Travelers from all over the world, and especially those through such community organizations as GALA (Guam’s from the many Asian nations just a short plane ride away, Alternative Lifestyle Association, galaguam.org) and ISA are quickly discovering that this friendly island with Guam (facebook.com/isaguam). year-round sunshine and spectacular beaches makes for a fantastic, and incredibly romantic, gay getaway. Guam The Guam Visitors Bureau, which is a proud member of the became the first territory of the United States to legal- International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, enthusiasti- ize same-sex marriage on June 5, 2015, and it remains cally welcomes LGBTQ visitors from all over the world and one of the only destinations in Asia where LGBTQ cou- is a helpful resource for both trip and wedding planning. ples can marry. Getting Married in Guam Whether you’re planning a wedding or simply looking to enjoy a memorable vacation, you’ll find Guam to be one The island has dozens of breathtakingly beautiful venues for of the most LGBTQ-welcoming destinations in the Pacific wedding ceremonies, from oceanfront chapels and glass- region. From hotel staff to restaurant and shop employ- walled ballrooms at virtually all of Guam’s major resorts to ees, the island’s hospitality industry is extremely accepting scenic vistas like Two Lovers Point and Jeff’s Pirate Cove, of LGBTQ visitors, and same-sex couples can expect to to parks and cultural attractions like Valley of the Latte Ad- feel very comfortable holding hands, sunbathing togeth- venture Park in Talofofo and both Plaza de Espana and the er on the beach, and simply being themselves. The island stunning and contemporary Guam Museum in Hagåtña. You has a sizable, and quite visible, LGBTQ community that can even marry next door to the Guam Museum inside the thrives throughout the island. Guam Pride (guampride.org) handsome, and LEED-certified, Guam Legislature Building. launched in 2017 and is held each year (typically in early Of course, many persons in Guam can serve as officiants, June) and consists of a Pride March, social gatherings, and from clergy to various political figures and elected officials, a beach party and cultural arts festival—it’s a terrific time to and it’s quite easy to find folks who are happy to perform visit and get to know the island’s vibrant gay scene. You can same-sex weddings. also get involved with and learn more about LGBTQ Guam The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary for surf is rough here and unsafe for swim- LGBTQ Travelers in Guam ming, but this is a beautiful spot to lie with your honey on a beach blanket and Note that there’s sometimes a drive in- gaze out at the endless turquoise surf. volved in getting from the hotel district in Tumon Bay to some of the island’s top Toward the end of the afternoon, make attractions. Guam is easy to navigate by your way to Gun Beach, at the northern car and there are numerous rental agen- end of Tumon Bay, and grab a seat at cies at the airport and at many resorts, the open-air Guam Beach Bar, where but if you’d rather leave the driving to you can sip a mojito or mango madness others, you’ll find some excellent inde- cocktail as you watch the magnificent pendent tour operators, such as Discov- sunset. Stick around for dinner if you’d er Guam, that offers themed tours and like—nachos, ahi sandwiches, fish-and- can also work with you to develop your chips, and steaks are offered. own custom journey. After a long day of reclining by the sea Saturday: Relax on the Beach and perfecting your tan, it’s time to par- take of Guam’s lively nightlife scene. Your first full day on the island is a great You’ll find a number of mainstream but time simply to swim and sunbathe amid LGBTQ-friendly bars and dance clubs the lush, palm-shaded grounds of your right in the heart of Tumon, many with hotel. Just about every resort on the is- DJs and dancing, including Club Icon land has a soft, sandy beach on radiant (described in the Thursday: Island Ad- Tumon Bay, which is shallow, warm, and ventures below) and trendy Drop, a calm—as its protected by reefs—mak- lounge that serves first-rate craft cock- ing it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, tails. or zipping around in kayaks or stand-up Sunday:A Southern paddleboards. Start your morning with breakfast at your hotel, and perhaps Island Road Trip a morning swim in the pool, and then Now that you’re a bit rested, spend your just grab a towel and chill out for a few second day by making a scenic drive hours. Most properties rent umbrellas around the picturesque and less-de- and beach chairs along with equipment veloped southern half of the island, a for getting out into the water. region steeped in both rugged beauty and fascinating history. Without stops If you’d prefer to venture away from and starting from Tumon’s hotel district, your hotel and laze on a more remote or it takes about two hours to make this rugged beach, consider the many oth- 60-mile circumnavigation, but in order er picturesque stretches of sand found to give yourself time to explore some elsewhere around the island. On the of the key stops along this route, allow eastern shore, Tagachang and Talofofo four to six hours. Keep in mind that on beaches both have protected swim- this drive you’ll also pass a number of ming areas and are surrounded by lush attractions and diversions that you may natural scenery. One of the most stun- wish to visit more in depth later in the ning beaches on the island is at Ritidian week, from swimming holes to waterfall Point, which you reach down a rough hikes. road at the northern tip of Guam. The To kickstart to your morning, stop for As you continue south along Highway java at one of the several excellent cafes 4, you’ll pass Valley of the Latte Adven- around Tumon Bay. Hafa Coffee, which ture Park (more on this terrific attraction opens early and serves delicious—and in the Tuesday itinerary) before reach- potent—lattes, cold brews, and espres- ing the small town of Inarajan, which is so drinks, plus light breakfast fare, is an home to Waterfall Valley, a region rife excellent choice. It’s about a 10-minute with dramatic cataracts that you can drive southwest to reach the first stop easily hike to from parking areas along on this tour, Hagåtña, the island’s cul- the road. In town, McKraut’s—known tural and political center, where you for beer and hearty German food—is can check out the latest art exhibit at another good option for a lunch. Be the beautifully designed Guam Muse- aware that this is one of the last restau- um, which opened in 2014. Across the rants you’ll encounter on the southern street you’ll see the stately Dulce Nom- end of the island. Just south of town bre de Maria Cathedral Basilica. Be sure overlooking a dramatic bay, Inarajan to stroll around the adjacent Plaza de Pools Beach is another alluring spot for Espana park, with its gardens, benches, a photo op, a picnic (there’s covered kiosko, and preserved structures, three seating), or a swim in the volcanic-rock of them dating from Guam’s period pools. of Spanish control (from the late 17th through late 19th centuries). Highway 4 continues to curve around to the small village of Merizo, where From Hagåtña, drive along Highway 4 you can stop at beautiful Santa Mar- over across the hilly center of the island ian Kamalen Park and admire one of until you reach the east coast. Here the oldest buildings on the island, the you can stop to take in the sweeping mid-19th-century Merizo Combento, panorama at Pago Bay Overlook, be- before continuing on to Umatac, where fore continuing south past the excel- you’ll want to visit Fort Nuestra Senora lent and gorgeously situated Country de la Soledad. The Spanish construct- Club of the Pacific golf course. Guam ed this fortification in the early 19th has six other popular golf venues, in- century high on a bluff overlooking cluding the acclaimed LeoPalace Re- Umatac Bay, which is also where ex- sort & Country Club and the Guam In- plorer Ferdinand Magellan is alleged to ternational Country Club. Just past the have first set foot on the island in 1521. course on the ocean side of the road, In a park down on the bay, a small Jeff’s Pirate’s Cove is an excellent spot obelisk monument marks the spot. for lunch, serving such eclectic fare as spicy chicken wings, grilled local fish Continue north up the coast via High- salad, and Greek-style gyro platters. way 2, which climbs over some of the There’s also a quirky museum with in- island’s highest terrain. Stop at Cetti teresting artwork and local artifacts, Bay Overlook for a grand, sweeping from unusual seashells to woodworking view of the island’s west coast. Look up and pottery to a wheel salvaged from and to the east and you’ll also see the an 1890s U.S. battleship. The sandy huge white crosses rising atop Guam’s shore of adjacent Ipan Beach Park is a highest peak, 1,332-foot Mt. Jamu- nice spot for an after-lunch stroll. llong Manglo (meaning, “where the wind passes over”).