Saipan

Understand

Saipan is 23 km (14 mi) long and 8 km (5 mi) wide. The best beaches and most populated areas are on the western and southern coasts, with the north and east being rugged and mountainous. Because only one branch of the US military, the Coast Guard, has even a small permanent presence on Saipan, many Chamorros on Saipan consider their culture more intact than on Guam. Therefore, comparisons between the two islands should take this into account. Furthermore, Chamorros on Saipan and throughout the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) still primarily speak Chamorro at home, while the same isn't true of Guam. While the differences between a commonwealth (as in the CNMI) and a territory (as in Guam) may not appear to be great (especially to a mainland US citizen), Saipan should not be referred to as a territory when speaking to a local. Finally, while the population of the Northern Mariana Islands, as on Guam, are US citizens and proud to be recognized as such, their independent identity is equally important.

Orientation

1 Garapan, the capital, is the main hotel area on Saipan, and includes a number of hotels, bars and restaurants. The City of Garapan is the most urban area in the Northern Mariana Islands but is considered more of a "mini town". Restaurants, shopping centers and smaller stores and shops are all walking distance from each other. Although many unfamiliar tourists are able to take a "Taxi Cab" to and from the insular areas of the city along with the other villages outside of Garapan. 2 Chalan Kanoa is the site of the US invasion of Saipan. It has the main branch of the US Postal Service. It also has several restaurants and grocery stores.

Getting there

For entry requirements, see the main article on the Northern Mariana Islands.

By plane 1 Saipan International Airport (SPN IATA) (in the southeast corner of the island). It is the main gateway to the Northern Mariana Islands. Direct flights are available from Seoul and Busan (via Jeju Air and Asiana among other airlines); Hong Kong (via Hong Kong Airlines and HK Express); Beijing (via China Eastern Airlines), Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai (via Sichuan Airlines), and Hangzhou (via Beijing Capital Airlines); seasonally from Manila (via Philippine Airlines); seasonally from Kansai International Airport (via Asiana); and from the nearby islands of Guam, Tinian, and Rota (via Star Marianas Air; and via United from Guam).

Getting around

There is no public transport as such, excluding shuttle buses running between hotels and the Duty Free shopping center in Garapan.

By bus There is no public bus service on Saipan, but on Saipan PDI and other companies run a shopping shuttle bus to and from the Duty Free mall (DFS Galleria) in Garapan. DFS also has their own free shuttle from most of the major hotels.

By taxi

Taxis on Saipan are expensive but plentiful, however the only place they are allowed to pick up or drop off passengers is at the airport or a hotel, and sometimes at DFS. There is also a large network of illegal taxis run by Chinese immigrants, that will take you anywhere for $15. For some Saipan residents this is their only means of transportation. Because Saipan is so small, taxis from the airport to the main hotel area of Garapan can run upwards of $25-30, so plan ahead by arranging transportation through your hotel, which often charge $10 per person flat rate.

By car Car rental is a good option for getting off the beaten track, as roads are generally quite good. Most car rental offices are either at the airport or at major tourist hotels; some offer a free pick up and drop off service.

By moped Mopeds can be rented for about $20, though roads are very dark at night and bugs predominate after dusk. Therefore, consider mopeds for day-tripping only, as drivers tend not to give heed to mopeds or bicyclists throughout the Northern Mariana Islands or Guam.

See

Saipan is fairly small and by renting a car or moped, it is easy to drive around the island and take in the natural splendor, as well as visit a number of parks. Scuba diving is also popular, and the underwater world should definitely be seen.

1 Banzai Cliff and 2 Suicide Cliff, on the northern tip of the island, were sites where thousands of Japanese civilians, trying to escape the fighting and convinced by the Japanese military that they would be killed by the American military, jumped to their deaths in the Battle of Saipan in 1944. The former is by the sea while the latter is on the rock outcropping overlooking it. Numerous Japanese memorials mark the sites. 3 American Memorial Park, ☏ +1 670 234-7207 ext 2002. 24 hr. Visitor center: daily 9AM-4PM. The only NPS park in the Northern Mariana Islands, honoring those who sacrificed their lives during the Pacific War against Japan in the battles that took place in Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944. Free. (updated Feb 2019)

Do

Scuba diving and snorkeling on Saipan are deservedly the most popular activities here among western tourists, though gambling and karaoke/hostess bars are most popular among Korean businessmen, as well as some Japanese travelers. Garapan is coastally located, so other watersports abound as well. For scuba divers, the term "Fun Dive" is used for those who have already been certified and just want to recreational dive, while "Taiken dive" is used to designate first-time divers that take classes on Saipan. The same is true for the rest of the CNMI and somewhat so for Guam. While boat dives are available, you can still drive to some awesome dive sights, like Grotto. A cavern dive to open ocean is great. If you go outside, you will need a guide as it is very easy to get turned around outside and lose track of the tunnel back in.

1 Aquasmith (across from DFS), ☏ +1 670 233-5055. American, Chamorro Japanese instructors. Dive shop (scuba diving; skin diving; spearfishing). 2 Tripper's Tours, ☏ +1 670 285-MIKE (6453). Canadian dive guide, instructor, and underwater photographer & videographer with 15 years' experience, including 7 on Saipan. Dive Saipan, ☏ + 1 670 483 7056. Korean dive shop (updated Sep 2025) Speedy Tertle. Russian dive shop G.O.D.I., ☏ +1 670 287-0705. Dive shop. Russian-, Japanese- and English-speaking. For more detailed descriptions of individual dive sites in Saipan, see the Dive sites of Saipan article. You may also want to check out one or more of the 5 golf courses. Two were designed by Greg Norman, one by Larry Nelson and another by Graham Marsh. The other course is considered a "local" course. There is also a 9-hole course that is great for beginners. Segway of Marianas rents Segway Personal Transporters for use in exploring downtown Garapan at reasonable rates. The Saipan Hash House Harriers meet every Saturday at 3:30PM at the Bank of Guam parking lot in Garapan to run, hike, jog, climb, and otherwise trek through jungle, swamps, mountains

Buy

There are many opportunities for shopping in Garapan. The 1 DFS Galleria is a large shopping center that offers duty free shopping wit