Although Guam offers a diverse range of attractions � including hiking, touring and shopping � Guam is first and foremost a tropical destination. The Western Pacific island is attracting a growing number of water-sports enthusiasts and sun-worshippers from Asia and North America. And for good reason.

The many beaches that fringe this 32-mile-long island are among the most beautiful anywhere, and the island�s water-sports facilities offer a wide variety of activities.

For many visitors, the beach experience begins with Tumon Bay, where most of the island's resorts are located. Verdant cliffs rise above both ends of Guam's most popular beach, providing a backdrop for the swimmers and snorkelers who enjoy its waters and the beachcombers who stroll along its shore.

While Tumon Bay receives the most visitors, many of Guam�s peaceful and isolated beaches are located off the beaten path. Some are minutes from the main tourist beach, while others are within a short drive from most hotels. Just south of the Guam Hilton is Ypao Point Beach, located a short walk around Ypao Point. This less-inhabited beach, which rests against a 120-foot cliff, is accessible during low tide. Just a short drive north of Tumon Bay lies another less crowded stretch of coastline where Fafai Beach and Tanguisson Beach are located.

On Guam�s remote northern coast is Ritidian Beach, equally beautiful with unspoiled flora and fauna. This peaceful, secluded beach is managed by the military, which provides public access during daylight hours. Ritidian, which has been incorporated into a wildlife refuge, is easily accessible by automobile.

More adventurous visitors will find pristine and protected beaches awaiting them at the end of hiking trails. Some of the island's most beautiful beaches lie south of the village of Agat, along Sella Bay, where hikers will be rewarded by secluded stretches of white sand and waters rich with corals, ledges and caves.

Other excellent beaches are located on private land. Some of these can be explored with Discover Guam, a local tour operator. The most accessible is Star Sand Beach, with its unique star-shaped grains of sand, at the edge of Anderson Air Force Base on the island's northeast corner. Uruno Beach, another private beach along the north shore, remains in its original state - rugged and ecologically intact. Discover Guam, which specializes in tours with a local perspective, regularly takes groups to both private beaches.

WATER SPORTS Swimming in the sea and walking along the sand are not the only things to do on Guam's beaches. The warm waters are also popular for scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing. Several companies operate charter fishing boats.

Snorkeling spots for beginners include the protected bays inside the reef at Tumon Bay, Family Beach within Apra Harbor and Merizo Bay. Another ideal location is Cocos Island, a 15-minute boat ride from the southwestern village of Merizo, has calm waters that make conditions great for snorkeling.

Several hotels have snorkeling water pools. The Pacific Islands Club (PIC) offers a saltwater swim-through aquarium, one of only three in the world. The aquarium, home to more than 2,000 fish, allows novice snorkelers and divers to develop their skills under the guidance of specially trained staff members before venturing into the open water.

Many of Guam's other resorts have water-sports facilities, and several, including the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa, Onward Beach Resort, Guam Plaza Hotel and Hyatt Regency, have elaborate swimming pools with water slides, Jacuzzis and other special features.

Tumon Bay and Merizo Bay are the most popular places for wind surfing, water-skiing and jet skiing. Equipment-rental facilities located throughout these areas also offer instruction. The PIC has the largest wind surfing pool in Micronesia. Cocos Island is also an established wind surfing, parasailing, scuba diving and jet skiing locale.

SUBMARINES AND BOATS Visitors who prefer to stay dry can board the Atlantis Submarine to explore ocean depths of up to 150 feet. The one-hour voyage takes visitors to the Gab-Gab Reef, where they observe marine life from large viewing windows. The S.S. Neptune and the Nautilus Guam also offer the opportunity for reef viewing. These semi-submersibles launch from Apra Harbor in Piti and Hotel Wharf near Commercial Port, respectively.

Several boating tours offer travelers the chance to visit jungles and sites that are inaccessible by car or aircraft. Jungle Riverboat Cruise Inc. takes visitors up the Talofofo River to see ancient latte stone sites and dense jungles.

ABOUT GUAM Situated in the Western Pacific approximately 1,550 miles south of Japan and 3,800 miles west of Hawaii, Guam provides beautiful and isolated beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling, and a variety of cultural and historical sites, activities and events. Its geographic location makes Guam the gateway to Micronesia and, with excellent air service to cities throughout Asia, a convenient stop-over point for trans-Pacific travelers.

More information about Guam, its hotels and attractions can be obtained by contacting the North American Office of the Guam Visitors Bureau, 1301 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 210, Alameda, Calif. 94501, (800) 873-4826/(800-US-3-GUAM), or e-mail guam@avisoinc.com. Or, visit the Guam Web site at www.visitguam.org.

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For media information, contact: Dianne Newton-Shaw Guam Visitors Bureau (800) 873-4826 (9 a.m. � 5 p.m. PT) di@avisoinc.com