Five kilometres south of Saipan sits the island of Tinian. Its San Jose hostess bars — which sprang up around the the commercial and military fleets using the deep water harbour — contrast with the quiet backwater feel of the island outside the main town. Some of the island's best dive sites, most of which lie off the west coast. include World War II wrecks, coral gardens and deep water drop-offs.
Suzuki Diving offers trips by boat and has staff that know the best 20 sites around the island.
The people of Rota are reputed to be the friendliest in Micronesia, with a smile ready for every visitor
There's a wide range of diving off Rota, Saipan and Tinian, with something to suit every level of diver The Shoun Maru (below left) is the wreck of a freighter lying off Rota. (Below right) shoals of butterfly fish greet divers at the mouth of Saipan's harbour Deeper down, sharks and eagle rays live among the wrecks of World War 11 aeroplanes.