Maritime Heritage Trail - Battle of Saipan
View from Above, Tanapag Harbor and Mañagaha Island
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| Underwater Heritage Trail | |
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| Location | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, United States |
| Average Depth | 14 m (46 ft) max. depth (Tanapag Lagoon) with an average < 3 m (9.8 ft) through to Garapan Lagoon. Chalan Kanoa Lagoon is very shallow with depths constantly changing with the tide |
| Recreational Use | SCUBA diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Kayaking |
| Difficulty Level | Suitable for all levels and ages |
| Season | Accessible Year Round |
| 7 days a week | |
| Types of Sites | |
| Classification | Fully and partially submerged World War II Military Craft |
| The Sites | Auxiliary Ships (2), Sherman Tanks (3), LVT (1), Daihatsu Landing Craft (2), Air and Sea-planes (4) |
| Environment | Salt Water Lagoon |
The Maritime Heritage Trail – Battle of Saipan is located within the protected waters of Saipan lagoon in the Northern Marianas archipelago. The majority of the dive sites including two Japanese shipwrecks, two Japanese aircraft, two US aircraft, a US landing vehicle and two Japanese landing craft can be found in the clear waters between Garapan, Tanapag Harbor, and Mañagaha Island while further south in Chalan Kanoa Lagoon there are three US tanks.
Each of the dive sites along the trail are associated with the Battle of Saipan and include wrecked or discarded vehicles which were in use during World War II, representing one of the most pivotal battles fought in the Pacific Theatre. Each of the stops along the trail are unique because they showcase a number of different underwater sites including airplanes, landing craft, tanks, and ships. These sites are significant to both the Japanese and US nations but also to Korean, Chamorro, Carolinian and Filipino peoples who were involved in the conflict. These underwater sites represent wartime activities that added to Saipan's rich maritime cultural heritage.
Tanapag Lagoon (Puetton Tanapag in Chamorro) has been Saipan's primary harbor from prehistoric times through to the present day. Due to its deep waters and natural barriers against the forces of the ocean, the lagoon has been an important maritime resource since prehistoric times. Mañagaha and the surrounding barrier reef form a natural breakwater making these waters an ideal haven for watercraft of all shapes and sizes. It was significant to the invasion of World War II. The Japanese Imperial Navy had a base here and launched decisive attacks against the Allied forces from this strategic position. After seizing the island, the United States Navy took possession of the lagoon and expanded its harbor facilities substantially. Today it is home to 9 of the 12 sites that were chosen to be part of the maritime heritage trail.
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Wikipedia