Northern Mariana Islands

There are no facilities here, other than a solar-powered emergency phone and a well-paved road.  However, this is Saipan's BEST dive, and most unique, by far.  Access to the dive site is by going down 100 steps into a natural, well-lit cave.  (I've got your attention already, haven't I !)  From the bottom of the staircase, step over a narrow but fast stream onto a large, teetering rock.  Do a giant stride entry, and you will be in 15' deep water facing a 60' deep cavern with 3 separate, brilliantly lit underwater exits.  SCUBA out, and you'll always see barracuda & a white tip shark, with frequent visits by napoleon wrasses, rays, and a host of other animals.  If you're exceptionally good on air conservation, SCUBA left at 45', and you'll discover "the Bat Cave", a cave entirely underwater & as large as The Grotto.  2 sharks, bubble corals, glowing-eyed cave fishes and pink lace cave corals lie within. Safe for snorkelers within the Grotto, but only a very foolish person would snorkel outside, as re-entry is nearly impossible if you're stuck at the surface.

Extremely good roads and well-marked paths make this Saipan's easiest-to-find shore dive.  Drive North, past the "last command post" and "Banzai Cliff" memorial parks, but not as far as Bird Island lookout.  If you leave paved road, you've gone past Bird Island, turn back.  Watch for a turnoff on this well-paved road, leading LEFT (shoreward), and clearly labeled "The Grotto".  Follow this wide, twisty road to a well-paved parking lot with plenty of divers' vehicles.  There will be a staircase leading downward, and a banner like sign over the staircase telling you you've arrived at the Grotto.

The Grotto, Saipan