Fees · Country Guide
Northern Mariana Islands
Blue grottoes, wartime wrecks and quiet Pacific reefs across three islands
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Saipan Grotto nonresident dive-site admission - USD $5
- Mañagaha authorized island access and boat transfer - Current fare and any applicable landing or environmental charge: confirm with operator
- Typical payment pattern: There is no single verified universal CNMI dive-tag price.
What people usually pay
There is no single verified universal CNMI dive-tag price. Budget for individual site admissions, regulated island transfers and ordinary operator charges. The Marianas Visitors Authority identifies a nonresident Saipan Grotto fee. Mañagaha access and any associated charges are subject to government clearance and concessionaire terms; do not treat historical prices as current. No-take marine rules apply irrespective of payment.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saipan Grotto nonresident dive-site admission | USD $5 Site visit; confirm current policy | Nonresident visitors to Saipan Grotto | Designated Parks and Recreation payment points | The official MVA visitor information guide lists a USD $5 nonresident fee. Payment does not make conditions safe or authorize overhead penetration. |
| Mañagaha authorized island access and boat transfer | Current fare and any applicable landing or environmental charge: confirm with operator Per authorized visit when open | Visitors traveling to Mañagaha | Approved transfer operator or concessionaire, subject to government clearance | A previous 2026 reopening imposed limited public zones, and the island later closed again on October 1. No current official fee amount or subsequent opening date was independently verified. A transfer ticket is not permission to enter closed areas. |
| CNMI no-take marine protected areas | No general recreational scuba permit fee independently verified Conservation restrictions always apply | Mañagaha, Bird Island, Forbidden Island, Sasanhaya Bay and applicable reserves | Check with CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife for any activity-specific authorization | No-take status prohibits fishing and collection and protects corals and wildlife. Research, fishing and special access may require separate permissions even where recreational observation is allowed. |
| U.S. travel authorization or visa | Depends on nationality and entry route; confirm official current fee Determined by the applicable admission program | Non-U.S. visitors according to nationality and travel history | Official CBP G-CNMI ETA, ESTA or U.S. consular channels as applicable | The separate CNMI EVS-TAP program was suspended on October 30, 2026. Never assume a former waiver still applies. |
Fee
Saipan Grotto nonresident dive-site admission
Site visit; confirm current policy
- Amount
- USD $5
- Applies to
- Nonresident visitors to Saipan Grotto
- Where to pay
- Designated Parks and Recreation payment points
- Notes
The official MVA visitor information guide lists a USD $5 nonresident fee. Payment does not make conditions safe or authorize overhead penetration.
Mañagaha authorized island access and boat transfer
Per authorized visit when open
- Amount
- Current fare and any applicable landing or environmental charge: confirm with operator
- Applies to
- Visitors traveling to Mañagaha
- Where to pay
- Approved transfer operator or concessionaire, subject to government clearance
- Notes
A previous 2026 reopening imposed limited public zones, and the island later closed again on October 1. No current official fee amount or subsequent opening date was independently verified. A transfer ticket is not permission to enter closed areas.
CNMI no-take marine protected areas
Conservation restrictions always apply
- Amount
- No general recreational scuba permit fee independently verified
- Applies to
- Mañagaha, Bird Island, Forbidden Island, Sasanhaya Bay and applicable reserves
- Where to pay
- Check with CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife for any activity-specific authorization
- Notes
No-take status prohibits fishing and collection and protects corals and wildlife. Research, fishing and special access may require separate permissions even where recreational observation is allowed.
U.S. travel authorization or visa
Determined by the applicable admission program
- Amount
- Depends on nationality and entry route; confirm official current fee
- Applies to
- Non-U.S. visitors according to nationality and travel history
- Where to pay
- Official CBP G-CNMI ETA, ESTA or U.S. consular channels as applicable
- Notes
The separate CNMI EVS-TAP program was suspended on October 30, 2026. Never assume a former waiver still applies.