SAIPAN — Managaha Island will officially reopen to the public on Monday, September 7, the Department of Public Lands announced Tuesday, returning the Commonwealth’s most beloved day-trip destination to visitors on Labor Day after months of closure following Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.
Extensive recovery and stabilization work has been completed for the safe return of visitors, DPL Secretary Sixto K. Igisomar said in the announcement, with public restrooms available and essential infrastructure, including generators and the reverse osmosis water system, fully operational at reopening. The effort was developed in partnership with the Division of Fish and Wildlife and concessionaire S.A.I. CNMI Tourism, Inc.
Limited access remains in effect while restoration and environmental protection work continues. Interior and central trails to the island’s northern and eastern sides stay closed, with the central corridor reserved for official use and barricades protecting nesting areas. The Chief Aghurubw site is open only by the designated trail from the south and west. Visitors may walk the beach around the eastern shoreline, but settled activities there, including picnicking, gathering and swimming, are not permitted at this time. The Main Pavilion and Chief Aghurubw Pavilion remain closed pending structural inspection.
Safety measures remain in effect until further notice: no lifeguards are on duty outside the designated swim zone, and swimming beyond it is at the visitor’s own risk. The “Pack It In, Pack It Out” policy applies, with all trash removed from the island and littering subject to fines. Multilingual signage will mark restricted areas, hazards and swim zones, and authorized personnel will maintain an on-island presence. Visitors are advised to watch for remaining recovery conditions, including unstable branches and uneven pathways.
