Saipan
Northern Mariana Islands
Why Visit?
Saipan is the second largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands chain, a U.S. territory located 120 miles North of Guam. It has year-round tropical temperatures, good wind from November through April, and a large, flat water lagoon along its western shore.
Wind and Weather
Sitting just north of the equator between the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Saipan has year-round tropical temperatures of approximately 85 degrees (Fahrenheit). The windy season begins in November and lasts until April. During these times, the wind can range from 15-25 knots. From May to September, there are still plenty of light wind days for foiling, and occasional tropical storms which produce wind and waves, though it’s much less consistent than the regular season.
Getting Around
The island is only about 12.5 miles long by 6.5 miles wide, so nothing is very far away. The major hotels offer bus services to and around downtown Garapan, and there are plenty of car rental places if you want to explore other places on the island. Taxi services are also available. If you are coming to kite, the best place to stay is near Memorial Park in Garapan.
Food and Drink
There is an impressive variety of restaurants around Saipan, including local cuisine, American, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Filipino, Italian and Chinese food. Restaurants prices range from expensive to budget-friendly.
Nightlife
The nightlife is vibrant and includes great venues for live music, dancing, karaoke, sunset happy hours, and dinner shows.
No Wind?
If there is no wind, Saipan is one of the best places on the planet for scuba diving. You can explore underwater caves, see wrecks from World War II, and find a variety of marine life including turtles, rays, sharks, corals, and various reef fish.
If diving isn’t your thing, you can enjoy other activities like trekking, biking, fishing, snorkelling, parasailing, banana boating, island hopping, golf, stand up paddle boarding, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and more.
Internet
Saipan has fast internet all over the island, including at most hotels, restaurants and coffee shops. so, you don't need to worry about staying in touch!
Accommodation
There is a range of accommodations that will suit different budgets. The larger hotels include the Hyatt Hotel, Fiesta Resort, Aqua Resort, Pacific Islands Club, Kensington Hotel, Grandvrio Hotel, and Kanoa Hotel. Mid-range hotels include the Century Hotel, Serenti Hotel, Himawari Hotel, and others. There are also a few backpacker hostels and plenty of Air BnB places to stay.
Flights
Rating 4.5
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Northern Mariana Islands
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Featured
Camber Sands
Camber is easily accessible from London and boasts a huge sandy beach, three kite schools and various bars in the town. It is also a good place to learn with shallow shelving beaches and small waves. You can enjoy onshore winds in every direction (aside from NW) within a 15-minute drive. Wind and Weather The prevailing wind direction is SW...
Cocos Keeling Island
Boasting azure blue lagoons, shallow warm water and consistent trade winds from dawn to dusk, Cocos Islands are perfect for all levels... complete beginners, intermediates or advanced freestylers. Wind and Weather The wind blows consistently 15-25 knots all day every day from July through to October. The perfect quiver of kite for the average person would be a 7,9, and 12m. ...
Sao Miguel Do Gostoso
Sao Miguel Do Gostoso is a kitesurfing paradise yet to be known by many. Imagine the best wind conditions in Brazil but without the crowds. Enjoy the adventure of northeast Brazil, a quiet and safe region full of like-minded good people. Hundreds of kilometres of wild beaches and dunes to travel with your buggy, epic downwinders, lagoons, waves, and more....
By Peter Prestley
Peter Prestley is a certified kiteboard instructor and founder of Kiteboard Saipan
Been to Saipan? What did you think?
Where are the Best Kitesurfing Beaches in Saipan?
Micro Beach is the most popular kiteboarding spot and has a large, shallow flat water lagoon with consistent wind from the Northeast. The water is about waist to chest deep at high tide, and still about knee to waist high on low tides so that you can kite here at any tide. The further you go from shore, you can find larger wind chop and ramps for big air!
- Wind: Cross on from the right. The wind is best when it’s Northeast at approximately 70 degrees or below.
- Waves: No
- Shorebreak: No
Managaha Island is a great place to kite when the wind goes 90 degrees east, though it requires a short boat transfer from the main island. Managaha can be very crowded with beachgoers during the daytime, so it’s crucial to stay away from the swimming areas and find a safe place to launch away from the other tourists. Once you get off the island, there is a large flat water lagoon to explore.
- Wind: Cross-shore from the right. There aren’t any rescue services, so It’s also essential to be able to stay immediately upwind and keep the island downwind of you.
- Waves: No
- Shorebreak: No
Tank Beach is another option to explore when the wind turns straight east, though it is an expert area only and is only rideable at peak high tide due to the shallow reef. There is also just a thin area to kite between the reef and the beach, so it is only possible or a few people to kite there at a time.
- Wind: Straight on
- Waves: Large waves are breaking on the reef, but they aren’t surfable due to breaking right on the reef. Inside the reef line, there are smaller reforming waves.
- Shorebreak: No
Sugar Dock Beach is along the western shore and is usually not exposed to the East/Northeast tradewinds. From June to September, however, Saipan gets occasional tropical storms which can produce wind and waves from the west. When conditions line up, this is a great place to kite in sand-bottom waves.
- Wind: Cross-on from either the right or left
- Waves: Yes
- Shorebreak: Yes
When the easterly winds swing 50 degrees to the north (or less), Saipan's northwestern shoreline opens up for exploration and downwinders. Tanapag is one of the highlights of this area, offering butter flat water closer to the shore, and a shipwreck called the "Carolina" a short ride to the south. For downwinders, you can either start at Pau Pau Beach or Aqua Resort and end at the Tanapag boat ramp or continue down to Micro Beach.
- Wind: on/cross on
- Waves: None
- Shorebreak: By the wreck
When is the Best Time to go Kitesurfing in Saipan?
The windy months to go kitesurfing in Saipan are January, February, March, April, November, December
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Northern Mariana Islands
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