Mañagaha (or Managaha) is a small islet which lies off the west coast of

Saipan Saipan () is the largest island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated Territories of the United States, territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. According to 2020 estimates by the United States Cens ...

within its lagoon in the

Northern Mariana Islands The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territory and Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States consistin ...

. Although it has no permanent residents, Mañagaha is popular among Saipan's tourists as a day-trip destination due to its wide sandy beaches and a number of marine activities including snorkeling, parasailing and jet skiing. Managaha is one of the most popular tourist attractions on Saipan, known for its views of clear water, beaches, and is accessed by a short ferry ride from Saipan. In the late 2010s it was estimated 70% of the tourists to Saipan also visit Managaha. The small island is ringed by beach circling forested area where there are the facilities. Mañagaha hosts a colony of breeding Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. This seabird nests in burrows principally on the east side of the island. The island is historically significant for several reasons. It is the burial ground of the famous Carolinian Chief Aghurubw, who is said to have established the first Carolinian settlement in Saipan in 1815. A statue of the chief commemorates his achievements in leading his people from Satawal after a devastating typhoon to Saipan. The island also has remnants of Japanese fortifications from

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. The entire island is listed on the United States

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

as a

historic district A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains historic building, older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries or jurisdictions, historic districts receive legal p ...

. One of the popular boats that ferried people to the island was the double-decker boat ''Jambalaya'', which stopped operating in 2019 and was sunk by Typhoon Bolaven in 2023. In 2023, the island was leased for ten to fifteen years to Mariana Global, Inc. with various conditions; the previous holder was Tasi Tours who had operated the island for twenty years. The South Korean company will be the master master concessionaire, and in planning to have variety of food, facilities, water sport, beach rentals, on tap for tourists and locals.

Gallery

File:Managaha Island 1.jpg File:Managaha Island 2.jpg File:Managaha beach.jpg File:ManagahaIsland.jpg

References

Uninhabited islands of the Northern Mariana Islands Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands National Register of Historic Places in the Northern Mariana Islands Islands of the Northern Mariana Islands {{NorthernMarianas-geo-stub

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References