Visiting Guam – Tropical Paradise in the Pacific
Last Updated on February 18, 2021 by Polly Dimitrova
Somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean lays the remote island of Guam. As the largest island of the Mariana island chains and the westernmost point of the United States, Guam should certainly be on your bucket list. Guam is a hidden paradise, with its crystal clear turquoise waters, secret white sand beaches and tropical jungle adventures. On its territory of 212 square miles / 342 sq. km. , you will be able to find ancient history, mouth-watering cuisine and colourful traditions. As a true adventure lover and seeker of off-the-beaten-path gems, Guam is one of the most fascinating places I have ever been to. Keep reading for my top 15 spots when visiting Guam!
Beaches
Tanguisson Beach / Hilaan Beach
The uncultivated Tanguisson Beach is a must-see when visiting Guam! While the main beach is popular among the local fishermen, take a quick hike through the trees on the right side of the beach to discover the wonderful Hilaan Beach. The beaches feature crystal clear water and the white sand beach combined with tall palm trees and beautiful green nature. Massive rock formations rising high above the water make this place even more interesting and exciting to visit. Click below for more photos of Tanugisson and Sharks Cove Beach.
Sharks Cove Beach
For an even more remote and off-the-beaten-path experience you should visit Sharks Cove. Tanguisson/ Hilaan Beach and Sharks Cove are connected through a small 0.5 mile / 0.8 km hiking path. Sharks Cove Beach is extremely secluded and chances are you might get to enjoy the entire beach for yourself. It is an excellent spot for snorkeling with beautiful corals and blue starfish. The white sand beach is nestled beneath palm trees and greenery. Sharks Cove Beach made me feel like I am on a completely abandoned tropical paradise (especially with the lack of cell phone service) – certainly worth the visit!
Ritidian Point
Located at the northernmost tip of Guam lies one of the most pristine beaches on the island – Ritidian Point. Perfect white sand and stunning coast combined with a national wildlife refuge will guarantee you an enjoyable visit. A good idea is to visit the beach during a weekday, as there will be barely any people and you will be able to enjoy the beach without the tourist crowds.
Ypao Beach
Situated at the heart of Tamuning, Ypao Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Guam. Picnic and recreation areas are also available, often used by the locals as a favourite spot on late afternoons. Due to the beach’s proximity to the major tourist district – Tumon, Ypao Beach is a great choice if you have only limited time and would like to stay close to your hotel. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at Ypao Beach one of the nights.
A side note: Please remember that if you enjoy the beaches, keep them clean for future generations and visitors to enjoy. If you take it in, take it out (particularly trash). Love you all, keep reading and get inspired for your next travel destination.
More Seaside Spots
Inarajan Pools
The natural Inarajan Pools are a must when visiting Guam. These beautiful coral formations allow visitors to swim into the shallow pools regardless of ocean rip currents or stronger waves. Recreation areas with barbecue grills and seating are also available in the public park surrounding Inarajan Pools. Check out the small observation platform or go over the formations to get closer to the ocean and enjoy the views. You will quickly notice the difference between the calm, sleeping water of the natural pools compared to the roaring sound of the ocean waves crashing into the reef. We did not get to snorkel at Inarajan Pools, but the calm crystal clear water is said to be one of the best spots for snorkel beginners.
Spanish Steps
Spanish Steps is one of the best hiking trails in Guam. It is fairly short with a distance of just 1 mile / 1.6 km with a bit of rope climbing. Remains of the Spanish colonization dating back to the 1600s can still be found on the way down. You will notice the ancient crumbling steps, once used to supply fresh water. At the end of the trail you will reach the beautiful lagoon nestled in between the steep cliffs and protected from large waves. The crystal clear water and the relatively shallow reef area, make the small lagoon a fantastic spot for some snorkeling. An important thing to remember is that the Spanish Steps are located on the Naval Base and as such can only be accessed if you are either in the military or with someone who is.
Jeff’s Pirates Cove
Situated right on the beach, Jeff’s Pirates Cove is a great spot to grab a burger and enjoy the ocean views. The restaurant has a small museum as well with the full story of Japanese straggler Sgt. Soichi Yokoi, who spent 28 years hiding in the island’s jungles after World War II. Before heading back to your car and continuing your journey around the island, make sure you explore the green area around Jeff’s Pirates Cove. We visited for late lunch on a week day and we had almost the entire place for ourselves. I really enjoyed the time we managed to spend in this little secluded spot far away from the crowded tourist areas. We got to sit on the patio admiring the ocean views as the breeze was carrying the fresh seaside scent.
Views from Jeff’s Pirates Cove Ocean Views from Inarajan Pools
Sunsets and Overlooks
Two Lovers Point
Two Lovers Point is one of the most popular tourist spots a must-do when visiting Guam. Sitting atop a cliff and overlooking turquoise water, the observation deck is one of the best spots for stunning sunsets and romantic moments. With its breathtaking view and proximity to the major cities, Two Lovers Point should certainly be part of your travel itinerary for visiting Guam!
Sella Bay and Cetti Bay Overlooks
Situated along the beautiful Southern Drive, Sella Bay and Cetti Bay Overlooks offer awe-inspiring views of Guam. The road slowly meanders through the Southern Mountain Range. Green hills separated by narrow ravines are surrounded by the endless blue ocean. Make sure that you take a pit stop and admire the tropical nature of the island.
Gun Beach + Beach Bar
The Gun Beach and Beach Bar are a great place to grab some delicious food, sip on tropical cocktails, and enjoy the beautiful colours of a sunset. Gun Beach is nestled behind a small lagoon with a massive cliff at the north end of the beach. Take a hike up north toward the cliffs and you will find the namesake WWII gun and another beach to explore!
Hikes
Ritidian Point Hikes
Ritidian Point is not only a place where you can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches of Guam. As a national wildlife refuge, Ritidian Point also offers a number of hiking paths. There are three easily accessible and open to the public trails: Nature (1.25 miles / 2 km), Latte Loop (0.75 miles / 1.2 km) and Ritidian Caves (0.5 miles / 0.8 km). The narrow path winding through the tall palm trees will make you feel like you are going on an adventure of your own in the jungle. I suggest booking a guided tour to learn more about the history of the location. We went on our own and had a blast as we embarked on a full jungle adventure.
Priest’s Pool
Enjoy an off the beaten path hike after your southern island drive to trek to Inarajan National Pools by visiting Priest’s Pool. The easy 10 minute trail will take you to the cool calming water of the Yledigao river cascading down the hill and forming seven small freshwater pools. An unmarked path will take you through the tall green grass to the largest main pool. Listen for the roaring river sound to guide you. The upper pool is approximately 8 ft / 2.4 meters deep and you can even jump into it or take a dip in the cold water. Be careful as the pool is surrounded by sharp rocks on each side. You can climb down and explore the other pools connected by beautiful small waterfalls, however, it can get a bit slippery. Alternatively, you can just enjoy the beautiful scenic views from the top.
Culture and History
Latte Stone Park
The latte stones are part of Chamorro history and culture. Once used as pillars to support buildings, the latte stones are now one of Guam’s symbols. The typical pillars reach up to three meters tall and are made of limestone or sandstone. The capstones were generally made of coral head with the flat side facing up. The latte stones were constructed from as early as 500 AD up to 18thCentury. The biggest collection of latte stones was found in the southern part of Guam with 12 preserved megaliths. The lattes have been moved to Hagatna, which is now a home to the Latte Stone Park displaying 8 of the ancient megaliths.
Fort Soledad
You should certainly visit Fort Soledad for a step back in time and a bit of history. Located atop of a cliff and overlooking Umatac Bay, the fortification was built during the Spanish Era in 1810 and was once used for the island’s defense. At more than 220 feet / 67 meters above the bay, Fort Soledad is now known for the picturesque views of the ocean to the west and green mountain range to the south. Even though Fort Soledad has been damaged throughout the years, the historic landmark has been preserved and is now a public park with replica canons and ruined bunkers.
Chamorro Village
Visiting Chamorro Village is a must when in Guam. It is a local market offering traditional cuisine, arts and crafts. The Chamorro Village is open daily, however, the best time to visit is during the Wednesday Night Market. Bursting in colours with delicious barbecue smell, the market is a fantastic way to taste and experience the island’s traditions and culture. Make sure to stop by the stage on the north side of the market where local groups hold traditional dance performances.
The Chamorro Market will guarantee you lots of fun combined with mouth-watering food and local crafts.
Tourist Traps
Two of the places that we visited and we did not enjoy were Talofofo Beach and Talofofo Falls. Talofofo Beach is fairly popular as it is regarded as the only black sand beach on the island. The sand looked just like mud to us and there was nothing impressive about it. I believe it is quite popular as it is just off the side of the road and you can just stop by as you are driving around the island. Talofofo Waterfalls is a small and extremely outdated park. There is a car that takes you over the series of cascading waterfalls. I do not know if it is it the time when we visited but the water was extremely brown and dirty. Certainly not a beautiful view. The parks entrance fee is $15 and the falls are not worth that money.
What to Visit Instead
We wish we had visited Tarzan Waterfalls instead of Talofofo Falls. There is a 1.6 mile / 2.5 km hiking trail that is known to be quite easy. It seems to be a fantastic spot to enjoy nature and a bit of swimming. Unfortunately, we did not have time to hike Mount Lamlan on this trip.The trail is approximately 2.6 miles /4.3 km with stunning panoramic views of Guam and will take you to the highest peak on the island. Rising at only 1,332 ft / 406 meters above sea level, Mount Lamlam can be considered the world’s tallest mountain. The top is located 36,070 feet / 10,994 meters above the bottom of the nearby Mariana Trench. So our recommendation, if you have the the time better visit Tarzan Waterfalls or hike up Mount Lamlan instead of the Talofofo tourist traps.
Have you been to Guam? Did you enjoy this remote tropical paradise? How much time did you spend in Guam and which were your favourite spots around the island? Feel free to share in the comments below!
54 Comments
Alexandra Booze
Priest’s pool looks so amazing! I wish I could just go and sit there right now. I have never considered Guam before, but after seeing your photos…omg!
Polly Dimitrova
I am glad that this article helped you to see Guam as a travel destination. It is certainly worth the visit! 🙂
Madhu
Wow,never heard of Guam before,but what a wonderful location..beaches are absolutely serene.thanks for sharing
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you! Yes, Guam is a slightly remote place, but it is certainly worth the visit!
Debjani
Love the layout of the article . Your pictures are so lovely indeed. Priest pool looks straight from the heaven .
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, Priest Pool was one of my favourite spots from this trip 🙂
Jade
Wow, what gorgeous beaches! It hadn’t really crossed my mind to visit Guam, but looks like it’s getting added to the bucket list! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful photos.
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the article and you are now considering Guam. It is certainly a bit more remote and not always first on the bucket list. 🙂
Katie | KatieGoes
The Pacific is so high on my list! Was Guam expensive? I’d love to try hop between some countries whilst I was down there.
Polly Dimitrova
I would absolutely love to visit some more islands around the Pacific – hopefully soon! Yes, Guam was a bit expensive I would say. I was coming from Europe, so if you compare it with Europe it can be a rip-off. I think it was certainly worth the visit, though, and most of the places that I have mentioned like the beaches are free to visit 🙂
Nathalie
That’s a total paradise! Loved all the photos and thank yoj for sharing the tourist traps!
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Nathalie! Yes, I thought people should be aware 🙂
Julia
I love that you included places you thought were overrated and where to go instead. Thank you!!
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, I thought it is important to mention so that people do not get trapped in these tourist spots that are often promoted, but in my opinion do not really deserve the attention. 🙂
CHELSEA
I have always wanted to visit Guam, it looks so beautiful! There are over the water bungalow huts i’ve had my eyes on for a romantic getaway with my partner. After seeing your pics/all the things to do – i’m sold!
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you! Yes, I think Guam is quite romantic indeed. The secluded beaches and the overlooks with beautiful sunsets shout out for a romantic getaway. I was visiting together with my fiance and we absolutely loved it! 🙂
Shannon
Looks amazing! My dad was stationed in Guam with the Air Force and tells such awesome snorkeling stories, I’ve always wanted to go. One day, the bucketlist is so long!
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, and the bucket list is always growing. I am glad that Guam has made it to the list, though. Hopefully, you will be able to visit soon. 🙂
Alex
I miss Guam so much! The time I had there definitely wasn’t long enough and I can’t wait to go back!
Polly Dimitrova
I would absolutely love to go back as well. Hopefully one day! 🙂
Michele
Wow! I have never considered visiting Guam but it is on my list now. What beautiful beaches. I love that you included places to avoid as well.
Polly Dimitrova
I honestly was not thinking about Guam originally either, but I am so glad I took this trip. Certainly worth the visit! 🙂
Kim
Looks like there is so much to do and see! love the format of this post, the pictures look gorgeous!
Polly Dimitrova
There is a lot, indeed! I feel like I could have easily stayed another week and I would still have a lot more places to see. Thank you for the comment, Kim 🙂
Agnes
Wow! It’s a hidden gem I didn’t know existed. Thank you for these inspirations! I hope to fly to Guam someday. Spanish Steps, Sella Bay, Priest’s Pool look as fantastic!
Polly Dimitrova
I am glad that you found some inspiration, Agnes. Hopefully you will get to see them. They are all worth the visit 🙂
Monique Cordier
Tanguisson Beach has the craziest rock formations! And those beaches.. WOW! Officially added to my bucket list!!
Polly Dimitrova
I know! So beautiful. It is probably one of my favourite beaches ever! 🙂
Josy A
Gorgeous photos of such a beautiful island!! It’s funny, growing up in the UK, I had never heard of Guam, until I moved to Japan. Over there loads of my friends had visited and loooved Guam. I guess the scenery looks pretty similar to Okinawa, so that might be why they love it!?
It is a shame you did not make it up to Mount Lamlan or tarzan falls- they both sound fantastic!
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, as someone who has lived mainly in Europe it took ages until I actually heard about Guam. I have noticed that a lot of Japanese like visiting Guam – it really seems to be popular over there. I know, I really wish I had more time. I have added them to the list if I ever go back.
Carrie Ann
Guam looks amazing! I’ve never thought of visiting there before, but this post is making me consider it for the future. The beaches and hiking trails look beautiful, and I’d love to explore Latte Stone Park and Fort Soledad.
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, I think Guam is not really on a lot of people’s bucket list, but I really think it should be 🙂
Bolupe
Guam is such an interesting place and to find out that the citizens of Guam are American citizen too is fascinating. Thanks for including the tourist traps. This is very useful for tourist to know.
Polly Dimitrova
It really is. Also so different from other places that I have visited before. Yes, thought, people should know so they can make the most of their trip 🙂
Kelly
Guam is a place that I have never considered visiting. I might have to change that. Ritidian Point sounds like heaven to me, offering both a beach and hiking trails. My two favorite things to do!
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, I think it is worth the visit! Same here – if I have both hiking trails and a beach at the same time – this is the place I wanna be 🙂
Sarah
Omg! These photos are incredible! Guam has never been on the radar for me but I think this post has changed my mind – I cannot get over the beach scenery and the water!
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Sarah! Yes, the scenery is absolutely stunning – totally worth the visit 🙂
Kelly
This is actually the first post I’ve ever read about Guam and its definitely made me want to add it to my list! I had never thought much about it before compared to other islands, but it looks beautiful and seems to have so many interesting spots 🙂
Polly Dimitrova
I think that it is a place worth being part of everyone’s bucket list. I am sure that it is less touristy compared to many other tropical destinations as well. 🙂
Anuradha
This is the first time I am hearing about a place called Gaum, and I instantly fell in love with the place – all thanks to your pictures! What a fantastic place – the beaches are so beautiful, and the sky is lovely! So much to see and do! Have also pinned the post for my future reference!
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Anuradha! I am so glad that you found some inspiration here and liked the photos 🙂
Georgina
Wow! What a beautiful paradise! The views from Jeff’s Pirate Cove and the from Fort Soledad is enough for me to place Guam high up on my list. The sunsets are so beautiful. All of your photos are stunning that Guam should not be a missed destination.
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Georgina! Yes, it really shouldn’t 🙂
Jay Artale
Guam looks like a hike is paradise and then when you want to take a day off from hiking you’ve got your pic of some gorgeous looking beaches. In all of my years as a travel blogger I don’t think I’ve ever read a blog post about this Destiination so thank you for opening my eyes
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Jay! I am really happy that you found something new on the internet. I really like that Guam is a bit underrated, so I thought more people should know about it 🙂
Pam
I love the way you laid out this post! It’s super informative and your pictures are awesome! I would love to visit Sharks Cove – the seclusion sounds so peaceful!
Polly Dimitrova
Thank you, Pam! Appreciate the feedback. 🙂 Yes, it is one of my favourite spots we got to visit!
Smith Mitchell
I think that Guam is really a beautiful place to have your self-relaxed and just get lost in the beauty of the nature. It is definitely on my bucket list.
Polly Dimitrova
You are right, Smith! I think it is worth the visit 🙂
Kanupriyaa
I am always looking for lesser known places to visit and Guam is the perfect addition to that. I love that you chose this lesser known destination which is so gorgeous!
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, Guam does not seem to be as known and popular among tourists, which is unfortunate, because it is such a gorgeous place that deserves to be visited.
Stefan (Berkeley Square Barbarian)
What an unusual and marvellous travel destination. I had never thought of Guam as anything but a military base, but the nature looks amazing and so versatile. Also love that food market, the fort, and the ancient latte stones. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Polly Dimitrova
Yes, visiting Guam was definitely a surprise to me as well. A real tropical paradise worth visiting! 🙂