Top 10 Attractions in Saipan

If you want to see the 360-degree view of the island, head to the Mount Topochau. It is the highest point on the island of Saipan with a height of 1555 ft above the sea level and offers splendid views from the top. Whether you admire it from the beaches or hike to the top, it will be impressive and inspiring.

Mount Topochau has a history too. For both the American and Japanese forces, it was a strategic location during World war II. And they choose this point because of its elevation that helped them to keep an eye on the activities of the other forces. Along with several other Saipan attractions, this place holds the past for the most severe battles, and hence the American forces named it “Death Valley” and “Purple Heart Ridge.”

The hiking to the top of the mountain is 8.3 miles on a round trip. The hiking trail is not very difficult, but the heat and humidity might make your journey demanding. The round trip can easily be completed in about 2 hours. You can also drive a dirt road to reach the top, but ensure having a vehicle with 4-wheel to maintain the grip on the bumpy and slippery tracks of the mountain. At the top parking spot, you can energize yourself with fresh, tender coconut water. After you are at the top, you will be amazed to see the view it has to offer. The clouds will appear closer. The end of the sky will appear at the beginning of the ocean and then the lush green land; all in harmony. The view cannot be described in the words until you witness it by yourself, which makes it one of the most popular Saipan attractions

The Capitol Hill was built in 1948 by the Central Intelligence Agency, and it was used as a base by the army. Now this place is the home to various government agencies and departments like the US Post Office, Department of Commerce, Legislature Building, Council for Arts and Culture and many other departments.

This place serves an important role in the Saipan as major operating bodies for the region work from here. Visiting this place can be a different experience.

Forbidden Island, do not go by the name; it is one of the famous spots among all the Saipan attractions, for tourists as well as locals. If visiting Saipan, you cannot miss this place. The hiking starts from the village of Kagman, and you can park your vehicle at the trailhead of this village. The access to this island is free. It takes around 1.5- 2 hours for a one-way hike.

Starting from the village of Kagman, you have to trek a steep path for about 30-40 minutes. The trail is short, but it will need your energy to cross the path; the trek is challenging and not for everyone. While hiking, you will find many stops overlooking the beautiful ocean with continuous crashing waves around the island. Once you are on the island, you will find several clear tide pools where you can snorkel or just cool down yourself in the water. There is a "Hidden Forbidden," a small cave with its pool formed by ocean tides. Find it, and enjoy your natural private pool kind of arrangement. Be cautious while swimming since the waves are unpredictable.

Do not forget to put on your sturdy athletic shoes while going for trekking. Climbing over the rocks night be difficult with normal shoes or sneakers. Also, bring some food to enjoy eating on the island. And bring plenty of water as you will need to be hydrated while hiking and there is no shop on the island.

Mount Carmel Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in the village of Chalan Kanoa and is one of the popular Saipan attractions. It is the mother church; the principal church of the Island of the Saipan. It is the largest catholic church or the Saipan and was reconstructed after world war II in 1949. The church serves a landmark for the Chalan Kanoa village. People come to this church every day to worship and offer prayers as this place provides Catholics living in the Marianas.

The exterior of the church has a beautiful Spanish style. The interior of the church is simple yet very elegant and can accommodate a lot of people. On the way to the Mount Carmel Cathedral, you will drive along the beautiful coastline. On your way towards the Church, you can save some time to enjoy the beautiful sight near the ocean and spend some time there in peace. The visit to the church can be covered in a day, but if you want to see the church at night, you can plan accordingly. You can ask the locals to know more about the history and importance of this place.

American Memorial Park was established in 1978 in the islands of Saipan. It was created after World war II to honor the sacrifices made during the war in Mariana and Palau island campaign. American Memorial Park is famous for its flag monument that was built to keep alive the memory of 4000 local islanders and United States military personnel. The American flag is there in the center surrounded by the flags of Navy, Marine Corps, Coast guard, and Army. Other than flag monument, there you will find recreational facilities and world war II museum.

The park is more than just a monumental place among Saipan attractions. It offers tribute to the serviceman, and in order to keep the patriotic sense alive among the young generations, parks offer an area for activities like baseball, running, walking, swimming, bicycling, tennis, and picnicking. And this makes this park a "living memorial." The park is spread across a 133-acre area in which 30-acre of the area covers wetland and mangrove forests. American Memorial Park; a destination where people can play, learn and explore.

The park remains open from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. just visit there and spend some time, you will have a different experience in this park.

Bird Island beach is one of the most gorgeous Saipan attractions. It is located near the Blue Hole in northeastern Saipan Island. For thousands of different species of birds, this island is home; hence, it is called "Bird Island." It is also home to many marine species.

People view this place from above, but reaching this beautiful gem in the ocean is possible. From the steep hill, a short hike will take you to the secluded beach from where Bird Island can be seen easily. When the tide is calm and low, you can take a walk to Bird Island. On the island, you will be welcomed by the colorful birds and abundant ocean fish resting in deep pools. Fishing and hunting are not allowed in this location, hence making it rich in wildlife.

It is an excellent place to watch and enjoy sunrise or sunset. You can also bring binoculars to watch the birds from the beach or the cliff. Although the beach is accessible throughout the year, it is recommended to avoid visiting this place in the rainy season because of slippery and muddy paths.

Last Japanese Command Post is a very historic and significant place on the island of Saipan and one of the most popular Saipan attractions. Between 1918 and 1944, the Japanese invested a tremendous amount of time, money, and effort to improve life in Saipan. They did a fantastic work in uplifting the life in Sipan by building hospitals, roads, schools, sugar factories, and train tracks covering the whole island. But when the war began between Japan and America, the Japanese officers were operating from the Command Post to find a solution to save their people and forces. But after the Victory of America, the Japanese were not allowed to stay longer in that place, and hence the command post is known as the Last Japanese Command Post.

Last Japanese Command Post is a place between the two huge rocks. To reach the command post, you have to climb the stairs, and it is in the cave. The opening to the post is just above the stairs; visitors are allowed to go inside the cave, but if you are a claustrophobic person, you must avoid entering the cave. The cave is dug through the rocks that make a tunnel to reach another side of the rock where the Last Japanese Command Post was built. After getting there, you can witness the signs of the big battle that happened in the past. Taking the tour of one of the most magnificent Saipan attractions and exploring a war place is worth spending your time.

Managaha Island is a picturesque location in the Saipan. Although this place does not has any permanent residence and is uninhabited, but due to the wide sandy beaches, Managaha Island is famous among the tourists and one of the most visited attractions in Siapans. Hollywood stars call this island, "Love Island." Even local people prefer this place best for day outings and picnics. Visitors can easily do a day-trip to this island. It is well connected with the rest of the city, so reaching the beach is easy. Travelers who are photographers also will fall in love with this place. Even if you are not a professional photographer, the pictures will refresh your memory of visiting the island whenever you will see it again on your quest to Saipan attractions.

On Managaha island, you can see the wedge-tailed shearwaters. On this island, you will find several marine activities like jet-skiing, snorkeling, banana boat, and parasailing. Adventure enthusiasts will love these exhilarating water sports. Dive in to see the colorful coral reef and beautiful marine life. Simply lying on the silver-white beach and watching the ocean is an awesome experience.

The island is full of green tropical plants. The elysian beauty of this island is worth giving your time. Since there are no fees for entering and spending time on the beach, you can walk around the beach without worrying about the budget. Relish yourself with some of the famous seas food on the beach that is cost-effective. Enjoying the aquatic scene in the clear and transparent sea and the fine sandy beach will definitely make this island, your new favorite place. To experience the freshness of the gentle sea breeze, clear sky, and the blue sea, you must include this place in your bucket list of Saipan attractions.

Banzai Cliff, also known as the Longevity Cliff is a place thousands of deaths that happened during world war II. When Japanese civilians felt that the American soldiers are going to capture the, they including men, women, and children choose to commit suicide by jumping into the ocean from the 600-feet cliff. Even after the fights ended, the death toll continued to rise. The cliff has earned its name after the suicide happened because people leaping from the cliff shouted “banzai” while they plunged into death.

On the peak of Banzai Cliff, you can see a great combination of modern architecture blended with nature. The backwash of thousands of deaths is now dotted with memorials that are honored by the Japanese and call it an act of bravery. You can see many obelisks and buddha sculptures on the peak with an intention to remind people that the effect of war is devastating, and it does not end on the battlefield. Every year people from Japan visit the cliff to pay respect to the shrines and do prayers for those who lost their lives.

From the top, you will see the mesmerizing beauty of the ocean. You can often spot turtles swimming in the water. Viewing a giant turquoise water body is very calming and relaxing. You can sit there and spend the rest of the day on the cliff.

Santa Lourdes Shrine is in Notre Dame's Cave. The cave is the catholic holy place and famous among all Saipan attractions. The cave is located next to a small village surrounded by lush green trees. At the entrance of the village, you can park your vehicle and then take a walk to the shrine. Local people visit this shrine frequently to offer prayers and lit candles. Visitors can also light the candle and offer prayers. This is the only place where you will find freshwater well on the island. According to the legends, the freshwater well was found by a French boy when he met the soul of Notre Dame. People believe that taking a sip of the water from the well will bring good luck for them, if you are a believer, then you can drink some water too.

The Shrine is on the hillside of the Saipan, hence it will offer you a mesmerizing view of nature. The place is peaceful and calming because of both shrine and essence natural elements. In front of the candle chamber, there you can see a love tree; the structure of the heart emerges naturally by the leaves. Couples should not miss clicking pictures of this place. This is an Instagram worthy place. The access to this place is free. You can easily cover this place on your day trip.

After knowing about all the magnificent Saipan attractions, you might be thinking of planning your way to the Saipan. Saipan offers numerous incredible things without costing any extra bucks. Watching the phenomenal sunset by sitting on the white sands of the beaches will give you a sense of satisfaction and eternal happiness. Trying the local cuisine might make you fall in love with the food. Watching the cultural festivals of the locals will create a lifetime memory of this place and bring people of two different communities or regions more close. So, no matter where you go in Saipan, you will get something. Explore the beautiful sights, food, and culture of this place in the most efficient way. Happy roaming around the Island of Saipan!