Diving into the Northern Mariana Islands — Saipan, Tinian & Rota — with Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador Yorko Summer

I first encountered the renowned full-time underwater photographer Yorko Summer at DRT SHOW 2019, Taiwan's premier dive exhibition. He is widely regarded as a trailblazer of underwater photography in Taiwan over the past nearly 20 years, enjoying extraordinary recognition and popularity both at home and abroad. He has been honored as one of the Five Outstanding Chinese Photographers, and was selected by the professional dive magazine Scuba Diver – Ocean Planet as one of the Top 100 Underwater Photographers You Need to Know Worldwide. His illustrious track record is nothing short of breathtaking, and he has accumulated an almost incalculable wealth of underwater shooting experience around the globe.

This time, the sunglass-wearing maestro appeared at the show in his capacity as "Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador" and "VIP Speaker," and I, as a rookie diver, couldn't help but wonder — what exactly is the Northern Mariana Islands, the destination this master photographer is recommending?

Before we dive into the introduction of the Northern Mariana Islands, let's first watch a promotional video for the Northern Mariana Islands featuring the legendary Yorko Summer! Director: 袁緒虎.

Exploring Marianas Visibility

Every diver carries a dream list of island destinations in their heart. For Yorko, who has already dived at nearly every famous site in the world, the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (The Northern Marianas Islands) is firmly on that list. Beyond its relaxed, comfortable tropical island atmosphere on land, the local waters offer a wealth of features beloved by both scuba divers and freedivers alike — crystal-clear water, comfortable temperatures, diverse and dramatic topography, and WWII relics that bear witness to history. The visibility in particular, as clear as mineral water, left even this seasoned professional underwater photographer in awe. This is precisely why ＃ExploringMarianas50mVisibility became the title of his presentation.

A String of Green Pearls Scattered Across the Western Pacific

The Northern Mariana Islands, as one of the US overseas commonwealths, has English as its primary official language, uses the US dollar as its currency, and enjoys its own local autonomy and flag. Located at the northernmost tip of Micronesia, it lies approximately 2,000 km south of Tokyo and 2,200 km east of Manila, and is composed of 14 islands stretching more than 600 km across the Western Pacific — like a string of dazzling pearls scattered across the sea.

No mention of the Mariana Islands would be complete without bringing up the adjacent Mariana Trench, which formed some 60 million years ago and is the deepest ocean trench currently known in the world, with a staggering depth of approximately 11,034 m. To put it in perspective: the entire summit of Mt. Everest, the world's tallest peak, could be submerged within it with room to spare. Yorko jokingly noted that locals therefore consider Mt. Tapocha, the highest peak on Saipan, to be the world's tallest mountain — if you measure from the ocean floor.

Saipan's Ocean Blue, Tinian's Chili Red, Rota's Natural Green

The three main islands of the Marianas — Saipan, Tinian, and Rota — enjoy year-round summer conditions with abundant sunshine and fresh air. The average land temperature is around 29°C, and the average sea temperature is approximately 28°C. Diving is possible throughout the year, though the recommended season runs from May to October, when conditions are at their best. Each island offers a distinct array of dive sites. Beyond diving, the Marianas also make a wonderful destination for a family holiday.

Must-See Dive Sites You Simply Cannot Miss

For divers, the burning questions are naturally: which famous dive sites are worth visiting, and what special marine life can be found? First and foremost, whether in Saipan, Tinian, or Rota, as mentioned above, underwater visibility is exceptional — gliding through crystal-clear water is an experience that never fails to delight. All three islands also boast remarkable underwater caves. Yorko began his presentation, naturally, with the Saipan Grotto.

Saipan Grotto

With its one-of-a-kind cave topography, the Saipan Grotto is arguably the most famous dive site in all of the Marianas. It is unmissable for both scuba divers and freedivers, and also attracts many tourists for snorkeling. As Yorko put it, if you haven't dived the Saipan Grotto, you haven't truly been to Saipan.

Beneath the surface, there are three tunnels leading out to the open ocean. The moment you enter the water, you'll see three large windows radiating a mesmerizing blue glow. The leftmost opening, facing the ocean, is the widest and most spectacular of all, while the middle tunnel is thickly draped with red gorgonians / sea fans, at a depth of around 22 m. Witnessing this enchanting underwater spectacle, however, is no easy feat — first you must carry all your gear down more than 100 steps to reach the entry point, and of course haul everything back up afterwards. But once you arrive, no matter how arduous the journey, you'll feel it was absolutely worth it.

Spotlight

When asked about his personal favorite dive site, Yorko named Spotlight, located on the northeastern side of Saipan. The key is to time your dive to arrive close to noon, when a powerful beam of light shoots straight down from the top of the cave opening to the floor below — just as the site's name suggests. Divers can swim right into the light beam, where a large boulder at the base serves as a stage, inviting you to become the star of your own underwater performance.

On the right side, there is also a small air pocket where you can slowly ascend to the surface, remove your mask and regulator, and breathe the air inside the cave — a truly unique and unforgettable diving experience. Note that this site is subject to seasonal restrictions; visiting between May and October is recommended to avoid the effects of wind and swell.

Rota Hole

Tinian Island also has its own Tinian Grotto, but Yorko personally rates Rota Hole — the top dive site on Rota Island — even more highly. The interplay of light and shadow underwater here is even more captivating. Like Spotlight, a laser-like beam of light pierces through near noon, while in the afternoon it transforms into a shimmering, swaying curtain of light. This site is beloved by scuba divers and is a dream location for freedivers — and it is an absolute must-visit on Rota Island, known as "the World's Friendliest Island."

Eagle Ray

The eagle ray is arguably the most famous underwater star in all of the Northern Mariana Islands. Sometimes, while simply strolling along the beach, you might spot their white-spotted backs gliding through the shallows. In earlier times, the main dive site for eagle ray encounters was Eagle Ray City, but based on Yorko's recent visits, another site called Pipe Line may now offer even greater chances of seeing them in schools. They have also been spotted occasionally at a site called Ice Cream.

Lau Lau Beach

Located on the eastern side of Saipan, Yorko laughingly compared Lau Lau Beach to Longdong back in Taiwan — it is the most popular spot on the island for introductory diving, ocean training, and dive tourism, and is primarily a shore dive site. But don't underestimate this site: just a short distance from shore, you have a chance to encounter a massive school of Bigeyed Scad that moves like a storm. Sea turtles are also frequent visitors here, with a high probability of encountering them underwater — and they are completely unafraid of humans, making them remarkably easy to approach.

Obyan Beach

The entire Northern Mariana Islands region has a very active sporting culture, frequently hosting international marathons and triathlon events. Underwater, another particularly fun dive site is Obyan Beach, located at the southern tip of Saipan. The seabed here is a blanket of snow-white sand, and the local community has arranged a calendar made from coral fragments on the bottom, along with bicycles, shopping carts, golf clubs, and other objects — giving divers the opportunity to capture wonderfully quirky and creative photos. Yorko did make a point of clarifying, however, that these items are not carelessly discarded trash.

Maritime Heritage Trail (WWII Underwater Relics)

Exploring the underwater relics of World War II 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 underwater remnants of the Second World War, though after so many years, every trace of smoke and gunpowder is long gone — and they have all become a playground for divers.

At Dump Cove on Tinian Island, you can find large concentrations of jeeps, tanks, and various types of artillery shells. Yorko also made special mention of Wing Beach in northern Saipan, where during his very first visit, the team discovered a rare Coleman's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus colemani) — reportedly the first ever recorded at that location.

How to Get to This Island Paradise

After all this talk of incredible dive sites, we're sure many of you are eager to visit the Northern Mariana Islands. However, there are currently no direct flights from Taiwan. The most convenient routing is via Hong Kong Airlines, with a connection through Hong Kong to Saipan, or by flying to Seoul Incheon and taking Asiana Airlines onward to Saipan International Airport.

If you wish to visit Tinian or Rota, small propeller planes depart daily from Saipan, with flight times of approximately 10 minutes to Tinian and 30 minutes to Rota. Yorko's personal recommendation: on a first visit, Saipan alone offers so many different dive sites to explore that it can easily fill your trip. Tinian and Rota can always be saved for a future itinerary. Since the inter-island planes are small with limited space, bringing dive equipment may be inconvenient — but both islands are brimming with unspoiled natural beauty and their own compelling dive sites.

Marianas STRONG

In October 2018, Saipan and Tinian were both devastated by Typhoon Yutu. But rallying under the motto "Marianas STRONG," the islands have since rebuilt rapidly and restored much of their former splendor, with the underwater environment remaining largely intact. The Marianas' azure, wide-open islands, crystal-clear waters, endless white-sand beaches, intoxicating crimson sunsets, warm tropical breezes, and the warm hospitality of the local people make it a destination well worth exploring for any diving enthusiast.

Marianas Ocean Tourism Ambassador Yorko Summer

Officially appointed by the Marianas Visitors Authority, Yorko Summer is an internationally renowned Taiwanese underwater photographer. He is also a seasoned dive instructor, travel writer, photography lecturer, and judge at underwater photography competitions. He currently serves as the ADEX Asia Dive Expo Photography Ambassador for Greater China, and has previously held the roles of Green Island Ocean Tourism Ambassador in Taiwan and brand ambassador for Japan's premium dive apparel label MOBBY'S.

Related links:

• Marianas Visitors Authority Official Website

• Yorko Summer - Keep Diving Keep Breathing

• Instagram：yorkosummer

• Instagram：summeryorko