Saipan’s shallow, tropical lagoons are a veritable waterpark for World War II enthusiasts who do not mind getting wet. Littering the seabed in water as shallow as a few feet or up to 35 feet lie aircraft, amphibious vehicles, ships, and tanks, all of which met their demise during the decisive Battle of Saipan in the Mariana Islands. The battle for control of the island began with aerial assaults followed by offshore bombardment, an amphibious invasion, and hand-to-hand combat lasting for about a month in June and July of 1944. These engagements have left a lasting legacy on the land and seascape of Saipan. In 2009 an international team of archaeologists partnered with local marine management agencies in Saipan to create a World War II Maritime Heritage Trail. Heritage trails are great educational and tourism products that introduce the public and divers to the exciting underwater world of shipwrecks and other submerged cultural heritage. Underwater trails have been used for decades in places like Florida and Australia to promote and protect underwater cultural and natural sites through public engagement and education. Much like terrestrial parks and trails, underwater trails usually feature guides with educational components that highlight the history of sites and events, their importance, and how and why they are protected.
