Mount Tapochau

Saipan's highest peak, at about 474 metres. A white statue of Jesus stands on the summit, with 360-degree views over the whole island, the lagoon and Tinian.

Mount Tapochau sits in the centre of Saipan and rises to about 474 metres, the highest point on the island. A white statue of Jesus stands on the summit platform, with unobstructed views in every direction. To the west you can see Garapan, Battleship Island in the lagoon and the layered blue-green waters. To the east lie the Pacific and Laulau Bay. To the south, across the sea, you can see Tinian. It is the best place on the island to understand Saipan's landscape. During WWII the mountain served as a Japanese observation post and a site of heavy fighting between the American and Japanese forces. The final stretch of the climb is a steep dirt and rock track that ordinary saloon cars struggle with, so renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle or joining a local sightseeing tour (some tours use off-road vehicles for the ascent) is recommended. The road can be slick and muddy after rain, so take extra care. Admission is free. The best times to go are a clear morning or just before sunset. The summit is windy and has no shade, so bring water. Getting there: about 30 minutes' drive from Garapan, climbing by the mountain road through the Kagman direction.

Mount Tapochau

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Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby