Managaha Island is a must when you visit Saipan. The sea is so beautiful that it makes me want to go back. Here’s the Managaha Island tour Yans and I enjoyed.
1. Booking and Preparing for the Managaha Island Tour
We booked our Managaha Island tour through a local agency, Nolda Saipan. The island is famous for its emerald water and clean beaches, so we had high expectations, and hotel pickup made getting there easy.
The detailed itinerary made everything run smoothly. We paid for the tour ourselves.
Clear explanations of the activities and on-site details make it easy even for first-time visitors, and there are several package options to choose from.
As of 2024, the Managaha Island plus parasailing package cost:
- 55 dollars per person (ages 1 and up)
- Minimum of two people; same price for adults and children
- Parasailing requires a height of 120 cm or more
Luckily Yans was over 120 cm, so he could try parasailing.
What to Bring to Managaha Island
- Essentials: snorkel gear, a picnic mat, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen
- Lunch and snacks: the island shop sells drinks and snacks, but bringing your own is even better
- Cash: as of 2024, you pay a 10-dollar dock fee and a 3-dollar environmental fee in cash, and cash is handy at the shop too
- Timing: check your arrival and departure times and book activities in advance
- Comfortable clothes: wear clothes and shoes suited to water activities
- Camera: bring one to capture the emerald sea and beautiful beaches
On the speedboat ride we even spotted a sea turtle, a little wonder of nature.
2. Arriving on Managaha Island
We arrived at 9:10 a.m. and left at noon. The scenery struck us the moment we landed. Boats run on a timetable, so be sure to check arrival and departure times.
On arrival, each person pays a 10-dollar dock fee and a 3-dollar environmental fee, which go toward conservation and upkeep. Visiting Managaha Island was one of the best decisions of our trip. It rained in the morning, which worried us, but the sky cleared once we reached the island.
3. Beach and Snorkeling
Our first activity was snorkeling. The beaches on Managaha Island are stunning, with white sand and crystal-clear water lapping the shore.
Yans is a little scared of water, but he slowly joined in after watching us. The water was so clear that he wasn’t as nervous. Snorkel gear, life jackets and fins can be rented on site or reserved in advance. We brought our own, but renting is easy if you need to.
Snorkeling, we saw all kinds of fish in the emerald water.
With kids, seeing marine life up close is both educational and fun. Bring some bread to attract the fish.
The sand is so fine that kids sometimes enjoy playing in it more than snorkeling.
Yans even made a friend his age on the island and they played in the sand together.
The beach is well kept, with parasols and beach chairs around, and stepping into the sea reveals colorful coral and fish, like being in an aquarium.
You can rent parasols and mats from the tour company.
The clear emerald sea and sky were a work of art. I wondered if I’d ever see water like this anywhere else. Facilities on the island are clean, the shop has the essentials, and boats from the pier run regularly.
For lunch, you can get a boxed meal and drinks. You can order in advance or buy the same box on site, with a choice of bulgogi or spicy pork.
The shop also sells instant ramen if you get hungry after swimming.
We planned to eat back at the hotel, so we skipped the boxed lunch, but it’s a good idea to bring water, drinks and snacks. We left at noon, spending about two and a half hours on the island, which was enough to take in the views.
With time to spare, we strolled around the island. Only the main beach had people, so other spots were quiet and great for photos. It’s a popular getaway with locals, too.
4. Parasailing
We snorkeled after arriving and went parasailing on the way back. The guide explained everything kindly, so booking was easy.
At departure time, tell the guide on the speedboat your name and they’ll point you to your boat.
It was Yans’s first time parasailing. Can you see how nervous he was? He’s usually scared of things like this, but he did great. He’s light, so he rode with me.
Before takeoff, the guide explained the safety rules in detail, so we weren’t nervous at all. The view of Managaha Island from the sky was spectacular, and we even spotted a sea turtle while parasailing.
Our Managaha Island tour was fantastic, with plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling. A few tips: check your receipt and have cash ready before boarding at the pier, expect extra costs for additional activities, and note that the shop near the pier sells simple food and drinks. On clear days, the sky and sea together are gorgeous, and the weather is usually good. Managaha Island was the best spot in Saipan to explore at our own pace, and I recommend it to anyone visiting.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in May 2024 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.