk) down the picturesque 4.8-kilometer Saipan Beach Pathway. One of the nicest beaches is on the tiny island of Managaha, just a 10-minute boat ride from the main island, where you can snorkel, dive and eat coconuts.

Small Island, Big History
Saipan is brimming with historical sites. Evidence of ancient Chamorro and Carolinian civilizations can be seen in the pictographs in the Kalabera Cave and in the remnants of a village at Agingan Beach. Agingan is also the site of the wreck of a 17th century Spanish galleon. World War II history is everywhere, including at Micro Beach, where there are numerous bunkers and memorials. The Last Command Post houses the remnants of a cliff-side bunker used by the Japanese to defend themselves against the U.S. invasion. Memorials along both Suicide Cliff and the Banzai Cliff honor Japanese soldiers who jumped to their deaths during the battle for Saipan.

Beyond the Beach
Garapan, the main tourist district on the island, is the place to go if you want the widest variety of restaurants, bars, shops and street stalls. Hit the links at one of many golf courses, two of which were designed by Greg Norman and have fabulous sea views. Stop at the Saipan Katori Shrine or admire the stained-glass windows at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral. And if you’re a scuba diver, head out to one of the dozen or so world-class dive sites, which include The Grotto, Eagle Ray City and Naftan.

Managaha Island
A small island sheltered in a lagoon that is Saipan’s famous tourist destination. There are even some introductory scuba trails laid out in rope on the sea bed, which also make for great snorkeling sightseeing tours. You have to pay for the boat ride out, but it usually includes lunch. There are amenities out on the island. It takes about 15 minutes to walk completely around the island. It really is a great place to snorkel. Some snorkel and dive operators will offer rice or fish food to feed the fish, but this is unhealthy for both the reef and the fish and good tour operators will not do this. In addition, feeding the fish means that you will see a lot of the same kind of fish (often convict tangs), and miss out on many other colorful and interesting fish.

Forbidden Island
Located at the southeastern part of the island, Forbidden Island can be reached through the village of Kagman (a 4WD vehicle is recommended) and after a 30-40 minutes hike. It’s a little hard to get there but it’s worth it.

Obyan Beach
Obyan (pronounced long O, long B, John) is another large beach that is a favorite for snorkelers, skin divers, swimmers, or beachcombers. As you enter the beach you will find a couple large Japanese WW II gun bunkers. Between the bunkers and just off the beach is an ancient Chamorro village site. Here you will find several latte stones. It is believed that they built their houses on top of these stones. You can walk further inland from the old house site and find a couple interesting small caves. A large paved parking lot with a security guard was recently added. The Obyan area also has nice hiking trails.

Flame Tree Arts Festival
A four-day fest on Saipan that celebrates and showcases Northern Mariana’s culture through indigenous dance, food and art work every spring, just in time for the real flame trees to bloom.

Mt.Tapochao
Climb or drive to Saipan’s highest peak , once a WWII outpost for the Japanese, and see nearly all the Islands of the Northern Marianas at once.