Guam is a strange kind of destination – it’s this place with a funny-sounding name that everyone seems to have heard of, but really, how often do you meet someone who has actually been there?
This photo of Piti Bomb Holes Preserve is courtesy of TripAdvisor
As a United States territory, Guam is an easy place for English-speakers to visit, as communication is easy and the currency is the U.S. dollar. However, Guam is home to the native Chamorros people, who are said to have inhabited the island around 4,000 years ago.
Guam is a truly beautiful place, and these five destinations will help introduce you to this friendly but mysterious island.
1.) Ypao Beach Park
There is fun for the whole family here, with places to swim, picnic and frolic to your heart’s content. The currents at this beach tend to be mild, making it a great place to go snorkeling. Visitors have praised the incredible experiences they have had getting up close and personal with the marine life while snorkeling at Ypao Beach.
2.) Diving to the SMS Cormoran and the Tokai Maru
Guam is unique in the world for a number of reasons, including its World War II sights and relics. Visitors have the opportunity to dive to two significant ship wrecks – the American SMS Cormoran and the Japanese Tokai Maru. This haunting experience will signify the horrors and the lasting legacy of the war, but will also humanize it, thinking of all those who worked aboard these ships. This is also the only place in the world where one can dive to U.S. and Japanese ships so close to one another.
3.) War in the Pacific National Historical Park
This is Guam’s only national park and focuses on the World War II attack on Guam. It was established by the United States Congress and travelers have rated it highly among Guam attractions, saying it was interesting to pause and learn about American history in between snorkeling, diving and hiking adventures.
4.) Mount Lamlam
Earn some real travel bragging rights by making it to the top of Mount Lamlam, which has been called the tallest mountain on the planet, due to the drastic change in elevation between the bottom of the Mariana Trench and the peak of the mountain, which stands at 1,332 feet. The hike from the starting point is not exceptionally strenuous or long, and affords those who do it incredible views of the island. It has been called another great way to take a break and see something different than the beaches, wonderful though they are.
5.) Piti Bomb Holes Preserve
This is a great spot for diving and checking out a curious spot that was once of dubious origin. The area was once thought to have been created from World War II bombs, but more recent reports suggest that the interesting formations have been created by natural causes. Either way, it’s a beautiful spot to observe the unique marine life of Guam.