(MVA) — Could the quiet shores of the remote island of Rota in the western Pacific Ocean be the next muse for the world’s great creatives?
The Marianas archipelago — a U.S. Commonwealth — is perhaps best known for its proximity to the deep waters of the Marianas Trench in the western Pacific. As Ernest Hemingway found his inspiration for “The Old Man and the Sea” in a sleepy fishing village in Cuba, on the other side of the planet the quiet ways of Rota beckon the creative mind to deep waters.
“Rota is an oasis from the storm, even among our own people,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “It’s unspoiled nature, quiet and scenic beaches and roadways, and a friendly, unassuming community that make it the perfect place to relax, reconnect, rejuvenate, and yes — create!”
With two villages and a population of about 3,000 people, Rota offers the modern conveniences of high-speed internet connection, air-conditioning, and a surprising number of small restaurants for such a small community. At the same time, the island is steeped in the history and traditional ways of the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people. Here, one can find giant stone monoliths called latte that were used by ancient Chamorros as support structures for their houses. The island is also a year-round diver’s paradise cocooned in a peculiar ocean color that locals call “Rota Blue,” a hue created by pure rainfall percolating through an unpolluted limestone island before running out into the ocean.
“My six-day stay in Rota was filled with joy,” said writer Ye-jin Hyun. “The island’s deep blue, true to the name ‘Rota Blue,’ the vibrant green forests, the countless stars that lit up the night sky, and, most of all, the warm-hearted people who welcomed us — Rota is a place that allows anyone to fully open their hearts. Now, I hope to carry the energy I received from Rota into my daily life. I plan to weave together the words I discovered here into my writing. Thank you to everyone who shared this journey with me.”
Most recently, Hyun and three other South Korean artists spent a week at the quaint Katie House guesthouse nestled among the islands lush jungle in the area called Tenenu.
“During this trip to Rota, I felt a sense of liberation,” said visual artist Ryeo-jin Hwang. “In Seoul, my body and mind felt rigid, but here, I was able to relax, naturally blending into the people and nature around me. I was truly happy to immerse myself fully in Rota.”
Hyun and Hwang were joined by singer-songwriter Jandy Shin and photographer Jong-won Jeon in a creative residency program supported in part by the Marianas Visitors Authority to introduce the island to creatives of all types.
“Rota is a perfect place for artists to create,” said Shin. “The island’s stunning ocean, the sounds of birds, and the untouched forests provided endless inspiration. I hope that many artists around the world will be able to capture Rota’s beauty in their works.
Drawing inspiration from their time in this tropical gateway, the artists are working on original works that will be released over the next several months.
“This is my second visit to Rota, following last year’s trip,” said Jeon. “I am always grateful for the warm hospitality. Thanks to it, I was able to capture some of Rota’s breathtaking scenes, both through my camera and my own eyes. I will now carefully curate these moments into my second photo book.”
This island retreat is accessible on a 30-minute flight via light commuter aircraft from the capital island of Saipan or the neighboring island of Guam, or book a boat charter.
For more information, visit www.mymarianas.com or contact Marianas Visitors Authority at info@mymarianas.com/.
The island of Rota in The Marianas archipelago is an oasis from the modern world and a quiet escape for writers, artists, and other creatives.
Swimming Hole on the island Rota in The Marianas archipelago in the Pacific is a natural pool fed by ocean waves.
Photographer Jong-won Jeon finds inspiration in the night sky of Rota, a remote island in The Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific. With its small population and geographic isolation, the island is ideal for stargazing, and the Milky Way is also seasonably visible.
A group of artists of various genres find inspiration for content and enjoy the relaxed pace on the island of Rota in The Marianas in January 2025.
South Korean visual artist Ryeo-jin Hwang finds inspiration on the island of Rota in The Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific in January 2025.
