Guam’s beaches are better than Hawaii’s. There, I said it. Shocking, I know. But before you protest, hear me out: Guam’s beaches are just as nice (if not nicer) than Hawaii’s but without all the crowds. So take my advice, and swim in Guam’s warm ocean waters at these idyllic beaches.

Just a few things of note before we get started: With the exception of Ritidian, Tarague, and Gab Gab, Guam is very lax when it comes to their beach rules, so feel free to bring the booze and dogs. Heck, let your dogs roam free! Just as a common courtesy, pick up your trash. And although it is technically allowed on most beaches, consider leaving the glass bottles at home. Broken glass is unfortunately a common sight on Guam’s beaches and people could easily step on them and cut themselves. 

Tumon Bay

The most popular beach on Guam, Tumon Bay is a lagoon, so you never have to worry about rough seas, as the reef protects you from the waves. You’ll often see people lazing about in the shallow waters. Its sandy shores are also perfect for beach strolls and sandcastle building.

Stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are popular activities on Tumon’s calm waters. If you’re looking to rent a paddleboard, SUP Shack Guam can meet you right on shore. Simply message them through Whatsapp in advance of your planned excursion. 

Snorkeling is also a popular pastime on Tumon. The best snorkeling spot is the Ypao beach area located between Pacific Islands Club and The Hilton hotel. Swim out a few meters toward the coral-covered rocks and you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by a variety of curious fish. 

Most Guam visitors stay at one of the hotels located on Tumon’s shores, so access is just outside the hotel’s backdoor. The most popular hotels are The Westin, The Hyatt Regency, Dusit Thani and The Dusit Beach Resort—but there’s plenty more to choose from as well.

If you’re not staying at one of these hotels, simply park at Ypao Beach. Parking is free and it’s open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. 

Gun Beach

Located just north of Tumon, Gun Beach is another sandy shore hot spot. It’s not as ideal for swimming, but snorkeling is unparalleled at this location. 

To access the reef, snorkelers and divers must pass shallow waters and incessant, powerful waves. Thankfully, there is a tunnel carved out of the rocks for snorkelers to swim through, so you can avoid getting pummeled by the waves. Finding the tunnel can be tricky though. If you’re lucky, you may spot other snorkelers or divers accessing it. If not, it’s located before the Beach Bar, right in front of a light pole, to the right of where you probably entered the beach. The tunnel will lead you underneath the waves and dump you off in a wonderland of coral and brightly colored fish. Keep your eyes peeled for sea turtles and manta rays—they’re common sights at this gorgeous dive spot. 

But Gun Beach isn’t just for snorkelers and divers. Kick back and enjoy the sunset as you sip your martini at The Restaurant Beach and Bar located right on Gun Beach’s shores. We especially loved eating here, as the kids could play in the sand while we waited for our food. The TaoTao Tasi Guam show is also located on Gun Beach and is a must see cultural and dance performance. 

For exclusive, 24/7 access to Gun Beach, stay at Hotel Nikko Guam; it’s the only hotel with direct access.

First Beach

Unlike the island’s more popular beaches, First Beach is located on Guam’s eastern shores. For this reason, you won’t find many tourists here, and if you go on a weekday, you may find you’re the only one there. Parking is permitted on the side of the street, but the limited spots can fill up on weekends. For this reason, I recommend visiting First Beach on weekdays or early mornings. 

The beach is admittedly small, but you can still do all the things you would on any other beach like sandcastle building and swimming. Snorkelers can also find plenty of colorful fish within this little lagoon. 

Tanguisson & Hilaan Beaches

I’ve tied these two together as they’re right next to each other, and you should definitely visit both. Reach Tanguisson by driving past Two Lover’s Point until you reach the bottom of a steep hill. Park in the first parking lot on your right—just before the power plant—and Tanguisson will be just in front of you. 

Okay, I admit it, the power plant ruins the beauty of Tanguisson and its shores are rocky, but notice that unassuming trail within the jungle? That’s your access to Hilaan Beach, and I assure you, its secluded, beautiful shores are a sight to be seen. During low tide, this is the perfect beach for strolling, as its shores go on for miles. Walk just past Hilaan Beach and you’ll come across the picturesque Mushroom Rock: a massive boulder naturally carved out by waves to look remarkably like a mushroom (hence the name). 

Dungas Beach

We honestly just call this beach Jimmy Dee’s, as the Jimmy Dee’s Paradise Resort & Bar is located here. The bar is a hole-in-the-wall, but it’s an ideal spot to meet up with friends, enjoy a drink on the beach and listen to live, local music. The beach is great for walking too as it stretches on for longer than most beaches on Guam, and there is plenty of shoreline even during high tide.

Dungas also has a reputation for shallow waters especially during low tide. In fact, you can sometimes walk a good distance with the water reaching only your ankles the whole way.

Inalajan Natural Pool

Okay, so this technically isn’t a beach, but it is part of the Pacific Ocean, so I feel like it kind of counts. Inalajan is really a series of naturally made pools thanks to some very protective rocks. The water depth varies from a few inches to more than 6 feet. The park also offers pavilions with tables and even a diving board for those brave enough to jump in. 

Be on the lookout for friendly sea creatures during your visit. Fish and feather dusters are common sightings. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a ray or octopus.

Inalajan’s pools are an absolute must visit. I recommend planning this trip for a weekday as it can get crowded. And don’t forget your water shoes. I once received quite a few cuts on my feet for daring to swim barefoot. 

Ritidian Point

Ritidian is actually a national wildlife refuge. For this reason, it’s only open Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dogs are not permitted on Ritidian, so it’s much more quiet and serene than many of Guam’s other beaches. The drive is also scenic offering drop-dead gorgeous views of the Pacific.

Ritidian even offers hiking trails that lead to the beach, so you can enjoy Guam’s lush jungle before cooling off in the water. The trails are flat making them ideal for beginners. We even took our kids when our son was two and our youngest was a just few months old. 

Keep in mind, the North Shore’s currents can get quite strong, so Ritidian is frequently posted as “red flag,” meaning the waters are too dangerous to swim in.

Gab Gab Beach

This beach is only open to those with access to Navy Base Guam. But if you’re able, Gab Gab is an absolute must visit. They have sandy shores as well as an area carved out to resemble a pool. You can dive off its cement sides or bring your pool inflatables to simply relax on the calm waters. There are even lifeguards during certain hours.   

Gab Gab is famous among avid snorkelers. If you swim out far enough, you’ll come upon a reef full of fish, turtles and black tip reef sharks. Expert tip: if you’re looking to see a turtle or shark, go in the early morning or evening hours. 

Gab Gab also offers campsites right on its shores. The campsites are tucked along the back corner of Gab Gab so you can take advantage of front beach access whilst avoiding the possibly rowdy day-trip beachgoers. Each campsite has its own firepit, table, water spigot and electric outlet. There are also outdoor showers and a bathroom located on-site. The only downside to camping on Gab Gab: bring out the food, and the flies will come. It was so bad, we decided to skip out on cooking breakfast and simply head to the closest restaurant. If you’re willing to take on the flies for this unique camping experience, visit Sumay Marina Adventure Center to reserve a spot. 

If you have some spare time, Guam Navy offers three other noteworthy beaches: San Luis Beach, Dadi Beach and Old Wives Beach. 

Tarague Beach

This beach is located on Andersen Air Force Base, so again, you’ll need base access. It’s honestly probably my least favorite beach on Guam—the sand is annoyingly rocky, the flies can be bothersome and the waves are rough—yet some of my most cherished memories are on this beach. 

Like Gab Gab, you can also camp here. Just visit the base’s Outdoor Recreation Center to reserve a spot.  

Tucked along a wooded corner of Tarague, just after you enter the parking area, is a there-and-back trail that will take you on a calming stroll through the beach. Of all the times we’ve walked here, we never saw another person. Be prepared for a lot of trash though; it unfortunately seems to have a knack for washing up on parts of this beach. Still, the walk is gorgeous and feels good for the soul. There’s also a lot of hermit crabs on this beach. It was always fun to find them and show them to the kids. 

Another fun aspect of Tarague Beach is the little tide pools exposed during low tide. Our toddler loved scrambling along the rocks looking for fish and other sea creatures that swim in its shallow waters.