Guam Southern Loop Drive

Feb 1, 2025 | Asia, Guam, Nature Scene, Neighborhood, Other Asia Country, USA: Other States

Guam Southern Drive is a scenic coastal route that offers beautiful ocean and mountain views. 1028

Asan Beach Park: Marine Corps Dr, Asan, Guam
Cetti Bay Overlook: 8MG8+6GH, 2, Humåtak, Guam
Humåtak: 7MW6+22J, 2, Humåtak, Guam
Merizo Pier: 7M97+4P4, 4, Malesso’, Guam
Inarajan Natural Pool: 4, Inalåhan, Guam
Talo’fo’fo’ Falls Park: 8PCP+WPJ, Inalåhan, Guam
Guam First McDonald’s: 180 S Marine Corps Dr, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
John F Kennedy High School: 331 Marine Corps Dr, Tamuning, 96913, Guam
Date Picture Taken: December, 2024

Driving along the southern side of the island reveals beautiful mountain views and passes small local towns along the coast.

I began the drive from Tumon Village, where I was staying.

The first place I stopped was the Asan Beach Park.

During World War II, Asan Beach Park was near one of the key landing sites during the liberation of Guam in July 1944. American forces landed in the area as part of a larger campaign to reclaim the island from Japanese occupation.

The fighting around the beach was intense, with U.S. Marines facing determined resistance from well-entrenched Japanese troops.

I walked to the beach where the landing happened

The Guam Southern Loop Drive is a scenic route that circles the island’s southern coastline, offering travelers a mix of natural beauty and local culture.

I stopped at Cetti Bay Overlook. The overlook is a scenic viewpoint on Guam that offers sweeping views of the bay and the adjacent coastline.

Another stop I made was at Fouha Point. Like the previous point area, Fouha Point offers panoramic vistas of the ocean and the rugged shoreline, making it a popular spot for photography and quiet reflection.

On the road again

The mountain range

I drove again

and stopped at another viewpoint of the mountain range

And drove again

Plaset Memorias – Memorial of Guam’s Vietnam War Casualties

And I drove more and stopped here near a town. Looked back at the road I drove

The town was Humatak (Umatac). It is a small, historic village on the island’s southwestern coast.

Humatak is believed to be where the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first landed during his circumnavigation of the globe. This event marked Guam’s introduction to European contact.

The village was an important site during Guam’s Spanish colonial period, with remnants of forts and colonial architecture still visible.

On the road again

Cocos Island Resort

Merizo Pier

Drove again

Santa Marian Kamalen Park – The park is dedicated to Santa Marian Kamalen, an important figure in Guam’s Catholic heritage.

Next to the park is another small town

Drove again

The Bear Rock View Point

Near the Bear Rock was this park with a natural ocean pool.

Inarajan (Inalåhan) is a village located on the southeastern coast of Guam, known for its strong Chamorro cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical significance.

Inarajan Natural Pool: A popular spot featuring a series of crystal-clear, reef-protected tidal pools perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The natural rock formations and calm waters make it safe and scenic.

I walked to a nearby spot where I had seen a beautiful ocean view.

Then I drove a bit to this place.

The Inalåhan (Inarajan) Veterans Memorial is a tribute dedicated to honoring the military service and sacrifices of veterans from Inalåhan, Guam. This memorial reflects Guam’s strong connection to the U.S. military, as many Chamorro men and women have served in various branches of the armed forces.

St. Joseph Catholic Church in Inalåhan (Inarajan), Guam, is one of the island’s historic churches, reflecting both the deep-rooted Catholic faith of the Chamorro people and the architectural influence of the Spanish colonial period.

Back side

After driving for a while, I reached the road that leads to the entrance of Talo’fo’fo’ Falls park.

I was expecting a trail to the falls, but it turned out to be a paid park.

There were a couple of amusement-type rides on the park

I had to take a small cable car to reach the fall from the entrance of the park.

This is the lower level water fall

This is the upper-level water fall.

The arrival cable station

The park is also known for Yokoi’s Cave, the hiding spot of Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese soldier who remained in hiding for 28 years after World War II, unaware the war had ended.

Reaching Yokoi’s Cave involved a long walk through the jungle, and I got bitten by many mosquitoes along the way.

The Yokoi Cave

Shoichi Yokoi was a Japanese soldier who became known for living in hiding on Guam for 28 years after the end of World War II, unaware that the war had ended. His remarkable story of survival and resilience has made him a historical figure both in Japan and Guam.