The Mariana Islands are divided into two units – Guam (occupied by the United States) and the Northern Mariana Islands (part of the United States Commonwealth). The northern group of the island chain is volcanic and largely uninhabited, while the southern group of limestone islands are comprised of Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Aguijan.
World War 2 saw the capturing of Guam by the Japanese from the Americans, and in 1994 the Americans captured the chain of Mariana Islands back using the Northern Mariana Islands as a base from where to launch the Pearl Harbour attacks. Today, the islands are teeming with war relics and memorials – iconic landmarks include the underground Toga Cave in Rota, the Bandera Last Command Post on Tinian (where Japanese soldiers jumped to their death to avoid capture) and American Memorial Park, a centrepiece of Saipan. The Kalabera Cave on Saipan houses ancient rock sketches as well as the skeletal remains of the Chamorro people and WW2 Japanese soldiers.
Other surviving landmarks date back to the ancient Chamorro tribes, including the abandoned Latte Stone Quarry featuring stones dating back to 845 AD. The correlating temple and meeting house of this indigenous culture is situated on Tinian Island.
Adventure-enthusiasts should take a ferry cruise out to Managaha Island, an uninhabited islet boasting vast sandy beaches and enough water sports to keep you busy all day.
The islands also display incredible scenery and diverse landscapes.
Climb up Wedding Cake Mountain, which clearly resembles a layered wedding cake, for splendid panoramic vistas of Rota and the surrounds. Divers will have a whale of a time exploring the underground caverns and coral reefs. Join a bicycle or off-road tour to further explore the terrain and historic sites. Laze on the powdery beaches of Taga, Landing Beach, Micro Beach and Forbidden Island where you can really forget about the world.
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