Dive sites in Northern Mariana Islands

Located off the rugged northern headland of Saipan, Banzai offers deep, blue-water diving along sheer limestone drop-offs and vast submerged boulder fields. Because the site sits exposed to open Pacific swells, dive operators only run trips here when summer conditions flatten the ocean surface.

Saipan's signature dive begins with a trek down steep concrete stairs into a massive collapsed limestone cavern. Divers step into the sheltered pool before descending toward three expansive underwater archways that open directly into the Pacific Ocean. As sunlight filters through the exit passages, the cavern interior fills with deep cobalt blue light, framing dramatic swim-throughs and sheer outer walls.

Located on the southeastern coast of Saipan, Lau Lau Beach provides reliable shore diving over an expansive reef system. Divers wade across a shallow reef flat before descending along hard coral formations that transition into sandy plains. The site holds large aggregations of schooling fish alongside resident macro critters.

Located at the southern tip of Saipan, Naftan is celebrated for its sheer wall dropping straight into the abyss. The top plateau features hard coral heads and sea fans before plunging dramatically into the open ocean. Outstanding clarity is the hallmark here, creating sensational blue-water vistas and regular visits from cruising pelagics.

Located off the rugged northern cliffs of Saipan, Spot Light is a cavern dive defined by a natural aperture in the rock ceiling. Around midday during the calmer summer months, direct sunlight filters straight through this overhead opening, casting a dramatic, focused beam into the darkened chamber below. Outside the cavern, the volcanic seabed drops away into clear oceanic water characterized by large boulders and shelf coral formations.

Located off the northwest coast of Saipan, Wing Arch centers around a massive natural underwater rock archway carved out of the limestone reef. Divers drop down along an open slope before entering the cavernous passage, which frames deep blue offshore water. Because the site sits exposed to open ocean currents, pelagic fish frequently patrol the edge of the drop-off.

Located off the northern coast of Saipan near Wing Beach, Wing Crevasse features a dramatic geological fissure cutting deep into the volcanic limestone reef. Divers navigate through the vertical chasm, which opens out toward an oceanic drop-off where pelagic visitors often pass in the clear blue water. Swells and tidal flow can generate strong water movement across the reef crest.