War in the Pacific National Historical Park Hågat (Agat) Beach was the southern landing beaches used during the Battle of Guam. Stretching from Bangi Point in the south to Apaca Point in the north, Hågat Beach was chosen to help secure Orote Peninsula to the north—home to a strategic airfield and the entrance to Apra Harbor. On July 21, 1944, the United State's goal was to overtake Ga'an Point, a coral outcrop at the center of Hågat Beach, then use the entire beachfront to offload supplies and equipment. The rocky outcrops along the beach had been well fortified, however. In the months leading up to battle, Imperial Japanese defenders forced the CHamoru to blast caves and build bunkers directly into the limestone headland. With gunports for eyes and rocky ridges for armor, Japanese soldiers turned the terrain itself into a deadly defense. Today, the remains of those fortifications, as well as two examples of Imperial Japanese guns, stand against a backdrop of clear blue ocean. The Agat Unit consists of two separate locations: Ga'an Point and Apaca Point, which are approximately 1.3 miles apart and not connected by any trail. Things to Do and SeeBeach & Water ActivitiesAt Ga'an Point, Hågat Beach can be accessed from the parking area along a paved path leading past the restrooms to historic Japanese guns and fortifications at the edge of the beach. There is also a small picnic area. The beach is shallow and rocky with seagrass beds offshore. The remains of World War II-era vehicles, including an Amtrac (amphibious tractor) LVT-4 and a jeep trailer loaded with vehicle parts and equipment, lie offshore of Ga'an Point. The Amtrac is approximately 300 meters from the cemetery just south of Ga’an Point at a depth of approximately 45 feet. A recent NOAA Ocean Exploration and National Park Service study entitled "Guam: A Biogeographic and Maritime Cultural Landscape Exploration of a World War II Battlefield" details the World War II ruins still visible on Guam's reefs. At Apaca Point, the secluded sandy beach can be reached via an unpaved path that starts shortly beyond the parking lot. The picnic table makes it an ideal location to watch for a gorgeous sunset. A paved path also leads to Japanese fortifications. Tidepooling opens up the fascinating world of small creatures, from starfish to crabs, that call the beach and ocean home. Both beaches allow swimming and snorkeling. 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park World War II Remains
War in the Pacific National Historical Park The Agat Beach Unit provides easy acces to well-preserved Imperial Japanese fortifications. Both Ga'an Point and Apaca Point were heavily fortified by the Imperial Japanese troops. In the months leading up to the Battle of Guam, they forced CHamoru laborers to blast caves into the limestone outcrops, construct pillboxes and blockhouses, and install coastal defense guns. Historical Remains at Ga'an PointThe Japanese fortifications at Ga'an are among the most impressive remaining on the southern beaches. The most significant fortification is the cluster of well-concealed pillboxes at the end of Ga'an Point. These bunkers were built into the rocky outcropping and so well camouflaged that American intelligence missions in the weeks leading up to the battle missed them entirely. As a result, they were not bombed before the invasion and it took nearly the entire day of July 21, 1944 for the 4th U.S. Marines to destroy them. In addition to the fortifications, two Japanese guns from World War II were relocated to Ga'an Point after the war. The 200mm short-barrel costal defense gun displayed to the left of the pathway was used to fire on troop ships and landing crafts. The dual-purpose 25mm anti-aircraft gun on the right used high explosive, armor-piercing ammunition and could fire 200 rounds per minute. Imperial Japanese anti-aircraft and coastal defense guns were found all over the island after the battle, but most were salvaged for scrap metal. Today, only a few guns remain intact. Warning: The historic guns have sharp edges and weak metal. Do not handle or climb on them. A large reinforced concrete pillbox built into the limestone escarpment of Ga'an Point. It housed a 75mm 94 type gun and a 37mm gun and had a field of fire over Hågat Beach that wreaked havoc on U.S. Marines and landing craft on W-Day until it was captured. The structure is trapezoidal and measures 5 feet wide on the north side and 13 feet wide on the south. It's 12 feet 9 inches long and 7 feet high. The walls are 6 inches thick, and the roof slab is 19 inches thick. A steel reinforcement structure has been added to the inside to help support the roof. The opening on the south wall measures 5 feet 4 inches by 7 feet. There is a small communications shaft nearby. Note the Japanese inscription by the engineering company that oversaw the completion of the structure on the west door jamb. A large L-shaped reinforced concrete pillbox just to the north of the Japanese Strongpoint. It has an internal metal frame, foundation posts, and ceiling. The exterior of the pillbox is concrete, and it is built between two rock escarpments on Ga'an Point. The south side has a large entrance, while the north side faces the ocean and contains a small opening for firing guns. It held a 75mm coastal defense gun and had an observation post built above it. An irregular L-shaped pillbox 1000 feet southwest of Ga'an Point. It housed a 75mm gun and had two embrasures, one facing Bangi Point to the south and one facing Ga'an Point to the north. This gave it a field of fire across most of Hågat Beach. The walls are made of reinforced concrete and are twenty inches thick. It is likely the only remaining Japanese fortification between Ga'an Point and Bangi Point. Approximately 18,000 CHamoru were displaced during the last weeks of the Imperial Japanese occupation and the Battle of Guam. Even before the island was officially secure, the military Civil Affairs team established a refugee camp at Ga'an Point to house residents who had lived in the villages of Sumai, Apra and Hågat. Small, wooden A-frame houses were built in rows along the beach, as well as a school, church, dispensary, government offices, and three laundries. For sanitation, the Seabees built a line of latrines with concrete foundations and frame superstructures in water, connected to the camp by a walkway. In September 1946, the camp was destroyed by a typhoon. Today, all that remains of the Ga'an Point refugee camp is the 6 foot by 12.5 foot concrete foundation of one of those latrines fifteen feet offshore. 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park Historical Remains at Apaca PointUnlike Ga'an Point to the south, Apaca Point was mostly avoided during the American invasion on July 21 because of how heavily fortified it was. As a result, the pillboxes built into the natural ridge are well preserved and are a fine example of how Imperial Japanese fortifications were concealed throughout the Pacific Islands. A reinforced concrete pillbox built into the rock outcropping on the southeast side of Apaca Point near water level. The concrete is one to eight inches thick and meets the limestone cave walls. The exterior is concrete poured with rubble rock facing for camouflage. The bunker most likely held a 400mm gun with the field of fire over the inner reef flats and a rifle range over the beach. The main embrasure is 10 inches by 18 inches and the side embrasure measures 4 inches by 17 inches. The pillbox has an ingenious grenade-proof air vent that would reroute any grenade dropped into it to the ground outside. Imperial Japanese defenders accessed the bunker via 2.5-foot-wide entrance leading to a tunnel on the landward side of the limestone outcrop. A reinforced concrete pillbox built into a rock crevice of Apaca Point at the water's edge. The Japanese took advantage of natural crevices in the limestone and closed them up with a concrete wall. The bunker is accessible via another crevice at the rear. It has two firing ports facing the beach and most likely held a 40 to 75mm gun. The bunker is inaccessible at high tide. This is either a man-made cave or a natural cave that was enlarged to accommodate two to three men. It is 8 feet deep and 6 feet wide, with an approximately 4-foot-wide opening. It may have been used as a gun emplacement due to its strategic position along the beach. Before the battle, the Japanese build a reinforced-concrete bunker on a rock outcropping in between Rizal Beach and Apaca Point, but it was almost completely destroyed during the bombardment leading up to the invasion. The concrete sections lie in numerous pieces on the beach and against the cliff side. The roof, which is leaning against the rock cliff, is the only part still intact. The underside of the roof shows the imprint of palm logs used when the concrete was poured. 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park MemorialsGa'an Point MemorialThe Ga'an Point Memorial was created in June 1980 at the behest of visiting Japanese officials. The flags of the United States, Japan, and Guam fly in memory of everyone who died during the conflict on Guam. On Guam, 1,880 American soldiers died during the fighting, while approximately 17,500 Japanese soldiers were either killed in action, died of their wounds, or committed suicide rather than surrender. 1,170 CHamoru were killed during the Imperial Japanese occupation and the battle of Guam, while another 14,721 suffered atrocities during the war. Regardless of nationality or political ideology, all who fought on Guam fought bravely. Some fought for deeply held personal beliefs. Most fought because their country asked them to. All sacrificed greatly, and in many cases, they sacrificed their own lives. 
War in the Pacific National Historical Park HoursThe Agat Beach Unit is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ParkingAt Ga'an Point, there is a small, paved parking area off of Route 2 when you first enter the unit. At Apaca Point, there is an unpaved parking lot plus four paved handicap parking spots next to the entrance. DirectionsGa'an Point: From airport, take Rte 10A to Marine Drive (Rte 1). Turn left and drive approximately 13 miles. The road will end at the front gates of the Navy base. Turn left onto Rte 2, then drive approximately 3.5 miles. The Agat Unit– Ga'an Point is located on the ocean side, right after the post office. Apaca Point: From the airport, take Rte 10A to Marine Drive (Rte 1). Turn left and drive approximately 13 miles. The road will end at the front gates of the Navy base. Turn left on Rte 2 and drive approximately 2 miles until you get to a Y in the road. Take the right fork, then drive to the stop sign. The Agat Unit – Apace Point is on the ocean side of the road. Agat Beach Unit MapLearn More About the Agat Beach Unit
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Last updated: March 20, 2025