Family Beach – Other Macro & Training Sites

12m Max

10-25m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Family Beach in Apra Harbor is an easy shore dive that provides excellent conditions for Open Water training, refresher dives, and introductory scuba experiences. The gently sloping sandy bottom is interspersed with patch reefs and seagrass beds that create diverse habitat for small marine species including seahorses, razorfish, and juvenile fish of numerous species. The shallow depth of 2 to 12 metres and minimal current make this one of the most accessible and comfortable dive sites on Guam, ideal for new divers building confidence and skills in a protected environment. Seahorses can be found clinging to the seagrass and gorgonian fragments with patient searching, while razorfish hover vertically above the sandy patches in their distinctive head-down posture. The patch reefs host goby-shrimp partnerships and various juvenile fish that use the shallow protected area as a nursery ground before migrating to deeper reef environments. The site is regularly used by dive centres for certification courses, taking advantage of the reliable conditions, easy shore entry, and abundant marine life that rewards new divers with genuine underwater experiences from their very first dives. The seagrass beds at Family Beach serve as an important carbon sink and provide essential habitat structure for numerous species that depend on the vegetation for shelter, feeding, and reproduction throughout their life cycles in the shallow protected waters of the harbor.

Dive Briefing

"Enter from the designated shore access point and descend to the sandy bottom at approximately 4 to 8 metres. The site features a mix of open sand, seagrass patches, and scattered coral bommies. Work your way across the area, scanning the seagrass for seahorses and the sandy patches for razorfish and goby-shrimp partnerships. The patch reefs at 6 to 10 metres host the highest concentration of juvenile fish and interesting macro subjects. Maintain excellent buoyancy over the sandy areas to avoid stirring silt and over the coral patches to protect the fragile growth. The shallow depth allows for extended bottom times of 50 minutes or more. This site is ideal for practising buoyancy skills, navigation exercises, and other Open Water training requirements. Exit via the same shore entry point, watching for other divers and training groups in the area. The seagrass beds between the sandy patches host the most interesting macro subjects and should be explored systematically by swimming slowly along the grass edge where seahorses and razorfish concentrate their activity during morning feeding periods."