Guam and Saipan

[bikefox]

We decided to add a couple of days in Guam and Saipan on our way to Truk. It looks like the shorediving is good in both places. Is the boat diving that much better? We will only have one day to dive on Guam and two on Saipan.

We are also planning to checkout some WWII sites. Anything else we MUST see while on either island?

Thanks

 

[jl5619718]

Except for the diving, there really isn't much to see on Guam. I only did one shore dive, the rest were boat dives. I used Micronesian Divers Association (MDA) for the boats dives and would recommend them.

 

[Scared Silly]

We thought about visiting Siapan on our trip to Chuuk but failed to get any response for any dive ops there. Instead we went Pohnpei and had a great time. Check out the Village there.

 

[CARHILL]

I live on Saipan, There is lots of shore diving here. Local dive shops have put in ropes in the reef cuts so it is easy to get in and out. As for dive shops only one has good English speaking guides. Speedy Tertle ph 670-234-6284 talk to Eric. Another must do dive on Saipan is the Grotto. A web site for info from local divers www.marianasdive.com Or send me a PM
Dale
Still on a little rock in the Pacific

 

[alpenadiver]

Just got back from a month long work trip to Guam, did alot of diving more shore then anything, although Blue Hole is a nice boat dive, Apra harbor has the Cormoran & Tokai Maru, I would do the harbor in the morning, by afternoon the vis is crap. My favorite shore dive is Gun Beach (seen a huge Manta Ray), and Haps reef is cool also. Wish I had made it to Saipan heard it was even better diving.

 

[BuoyantC]

Lots of good wrecks in Alpena! Just might have to get there again this summer while back in Michigan. mlakin, if you get back out this way again give carhill or myself a shout or check Marianas Dive - Frontpage. We'll get you out diving Saipan!

Dennis

 

[alpenadiver]

hopefully the Navy will have another exercise, and I'll get to go again. Saipan will be on the roster next time. If you make it up here to Alpena look me up I'm sure we can get some dives in

 

[RikRaeder]

I believe Eric from Speedy Tertle has moved on (the good way, not died). I've dived with Tertle before and found them adequate. If he's gone, the Russian owners can speak English, so they're an option. As to boat v. beach diving, I find the boat sites much more interesting (except for the Grotto with it's 100-plus step and tricky entry-exit; but worth it all). If you get a chance, make the 45 minute run to Tinian (Flemming Wall is my favorite). There are 43 shops on Saipan. 41 are Japanese, 1 is Korean, and 1 is Russian (Tertle). If Tertle doesn't give you any love, you could try Seashore. I know for a fact that two of the guides speak some-passable English. They have an English price list on their website, so if you mail them in BASIC English, you'll probably get a response. I always dive with them and find them friendly, accomodating, safe and service-oriented.　　If you're fully equiped, you might try the former owner of Tertle/Stingray divers who is on this board. He seems to do some pretty exciting profiles, but apparently charges a bit more. Check the board for former Saipan posts (there aren't THAT many). I'll be there myself in 12 short days...I'm counting every one!

 

[bikefox]

Thanks for all of the response so far. Looking at our short time on each island, I think we may just shore dive. We will be on the Truk Odyssey the next week so I hope to get my fill of diving in there. I just can't visit a place with diving and not dive. The Grotto is on the list for sure while in Saipan. Any trouble getting tanks/weights from the shops listed above (Saipan)?

 

[CARHILL]

bikefox Eric is still the manager at Speedy Tertle ph 670-234-NAUI There is alot of shore diving here on Saipan and beer that is too cold for after the dive.
Dale
Still on a little rock in the Pacific