Maug Islands

Maug Islands are an uninhabited volcanic group in the Northern Mariana Islands, consisting of three small islets set on the rim of a submerged caldera. They are remote and administratively part of the Northern Islands Municipality.

The defining feature is the central caldera with a lagoon and steep rocky rims; the three islets sit on that rim and are small and rocky. The surrounding waters support marine life and the islands are not developed for tourism.

The islands are volcanic in origin and have never supported significant permanent habitation; they were charted and intermittently visited by seafarers and later managed under commonwealth administration. Access has historically been limited due to remoteness and protected status.

Geographically the Maug group lies north of Saipan in the northern part of the Mariana archipelago, in open ocean with no nearby large settlements; they are reached only by boat from the main islands under special arrangements.

• Status: Part of the Northern Islands Municipality of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and entirely uninhabited, often visited only by scientific or permitted expedition vessels.
• Marine and safety: The caldera and surrounding waters are noted for marine biodiversity and are treated as sensitive habitat; sea and weather conditions around the islands can be hazardous for small craft.

What to See #

• Caldera lagoon: A submerged caldera with a central lagoon that is partially open to the sea and surrounded by steep, rocky rims formed by volcanic activity.
• Three islets: Three small uninhabited islets formed on the rim of the caldera, commonly referred to as the north, east and west islets, which rise sharply from surrounding reef and sea.