Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on December 14, 2022
Gun Beach, a secluded cove at the far end of Tumon Bay, is considered by many locals to be one of the best shore snorkeling on Guam. It includes shallow areas protected by a coral quarry and reefs open onto the ocean, and you can explore a range of environments and varied marine life: a whole medley of fish, blue sea star, giant clams and, if you’re lucky, an encounter with a blacktip shark, which pay regular visits to the site.
Gun Beach is a sandy beach located at the north end of Tumon Bay, Guam’s main tourist town. From Tumon Bay and the main resorts, it takes 5 minutes by car to reach the beach. Drive north on Pale San Vitores Road and, at the top of the hill, go straight along the narrow road (named Gun Beach Road) serving the cove. The site is very well signposted. A 10-minutes walk north of Gun Beach is FaiFai Beach, another good snorkeling spot in the area.
You can enter the water anywhere along the beach, but in order to get easy access to the outer part of the reef, you should enter the water approximately in front of the channel (see map below).
The area to explore covers the outer part of the reef, located around 60 meters from the beach at this point. In the lagoon, the seabed is relatively poor, and there is little interest in exploring it. Make your way between the rocks and corals (or use the narrow channel dug by fishermen -see map below) and reach the outer reef.
The first dozen meters or so from the reef (where the waves are breaking) are shallow (↕4-8ft/1-2m) and covered by relatively damaged coral. Swim to the outer reef to reach deeper (and better-preserved) areas (↕8-15ft/2-5m).
Here you will find the best snorkeling in Gun Beach: the diversity of coral is amazing and the underwater life is very dense. Shoals of striped monocle bream swim above the coral, while surgeonfish and butterflyfish (more than 5 different species, check the species list at the bottom of the page) with spectacular colors also visit the reef.
Several species of triggerfish inhabit this spot, including the reef triggerfish, the lagoon triggerfish, the orange-lined triggerfish, and the beautiful pinktail triggerfish. Near the coral outcrops, look for the lemonpeel angelfish, a bright yellow species with blue-circles eyes, always seen in pairs. And if you are lucky, you may encounter a blacktip reef shark in the blue.
Postpone your snorkeling (or stay in the inner reef) if sea conditions are bad.
The Beach Restaurant & Bar is available right in front of the spot. A wide range of restaurants and accommodation can be found in Tumon Bay (along Pale San Vitores Road), about 1 mile/1,6km from here.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
