Ladder Beach

Ladder Beach, also known as Coral Beach, is the southernmost beach on Saipan. It's relatively small and rarely visited by tourists. The corals are abundant here, and the beach is almost sandless, consisting mostly of various small coral shells, creating a beautiful scene.

Attractions Location: Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Opening hours:
All day (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)

Transportation:
500 meters south of Saipan International Airport, you can drive from Rte 304 and Rte 302 to the end of the southern section of the highway

Time reference: More than 3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Ladder Beach tours

1-Day Itinerary: Relax and Explore Ladder Beach

Ladder Beach, located on San Clemente Island off the coast of California, is known for its pristine, secluded shoreline and stunning natural beauty. This itinerary is perfect for visitors who want to enjoy the beach and nearby nature spots in a peaceful setting.

  • Morning: Arrive at San Clemente Island via authorized boat or military tour (note: public access is limited and requires prior permission or joining a guided tour).
  • Midday: Spend time at Ladder Beach, swim, sunbathe, and explore tide pools.
  • Afternoon: Hike nearby coastal trails for panoramic ocean views.
  • Late afternoon: Return by boat to the mainland (usually from San Pedro or Long Beach).

Transportation: Access to San Clemente Island and Ladder Beach is primarily by military ferry or private boat charter from San Pedro or Long Beach (~2-3 hours). No public buses or taxis available on the island.

Accommodation/Food: No accommodation or food services on San Clemente Island for visitors. It is recommended to stay in nearby Long Beach or San Pedro areas. Dining options include waterfront restaurants such as The Whale & Ale in San Pedro.

Souvenirs: On the mainland, souvenir shops in San Pedro and Long Beach offer nautical-themed gifts, local crafts, and marine-related memorabilia.


2-Day Itinerary: Ladder Beach & Catalina Island Exploration

Combine a day at Ladder Beach with a visit to nearby Catalina Island, offering more amenities and activities.

  • Day 1: Ladder Beach day as above.
  • Day 2 Morning: Take ferry from Long Beach to Catalina Island (~1 hour 15 minutes).
  • Afternoon: Explore Avalon on Catalina Island, visit shops, beach, or take a glass-bottom boat tour.
  • Evening: Return to Long Beach or stay overnight on Catalina Island.

Transportation: Ferry services to Catalina Island operate regularly from Long Beach. Rental cars or taxis serve the mainland.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Long Beach or Avalon (Catalina Island). Try Bluewater Grill in Long Beach or Avalon Grille on Catalina for dining.

Souvenirs: Catalina-themed merchandise, local art, jewelry, and island souvenirs.


3-Day Itinerary: Ladder Beach, Catalina Island & San Pedro Highlights

This itinerary blends beach relaxation with cultural experiences in nearby San Pedro and Catalina Island.

  • Day 1: Ladder Beach visit.
  • Day 2: Catalina Island exploration as in 2-day itinerary.
  • Day 3 Morning: Visit USS Iowa Museum and Battleship Pavilion in San Pedro.
  • Afternoon: Explore Ports O’ Call Village and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.
  • Evening: Dinner at San Pedro waterfront.

Transportation: Rental car or rideshare on the mainland. Ferries to Catalina Island.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in San Pedro or Long Beach. Recommended eateries: San Pedro Fish Market or The Whale & Ale.

Souvenirs: Nautical gifts, marine-themed souvenirs, and local artisan products.


4-Day Itinerary: Ladder Beach, Catalina Island & Los Angeles Coastal Tour

Experience the natural beauty of Ladder Beach and Catalina Island combined with the famous beaches and attractions of Los Angeles.

  • Days 1-3: Follow 3-day itinerary.
  • Day 4 Morning: Drive from San Pedro/Long Beach to Santa Monica Beach (~1 hour 15 minutes).
  • Afternoon: Visit Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach.
  • Evening: Return to San Pedro or Long Beach.

Transportation: Rental car recommended for mainland beach hopping.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in San Pedro, Long Beach, or Santa Monica. Dining recommendations: The Misfit Restaurant + Bar (Santa Monica), or The Brigantine (Long Beach).

Souvenirs: Beachwear, California-themed gifts, surf gear, and local artisan crafts.


5-Day Itinerary: Ladder Beach, Catalina Island, San Pedro & LA Cultural Sights

Extend your visit with cultural and historic sites in the Los Angeles area after enjoying the beach destinations.

  • Days 1-4: Follow 4-day itinerary.
  • Day 5 Morning: Visit The Getty Center or Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
  • Afternoon: Explore Downtown LA attractions like The Broad Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
  • Evening: Dinner in Downtown LA.

Transportation: Rental car or rideshare. Parking available at museums.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Downtown LA or Santa Monica for easy access to cultural sites. Try Bottega Louie (Downtown LA) or The Lobster (Santa Monica).

Souvenirs: Art prints, books, unique gifts from museum shops, and LA-themed merchandise.


6-Day Itinerary: Ladder Beach, Catalina Island & Southern California Road Trip

Combine the coastal highlights with inland Southern California attractions for a diverse experience.

  • Days 1-5: Follow 5-day itinerary.
  • Day 6 Morning: Drive to Disneyland Park in Anaheim (~1 hour from Long Beach).
  • Full day at Disneyland or California Adventure Park.
  • Evening: Return to Long Beach or stay overnight in Anaheim.

Transportation: Rental car essential for traveling between destinations.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Anaheim or Long Beach. Popular dining: Downtown Disney or local eateries.

Souvenirs: Disney merchandise, theme park memorabilia, and Southern California souvenirs.


7-Day Itinerary: Ultimate Ladder Beach & Southern California Experience

Explore Ladder Beach’s natural charm and the best of Southern California’s coast, culture, and entertainment.

  • Days 1-6: Follow 6-day itinerary.
  • Day 7 Morning: Relax at Malibu beaches or explore Malibu Pier (~1.5-hour drive from Long Beach).
  • Afternoon: Visit Getty Villa Museum in Malibu.
  • Evening: Farewell dinner at Malibu Seafood or similar.

Transportation: Rental car needed for Malibu trip.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Malibu or Long Beach. Enjoy fresh seafood dining options.

Souvenirs: Malibu-themed gifts, art reproductions from Getty Villa, beachwear, and California wines.


User Reviews

By Zhao Haowaner |

Just because the second season of Running Man ended here, it became an internet-famous beach.

But it's really not worth coming here! ! ! !

It is completely far away from other places, and it is not easy to find it using navigation. It is too far to drive here by yourself.

The beach is really small. There are only two or three caves, which are also very small. If you don't have the right equipment, you can't take the big pictures you imagine.

The sand is very coarse and pricks your feet, so it is not suitable for playing on the beach, let alone going into the water.

All in all, it is not recommended.

By 🎀Ningning🎀 |

There are many beaches on Saipan, but when it comes to playing in the sea, the best one is Gunkanjima. This beach is just for viewing. The scenery is amazing, but the waves are very big, so it is not suitable for swimming. The color of the sea water is very beautiful. There are countless sea cucumbers lying on the beach, and you will easily step on them if you are not careful. The locals do not know how to cook sea cucumbers for fear of poisoning, so many of them are piled up on the beach!

By huihua_po |

The two caves are quite unique. The afternoon sun is scorching, and the caves can be used as a background for taking photos and to escape the heat.

By Little Cloud Lord Jray |

Adder Beach: It became popular because of the Running Man. They held a bonfire party here. The beach is relatively small, with few tourists and almost no sand. Recommended

By Ella_Ye |

The filming location of the 11th episode of the second season of "Running Man" is the venue of the final dance competition.

A must-go place for ATV driving and island circumnavigation.

By Moon |

This attraction became popular because of Running Man, but it was hit hard by the typhoon. There are not many people. It is a good place to watch the sunset, but the viewing platform and the restaurant next to it have been basically turned into dangerous buildings by the typhoon. You will pass by it when driving an ATV. It is also a must-go route around the southern island. The wind and waves are a bit strong for snorkeling.

By `9 |

Because I went there in the afternoon, the light was always backlighting when I took photos, so I didn’t take many photos. It’s a beautiful place!

By lululululu |

Lade Beach is the first sunny beach we saw in Saipan. It may not be the most beautiful, but it was enough to make me excited. I even picked up a heart-shaped stone, hahahaha~

By x. Pandas are not cats. |

The beach is very clean. The sky is super blue. There is no odor on the beach, and no garbage on the beach. It's perfect~

By Hornet's Nest 33 |

kmtjmwtdtadupkkvua

By Captain |

In terms of beach scenery, I feel that Rad Beach is the best, but the weather was too bad. After walking around for half a day, we felt that it was going to rain heavily again, so we left.

By It's late, ah! It's late? |

Very, very beautiful beach, it is really colorful from a distance, but Saipan is very small and the attractions are also small, don't mind, when you see that moment, you really feel that it is worth it

By tsavo |

Lad Beach, a short distance south of the airport, isn't very large. There's almost no sand here, just shells. It looks pretty, but it's quite prickly. This beach isn't often visited by tourists, but locals enjoy barbecues.

By LAVIE Panpan |

On the way to Lade Beach, you will pass by Saipan Airport and drive directly to the beach entrance. Lade Beach is probably the most amazing beach we have encountered.

By Mo Dawei |

Among the three beaches in Saipan, my favorite is Lade Beach, which is also the beach where Running Man comes.

By @The sky is round and the earth is square |

The filming location of Running Man is where the apprentices dance. The scenery is great!

By A red bean reminds me of the South. |

The beach is relatively small and less crowded. There are many corals, and the beach is almost sandless, consisting almost entirely of various small coral shells. The scenery is beautiful. Some people even take wedding photos here.

By crius |

The legendary Running Man Beach was not crowded when we went there, but it was good enough for sunbathing.

By Miró |

Beautiful place, the dragon head, the sand below is not very good, opposite is Tianning Island

By Rolling Rita |

It's small, but still very beautiful. If you're driving, or if you're young at heart, go and have a look. It's not crowded. An SUV is recommended.

By cherry_Minyo |

It’s a good place to take photos, it feels like a blockbuster, and the scenery is beautiful (it would be better if it wasn’t so hot)

By Xiaoying~lo |

The sea water is very clear, and it's beautiful to see where the Running Man went. But the scenic spot is not big.

By 💋 Empty |

The beach is beautiful. I recommend taking a day trip. The transportation is not very developed. You can go down and feel it. It is not suitable for swimming, but suitable for taking pictures.

By Kaishikawa 🦌 |

Beautiful beach. Great for taking photos. If you drive, you must go there.

By jazzyG |

Ladder Beach, also known as Coral Beach, is the southernmost beach on Saipan. It's smaller and less crowded. It was also the filming location for the show "Running Man in Saipan."

The biggest difference between this beach and other beaches is that it is not a sandy beach, but all coral fragments washed up from the sea, most of which are milky white, and some are very light coral red. Although it is difficult to walk on it, it is very beautiful.

By Cangyue |

It is a developed beach with fine sand. It is very nice.

By Sorry |

The scenery is pretty good, suitable for taking pictures, and the Running Man is filmed here

By Boring |

Lade Beach, also known as Coral Beach, is a great place for snorkeling as you can clearly see the coral reefs in the sea from the shore.

By necklace |

Just a reminder, it's really hot! Don't ignore it! It's really hot, so drink lots of water!

By Listen to the wind sing |

It seems to be the place where one of the episodes of Running Man ended. The environment is pretty good, facing the sea, it really feels like spring flowers are blooming!

By zsj |

Also known as Coral Beach and Running Man Beach by local Chinese, it's the southernmost beach on Saipan. It's a relatively small beach with abundant coral and almost no sand. During the second season finale, Running Man filmed here, where several teams performed hula dances.

By Eric |

The beaches in Saipan are all very good. The west side is gentler and more suitable for swimming, while the east side has beautiful scenery and big waves.

It is said that a famous domestic reality show was filmed at Ladder Beach, so it will probably be very popular:)

By Waiting |

I remember that there were few people that day and the sea was very quiet. We were there quietly enjoying the sea breeze, taking pictures, and picking up various beautiful stones.

By China-TravelNote users |

LADDER BEACH is also a famous beach in Saipan, but it always feels too sunny. There are not many people playing in the water here. Most of them are tourists who come to see the scenery by participating in the southern jungle or ATV tour.

By Xin Ming |

If you want to have a barbecue party with your family, it's okay.

If you want to see the filming location of the last episode of Running Man, you will be at a loss.

If you are visiting a tourist attraction, you don't need to check in at this place, it's not interesting.

By Panda couple |

This beach is where the Running Man team dances. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side, it's home to many coral reefs. Be careful not to get hurt if you're going in the water. It's said that cars get smashed here, so renters should be mindful of their vehicles.

By @bingo@gg |

Located in the southwest of Saipan, the water is clear and the waves are relatively fast (probably due to the high tide). The seabed of Lade Beach is covered with thick coral fragments. There are also several caves on the beach where you can barbecue.

By Sugar's Wandering Time |

Lade Beach is located in the southern part of Saipan, near the Saipan Airport. It's recommended to drive there or book a one-day tour. It's also the filming location for the popular Running Man show and a popular gathering place for locals, barbecues, and picnics. It's not suitable for swimming, but for sightseeing. There's also a lot of coral, and from a distance, you can see a giant crocodile.

By Cindysunnn |

Lade Beach, also known as Coral Beach, is the southernmost beach on Saipan. It's relatively small and rarely visited. There are so many corals here that the beach is almost sandless, consisting almost entirely of various small coral shells, creating a beautiful scene. The beaches throughout Saipan are a pure, layered blue, like the sea and sky blending into one. At the time, only a few foreigners came here with their families to swim. There's a natural cave on the left that looks quite deep, but we didn't dare go in.

If you are tired, you can go to the small pavilion on the mountain to drink coconut juice and rest your feet. It is said that the store owner picked the coconuts from the nearby trees. It costs $2pp.

By oskarcalla |

There are really red corals. The sand on the beach is relatively rough and easy to prick your feet, but there are many corals, and many of them are red. When I went there, I saw someone taking wedding photos there.

By |

This is the beach in Running Man, right? The scenery is average, but there are lots of hermit crabs. Da Ge loves it! Saipan is really my baby’s favorite!

By Say something to yourself |

Somehow, on this beach at the foot of a cliff, I felt like the world was at its end. Beautiful, but a little scary.

By Saipan Wavelet |

Located behind Saipan Airport, Lade Beach differs from other beaches in that it's not sandy, but made entirely of coral fragments washed up from the sea. Most of it is milky white, with some a very pale coral red. While it's a bit rough to walk on, it's still beautiful.

By HL |

It's beautiful. There's a cave where the Running Man dances hula.

By Lunana wants to travel around the world |

It is said that this was the filming location of Running Man. But the heart on the beach is so loving. I wonder who placed a heart there with stones. No one has destroyed it. It is very harmonious and has become an inseparable part of the beach.

By chxyfish |

You can go and have a look, there is a small shop run by a Chinese, the things are quite cheap

By ty34 |

This should be the beach where the hula dancers performed on Running Man. I also picked up a ring here.

By Invincible Yan Yanjun |

It's okay to see the scenery, but it's not recommended if you want to snorkel. You can't see anything inside. There is a cave on the shore. Maybe it would be a good choice to barbecue here in the evening.

By Tiffany Guoer |

Actually, it is just a small beach, but more and more people come here after the Running Man passed by here. The water is very clear and you can take pictures of the fish in the water here, but I really didn’t see anyone snorkeling.

By Daermao |

Very beautiful beach, where the Running Man danced hula, I hope to go there again in the future

By Heavy snow |

The beach is okay, it's ok to take a stroll.

By Tongtong |

Also known as Red Coral Beach, it is said that there are valuable red corals. Long ago, when the development was not very sound, you could occasionally pick up small red corals on the beach.

PS: This is the beach where the Running Man performed hula dancing.

I didn't pick up any red coral, but I did pick up a cute little creature with tiny tentacles and eyes.

By Colorful Nightmare |

We drove there, right next to the golf course and airport (where you take a small plane to Tinian Island). It was very uncrowded and a coral reef beach, so I recommend wearing protective clothing and shoes. Snorkeling to see the corals and small fish was perfect, and it was incredibly beautiful, much better than snorkeling at Gunkanjima.

By drop in the ocean |

Lad Beach is not very big. It is located in a U-shaped valley. There are not many people here, and few people come here to snorkel. I don’t feel that it has any special features. It seems that Running Man filmed here. It is okay to barbecue here and use it as a stage. There is not much else to do here.

By Egg_Lost |

The water is clear and you can clearly see the corals, hermit crabs and other things below.

By A brief history of Block A |

I just remember sitting under this tree, staring at the sea, doing nothing.

By Steady happiness |

Also known as Coral Beach, it does not have fine sand, but only corals washed up by the sea. It is a bit painful to walk on it, but the color of the water is very beautiful and the water is very clear. In addition, there are fewer tourists here. If you have time to sit on the beach, look at the beautiful scenery, feel the sea breeze, and drink an iced big coconut, I think you will be in a great mood!

By rustle |

It's actually ranked so low, haha. We drove there by ourselves. When we were playing at the beach, we met some handsome young men from China. They caught a bag of crab shells and told us that there was a more beautiful place if we walked to the right of the rocks on Rad Beach. So we went there. It was quite dangerous, but very beautiful. However, I was still gloriously injured. The reef cut my foot and it bled profusely. 555 But I was happy to see a different view.

By Bitter Coffee~~The Other Shore |

Lade Beach, also known as Coral Beach, is the southernmost beach on Saipan. It boasts stunning scenery and is known as Saipan's most beautiful beach. It's also the beach where the Running Man perform their dance routines. The beach is relatively small and less visited. The corals are abundant here, and the beach itself is practically made up of a variety of small coral shells, creating a picturesque scene.

By Shirley |

It became popular after the Running Man came here. There is a big cave there that is beautiful for taking photos.

By Songsong |

When I went there, the clouds were very thick, so the color of the sea water did not show up, but I could still feel that it was very transparent. You can go and have a look

By hellochanbb |

We went to the beach where the Running Man show was performed. We arrived near the afternoon. There were no other tourists on the beach except us, so we could take photos and play as much as we wanted. There was a cave at the bottom of the stairs by the sea. The scenery was pretty good. It is one of the attractions in the south.

By Joey_Cod Burger |

There are very few people, which makes it a great place for a relaxing vacation.

By There is a little girl named Xixi at home |

Few people go there. It's in the southernmost part near the airport, but there are many strange things there, and taking photos is also worth recommending.

By Unknown Legend |

This is a relatively untouristy beach in southern Saipan. ATV tours often stop here, or you can drive up to the cliff edge for photos. It sounds like a nice little beach.

By swallow |

We went to the last attraction in the afternoon. If we had gone earlier, we should have had a good time there. The beach is very shallow and you can see small fish. I heard that the Running Man is recording the show there. In short, every beach has its own unique scenery. You must go and see it.

By Wisteria |

The wind and waves are strong, the scenery is beautiful, and there are many hermit crabs.

By Mouse under the snow |

This beach is the best maintained in the south. Nestled beneath a cliff, it's small, with some boulders and a coral reef. The strong winds and rough waves make it unsuitable for snorkeling or swimming. However, I saw numerous signs of campfires, suggesting it's a perfect spot for camping and stargazing. However, sanitation is poor, with trash scattered everywhere.

By Milu |

The beach is relatively small and sparsely populated. There are numerous corals here, and the beach is almost entirely sandy, consisting primarily of various small coral shells. Wearing Crocs is recommended, as the coral reefs are quite sharp. The light-colored areas are smooth rocks, while the darker areas are coral. The water is crystal clear, and even in this clear water, you can still see fish. Look at these two small blue fish—how beautiful!

By Terry |

The beach is generally average, not very big, maybe because I have seen it too much and have aesthetic fatigue.

By Flying Bird |

Even the rocks are beautiful on the beach. On a windy day, the waves are magnificent and the blue-green color is beautiful.

By yan⚽🎀 |

Very beautiful, very beautiful, with great scenery. Rent a sports car and take photos against the backdrop of the beautiful scenery

By R7BK |

The sea water is crystal clear and locals will play here.

By Qing Xiaoqing is Mrs. Fang |

The filming location of Running Man is far away and not crowded. If you want to rent a car, you need to rent an off-road vehicle. The road conditions are not good.

By Hijab |

Because the Running Man went there, the popularity of this place suddenly increased