The islands have a semi-tropical warm climate and the NE trade winds blow from January to April. They are situated in the typhoon zone and typhoons can occur all year round, but are more frequent between July and November.
As the Marianas appear to be hit by typhoons every year, extreme caution must be exercised when cruising this area. One of the safest months is February, which has the lowest incidence of typhoons.
A recommended hurricane hole is in Tanapag's inner harbour, also called Smiley's lagoon, where shelter is reputed to be good from every direction. It is advisable to check in advance before depending on it for safe harbour.
Northern Marianas Weather Forecast.
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
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There is some inconsistency with fees in Saipan. Department of Health seem to randomly apply a $250usd fee on some arrivals. Presumably this is a biosecurity fee. If it is, then that is not unusual just expensive. A NZ yacht arriving from Pohnpei had this fee in 2024. An Australian yacht arriving from Japan had this fee in November 2025. An Australian yacht arriving from Guam 2023 no fee. The Homebound Australia Osaka yachts in August 2025 seemed to have no fees for anything CNMI customs seem to be aware and not fully approve. CNMI customs will charge an OT fee if arriving AH or on a weekend. Their fee is the normal hourly rate (about $42-52 no penalty rates) per officer, sometimes 1 usually 2 sometimes 3. Hopefully Dept of Health will respond to my email and confirm what this is.
NORTHERN MARIANAS: SAIPAN – VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR SAILORS
Australian Sailor Bruce Reidy was returning to Australia after the Melbourne-Osaka yacht race and reported to Noonsite about Visa issues when trying to clear into the island of Saipan. “It turns out that the standard ESTA is not acceptable for entry by yacht and that a full US Visa must be held by each crew member. This an expensive item in the vicinity US$650 – $700 per person.
“We were not aware of this requirement but contacted the Port Director in Saipan for an exemption.We did this and received visas for the yacht’s crew. Officials drove us to the airport where formalities were completed. We stayed a week and were well treated by locals and marina staff.
“We were advised that no more yachts would be allowed entry to Saipan without full US Visas. The Port Director requested that this information be conveyed to other (Melbourne to Osaka) yachts that may be returning to Australia.
“I felt that the information should also be passed to Noonsite to be disseminated to the cruising community.”
GUAM TO Rota as at Feb 23. Re: not hefty fees and good Harbour.
For northbound or eastbound yachts that have cleared in at Guam already you only need to clear CNMI Customs Service at Rota Tinian or Saipan. Not US CBP ie immigration.
CNMI is almost always straight upwind from Guam if sailing in Typhoon low season. And Rota channel is messy. Expect current to set you west.
A 52nm rhumb line as more likely to become 80nm unless motoring strait over the swells. Thus taking it easy with a stopover in Rota on your way to Saipan makes good sense. And Rota is a lovely place with a marina that resembles an aquarium. Guam locals say Rota and Pagan are the best places in the whole Marianas.
Given that the less adverse weather windows only last 24 to 36 hours before the NE trades reassert themselves don’t be scared about arriving after hours on a weekend if weather dictates.
GUAM customs will clear you up 24hours before ETD. CNMI Customs need to clear you on arrival. Our OT fee at Rota was $48usd for one officer at 1800 on a Sunday. There might be 2 officers as that’s more usual practice. If the superindent is rostered on he might cost more. It’s a standard hourly rate no double time etc. That’s not hefty, that’s very fair. The OT fee for leaving Guam is the same, usually 80 to 100 USD as the customs officers have to come from the airport. It’s unlikely you’ll need to pay OT at both ends as Guam departure can be as late as 1630 on Saturday if checking out on Friday in office hours.
CNMI ports have an advance notice of arrival form. But I think it’s only for using their facilities.
If considering a Rota arrival on a weekend call CNMI customs in advance in working hours and ask for their after hours number. There regular numbers divert to Saipan after hours. This is a very Freindly but still professional place. Rota formalities gets a big tick.
Rota west marina has no navigation lights. There is a range marker but no other lights or laterals. The marina and wharves are well lit with shore lights. And Navionics is accurate. But a night arrival would be anxiety provoking as the entrance is always exposed to the NE swell. I wouldn’t chance it. Deep Rolly anchorage can be had around the corner in Sasanhaya bay.
If slips are all full (highly unlikely) the basin is dredged to 2m close the shoreline all round. Not the drying green shown on charts. Use a satellite photo. Fore and aft anchors would be best to restrict you swinging circle if greater than 30ft Loa.
The whole basin has surge so being to leeward of you pontoon would be best with good fenders and chafe protection. Perfectly comfortable with a 3m NE swell outside. A northerly would be blowy but NE is ameliorated by the wharf facilities. Excellent shelter in East through South to NW. Worth considering if a TC is passing by to the distant west and you’ve got no where else to run to. A TC to the East of Rota would destroy anything in this marina.
Inside the harbour from North to South are two concrete wharves for interisland trading ships. The pass and up to these wharves is Deep water 7m min. Then the boat basin is 2.5m-3m all the way to the causeway. Just past the wharf the basin firstly has two 50ft floating pontoons for 4 commercial boats/ traders. These are 120usd to enter and 8usd per hour alongside. Ouch.Port Authority suggest you don’t use these. Then there is the Parks and fisheries marina that has 2x 40ft pontoons (fine for 46ft, 50ft might be pushing it) for 4 boats and 6 20ft lightweight pontoons for little boats. These are by reports free but I will call the fisheries people to check. No power no on dock water no ablutions. Brand new aluminium docks on
robust concrete Good repair good cleats.
Rota has nice people nice beaches nice walks and a laid back feel. No highrise and next to no tourists. Nice place glad we stopped.