Located just 5 miles southwest of Saipan, Tinian Island was used as a sugar plantation by occupying Japanese prior to being seized by the Allies in 1944 and then returned to the commonwealth of the Marianas Islands. Popular topside attractions include the atomic bomb pit where Little Boy was loaded onto the Enola Gay, along with the only active Shinto shrine in the Marianas Islands. Beneath the brilliant turquoise waters that surround the island, the sights are nearly as compelling. Here are just five of the best dive sites around Tinian.
Dump Coke
Also known as the Coca-Cola-Hola, Dump Coke or Dump Cove is located at the site of a former canteen which was frequented by US soldiers during their stay on Tinian. Not only did they toss their empty coke bottles into the lagoon here, they left behind full cases of coke, along with many other artifacts when they left. Besides the smaller items, you’ll find the remains of jeeps and tanks, a half-track, an aircraft, and numerous bomb casings. Turtles enjoy visiting the site, and rays are often seen here as well. Maximum depth is just 70 feet, and with abundant marine life as well as a virtual underwater war museum, this is one site not to be missed.
Pay close attention to warnings not to bring artifacts to the surface. Many are coated in phosphorus, which is self-igniting and which will burst into flames when it comes in contact with the air at the surface. The phosphorus has leaked out of the bombs and other artillery which was dumped here.
Two Corals
Named for a pair of coral formations sitting near one another, Two Corals is sometimes called Turtle Point and is beautifully lit from above. Here, you can explore to your heart’s content among pufferfish and wrasse, damsels and big groupers, iridescent parrotfish, butterfly fish and angelfish, and many more. Watch for small reef sharks and turtles, too. Maximum depth is about 60 feet and visibility is often double that.
Tinian Grotto
A splendid shallow cave site with three big entryways and a hole in the ceiling which allows in plenty of natural light, Tinian Grotto is one of the most popular dive sites near the island. Look for lionfish hiding in dark corners, and keep an eye out for spotted moray eels, sharks, and turtles. Outside, lovely anemones filled with clownfish add even more visual appeal, and a short distance away, a wall attracts huge pelagic fish and eventually drops away into the abyss.
Fleming
One of the best wall dives in the Marianas Islands, Fleming features abundant healthy hard coral formations and is home to a wealth of marine life, large and small. Here, you’ll often encounter turtles nibbling at the soft coral and sponge growth at the top of the wall, and swathes of colorful reef fish playing hide and seek with larger predators. The water here is so clear that it seems as though you can see forever, and as the bottom is 200 feet below the top of the wall, you experience an incredible feeling of weightlessness as you fly along with the current.
Goat Island
Named for the population of wild goats that live on the island, and also known as Aguijan, this was the site of a Japanese garrison during WWII. Today, dive trips to the uninhabited island are rare, but if you can make it, the coral, fish, and other marine life is splendid. An excellent site for anyone who loves the idea of diving with sharks, it offers visibility that sometimes reaches 150 feet and light currents most of the time. Depths vary depending on where your dive boat decides to take you for the day, but you can expect to see walls and cliff faces, as there are no beaches or reefs surrounding Goat Island.
Tinian’s proximity to Saipan makes it easy to visit. While there are a couple of small resorts on the island itself, most accommodations are on Saipan, as are most of the tourist attractions. Depending on what you hope to get out of your Mariana Islands vacation, you can enjoy a splendid stay on either island.