Guam

Close your eyes and imagine a secluded white sandy beach without a single footprint to mar its pristine beauty. Imagine the thunderous roar of the surf crashing over a distant reef and the sound of gentle waves lapping against the shore. A cool ocean breeze stirs the verdant inland jungle growth and the perfumed scent of flowers carries for miles. Does this sound like the setting for all your dreams of paradise? Well, open your eyes and you'll find you're in Guam!

The island was formed millions of years ago when a pair of volcanoes sank beneath the ocean leaving only their twin peaks above sea level. The lava remains of the southern volcano eventually fused with the older northern crater. This crater's limestone top had been formed underwater during a long period by an extensive coral polyp community.

Southern Guam is made up of volcanic hills, which rise to a maximum height of 1,334 feet above sea level. But, measured from its base at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, Mount Lamlam is the highest mountain in the world. Rivers cut through this terrain and high waterfalls abound. The central and northern sections of the island consist of a limestone plateau as high as 600 feet with steep cliffs dropping down to a narrow coastal shelf. The towering cliffs are tunneled with caves formed by the relentless and pounding surf.

Apra Harbor is considered one of the region's finest commercial ports. It is also a favorite spot for divers and snorkelers. It is one of the few commercial ports in the world featuring a spectacular live reef with an abundant population of colorful fish and other forms of marine life.

The Port Authority of Guam, the largest harbor in the Pacific between the Philippines and Hawaii, services more than 1,000 vessels in Apra Harbor. Presently, 12 steamship lines serve the abundance of cargo shipped through Guam's port. The International Maritime Commission recognizes Guam as having one of the most efficient port operations in the world.

A majority of hotel, business, and residential centers are on the western side of the island facing the tranquil Philippine Sea. A drive along the eastern coast boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean thundering against the narrow coastal shelf.

Marine Activities

Water sports are, without a doubt, Guam's finest offering. Visitors who come to Guam to enjoy the island's ocean playground can choose from a full range of activities that will take them either over or under the surface of Guam's inviting tropical seas.

Located at the edge of the Marianas Trench, Guam is renowned for its vivid turquoise lagoons, deep sea currents and water clarity. Between December and May, visibility is as much as 150 feet. During the wet season, visibility is as great as 60 feet. The average water temperature is 85°F (27°C) year-round.

Whatever kind of diving interests you have - photography, spear fishing, wreck and reef diving, or just a relaxing day admiring tropical fish and coral in crystal clear waters -Guam can provide it.

Jet ski, windsurfing, sea kayak, and other water-sports equipment, and lessons are available at some of the hotels. Several companies offer sport facilities in Tumon Beach, Cocos Island, Hagatña, and other parts of the island.

Water tours are an instant escape from land activities. You can take riverboat trips with a group or paddle by yourself in a kayak. Dolphin watching is a popular way of enjoying Guam's marine life to include seeing jumping spinner dolphins. A dive in a submarine will get you a close-up look at the island's teeming fish and plant life. Or, try one of the two semi-submersible boats that can take you to some of the best marine sites around Guam. For those that don't want to descend through Guam's waters, there's a giant aquarium where you can see fish feeding in their natural habitat.

Before you head out to the beach, be sure to familiarize yourself with any local marine life which may be dangerous. Stings, bites and scratches can spoil the best of dives. It's also a good idea to wear long pants and cotton gloves if you are new to Guam's underwater world. And, don't forget the sunscreen! Stiff penalties are imposed for taking live coral, so please take a camera instead.

Sightseeing

Golf and Tennis

Guam has more to offer than its splendid seas. The mild year-round climate makes the island ideal for many outdoor activities.

Most of Guam's hotels offer tennis facilities and equipment, including rackets, balls, and towels. Some have pros on their staff to assist you.

A round of golf in one of Guam's many golf courses is an opportunity well worth the effort. Several locations and course difficulties designed by such golfing greats as Jack Niklaus, Gary Player, and Sam Snead are spread throughout the island. A golf driving range, located close to Tumon, is open until 10:00 p.m. Golf clubs, shoes, and other equipment may be rented at the pro shop.

Shopping

Guam is just the place for the "born to shop" crowd. The island's duty-free status means that name-brand merchandise and other items often are less expensive than in their country of origin.

Most of the resort hotels at Tumon Bay have a lobby arcade and other specialty shops located within walking distance along Pale San Vitores Road. In addition to the elegant designer items, these stores feature Micronesian handicrafts, island clothing and beachwear.

Duty Free Shopping: Guam's duty free shopping status means that no tariffs are added to many quality name brand international products. Lower prices on such items as watches, perfumes, leather goods, spirits, and other luxury products can be found.

Shopping Centers: The Micronesia Mall in Dededo, the Guam Premier Outlets in Tamuning, K-Mart in Upper Tumon, and the Agana Shopping Center are Guam's largest retail outlets. Each of these facilities offers everything for individual, home and office use, plus luxury and gift items. Several restaurants located at each shopping center are gathering spots for local business people as well as weary shoppers.

Restaurants

Guam is a haven of the culinary arts. Despite Guam's small population, a wide array of restaurants offer scrumptious delicacies to warm any palate. Major hotels and restaurants serve quality Continental meals and exotic ethnic dishes, as well.

Fresh seafood is bountiful. Fresh fish, octopus, and lobster are either grilled or baked with vegetables or fruit, sashimi, and in other imaginative ways unique to the Pacific.

Travelers who venture further will find Chamorro, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese, Mexican, and European restaurants, each with its own distinct ambiance. Of course, American fast food chains have become standard fare for those on the go.

Nightlife

For those whose energy rises when the sun sets, Guam offers alluring nightlife activities. An exhibition of entertainment, ranging from lively to subdued, will please even the most discerning tastes.

Dinner shows featuring the traditional dances of the Pacific are held nightly in several hotels, and other nightspots throughout the island. There are, however, facilities that specialize in Chamorro and other forms of Micronesian Island dances.

A beautiful enhancement to Tumon Bay is the SandCastle, a world-class performance and entertainment facility, featuring Las Vegas-style showroom entertainment and sumptuous dinner shows. A state-of-the-art, multi-level New York-style nightclub/discotheque and a chic VIP lounge are also housed within SandCastle.

Other elegant nightclubs and modern discos operate in the larger hotels, as well as in other locations along Tumon Bay and in Tamuning. There are a number of nightclubs that feature entertainers who perform jazz, reggae, country & western, modern, and classic oldies. For those who love to sing-a-long, a number of karaoke bars are widely available. Exotic dance reviews may also be seen in several areas throughout the island.

Away from the main area, other diverse options include regularly scheduled cockfights and dog races. Dog races, at the Guam Greyhound Park, feature races from Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays). Gates open at 7:00 p.m., with the first race starting at 8:00 p.m.

If you are looking for a casual night out, there are many options to choose from. For those who prefer to sit and relax in indoor air-conditioned comfort, a wide array of the most current films are available at Guam's numerous movie theaters.

If all this sounds too hectic, a sunset dinner cruise may be in order. Soft breezes whisper gently through the sails as smooth waves caress the reefs. You have a choice of destinations: beyond the reef or within the bay. In Guam, there's always something to match your mood.