Pristine white-sanded beaches fringed with swaying palms and crystal clear waters... welcome to Guam! This territory of the United States is the southernmost island in the Mariana islands chain and the largest island in Micronesia. With its wide range of beaches and its healthy coral reefs, Guam is home to some of the nicest and most easily accessible snorkeling spots in Western Pacific. Just beyond the shore lie warm, azure waters, thousands of reef fish, sheltered coral gardens, and sometimes -for the luckiest snorkelers- blacktip reef sharks.
Most snorkeling spots are located on the west side of the island. Tumon Bay, Guam’s main resort district, filled with hotels, oceanview restaurants, and beach bars, is, without doubt, the busiest snorkeling spot on the island.
But for those seeking more secluded reefs to explore, the island offers dozens of other snorkeling spots for all levels.
The most popular sites in the area are Gun Beach and FaiFai Beach (just a 5-minute drive north of Tumon Bay), Ypao Beach (at the southern end of Tumon Bay, which is one of Guam’s five marine preserves), GabGab Beach, Haputo Beach, Piti Bomb Holes and Cabras Island (but you’ll generally need a boat to reach this last site).
Spanish Steps, a shallow cove surrounded by cliffs, located at the very tip of Orote Peninsula, is also one of the best options. Most of the snorkeling spots are free and easy to access, but be aware that some of them (Haputo, Spanish Steps) are located on US military installations and have limited access.
Many snorkeling spots are accessible from the shore, edged by narrow fringing reefs ending in a drop off facing the open sea. The coral, which rises to the surface of the water, literally “drops” towards the ocean depths in a wealth of colors and shapes.
For such a small island, Guam possesses a wealth of marine habitats that allow for exceptional diversity. The island’s reefs host thousands of marine species (1000 species of reef fishes and 375 species of corals), including reef sharks, manta rays, angelfish, sea turtles, and the very rare Maroon anemonefish (Amphiprion tricinctus) endemic to Guam and the Marshall Islands.
The climate in Guam is purely tropical, hot, and humid all year round, but we can distinguish two main seasons. The dry season, from January to June, is the warmest and sunniest period, with an average temperature of 81°F/27°C.
In the wet season, from July to December, the weather is wetter and more changeable (intermittent tropical rains and sunny spells), and the air is cooler (an average of 72°F/22°C).
The island is subject to typhoons, which bring rain and strong winds, generally from mid-May to mid-November. Actually, the best time to go snorkeling Guam is from February to April, during the driest season, and out of the typhoon period.
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Relatively rare; advanced snorkelers can try their luck on Tumon Bay‘s drop-off
Common all around the island; abundant at Gun Beach
Abundant in shallow sandy lagoons, often very close to the beach
Common on all spots; in large number in Tumon Bay shallow sandy areas
Occasional sightings on all reef spots
Rare in lagoons; occasionally sighted near Tumon Bay‘s reef
Common all around the island
On all reef spots
On all reef spots, including in shallow lagoons
Rarely sighted in the reef areas
Fringing reef with colorful fish
Level: Free shore access
Shallow lagoon and reef drop off with colorful fish and sea stars
Level: Free shore access Resort nearby
Fringing reef with coral and colorful fish
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