Guam is better known for its military bases than its tourism industry, yet this remote tropical location is a hidden gem for savvy travelers. The Micronesian country has stunning white beaches, unusual animals, and an intriguing culture and history.

Naturally, many visitors come to enjoy aquatic activities. Under the surface, mesmerizing coral-clad reefs and historic shipwrecks produce vibrant underwater landscapes teeming with marine life. Above the surface, water sports like as jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and paddleboarding provide plenty of fun in the sun for everyone. The best part is that you won't need to bring your passport to enter this recognized American territory if you're from the United States.

Tumon Beach

Tumon is perhaps Guam's most famous beach and serves as the country's focal point. It's flanked by a palm-fringed promenade lined with opulent beach resorts and hotels. A slew of upscale restaurants and bars line the beach, producing a joyful environment that lasts until the early hours. Despite the crowds, Tumon is a beautiful place to relax or participate in your favorite water sport.

Guam offers plenty of wonderful empty beaches to explore if you prefer something a little more secluded. Talofofo is worth seeing for its distinctive green sand, while Gun Beach and Ritidian Beach provide natural beauty away from the crowds.

Mount Lamlam

Even inexperienced hikers can reach the Lamlam top, granting you the right to brag about having scaled the world's tallest mountain (Everest is the highest). Lamlam, Guam's highest point, protrudes 37,820 feet from the Mariana Trench, which has the world's biggest elevation variation.

Lamlam is only 1,332 feet above sea level, making it a comfortable 2-hour trek that anyone in decent health can complete. If you plan to hike the mountain, carry sunscreen, food, and lots of water with you. The trailhead is located around 40 minutes south of Tumon Beach.

Two Lovers Point

Two Lovers Point in Tamsung is one of Guam's most distinctive places, with viewpoint spots affording stunning views of the Philippine Sea over a cliff wall. The cliff descends 400 feet to the thundering sea below, and there are walkways that hang over the jagged rocks and telescopes for long-range views.

This is also the location of a tragic story about a wealthy family's daughter who fell in love with a Chamorro warrior. In the face of an army, the two plunged themselves from the cliff to stop her scheduled marriage. The legend adds richness to this location for your Instagram feed.

Chamorro Village Market

A visit to the Chamorro Village Market is a fantastic chance to learn about the island's indigenous inhabitants' historic traditions. Arrive on a Wednesday evening if possible, when the market is generally in full swing. It's a remarkable event at this time because of the mesmerizing dance performances, intriguing cultural presentations, and kid-friendly water buffalo rides.

Even so, it's worth stopping by on other days to try Chamorro food or pick some local handicrafts as a keepsake. The market is located approximately 20 minutes west of Tumon.

Apra Harbor

Divers looking for something new might plan a trip to Apra Harbor, where two ancient shipwrecks practically sit side by side. The SMS Cormoran, a German ship sunk by the US Navy during WWI, is the oldest. Almost 20 years later, during WWII, the US Navy downed a Japanese passenger-cargo ship at the exact same location.

Both shipwrecks are right near to each other and are close enough to touch. It's the only spot on the planet where you can dive wrecks from both World Wars, and the experience will earn you some cool bragging rights. Other excellent diving places are strewn throughout the island, with a variety of marine life and colorful coral.

Ritidian Point

Ritidian Point is located within the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, a 1,203-acre park filled with local wildlife. It's located on the country's northernmost tip, roughly 35 minutes from Tumon. The dense jungle is home to a variety of animals, including tree snails, Mariana fruit bats, geckos, toads, butterflies, and monitor lizards. The refuge features three family-friendly nature trails to explore: Latte Loop (0.75 mile), Nature (1.25 mile), and Ritidian Caves (0.5 mile).

After working up a sweat on the trails, cool off in Ritidian Beach's crystal-clear waters for some much-needed repose.

Pacific War Museum

To learn about Guam's military history, travel 20 minutes west of Tumon to the Pacific War Museum. Guam's strategic location near the Pacific's major maritime powers led to the tiny island being an important US military post from WWI to the present day.

The museum is mostly dedicated to the US Marines who fought the Japanese for control of the island during World War I. After first losing control of the territory, the Americans reclaimed it in 1944 and have maintained a strong presence ever since. The Anderson Air Force Base and the Guam Naval Base now employ approximately 7,000 military troops. The island is frequently referred to by military leaders as America's "permanent aircraft carrier."

Fort Soledad

Fort Soledad, located on the west coast, is the last of the four original forts built around Umatac Bay and provides spectacular views of the settlement, bay, coastline, and mountain range. This is a popular tourist destination in southern Guam and a symbol of Spanish past. It has stood since 1810 and is titled after Our Lady of Solitude. A walking tour of the hill and the village's many historic sites is available.

Because of the variety of chances, this is an appealing location for Instagram shots. You can photograph the settlement below, the broad, continuous coastlines and gorgeous bay, or a panoramic vista of the mountains beyond.

Encore!

Encore!, a glittering magic performance that's become a Guam institution since its debut in 2016, is defined by clever comedy routines, death-defying feats, and incredible illusions. A state-of-the-art theater within the Fiesta Resort serves as the stage for the show's stars: a magician, a silent comedian, a circus performer, and Rio, a white lion.

The show places a big emphasis on audience engagement, so don't be shocked if one of the artists encourages you to join them on stage. Encore! frequently receives positive feedback, particularly from children who enjoy the hour-long show. However, there is plenty of entertainment for adults as well, making it a real all-ages affair.

Alupat Island

On Alupat, an empty isle right off Tumon Beach, it's all too simple to become stranded on a deserted tropical island. You may kayak, jet ski, or swim to the little island, which is less than 1,000 feet from the beach.

There isn't much to do here besides sunbathe on its picture-perfect beach cove, so bring some food and drinks with you. Outside of the hot season, you may even have the entire island to yourself - it's an actual desert island experience you won't soon forget! The Onward Beach Resort provides access to Alupat.