Saipan
The gateway to the Northern Marianas: a beachfront hotel quarter at Garapan, a runway long enough for any business jet, and Tinian and Rota one short hop beyond.
- Arrival
- Saipan International · SPN
- To the island
- About 12 km to Garapan
- Private jets
- 2,651 m runway; customs by arrangement
- Best time
- January to May
The city
Lagoon, beach and a channel to Tinian.
Saipan is the hub of the Northern Mariana Islands. Garapan, home of the island’s beach resorts, faces Micro Beach about 12 km from the airport, and small aircraft shuttle across to Tinian and Rota, the two busiest routes after Guam.
The climate follows the same pattern as Guam’s, 208 km to the south, with highs of 29 to 31 °C in every month and a sea that never drops below 27 °C. January to May is the drier half, when rainfall stays near or under 100 mm a month; from July to October it runs from about 230 to 325 mm.
- Micro Beach The long beach in front of Garapan, looking out over the lagoon.
- Managaha A small island in the lagoon, reached by boat from the west coast for a day on the sand.
- Tinian The neighbouring island across the channel, with the Second World War airfields of North Field.
Arriving
One long runway, and customs on request.
Saipan International Airport lies about 12 km from Garapan. Its main runway is 2,651 metres long; the second is kept for taxiing unless the first is closed.
- Tokyo 3 h 20
- Manila 3 h 45
- Shanghai 4 h 15
- Delhi 9 h 30 long-range jet
- San Francisco 12 h 05 long-range jet
When to go
January to May.
Saipan's afternoons hold at 29 to 31 °C, the air humid, the sea between 27 and 29 °C. January to May is the drier season; the rains build from July and peak in September, above 300 mm.
- 29° J 108 27°
- 29° F 74 27°
- 29° M 82 27°
- 30° A 102 28°
- 30° M 95 28°
- 31° J 127 29°
- 31° J 229 29°
- 31° A 283 29°
- 31° S 325 29°
- 31° O 285 29°
- 30° N 181 29°
- 30° D 121 28°
Where to dine
One table for a special night.
No MICHELIN Guide or other recognised guide covers the Northern Mariana Islands. The one table at the top of the island’s prices is the signature teppanyaki room of the Crowne Plaza in Garapan, open in 2026.
- Mai Teppanyaki Signature restaurant, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan Japanese teppanyaki $$$$ Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Garapan
Elsewhere in Northern Mariana Islands
More reasons to come.
Flying to Saipan?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.