Dive Spots
Saipan
Grotto
Named one of world’s top cavern dive sites, this natural sinkhole is connected to the ocean by three submerged tunnels. The Grotto offers indelible variations of blue, making it a must-see destination for both visitors and locals alike. The Grotto is Saipan’s signature destination and as such, its environment needs to be protected and respected. Whatever you bring into the Grotto, you need to take out. Exercise caution as the strong currents can be extremely dangerous.
Maritime Heritage Trail – Battle of Saipan
Located within the protected waters of the Saipan lagoon, the majority of this dive site includes two Japanese shipwrecks, two Japanese aircrafts, two U.S. aircrafts, a U.S. landing vehicle, and two Japanese landing crafts, all found in the clear waters between Garapan, Tanapag Harbor, and Mañagaha Island. Further south in Chalan Kanoa Lagoon, there are three U.S. tanks. https://sites.ecu.edu/pmht/
Posters: https://sites.ecu.edu/pmht/the-wrecks/posters-and-guides/posters/
Field Guides: https://sites.ecu.edu/pmht/the-wrecks/posters-and-guides/field-guides/
Dimple
Dimple is a seamount on the western side of Saipan – a home to brilliantly colored small fish, black filefishes, red snappers, trumpet fish, eagle rays and more. In the past, this dive site’s highlight was the oriental butterflyfish. Hundreds of butterflyfish with yellow or white bodies and black heads used to swarm the divers during the feeding. However, feeding is strictly forbidden now to protect the marine life. The depths on this dive range from 40 feet to 130 feet (12 m to 40 m) making it suitable for all skill levels.
photo credit: @ashley_sso
Ice Cream
Ice Cream is a seamount like Dimple, located on the west side of Saipan. The giant coral mound bears a resemblance to a scoop of ice cream. It is a home to goatfish, snappers, baby eel, anemones and anemone fish. This is a shallow dive with the base of the seamount at 50 feet (15 m) and the top at 18 feet (5.5 m). A group of eagle rays are frequently seen swimming at the top of the mound.
photo credit: @ashley_sso
Lau Lau Beach
With an easy beach entry and a large stretch of coral reef, Lau Lu Beach is one of the most popular dive sites in Saipan. A diverse array of small marine life such as colorful nudibranchs and stonefish are a photographer’s delight. An abandoned oil pipe from World War II on the seafloor has become a complex alley of corals. Expect to meet whitetip sharks, napoleon fish, sea turtles, spadefish, garden eel, scorpion fish, box fish, seahorses and more. Lau Lau Beach is an ideal dive site for beginners.
photo credit: Kirin Sekito
Naftan Point
Naftan is one of the best wall dives in The Marianas with crystal clear visibility. Located at the southern tip of Saipan, it can be accessed via a boat. The top of the wall starts at 45 feet (14 m) and goes down to 197 feet (60 m). At the top, there are great coral formations that are home to huge clams. Follow the wall to discover magnificent fan corals and colorful marine life. Expect blacktip and whitetip sharks, napoleon fish and an occasional appearance of octopuses. Naftan Point is great for divers of all levels but advanced divers will enjoy it more.
Obyan Beach
Located near Naftan Point, Obyan Beach has over 150 feet (46 m) of visibility on a good day. After exiting through the first reef, there’s a beautiful patch reef with hundreds of small fish and interesting animals all around. The second reef starts at about 50 feet where you may find barracudas, sharks, and possibly eel. This dive site is ideal for all skill levels and offers both beach and boat diving. With white sand floor as a canvas, divers can take fun pictures using props such as an underwater bicycle and the word “Obyan” written with rocks on the seafloor.
photo credit: Kirin Sekito
Chinsen / Shoan Maru
Locally called Chinsen, or “the shipwreck,” this wreck is a Japanese merchant vessel tentatively identified in 1990 as Shoan Maru, and it sits at a shallow depth in the lagoon. It is an easy dive even the novice divers can enjoy. The Shoan Maru had its virgin voyage in 1937 and transported war supplies and equipment during the World War II. Shoan Maru was torpedoed by the U.S. in 1943 west of Rota but did not sink. It was later towed to Tanapag Harbor in Saipan for repair or salvage, where it was damaged beyond repair during the Battle of Saipan. The wreck has since transformed into a home for coral and thousands of fish. Whitetip sharks are frequently found resting on the bottom and large jacks and snappers are also commonly seen.
photo credit: Kirin Sekito
Banzai Cliff
Located at the northern end of Saipan, Banzai offers a beautiful wall diving experience but is only accessible during the summer season (May – September). The dive site boasts glamorous anemone, coral reefs and rare sightings of large deep-sea fish, so it’s well worth the wait and pre-planning. The vertical wall starts at 50 feet (15 m) below the sea level and drops down to 380 feet (116 m) in depth. Beware of the strong current and high waves. This site is only for experienced divers.
Wing Beach
A fantastic dive that can be done from the beach or a boat. Wing Beach dive site is located near the northwest point of Saipan and has some great geographical features such as large crevasses and dynamic drop-offs. Follow the wall to reach the valley where a magnificent view awaits. This site is famous for shark encounters and Spanish Dancers at night. Diving at Wing Beach is only possible during the summer season as the site is heavily affected by strong northern wind.
Tinian
Fleming
Fleming is an amazing wall dive from a boat. It has a myriad of coral formations that resemble a forest made of rocks filled with abundant marine animals and fish. The unbelievably clear visibility allows a fantastic underwater view of the clouds in the sky and cascading rays of sunlight. Diving through these reflections blurs the boundaries and fuses the ocean and the sky into one – giving the divers a magical feeling of flying in the air. The maximum depth is 230 feet (70 m).
photo credit: Kirin Sekito
Dump Cove
This is a relic boat dive with many artifacts from World War II – parts of planes, tanks, ammunition and jeeps. Dump Cove is like an underwater museum. It is also a feeding ground for turtles, so the chances of running into a turtle are very high. Please do not touch the war artifacts as many of the explosives are still active. Phosphorous, the white substance covering the surface of the explosives, is highly inflammable especially in contact with oxygen.
Tinian Grotto
The Grotto is the most popular cavern dive in Tinian. With three main entry points into the cavern, most divers enter from the hole at the top, leading to a beautiful room inside. After exploring inside the cavern, exit through another hole, and move along the wall while looking for beautiful shrimp and crabs within the coral formations on the Grotto. At the end of the dive, look back towards the cavern to see all of the bubbles escaping from the inside.
photo credit: @ashley_sso
Tachogna Beach
Tachogna beach is a great site for first time divers and open water diving lessons. Located on the southern end of Tinian, the beach is well protected from the wind and its shallow and calm water makes it an ideal spot to enjoy all marine activities. Discover a variety of colorful tropical fish inhabiting the petite coral formations while diving or snorkeling. Stingrays and eagle rays also make an occasional appearance. Depth: 3–26 feet (1–8 m).
Rota
Senhanon Cave / Rota Hole
The most popular dive site in Rota., this s a boat dive spot that requires advanced diving skills. When you enter the famous cavern, columns of light cascading from above greet you. The highlight of the dive is the strong spotlight effect that obscures the peripheral areas when you swim into the center – creating the “Jesus Experience.” Diverse schools of fish and lobster can also be seen in the cavern.
photo credit: Daisuke Yanai
Coral Garden
An entire coral reef where you can find over 200 types of corals and over 50 species of colorful tropical fish. You can often encounter octopuses, nudibranchs, sharks, and turtles during this boat dive. Coral Garden is a protected area. Collecting seashells or artifacts and the taking any sea life is strictly prohibited.
photo credit: Sachi Murai
Table Top
This interesting geological feature was created by two adjoining underwater mountains standing 15 feet (4.6m) high above the seafloor. You can discover a myriad of marine animals – tangs, trumpet fish, lobster, angelfish, parrot fish, gobies and more – taking refugees in the crevices
Shoun Maru
The shipwreck point is named after an actual ship that sunk in Rota’s Sasanhaya Bay. It was hit by the United States’ aerial torpedo during the World War II (June 23, 1944). Almost 100 feet (30m) below the water, the large transport vessel lies on the white sandy seafloor and looks as if it’s sleeping. The sandy terrain near the wreck is a habitat for a large group of garden eels.
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