Scuba Diving in Saipan
The Ultimate Guide
Saipan is the largest of the Northern Mariana Islands, a United States commonwealth in the western Pacific. Fringed by white‑sand beaches and the deep blue of the Philippine Sea, its limestone topography has created caves, grottoes and sheer drop‑offs that have become iconic dive sites. Warm, clear water (often 27–29 °C) and visibility exceeding 20–50 m make diving here a pleasure. Highlights include the world‑famous Grotto cavern with shafts of blue light, WWII wrecks of ships and planes, coral gardens teeming with turtles and reef fish, and cleaning stations where schools of spotted eagle rays hover. Most sites are within minutes of shore, making Saipan ideal for easy day diving while still offering adventure for experienced divers in nearby Tinian and Rota.
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperature
27–29°C
Visibility
20–50 m
Diving Highlights
Best Months to Dive
Getting to Saipan for Diving
✈️Transportation
Fly to Saipan International Airport (SPN).
There are direct flights from Guam (about 1 hour), as well as seasonal or resuming flights from Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong and Manila.
Travellers from further afield typically connect via Guam.
Once on Saipan, most dive shops are located around Garapan or Susupe and are a 10–15 minute drive from the airport.
Tinian and Rota islands can be reached by small plane or ferry for additional diving.
Country
United States Northern Mariana Islands
Currency
US Dollar
Electricity
120V, 60Hz, plugs A/B
Cost of a Dive Trip in Saipan
Day Trip
Dive Resort
Meal
Accommodation
Best Dive Sites in Saipan
🐠Grotto
This collapsed limestone cavern is Saipan’s most famous dive. Accessed by a long staircase, the cavern opens into an amphitheatre lit by three holes in the ceiling. Swim out through the holes to the open ocean where walls are covered with corals and trevallies patrol. The maximum depth inside the cavern is around 22 m; currents and entry can be challenging for beginners.
🐢Lau Lau Beach
A shore dive known for its abundance of green turtles and schooling trevally. The entry is easy and follows a rope to the main reef where trumpetfish, lionfish, butterflyfish and pufferfish reside. Night dives reveal bioluminescent plankton and nocturnal crustaceans.
🦈Ice Cream
Named after a nearby mound of coral resembling a scoop of ice cream, this site is famous for its spotted eagle ray cleaning station. Divers hover at 18 m and watch rays queue up to be cleaned by wrasse; when the rays are absent the site is a calm coral garden home to goatfish, snapper and soldierfish.
🐙Dimple
A coral pinnacle off the west coast with a maximum depth of 35 m. It is covered with hard corals and anemones and is famous for huge schools of pyramid butterflyfish and barracuda. Visibility is often over 40 m and currents are generally mild.
🐚Obyan
A white‑sand slope with garden eels and vibrant coral heads. The maximum depth is around 18 m and the site is suitable for all levels, offering pufferfish, butterflyfish and lionfish among the coral heads.
🦑Naftan Wall
Located at the southern tip of Saipan, Naftan is known for its spectacular drop‑off and crystal‑clear water. The wall plunges to over 35 m and is decorated with sea fans and sponges. Look for turtles, schools of unicornfish and occasional reef sharks.
🐡Spotlight
A cavern dive on the northeast side of Saipan where a beam of sunlight shines through a hole in the ceiling, creating a “spotlight” effect. The cavern leads to walls covered in sea fans and small reef fish; the site is usually dived between July and mid‑September when seas are calm.
🦀Fleming (Tinian)
Situated on nearby Tinian Island, Fleming features a dramatic drop‑off with swim‑throughs and excellent visibility. Expect green turtles, trevally, butterflyfish and palette surgeonfish; occasional strong currents can make this dive challenging.
What Divers Say About Diving in Saipan
Yuki Tanaka
Underwater Photographer / Master Scuba DiverIf you love gin‑clear water, Saipan is your dream. Lau Lau Beach is an effortless shore dive where a line of green turtles wait to greet you and schools of trevally flash silver in the shallows. At the Grotto you descend a staircase into a cavern lit by three shafts of sunlight; swim through one of the holes to emerge into the open ocean where garden eels sway on the sandy slope and trevallies patrol the blue. Ice Cream lives up to its sweet name with dozens of spotted eagle rays queuing up at a cleaning station, while Dimple’s coral pinnacle hosts hundreds of pyramid butterflyfish. Between dives the island vibe is easy‑going: grab a coconut, watch the surfers at Micro Beach and explore WWII relics scattered around the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diving in Saipan
When is the best time to dive in Saipan?
The best conditions are during the dry season from April to September when seas are calm, skies clear and visibility often exceeds 30–40 m. The wet and windy season from October to March sees more rain and rougher seas but diving is still possible.
What marine life can I see?
Saipan’s reefs are home to green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, white‑tip and black‑tip reef sharks, barracuda and schools of trevally. WWII wrecks attract schooling fish and macro life.
Are the dives suitable for beginners?
Yes. Many sites like Lau Lau, Obyan and Ice Cream are shallow and protected, perfect for novices and snorkellers. Cavern dives like Grotto and Spotlight require better buoyancy and comfort in overhead environments.
How many dive sites are there?
Saipan and its neighbouring islands Tinian and Rota have dozens of dive sites including reef dives, wreck dives and caverns. Highlights include Grotto, Lau Lau, Obyan, Dimple, Ice Cream, Oleai (Coral Garden), Naftan Wall and Fleming.
What are the water temperatures and visibility like?
Water temperatures are a balmy 27–29 °C year‑round. Visibility ranges from 20 m to over 50 m thanks to the Mariana Trench upwelling and limestone filtration.
How do I get to Saipan?
Fly to Saipan International Airport (SPN). Connect via Guam or take seasonal direct flights from Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong and Manila. Once on island, dive shops are a short drive from the airport.
Do I need additional equipment?
A 3 mm wetsuit or even just a rash guard is usually sufficient because the water is warm. Bring a torch for cavern and wreck dives, and reef hooks are not generally required.