Guam Beach Guide

Tumon Bay is Guam's most famous beach and the heart of the island's tourism industry. The bay's crescent of white sand stretches about 3km, fronted by the major resort hotels that line Marine Drive. The water is protected by an outer reef, creating a calm, turquoise lagoon ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and water sports. The sand is clean and maintained, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire, and facilities including toilets, showers, and food outlets are plentiful.

The reef immediately offshore from Tumon Bay is accessible by snorkel and is home to tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral formations. Best snorkelling is at the northern end of the bay near the Gun Beach headland. Snorkel gear can be rented from beachside concessions for around $10–$15 for a half-day. Parasailing, jet skiing, and glass-bottom boat tours also launch from the Tumon shoreline.

Crowding is most noticeable in January–March (peak Japanese and Korean holiday season) and on weekends. For a quieter experience, arrive early morning or visit the northern end of the bay near Ypao Beach. The beach faces west, making Tumon Bay one of the finest sunset-watching locations in the Pacific.

Ypao Beach Park sits at the northern end of Tumon Bay and is widely regarded as the best beach in Guam for families with children. The water is exceptionally calm and shallow — ideal for young swimmers — and the beach is clean and maintained by the Guam Park Authority. The park has excellent facilities including toilet blocks, outdoor showers, picnic pavilions with BBQ grills, and a children's playground.

The reef at Ypao offers accessible snorkelling with sea turtles regularly sighted in the early morning before crowds arrive. The park is free to enter and free to use, and locals come here on weekends with full family groups — a BBQ at Ypao Beach Park is a quintessential Guam family experience.

The beach faces west and is excellent for watching the sun set over the Philippine Sea. Arriving around 30 minutes before sunset with drinks and snacks is a local tradition. The park gets busy on weekends and holidays; weekday mornings are the quietest times.

Gun Beach lies just north of the Tumon resort corridor, tucked below a limestone cliff with a Japanese WWII gun emplacement visible on the headland above — giving the beach its name. The beach itself is a small, scenic cove, less polished than Tumon Bay but beloved by locals and visitors who prefer a quieter atmosphere.

The snorkelling at Gun Beach is considered some of the best in Guam. The reef on the north side of the beach supports a diverse ecosystem and receives less impact than the heavily visited Tumon Bay reef. Visibility is typically excellent in the dry season. A small dive centre near the beach entrance offers equipment rental and guided snorkel tours.

Gun Beach is a 5–10 minute drive from Tumon hotels or about a 20-minute walk along the coastal path. Facilities are limited (a small toilet block and car park), so bring water and food. The beach is rarely crowded except on public holidays. Sunrise visits offer the beach almost entirely to yourself.

Ritidian Beach (CHamoru name: Litekyan) is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific. Located at the northernmost tip of Guam within the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, the beach is a long stretch of pristine white sand backed by coastal forest, with almost no development in sight. The water is crystalline, the reef is vibrant, and sea turtles nest here regularly.

Access is managed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The refuge opens Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm (closed weekends and federal holidays) with capped visitor numbers. There are no facilities on the beach — visitors must bring all supplies including water, food, and sun protection. Ancient CHamoru archaeological sites including latte stone foundations are visible along the beach and in the coastal forest.

The refuge is also critical habitat for endangered species including the Mariana crow, Mariana fruit bat, and Guam rail (Ko'ko'). Early morning visits give the best chance of wildlife sightings. Access is via Route 9 near Yigo, approximately 30 minutes from Tumon by car. Entry is free.

Guam's southern coastline is rugged, dramatic, and far less visited than the Tumon corridor. The villages of Talofofo, Merizo, and Umatac each have small beaches and waterfront areas worth exploring on a southern road trip. Talofofo Bay is a scenic horseshoe bay with a surf break that attracts local surfers during south swell. The nearby Talofofo Falls provide a lush jungle counterpoint to the beach.

Merizo is a small fishing village with a pier extending over the coral reef — a favourite spot for local fishermen and for watching the small wooden fishing boats. From Merizo's pier, a 10-minute boat trip reaches Cocos Island. The bay's inner waters are excellent for kayaking.

Umatac Bay is historically significant as the site of Ferdinand Magellan's 1521 anchorage — the first European landing in Guam. The colonial Spanish fort overlooking the bay and the annual Magellan Festival make Umatac a culturally rich stop. The beach itself is a small black-sand crescent — unusual in Guam — sheltered by forested headlands.

Cocos Island is a small, largely uninhabited islet off Guam's southern tip, accessible by a 10-minute boat ride from Merizo Pier. The island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon with some of the clearest, most turquoise water in Guam. Day-trip packages typically include the boat ride, snorkelling equipment, and use of basic beach facilities.

The lagoon around Cocos Island is a marine sanctuary with excellent snorkelling: coral gardens, clownfish, parrotfish, and occasional sea turtles. The island is small enough to walk around in under 30 minutes. A beach restaurant serves food and drinks. Operators also offer kayak rentals, banana boat rides, and stand-up paddleboard hire.

Cocos Island is best visited on weekdays when numbers are lower. Weekends and public holidays bring significant local family crowds. The best approach is through a day-tour operator from Merizo Pier — tours depart in the morning and return by mid-afternoon, leaving time for a southern village drive on the way back to Tumon.