Saipan Pictures: best view

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Great Views

Why do I love Saipan? If I had to sum it up in a word, my word would be "beautiful". Saipan is truly a beautiful island with a lot to offer. I have lived here since 1996 and still never tire of the scenery. Great views are everywhere, whether it is the beaches, mountains, or jungle and all are close to home. Even after all these years I still find, and enjoy learning about, new places in Saipan. The history of Saipan is as rich as its beauty and never-ending. That is my hobby and I would like the world to also enjoy Saipan's beauty and history. Although great views can be found everywhere in Saipan, click the picture above to see some views that I found amazing.

Thank you and keep Saipan beautiful!

Obyan Beach

Obyan (pronounced long O, long B, John) is another large beach that is a favorite for snorkelers, skin divers, swimmers, or beachcombers. As you enter the beach you will find a couple large Japanese WW II gun bunkers. Between the bunkers and just off the beach is an ancient Chamorro village site. Here you will find several latte stones. It is believed that they built their houses on top of these stones. You can walk further inland from the old house site and find a couple interesting small caves. A large paved parking lot with a security guard was recently added. The Obyan area also has nice hiking trails. A couple trails navigates up the cliff to Naftan Peninsula.

Another trail led me to this small hole in the ground.

It was a Japanese WWII exit tunnel which originates from this oceanside cave...

...on this beautiful remote beach.

More trails lead to other small beaches, WWII building foundations, and spectacular views.

Latte Stones from 1,000 years ago.

Large Japanese gun bunker.

Other side of the Japanese gun bunker.

Cave.

Picture of Obyan taken from Naftan Peninsula.

Obyan Beach with Naftan Peninsula in the background.

Bird.

Scuba divers.

Looking off the 100' high cliff line to Obyan Bay.

WWII artifacts found in the jungle and caves of Obyan.

Canteen cup.

Helmet.

Obyan Beach with the airport in the background.

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Suicide Cliff

Suicide Cliff is 820 feet above sea level with most of that being a vertical drop to the rocks just behind the Last Command Post. It provides cool breezes and breathtaking views of the ocean and the hills of Northern Saipan. Suicide Cliff has a similar history as Banzai Cliff. The name came from the mass suicides of Japanese civilians at the end of the Battle of Saipan. Rather than surrender, Japanese families lined up on the cliff's edge from youngest to oldest. Each in turn gave the one in front a push.

Looking down to Banzai Cliff.

Looking down to Veteran's Cemetery.

Looking up from Veteran's Cemetery.

Picture taken from a cliff in the jungle near Suicide Cliff.

A cactus full of names right on the edge.

Spotters keeping watch before the WWII ordnance detonation.

A great view of the WWII ordnance detonation. WWII bombs are still being found on Saipan. When found they are stored in caves in Marpi until there is enough for a nice size explosion. This is one of those detonations of 12,000 pieces of WWII ordnance, mostly mortars, projectiles, and hand grenades.