Saipan: Trails, History and Cave Diving

The 1.2-mile Scenic Pathway in American Memorial Park begins at the Micro Beach Pavilion and passes picnic areas, a playground, the Memorial Court of Honor and historic structures. These include Japanese pillbox bunkers, other bunkers and fuel tanks from World War II. The path is suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, roller skating and skateboarding; check current conditions before your visit. The park covers about 133 acres and is located on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Trails and memorial sites on Saipan

At the park's visitor center, the “The Battle for the Marianas” exhibit describes events from the Battle of Saipan, which took place from June 15 to July 9, 1944. The park thus focuses both on the route through its grounds and on historical topics. If you're interested in different routes, there are other options to consider: the Marpi Pathway begins at the Last Command Post and leads up to Suicide Cliff. The Garapan Heritage Trail highlights historic sites in the surrounding area.

The Grotto offers a different focus. This natural sinkhole is connected to the ocean by three submerged tunnels and is a cave-diving destination on Saipan. Currents and conditions can vary, so check current conditions before diving.

Market and boat harbor

The Sabalu Market takes place on Saturday mornings at Kilili Beach Park in Susupe. It offers fresh local dishes and international food. About a dozen farmers' market stalls sell fresh produce. Saturday morning is a clear time to keep in mind if you're planning to visit the market.

A commercial boat harbor with 45 berths for boats measuring 25 to 100 feet long is located on the northeastern Outer Cove Peninsula. As capacity and operations can change, check the latest information before making specific plans to visit.

Saipan in the wider context of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History and Culture is located in Garapan on Saipan, in the former Japanese Hospital. It was established in 1996 by Public Law 10-5 and serves as the official archive for historical and cultural materials of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Its exhibits cover the settlement of the islands through the political negotiations of the 1970s that led to the establishment of today's U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The former Japanese Hospital provided medical care to the people of Saipan from 1926 until it was abandoned in 1944 during the Battle of Saipan. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974. These dates place the building in Saipan's history, while the museum exhibits broaden the view to include the development of the Commonwealth as a whole.

Other historic sites are located on other islands in the Northern Mariana Islands. On Tinian, the House of Taga is an ancient Chamorro stone structure. On Rota, the Chugai pictograph site includes about ninety images painted on the walls of a natural cave. The As Nieves Latte Stone Quarry consists of nine latte pillars and seven capstones at different stages of completion. Before concrete houses were built, residents of Rota used Tonga Cave as a refuge during typhoons.

Discover more destinations: Papago, San Roque, Susupe, Tanapag, Garapan, Chalan Kanoa.

Go to the regional travel overview: Northern Mariana Islands.