NAFTAN Point all the way to the southernmost tip of Saipan is one of the most popular places on the island to greet the dawn of a new day but there is more to these jungles that can offer an adventurous hiker in addition to spectacular sunrises.
The trail to Naftan Point is not paved easily for everybody. For hikers, bikers, and drivers taking the route passing the Hawaiian Rock, there are parts of the roads in the jungle that will make you think you are driving on a river bed gone dry. Deep ruts and boulders adorn the roads making progress very slow but it is a part of the whole adventure.
If you take the trail just before reaching Obyan Beach, a different adventure awaits you. The road starts out wide and clean but the closer you get to Naftan Point, the narrower the road gets and the thicker the shrubbery gets. A lot of times, you may have to cut tree branches and thick grass blocking the way to get through the roads that are also almost obscured by grass and shrubs, but then again that’s part of the thrilling trail itself.
One special feature of the trail to Naftan Point is the presence of Japanese relics along the way, tankers and pillboxes, bullet-riddled air shelters, and a Japanese canon that was used during World War 11.
The most breathtaking scenery will greet you as you emerge from the jungle and into a grassy, rocky clearing facing the ocean and the Forbidden Island. Hike to Naftan very early in the morning and catch the rising sun from this vantage point.
If you venture as near as you dare to the edge of the cliff, another treat awaits you. The sight of huge waves crashing against the sharp stones a hundred or so feet below will take your breath away, but this adventure is not for everybody. Not for those who have fear of heights and not for those who are not daring enough.
Unlike other tourist attractions on the island, Naftan Point is not that accessible except for bikers, for those who drive four-wheel vehicles, and for the daring hikers but being out of reach adds to the attraction and mystery of the place.
For those who are brave enough to go out of their comfort zones, follow the trail to Naftan Point and experience the thrill that you can only get from the edge.