Guam Sailing Vacations

The Island of Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the North Western Pacific Ocean. Situated 3,945 miles (6,349 KM) West of Hawaii, 1,549 miles miles (2,492 KM) East of the Philippines, 1,624 miles (2,612 KM) South of Japan and 2,765 miles (4,450 KM) North of Australia, Guam is a crossroad for cruising yachts traversing the Western Pacific Ocean. Guam’s strategic location and the fact that it is a United States territory, with US laws and courts, stores, hotels, hospitals and restaurants make Guam an ideal haven for cruising yachts transiting the Northern Pacific.Guam is a safe and secure location with US laws and law enforcement, US Navy and Air Force bases and a US Coast Guard station and cutter to protect sailing and shipping lanes.

Leisure Activities on Guam

Anderson Air Base
MWR Golf Course

Guam is a relatively small island, approximately 30 miles long, 8 ½ miles at it’s widest point and 225 square miles in area. Guam has much to offer for visiting yacht crews and other visitors. Guam is a haven for golfers with 7 courses designed by famous golf greats, including Jack Nicolas, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Sam Sneed, Chi Chi Rodreriguez, Billy Casper, Doug Ford, Gene Sarazen, Bob Toski, Orville Moody and Gene Littler.

18th Century Spanish
Fort Santa Agueda

Sailing on Guam

As an island, most leisure activities involve the ocean and beaches, such as swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, deep sea fishing, sunset dinner cruises or just relaxing on the beach. Sailing fans may enjoy a leisurely Guam sailing adventure as Pacific trade winds propel your vessel through Guam’s warm waters.

Cruise the Guam coast accompanied by curious dolphins. Snorkel or dive Guam’s warm, crystal clear waters, observe Guam’s abundant marine life and pristine coral reefs. Relax in Guam‘s warm sunshine, take a dip in the clear waters and enjoy cocktails and bar-b-q aboard the yacht or on a tropical island beach while enjoying Guam’s spectacular sunsets.

A normal day sail on Guam might commences from Agat Marina in central Guam, South to Cocos Island and North to Double Reef, within the lee of the island, protected from high winds and rough seas. Curious dolphins routinely accompany your vessel as she plies the Guam coastline. Next on the agenda might be a stop at one of the many secluded coves or pristine reefs that dot the coastline for swimming, snorkeling, cocktails or a bar-b-q on-board or ashore. Six yachts pictured here met and rafted up in small bay just South of the Agat Marina for Easter, 2004.

La Dolce Vita
2004 Rota Race

The Island of Rota lies approximately 58 miles North, or an approximate 12 to 15 hour sail, from Agat Marina. The Marianas Yacht Club sponsors an annual Rota Race over Labor Day weekend in May. The race starts at 6:00PM on Friday from the Marianas Yacht Club in Apra Harbor. The first finishers start arriving at the Rota marina around 6:00AM Saturday morning. Others arrive throughout the day. There are a number of social events conducted on Rota and a banquet on Sunday evening. Early Monday morning, labor day, the yachts begin the race back to Guam. Most arrive at MYC around sunset. A few stragglers arrive later in the evening.

Guam Support and Provisioning for Cruising Yachts

As a U.S. Territory, Guam offers rest, recuperation and replenishment resources that visiting yachts will not find at other ports within thousands of miles. Guam has a number of American grocery, hardware and general stores, hotels and restaurants, postal and medical facilities. Guam is governed by US Federal and Guam laws, has a stable Government, competent police force and a U.S. Coast Guard Station making Guam a safe location for a lay over. The official language on Guam is English: however, Guam is a cosmopolitan island which has benefited from immigration over the years from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Australia and Europe. Help in other languages can be found.

Marianas Yacht Club. The Marianas Yacht Club welcomes visiting cruising yachts from around the world to include mooring buoys, mail holding, telephone (local calls), showers, snack bar and wireless internet on premises. The club facilities can be rented for activities. Members are excellent sources of information about the island, transportation and availability of support services and general camaraderie with members of the local Guam sailing community. Hours are limited and the gate is closed except during snack bar operating hours. If planning to avail of any MYC facilities, recommend calling in advance or 671-477-3533 or refer to the Marianas Yacht Club we site.

Payless Supermarket
Guam, USA

Grocery and Hardware. Although selections are a bit limited and prices can be a bit higher than mainland USA due to shipping costs, Guam is a true patch of American soil with American stores, restaurants, post office, legal system, banks, groceries and shopping centers. There are a number of large American style grocery stores such as Pay Less, American Grocery and Cost-You-Less, as well as a number of Asian groceries, where rations can be restocked at reasonable prices. There is also a Kmart, Home Depot and a number of other hardware stores where tools, supplies and clothes are available.

Hotels and Restaurants. After days, weeks or months of living, eating, sleeping and basically being confined to the boat, most cruisers would like to spend some time on solid ground, dine in a fine restaurant, or just enjoy some fast junk food and spend a few nights in a large, clean, air conditioned hotel room. Guam offers a number of major 5-star American and Asian hotels, to include the Hilton, Sheridan Laguna, Dusit Thani, Hyatt Regency, Westin Resort, Okura and Nikko, to name a few. Guam has a number of more reasonably priced hotels such as the Outrigger, Guam Reef, Pacific Star Resort and many more reasonably priced hotels. All the major hotels have 5 star restaurants or restaurants to match their ratings. There are many fine quality local restaurants and many of the major U.S. National franchise restaurants such as Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesdays, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Lone Star Steak House. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and so on. There are also many excellent American, local Chamorro, Thai, Korean, Chinese and various other ethnic venue restaurants.

Marine Parts and Services. Availability of marine parts and services are somewhat limited on Guam. There just aren’t enough privately owned sailing or motor yachts or smaller boats to support full service marine parts and maintenance support. There is currently one “West Marine-like” marine supplies store, Coral Reef Marine, that stocks a fairly good variety of routine marine supplies such as line, lights, fiberglass, epoxy, outboard parts, etc. Cabras Marine supplies the tuna fleet and has a larger selection of heavier line, chain and related supplies. However, there are no dealers or distributors for common marine inboard power plants such as Yanmar, Westerbake, Cummings, etc. Dealer certified maintenance is not available and parts must be ordered from off-island. Expedited shipping is available via the US Post Office, FEDEX, UPS and a number of other freight forwarders. Support for such engines is also limited. There are no boat yards or travel lifts. If a boat needs to be hauled, there are large construction cranes that are experienced hauling large boats with and can be leased. There are a number of charter boats operating on Guam with their own maintenance staff. If you can’t handle repairs yourself, check with folks at the Marianas Yacht Club. They can usually put you in touch of someone who can help.

Transportation. For any length of stay, a rental car is a must. Guam is a small island, about 10 miles wide by 30 miles long, but everything is spread out and public transportation is almost non-existent. Taxis are far too expensive. A taxi from the yacht club to anywhere is at least $40 to $50 one way. Most major US rental car companies are represented and a new compact can be rented for $220 to $250 a week. Check with folks at the Yacht Club for a ride to the airport or one of the rental agencies.

Commissary Store
Naval Base Guam

Military Support Facilities. For cruising sailors who are military, reservist or retirees, there are major U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army National Guard and Reserve, and soon to be, a U.S. Marine Corps base on the island. There are large exchange stores and commissaries and military clubs on Naval Base Guam and Anderson Air Base. There are military recreational facilities, medical facilities, convenience stores, gas stations and other support facilities as would be expected on US military bases anywhere in the US. Military space-available flights are available at Anderson AFB at the Northern end of the island. There is a fully equipped and staffed U.S. Navy Hospital on island.

Guam has a higher ratio of military service members to overall population than any of the 50 US States. Guam is very military-friendly. Guam has 2 active Veteran of Foreign War (VFW) and one American Legion post that welcome visiting veterans. The American Legion and VFW have canteens to serve members and visitors and provide information and support for visiting veterans and active duty members in distress.

Shelter from the Storm

The US Island Territory of Guam offers shelter from tropical storms and typhoons prevalent in this part of the World. Located on the Philippine Sea on the Western side of the island at Latitude 13° 30′ North, Longitude 144° 40′ East, Apra Harbor is one of a very few protected harbors within thousands of miles. Apra Harbor is shared by the U.S. Navy, the Guam commercial port and private vessels. Apra Harbor is also used for recreational purposes such as diving, sailing, fishing and recreational boating. Atlantis Submarine Tours runs a submarine dive in the harbor. Just off the far end of the main harbor is a channel to a protected Harbor Refuge which offers a higher level of protection. The Marianas Yacht Club is located within the harbor and can provide additional information about the Harbor and Harbor Refuge.

Entry Requirements for Visiting Yachts

Visiting yachts must clear Guam customs and immigration at Apra Harbor. All yachts are advised to contact PORT CONTROL on VHF Channel 13 for instructions, BEFORE entering the harbor. All non-U.S. citizens entering Guam by yacht MUST HAVE A U.S. VISA. Visiting yachts are usually directed to proceed to the Marianas Yacht Club and crews are usually permitted to go ashore to await clearance. Apra Harbor is shared by the Guam commercial port and the U.S. Navy. Yachts are advised not to enter the harbor or disembark until without permission.

Guam Typhoon Information

Guam is located in an area of the Pacific often referred to as “Typhoon Alley”. Typhoon “season’ is usually thought the summer months, June through August, however that cannot be relied upon. Some of the most destructive typhoons in the last 15 years occurred in December. Shelter afforded by Apra Harbor and a protected harbor of refuge located within the main harbor, make Guam a key mid-pacific yacht haven that cruising sailors should highlight on their charts. Visiting yachts are cautioned to stay aware of weather conditions. The latest typhoon information, including warning track charts, closest points of approach and anticipated wind speeds, updated every 6 hours, is available from the U.S. Navy “Joint Typhoon Warning Center”.