San Juan Beach

Crocodile Head Beach is located in the north of Saipan Island. It is named after its crocodile-like shape. From a distance, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, fighting with the surging waves.

Attractions Location: Marine BeachSaipan 96950 CNMI

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

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for San Juan Beach tours

1-Day Itinerary

Enjoy a relaxing day at San Juan Beach and explore nearby Old San Juan.

  • Morning: Arrive at San Juan Beach (Condado Beach). Spend the morning swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water sports.
  • Lunch: Have lunch at a beachfront restaurant like Oceano or Serafina.
  • Afternoon: Take a taxi or Uber (~10 min) to Old San Juan. Walk around the colorful colonial streets, visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro (~2 hours).
  • Evening: Dinner in Old San Juan at La Mallorca Café or Princesa Gastrobar.
  • Return: Taxi/Uber back to your accommodation.

Accommodation & food: Stay in Condado or Old San Juan area. Breakfast at hotel or local café. Beachfront lunch and casual dinner in Old San Juan.

Souvenirs: San Juan Beach shops — beachwear, local crafts; Old San Juan — Puerto Rican coffee, rum, handmade jewelry.


2-Day Itinerary

Relax at the beach and dive deeper into Old San Juan’s history and culture.

  • Day 1: Beach day and Old San Juan exploration as above.
  • Day 2: Morning: Visit Paseo de la Princesa promenade and Raíces Fountain in Old San Juan.
  • Lunch: Local cuisine at Café Puerto Rico.
  • Afternoon: Explore San Juan Cathedral and nearby shops. Visit Museo de las Américas (~2 hours).
  • Evening: Dinner at Marmalade Restaurant in Old San Juan.

Transportation: Taxi/Uber or walk inside Old San Juan.

Accommodation & food: Same as Day 1. Breakfast local; lunch casual Old San Juan; dinner upscale dining.

Souvenirs: Paseo de la Princesa — local art, handcrafts; Museo de las Américas — cultural souvenirs.


3-Day Itinerary

Combine beach time with nature and local markets.

  • Days 1–2: As above.
  • Day 3: Morning: Visit El Yunque National Forest (~45 min drive). Hike waterfalls and trails (~3 hours).
  • Lunch: Picnic or local food near El Yunque.
  • Afternoon: Return to San Juan and visit La Placita de Santurce market for local crafts and vibrant nightlife.

Transportation: Rental car recommended for El Yunque; taxi or Uber in San Juan.

Accommodation & food: Stay in Condado or Santurce area. Breakfast local; lunch picnic; dinner in La Placita.

Souvenirs: El Yunque shops — local coffee, handmade goods; La Placita — artisanal foods and crafts.


4-Day Itinerary

Explore cultural sites, nature, and relax at the beach.

  • Days 1–3: As above.
  • Day 4: Morning: Visit Santurce Street Art District to admire murals and galleries (~2 hours).
  • Lunch: Eat at Lote 23, a food park with diverse local offerings.
  • Afternoon: Relax or swim at Ocean Park Beach (~15 min taxi from Santurce).
  • Evening: Dinner at Santaella Restaurant in Santurce.

Transportation: Taxi or Uber recommended.

Accommodation & food: Stay in Santurce or Condado. Breakfast local; lunch food park; dinner upscale dining.

Souvenirs: Santurce galleries — local art; Lote 23 — food products and crafts.


5-Day Itinerary

Expand your visit with a day trip to nearby beaches and historic towns.

  • Days 1–4: As above.
  • Day 5: Morning: Visit Luquillo Beach (~45 min drive). Relax and enjoy local kiosks with traditional foods.
  • Lunch: At Luquillo kiosks — try local fritters, pinchos, and seafood.
  • Afternoon: Visit Fajardo for a boat tour or snorkeling (~20 min from Luquillo).
  • Return: Drive or taxi/Uber back to San Juan.

Transportation: Rental car or guided tour recommended.

Accommodation & food: Stay in Condado or Old San Juan. Breakfast local; lunch Luquillo kiosks; dinner back in San Juan.

Souvenirs: Luquillo kiosks — local snacks and crafts; Fajardo shops — marine-themed items.


6-Day Itinerary

Combine urban experiences with nature and island adventures.

  • Days 1–5: As above.
  • Day 6: Full day: Take a ferry from Fajardo to Culebra Island (~1 hour). Enjoy pristine beaches like Flamenco Beach (~4–5 hours).
  • Lunch: Beach picnic or local eateries on Culebra.
  • Evening: Return ferry to Fajardo and drive back to San Juan.

Transportation: Rental car to Fajardo, ferry to Culebra.

Accommodation & food: Stay in San Juan. Breakfast local; lunch Culebra; dinner back in San Juan.

Souvenirs: Culebra shops — handmade jewelry, beachwear.


7-Day Itinerary

A full week exploring San Juan’s beaches, culture, history, nature, and island escapes.

  • Days 1–6: As above.
  • Day 7: Morning: Visit Casa Bacardi Distillery (~30 min drive). Take a tour and enjoy rum tasting (~2 hours).
  • Lunch: At the distillery or nearby.
  • Afternoon: Return to San Juan. Explore Paseo de Diego for last-minute shopping and street food.
  • Evening: Farewell dinner at beachfront restaurant in Condado.

Transportation: Taxi or rental car.

Accommodation & food: Stay in Condado or Old San Juan. Breakfast local; lunch distillery; dinner upscale beachfront.

Souvenirs: Bacardi gift shop — rum and branded merchandise; Paseo de Diego — local crafts and souvenirs.


User Reviews

By Bai Xiaoyi |

Crocodile Head Beach, nestled on the Pacific coast, is breathtakingly beautiful with its crashing waves, pounding the rocks and splashing with spray! A must-see on any classic trip! It's the perfect spot for taking photos of the waves! My tour guide snapped about 20 photos of me. The sand gets stuck in my feet easily, so I recommend wearing flip-flops. The scenery is beautiful, perfect for taking funny photos. I love this place, listening to the ocean breeze and watching the waves crashing towards the shore.

By Meridian |

From a distance, it really looks like a crocodile head~~ It is said that a Korean was swept away and was standing on it to take pictures. Then a big wave came and he was swept away by a force... I don't know if it is true, but the waves are really big... It's quite scary... But the scenery is really beautiful and worth going. It is also a must-see attraction. I also saw coconut crabs.

By Ella_Ye |

Hidden Beach, also known as Crocodile Head Beach, is named after its shape which resembles a crocodile with its mouth open.

By Dan9292 |

Crocodile Head Beach, there really is a crocodile there, hahaha, it's great for taking pictures

By june |

The sky is blue with white clouds, the sea is clear, the waves occasionally hit the rocks in the shape of crocodile heads, and seagulls circle by. The natural scenery is beautiful.

By Xiao Xie |

Crocodile Head Beach is on the Pacific Ocean. The waves are surging, hitting the rocks, and the waves are splashing. It is so beautiful!

By Yang Mia~ |

The scenery here is unique and suitable for taking funny photos!

By Qin Dawo |

There is a stair-like pass in the middle of the cliffs on both sides, a very unique natural landscape.

By Convertible Merkava |

Many people rent cars and drive to the south and the jungle, which is a pleasant experience. However, the southern part is mostly dirt roads with poor signage, making it easy to get lost. The road up Mount Tapochao is terrible, and the road to Crocodile Head Beach is even worse—a truly car-destroying journey. Choose a non-load-bearing off-road vehicle with the widest approach and departure angles possible.

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

Rubbish, not worth going, only Chinese people go to such a bad place

By felicity_H |

In the south, it's famous for a rock that looks like a crocodile! It really does! The waves are incredibly strong, and the contrast with the crocodiles is quite impressive! However, the beach here isn't as clean as the beaches in the north. The sand isn't fine, and there are broken beer bottles and broken Crocs on the beach. Furthermore, Croc Head Beach is in the south, and the road to it is very difficult to drive on! You have to walk a rather difficult jungle path to get there!

By Yongtong Wanguo |

It's very beautiful, but the beaches in Saipan all look similar, so visiting one or two is enough.

By Little Land Crashing |

There are relatively few people, usually the driver takes them there on the off-road day, and the road there is very bumpy.

By queenny |

It was raining non-stop, and the path to Crocodile Head Beach was full of muddy puddles. We drove off-road in our 4WD pickup truck, but the scenery was definitely worth the bumpy ride.

By My "diaries" |

Don't move when the waves come. If you feel like you're going to fall, squat down. Don't be carried away by the waves!

By ⌒Na Moღ Zhen♬ |

Located in the north of Saipan, it is named after its crocodile-like shape. From a distance, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, fighting against the surging waves.

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

A reminder here: the road to Crocodile Head Beach is very difficult to walk on, with potholes and puddles of all sizes. It is not advisable to go there unless you are off-roading.

By A red bean reminds me of the South. |

From afar, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, fighting against the surging waves.

The moment the waves hit, it was spectacular.

By crius |

In the past, you could walk to the rock next to the crocodile's mouth to take pictures. The effect of the waves hitting the back should be very good. But now it is not allowed because there were some incidents before where a tour guide died in the sea while trying to save others. So now you can only take pictures with the little crocodile from a distance. However, the sea level was relatively high when we went there, and it would look scary if you really stood on that rock.

By Xiaoying~lo |

The way there is very exciting. The waves here are very big, so don't go over to take pictures, it's very dangerous, just take pictures on the beach

By |

From a distance, it resembles a crocodile lying on the surface of the sea. Furthermore, the waters around Crocodile Island are ideal for snorkeling. The waters are crystal clear, with excellent transparency. The underwater corals are well-preserved, and there are a wide variety of tropical fish. Simply lying on the surface allows you to witness the vibrant underwater world.

By Xiaory |

I participated in a free tour to the north and a tour to the south jungle on my own. In fact, these named attractions on the island of Saipan are not very interesting. If the weather is good and the blue sky and white clouds are beautiful, you can take pictures in any way. If the weather is bad, you can just walk around and have a ride. It's always okay~~~

By Mika |

The star-shaped sand, the blue sea and the deserted beach make it a peaceful and beautiful place.

By Zhang Xiaoli |

On the southern line, get off the car to take pictures like this. The waves are very big. You can't walk to the cake rock to take pictures like some people do. It's a place to watch the sea quietly.

By Liu Huanxi |

It's really great when there are waves. I want to sit quietly and feel it for a while. I must drive next time.

By Big Stupid and Little Fatty |

You need to be at a very high angle to see that it is a crocodile head. You can find it by following the navigation. It is still very beautiful, and there are very few people.

By Zero degrees |

It's wonderful to just sit quietly by the sea and listen to the sound of the waves hitting the ring. The waves are like a natural fountain.

By Coming like the wind |

Saipan is a very pristine place, not yet fully developed. It's a long walk to get there, and cars can't drive down. From a photo perspective, this place looks like a beach, but it's still very dangerous. The wolves are very large, and the ocean is right in front of me. I didn't dare go over there; it's really dangerous. 99% of people just observe from a distance and take photos.

By Lifting_Xiaomi Su |

Located in the north of Saipan, it is named after its crocodile-like shape. From a distance, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, fighting against the surging waves.

By 〆Capricorn﹏゛ |

The scenery is very beautiful, and the waves are more beautiful. I didn't dare to go in, so I just stood on the shore and took pictures. Tourists came in waves. If you are traveling independently, you can wait until there is no one to take pictures.

By LUOLUO |

We went to Crocodile Head Beach for a while while traveling south. The road was difficult to navigate and the drive was bumpy. After getting off the car, we had to walk about five minutes down a small road. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived. The large rocks on the beach looked like crocodiles from a distance. As we got closer, the waves were quite strong. It was fun to take pictures near Crocodile Head while the waves crashed over us.

By H and |

The scenery is amazing. When I went there, I thought it was just an ordinary beach, but the layered waves gave me a different feeling.

By Dragon |

The rock on the beach looks like a crocodile head, so it is called Crocodile Head Beach. There are often waves crashing on it, which is very beautiful.

By Boring |

Crocodile Head Beach is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking attractions in the entire South. However, the road to Crocodile Head, whether by car or on foot, is quite bumpy and difficult. At Crocodile Head Beach, huge waves often crash, causing everyone to scream.

By Jenny Jenny |

I think back to when I saw this view, it was very pleasant. It didn't look like a crocodile head up close, but from a distance it did.

By Fireworks |

Crocodile Head Beach is located in the northeastern part of Saipan. Because it can only be reached by car from Highway 31 in the center of the island, this attraction is also considered a southern drive. As you walk from the parking lot toward the beach, you'll spot a crocodile lying on the shore, its mouth wide open, undeterred by the rough waves. Next to Crocodile Head is a three-tiered, disc-shaped reef, nicknamed "Cake Rock" for its cake-like shape. The waves repeatedly crash against the reef, stirring up piles of snow. Those brave enough to stand on it and take photos are welcome.

By necklace |

My son especially likes watching the waves. I saw some people walking over to the crocodile neck to take pictures. It is actually quite dangerous. The waves are very big and the reefs there are very slippery. If a big wave hits, once you slip, you can easily be swept away by the waves. I suggest that everyone do not take risks!

By Listen to the wind sing |

From a distance it does look like a crocodile head, and the waves hitting it are quite refreshing, but the weather is very sunny!

By zsj |

The road down to Crocodile Head Beach is quite bumpy and requires an off-road vehicle with a chassis. You then have to walk through a low jungle to reach the beach and see Crocodile Head. From a distance, it really looks like a giant crocodile lying in the Pacific Ocean.

By ゴドメス |

Crocodile Head Beach, located in northern Saipan, gets its name from its crocodile-like shape. From afar, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying prone on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, battling the surging waves. Getting to Crocodile Head Beach involves a bumpy, rugged dirt road. Our SUV took about 15 to 20 minutes to drive there. On the way out, we saw a Corolla trying to get in. The bottoming out is no joke; don't try this if you don't have an SUV.

By One carat diamond ring |

Very good attractions. A very satisfying trip. I like the quiet and slow life here. I eat and see the scenery every day, take selfies, see the humanities, and dive. Love life and love Saipan.

By Xin Ming |

The scenery is super good, it's worth checking in

But the road is very uneven and the way to see the cake rock is very dangerous. If you are not careful, you may end up feeding fish in the Pacific Ocean.

By Xiaojuner |

A special beach with a naturally formed crocodile head. If you want to have a close contact with the sea water, you can go to the rocks over there, but be careful not to be swept away by the waves~~

By @bingo@gg |

Looking down from above, it looks very similar to a pig's head. Only when you walk to the beach and look at it together with the cliff behind it, you can you really feel that it is indeed lifelike.

By Southern Mu Mu |

Crocodile Head Beach is located in the northern part of Saipan and is named after its crocodile-like shape.

Under the Crocodile Head Reef, there is a nearly circular, millstone-shaped coral reef. Three pieces are stacked on top of each other, and because it looks like a cake, it is named "Cake Rock".

Standing at the baker's position and looking to the left, there is a fountain reef. Because there are some irregular caves under the reef, when the tide hits, these caves will spray water like a whale. The landscape is very special.

Tips: Be extremely careful when walking down Crocodile Bay to avoid slipping. Avoid standing on Cake Rock to take photos during high tide or strong waves to avoid being swept away. It's also recommended not to wear flip-flops to avoid being washed away by the sea.

By Cat who loves traveling |

Crocodile Head Beach is a must-see for every guest on the island!

By missdeng |

The last 1-2 kilometers of the road to this attraction are definitely the worst on this trip. The potholes are so deep that even an SUV would scrape the chassis. The whole road is almost like "riding a horse". Moreover, you have to walk 500 meters of dirt and gravel road from the parking lot to the beach. If you are an elderly person with poor legs or have children to carry, then you should be careful when going there.

Our guide said this attraction was "developed" by the Chinese, and indeed, we discovered that only Chinese tourists visit. Just 50 or 70 nautical miles from Crocodile Head Beach lies the Mariana Trench—the deepest known trench on Earth. It was here that my country's Jiaolong submarine made its mark. Now, my country's independently developed Haidou unmanned submersible reached a depth of 10,767 meters in 2016. Since then, the 10,000-meter deep sea is no longer a forbidden zone for my country's marine science community!

Let’s go back to the scenic spots. Before setting off, I read other people’s travel guides and saw that many people would stand on the cake stone to take pictures, but looking at the wind and waves today, standing there is no different from offering sacrifices to the sea.

By Cindysunnn |

The outskirts of Crocodile Head Beach require a narrow, steep, and rugged natural road. Novices shouldn't drive there by themselves. The bumpy ride inside the car made us want to vomit, which is the best proof. We finally reached a flat surface, and the guide let us walk down on our own. Remember to bring your bags with you if you're driving, as there are people who will smash cars in this area.

We walked for ages through the woods. Luckily, there were steps at the back; otherwise, I don't know how we'd have persevered. From afar, we could see the "crocodile" lying prone on the Pacific Ocean's edge, along with many naturally formed rock formations. Photo-lovers should linger here for quite a while. The wind at Blue Goose is incredibly strong, and compared to other beaches, the crashing waves on the rocks here create a tremendous sound. Don't go up to the sponge rock near the crocodile's head; every wave is enough to sweep you away.

By rice cake |

The photo with the crocodile head-shaped reef as the background and Cake Rock as the foothold is a great place to take pictures in Saipan, but it is a bit dangerous. For more Saipan blockbuster shooting locations, please refer to http://www.mafengwo.cn/i/6595001.html

By oskarcalla |

The crocodile head is still very similar, but why not mention the turtle shape next to it? It is also very similar. You need to walk a mountain road, and the driving will be very bumpy, so be careful

By Han-Lucia |

Just a big rock, nothing to see...

By Regina |

You can take some creative photos at Crocodile Head Park, which is quite fun.

By trista |

I just took a quick look. The wind and waves were very strong, and there was a group of people having a barbecue there.

By Saipan Wavelet |

Crocodile Head Beach, located on Saipan's east coast, gets its name from its resemblance to a crocodile. From afar, you can see a ferocious crocodile lying prone on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, battling the surging waves. The road to this spot is winding and mountainous, so driving is essential. It's recommended to find a local guide to accompany you.

By Xiaolin |

The giant rock shaped like a crocodile head is a masterpiece of nature, and coupled with the turbulent waves, it is an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts.

By HL |

As the name suggests, the place really looks like a crocodile with its mouth open.

By Lunana wants to travel around the world |

The waves are really big! Very spectacular! A big wave came and my friends' clothes were wet. The location is relatively hidden.

By chxyfish |

The road to Crocodile Head Beach is difficult to navigate, the most difficult in Saipan. It's also difficult to pass other cars, so you have to wait in a Hummer or Jeep SUV. However, the scenery is beautiful and the trip is worth it.

By angela_cw |

Crocodile Head Beach is located in the northern part of Saipan and is named after its crocodile-like shape. It really looks like a crocodile opening its mouth to drink up the sea water. It would be a pity not to see the waves splashing against the crocodile's jaws.

By Tiffany Guoer |

The shape is unique. The waves here are very fast and big, not suitable for diving. The cake rock is very slippery, so you must pay attention to safety when playing here.

By Pig Girl GMY |

I think this is the most unique beach in the whole island tour. It really looks like a crocodile with its mouth open, and there are crazy dog waves.

By S. |

When I first went to Saipan, I saw a guide about taking photos at Crocodile Head and I was determined to go. It was truly beautiful. Especially when the waves came, even though I got soaked, I was still happy. It's worth a visit; you'd regret not going. Only after I went did I realize how beautiful even the waves can be. It's worth a visit, highly recommended.

By Dugu Xiaoxiaopei |

The waves are very rough, it's a very manly beach.

By fayjing |

The crocodile mouth is actually a piece of stone that looks like a crocodile mouth. Many people like to take photos standing on the cake stone in front of the crocodile mouth.

By Heavy snow |

It took a while to get here, it's beautiful

By Helpless Baoer |

From a distance it looks like a crocodile, but when you get closer you will discover the greatness of nature.

By Kidult |

This crocodile head is really similar. It looks like a crocodile with the mountain shape. But you can't get close to it. It seems that someone was hit by the waves here.

By Finger Magic |

The natural scenery is absolutely stunning! I was mesmerized! The vast Pacific Ocean against the backdrop of the giant crocodile head rock is so lifelike and beautiful!

By drop in the ocean |

The road to Crocodile Head Beach is difficult to drive. If you're driving, you'll need an off-road vehicle. There's no concrete road, just a carved-out dirt path. It's quite shaky, and oncoming cars can be nerve-wracking. The other side of the rock faces the deep Mariana Trench, so you have to be extremely careful when you're on Cake Rock; a fall can be fatal. Our tour guide didn't want to take us there, and I wasn't willing to take the risk either. Safety is always the priority. That's the view, so take some photos and leave.

By Potato balls |

Crocodile Head Beach, it seemed like I was entering from the forest. When I got there, the waves were very big and beautiful, but I had to be careful not to be washed away by the waves...

By Egg_Lost |

It is exactly like its name, like a crocodile head on the seashore, very vivid!

By Usage style |

To get to Crocodile Head Beach, you need to go through a jungle and walk a small path, which is not easy to find.

By Steady happiness |

The road to Crocodile Head Beach was the most challenging. It was constantly swaying. The guide swayed his body rhythmically, like he was reciting the Three Character Classic, his head moving his body in circles. It was hilarious! We couldn't sit still, and our bodies and bags kept banging against the car. It was a mess! Drivers beware! Cars can only park in a small open space, and the walk to the beach is quite difficult. From a distance, the rocks lay prone on the shore like a crocodile. The waves crashed towards the "cake rock" in front of the crocodile. The crocodile opened its mouth wide to meet the waves, determined to fight the sea! The waves crashed against the rocks, stirring up layers of spray and a turbulent sea.

By Beach sand |

It's a pity that the waves were not big when I went there, otherwise the waves would hit each other and the cake would really appear, so beautiful

By I just want to sleep in Quyuan Fenghe |

One of the best places to visit in Saipan. But it is overcrowded with tourists.


The attractions mentioned in the above itinerary