Banzai Cliff
Cliff Steep cliff on Saipan, WWII mass suicide site
On Saipan’s northern coast, Banzai Cliff presents WWII historical sites and ocean viewpoints; people visit memorials, interpretive plaques and snorkel reefs nearby.
Banzai Cliff is a coastal promontory on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands and a noted World War II memorial site where large numbers of Japanese soldiers and civilians died during the Battle of Saipan in 1944. The location is marked with memorial plaques and a small viewing area.
The site is visited for its historical significance and ocean views; there is a short walk from parking to the cliff-edge viewpoints and interpretive signage on site. Many visitors combine a stop here with nearby wartime sites such as Suicide Cliff and the Last Command Post to understand the island’s 1944 battle history.
Banzai Cliff sits on Saipan’s northern shoreline overlooking the Philippine Sea and is reachable by road from the island’s main towns and visitor centers.
- Memorial etiquette: A wartime memorial site; visitors are expected to behave respectfully and the area is interpreted with plaques and markers describing the events of 1944.
- Touring note: The viewpoint provides clear ocean views and is often paired with visits to nearby Suicide Cliff and the Last Command Post when touring wartime sites on Saipan.
What to See #
- Banzai Cliff viewpoint: Rocky cliff-face at the northwest shoreline with a small memorial area and viewpoints that overlook the Philippine Sea and nearby reefs.
- Related WWII sites: Nearby Suicide Cliff and other World War II sites on Saipan that are commonly visited together as part of memorial tours and historical routes.
How to Get to Banzai Cliff #
From Garapan (the main town) drive north on Route 30/Marpi Road for about 20 minutes (≈18-20 km). There is a small paved parking area and a paved path to the viewpoint. Local taxis and organized island tours commonly include Banzai Cliff as part of a northern Saipan circuit.
Tips for Visiting Banzai Cliff #
- Visit at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid the mid-day glare and harsh heat; the viewpoint is exposed.
- Combine Banzai Cliff with the nearby Last Command Post and Suicide Cliff to understand the full WWII context.
- Respect memorial plaques and do not climb over barriers; the site is both scenic and a mass grave for many civilians and soldiers.
- Bring sun protection and water-there is limited shade at the lookout.
Best Time to Visit Banzai Cliff #
Best visited in dry season for clearer views and calmer seas; early morning light is ideal for photography.
Weather & Climate near Banzai Cliff #
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2009 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm).
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February
February is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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March
March is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 24°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 25°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm).
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May
May is hot with highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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June
June is the hottest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm).
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July
July is hot with highs of 31°C and lows of 26°C. Heavy rain (244 mm).
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August
August is hot with highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C. Heavy rain (299 mm).
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September
September is hot with highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (343 mm).
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October
October is hot with highs of 30°C and lows of 25°C. Heavy rain (268 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 26°C. Significant rainfall (171 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 25°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
