At DRT SHOW 2019, Taiwan's premier dive expo, I had the pleasure of encountering the renowned full-time underwater photographer Yorko Summer in person. A true pioneer of Taiwanese underwater photography for nearly 20 years, he commands extraordinary fame and a devoted following both at home and abroad. He has been honoured with the title of one of the Five Outstanding Chinese Photographers, and was selected by the professional diving magazine Scuba Diver–Ocean Planet as one of the Top 100 Underwater Photographers in the world — an awe-inspiring résumé backed by an immeasurable wealth of underwater shooting experience accumulated across the globe.
This sunglass-wearing maestro appeared at the expo in the dual capacity of "Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador" and "VIP Speaker," which made this rookie diver genuinely curious: just what kind of place is the Northern Mariana Islands, the dive destination recommended by the master himself?
Before diving into the introduction of the Northern Mariana Islands, let's first watch the official image video for the Northern Mariana Islands, featuring the sunglasses-clad master Yorko Summer. Director: 袁緒虎.
Exploring Marianas Visibility
Every diver carries a dream island bucket list in their heart. For Yorko — who has already dived at virtually every acclaimed destination on the planet — the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands ranks firmly among them. Beyond the laid-back, tropical island lifestyle on land, the local waters offer a wealth of features beloved by both scuba divers and freedivers alike: crystal-clear water, comfortable temperatures, richly varied topography, and World War II relics that bear witness to history. Above all, it is the mineral-water-like visibility that left this professional underwater photographer genuinely stunned — and so ＃ExploringMarianasVisibility50m became the title of his presentation.
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A String of Green Pearls Scattered Across the Western Pacific
As a US overseas territory, the Northern Mariana Islands counts English as its primary official language, uses the US dollar, and enjoys its own local autonomy and flag. Situated at the northernmost tip of Micronesia, the archipelago lies approximately 2,000 km south of Tokyo and 2,200 km east of Manila. Comprising 14 islands that stretch more than 600 km across the western Pacific, it looks like a radiant string of pearls scattered upon the sea.
Any mention of the Mariana Islands inevitably brings to mind the nearby Mariana Trench — formed some 60 million years ago and still the deepest known ocean trench on Earth, with a staggering depth of approximately 11,034 m. To put that into perspective: if you dropped the world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest, into it, there would still be room to spare. Yorko jokes that, as far as locals are concerned, Saipan's highest peak — Mt. Tapocha — would actually be the world's tallest mountain if measured from the ocean floor.
Saipan's Ocean Blue, Tinian's Chili Red, Rota's Natural Green
Model：馬里亞納最佳實習生 陳子民
The three main islands of the Marianas — Saipan, Tinian, and Rota — enjoy perennial summer warmth, abundant sunshine, and fresh air. Average land temperatures hover around 29°C, while sea temperatures average around 28°C, making diving possible year-round. The recommended diving season, however, is May through October each year, when conditions are at their best. Each island offers its own distinctive dive sites, and beyond diving, the Marianas is also a wonderful holiday destination to visit with the whole family.
Must-Visit Dive Sites You Simply Cannot Miss
For divers, the burning questions are naturally: which famous dive sites must be explored, and what special marine life might be encountered? First and foremost — whether at Saipan, Tinian, or Rota — visibility underwater is exceptional, as mentioned above, and gliding through such clear water is an experience that never fails to delight. Each of the three islands also boasts its own remarkable underwater caves. Naturally, Yorko began his presentation with the Saipan Grotto.
Saipan Grotto
Ｍodel：陳又緁
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With its one-of-a-kind cavern topography, the Saipan Grotto is arguably the most celebrated dive site in the entire Marianas. It draws not only scuba divers and freedivers who simply cannot afford to miss it, but also large numbers of tourists who come to snorkel. Yorko puts it bluntly: if you haven't dived the Saipan Grotto, you haven't really been to Saipan.
Three tunnels at the bottom of the site open out to the open ocean. The moment you drop in, you are greeted by three enormous windows radiating a hypnotic blue glow — the leftmost opening, facing the sea, is the widest and most spectacular of all, while the middle tunnel is draped in dense forests of red gorgonians / sea fans at a depth of around 22 m. Reaching this mesmerising underwater spectacle is no easy feat, however: you must descend more than 100 steps while carrying all your gear before you can even enter the water — and of course, you have to climb back up afterwards. But the moment you arrive, no matter how gruelling the journey, you will know without a doubt that every step was worth it.
Spotlight
When asked about his personal favourite dive site, Yorko named Spotlight, located on the northeastern side of Saipan. The key is to time your dive for around midday, when a powerful shaft of light plunges vertically from the cave's opening straight down to the bottom — just as the site's name suggests. Divers can position themselves directly within the beam, and at the base sits a large, stage-like boulder where you can take centre stage and perform to your heart's content.
Over to the right, there is also a small air pocket where you can slowly surface, remove your mask and regulator, and breathe the air inside the cave — a truly unique and unforgettable diving experience. Do note that this site has a seasonal restriction; visiting between May and October is recommended to avoid the impact of wind and swell.
Rota Hole
Model：馬里亞納最佳實習生 陳子民
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Tinian naturally has its own Tinian Grotto, but Yorko personally rates Rota Island's signature dive site — the Rota Hole — even higher. The interplay of light and shadow here is even more enchanting: like Spotlight, diving around midday treats you to laser-like beams of light, which gradually transform into a shimmering, dancing curtain of rays as the afternoon progresses. It captivates scuba divers and freedivers alike, and it is the must-dive site on Rota Island — an island often called "the world's friendliest island."
Eagle Ray
Eagle rays are arguably the most famous underwater stars in the entire Northern Mariana Islands. Sometimes, as you stroll along the beach, you might even spot their white-spotted backs gliding through the shallows right before your eyes. In earlier years, the primary dive site for eagle ray encounters was Eagle Ray City, but based on Yorko's visits in recent years, another site called Pipe Line may now offer even better odds of seeing them in large schools. Occasional sightings have also been reported at yet another site, Ice Cream.
Lau Lau Beach
Located on the eastern side of the island, Lau Lau Beach is, as Yorko laughingly puts it, Saipan's answer to Longdong — the busiest spot on the island for introductory dives, ocean training courses, and dive tourism, conducted primarily as shore dives. Don't underestimate this site, though: not far from the shoreline, you have the chance to encounter a massive school of Bigeyed Scad that moves like a storm through the water. sea turtles are also regulars here; the chances of meeting one underwater are very high, and they are completely unafraid of humans — remarkably easy to approach.
Obyan Beach
The Northern Mariana Islands is also a place with a thriving sports culture, frequently hosting international marathons and triathlon events. Underwater, there is another particularly interesting dive site at the southern tip of Saipan: Obyan Beach. The seafloor here is a blanket of pure white sand, and locals have specially arranged a calendar made from crushed coral on the bottom, along with bicycles, shopping carts, golf clubs, and other everyday objects — all placed there to give divers the opportunity to shoot wonderfully novel and amusing images. Yorko was quick to point out, however, that these items are by no means carelessly discarded underwater rubbish.
Maritime Heritage Trail (WWII Underwater Relics)
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Exploring World War II underwater relics is, of course, one of the defining highlights of diving in the Northern Mariana Islands. The Chinsen Ship Wreck, Japanese Aircrafts, and Landing Crafts are all remnants left behind from the Second World War. Yet after so many decades, every trace of gunsmoke is long gone — they have all been transformed into a diver's playground.
At Tinian's Dump Cove, you can find large concentrations of jeeps, tanks, and various types of artillery shells piled together. Yorko also made a special mention of Wing Beach in northern Saipan: on his very first visit, the team discovered a rare Coleman's Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — reportedly the first recorded sighting at that location.
Model：馬里亞納最佳實習生 陳子民
How to Get to This Island Paradise
After all that talk about dive sites, I'm sure many of you are itching to visit the Northern Mariana Islands. At present there are no direct flights from Taiwan, so the nearest routing would be to fly via Hong Kong Airlines with a connection in Hong Kong to Saipan, or to fly to Seoul Incheon and take Asiana Airlines to Saipan International Airport.
If you wish to visit Tinian or Rota as well, small inter-island flights depart from Saipan daily, with flight times of approximately 10 minutes and 30 minutes respectively. Yorko's personal advice: on a first trip, Saipan alone already offers a wide variety of dive sites to explore; Tinian and Rota can always be planned as a separate itinerary later. The small aircraft used for these island hops are quite compact, which may make travelling with dive equipment somewhat inconvenient — but both islands are brimming with pristine natural beauty and have plenty of outstanding dive sites of their own.
Marianas STRONG
In October 2018, Saipan and Tinian were both devastated by Typhoon Yutu. Yet the islands rallied under the rallying cry of "Marianas STRONG," swiftly rebuilding and restoring themselves to their former glory — and the underwater environment has remained fully intact throughout. The vast, azure islands of the Marianas, with their crystal-clear waters, endless white-sand beaches, intoxicating fiery sunsets, warm tropical sea breezes, and the warm hospitality of the local people, make them a destination well worth exploring for diving enthusiasts everywhere.
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Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador: Yorko Summer
Officially appointed and invited by the Marianas Visitors Authority, Yorko Summer — Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador — is an internationally recognised Taiwanese underwater photographer. Beyond his photography career, he is also a seasoned dive instructor, and concurrently serves as a travel writer, photography instructor, and judge for underwater photography competitions. He currently holds the title of ADEX Asia Dive Expo Greater China Photography Ambassador, and has previously served as Taiwan Green Island Ocean Tourism Ambassador and brand ambassador for Japan's premium diving apparel brand MOBBY'S.
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