Ypao Beach – Gun Beach & Tumon Bay

12m Max

10-25m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Ypao Beach is a popular shore dive and training site located within the Tumon Bay area of Guam, offering calm, shallow conditions ideal for Open Water certification dives, refresher dives, and introductory scuba experiences. The sandy-bottom site features scattered coral heads and patch reefs that attract stingrays, cuttlefish, octopus, and garden eels. The gentle slope from shore to approximately 12 metres provides a gradual depth profile that is comfortable for new divers building confidence. The site is particularly good for practising buoyancy skills over the sandy bottom and for observing benthic species that inhabit the sand and rubble areas. Stingrays are commonly seen resting on the sand or gliding just above the bottom, while garden eels peek from their burrows in the sandy patches. Cuttlefish and octopus are more elusive but regularly encountered by patient divers. The beach access from Ypao Beach Park makes this one of the most convenient dive sites on Guam, with parking, restrooms, and shade available above water. The sandy bottom environment supports a specialized community of benthic organisms adapted to living in and around unconsolidated sediment habitats. Garden eels maintain their burrow colonies in the sand, creating a mesmerizing display as hundreds of individuals sway in the current before retreating into their holes at the slightest disturbance. The scattered coral heads serve as oases of biodiversity within the sandy expanse, concentrating fish life and providing essential hard substrate for coral recruitment and sponge colonization.

Dive Briefing

"Enter the water from Ypao Beach shore access and descend to the sandy bottom at approximately 5 to 8 metres. Work your way across the sandy area, scanning for stingrays resting on the bottom and garden eels emerging from their burrows. The scattered coral heads provide habitat for cuttlefish and small reef fish. Move slowly to avoid stirring the sandy bottom, which can reduce visibility. The shallow depth allows extended bottom times of 50 minutes or more. Practice your buoyancy skills over the sandy areas before moving over the coral patches. Ascend gradually with a safety stop at 5 metres. Exit via the same shore entry, being mindful of swimmers in the popular beach area. The site is typically dived in the morning when conditions are calmest and visibility is best. The sandy channels between coral heads are prime habitat for stingrays and flatfish that bury themselves in the sediment. Scan the bottom carefully for the distinctive outlines of resting rays and watch for their eyes protruding above the sand surface. The garden eel colonies are most active during morning hours when plankton drifts across their burrow entrances."