What To Do In Northern Mariana Islands

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a commonwealth in political union with (and in practice, close to a territory of) the United States. The islands are in the Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean, between Japan, the Philippines, and Palau.

The Marianas' top activity among Americans is scuba diving and snorkeling. In addition to the coral reefs you might expect, the waters around the islands were the scene of fierce fighting during World War II and there are many shipwrecks and even rusting tanks stuck on the seabed.

Many Asian (particularly South Koreans) visitors come to the CNMI for gambling (especially on Tinian), and karaoke/hostess bars. Saipan has a thriving (but illegal) prostitution industry, most of the workers being from China or the Philippines.