"Mariana Islands - The place of beautiful sunsets" Top 5 Page for this destination Northern Mariana Islands by scubaozgirl

Northern Mariana Islands Travel Guide: 136 reviews and 352 photos

Arriving in Saipan

I came to the Mariana Islands to visit a family member who was working there at the time.

Initially my impression was one of indifference. It was so incredibly hot and humid, we had a typhoon warning and it rained an awful lot.

My second week here, enlightened me. The Mariana Islands have an amazing history particularly pertaining to the Japanese occupation and the Americans in WW2. The stories that I heard were both incredibly sad and memorable. Tinian was where the Enola Gay departed to bomb Hiroshima.

Amazing colours

Sunset from Rota

I visited Guam, Saipan, Tinian & Rota whilst on this trip.
The colour of the ocean was absolutely stunning. It looked as if someone had painted every hue off blue in stripes. The Marianas Trench which is the deepest part of the ocean in the world.......colours that emit above it are the deepest blue/black. It is hard to describe the beauty in simple words.

The tropical flowers were just gorgeous and abundant. Though is was the sunsets that were so breathtaking.

Why come here?

Another beautiful cloud formation

It is one of those destinations that I would really not have considered going to without a reason. This however was my second trip. I also travelled here in January 2005.
OK, the diving, always a good reason to travel. The diving here was a different experience. I loved it. The Grotto dive off Saipan was beautiful. The dives off Saipan & Tinian to see the WW2 wrecks were great.....Japanese planes, tanks, US jeeps, u name it. A word of warning...the ammo is live.......and some bombs unexploded, another warning Tiger Sharks...all part of the excitement !!

Rota was definitely my favourite, tropical rainforests, a bird sanctuary, caves, beautiful beaches, rock pools, gr8 diving and unspolit.
I found the most amazing large swimming hole complete with it's own ecosystem of tropical fish and corals. Just wonderful, I stayed there for hours. Rota is a geologist's heaven. The volcanic rock formations are unusual and fascinating.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great diving & beaches, some unspolit areas, nice resorts- Tinian Dynasty Hotel/Casino, interesting history
Cons:Saipan lacks identity, Memorials, could be kept in better condition, Tinian needs more historical info sign posted-
In a nutshell:Colourful, tropical and historial

Last visit to Northern Mariana Islands: Jun 2005
Intro Updated Oct 30, 2008
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Reviews (3)

View from room to the ocean - Northern Mariana Islands

Haven in the Marianas Hotels (1)

The Tinian Dynasty was a pleasant surprise, a haven in an otherwise pretty nondescript island. Tinian is famous for... more travel advice

On the beach - Managaha Island - Northern Mariana Islands

Island Paradise Things to Do (2)

Boarded another motor boat and took a trip to the small island of Managaha. Crossing the lagoon again was beautiful, I... more travel advice

Sirena Submarine - Northern Mariana Islands

DIVE DIVE DIVE - SUBMARINE STYLE Things to Do (2)

Was fortunate to be taken on the Sirena Submarine tour off Saipan Lagoon. The lagoon is an amazing aquamarine colour. I... more travel advice

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Comments (9)

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Cristian_Uluru May 29, 2008 at 12:41 PM

Wonderful sunsets!!!
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Mara_2 Aug 16, 2007 at 6:11 AM

It must be an incredible place! I'll love to see it and ive there! :D
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adelaidean Feb 14, 2007 at 10:47 PM

what beautiful photos!!!!
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terps94 Feb 11, 2007 at 3:52 PM

great photos, been to a few of these islands mainly because of work and it's great to see the what it has to offer.
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spgood301 Feb 10, 2007 at 6:28 PM

Hi Honey, I'm home for one night and one night only - it is kinda cool to be home. Though I wouldn't mind being in Sydney right now. Aaaah, for some warm weather!
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Siddha3th Feb 6, 2007 at 8:25 PM

Quite simply, magical. I hope you've been well :) Bye from Dubai... Siddharth
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painterdave Feb 3, 2007 at 6:53 AM

thanks for the photos of the Marianas. My father was there in WWII in his submarine, and I will show him when he visits.
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unitedtours Feb 1, 2007 at 4:06 PM

Your sunset pictures are amazing and romantic
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mvtouring Jan 31, 2007 at 9:05 PM

Looks like a nice place, never even heard of the place, but that is why I do armchair travelling here on VT. thanks for sharing ;-)