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Guam🇬🇺 | national parksCocos Island Marine PreserveMerizo boat crossing, shallow lagoon, barrier reef, short beach walk | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Cocos Island Marine Preserve
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 13, 2026

The call you will make is whether to treat Cocos Island as a half-day beach stop or to give it a full morning, and the ferry timetable tips it. Cocos Island Marine Preserve lies off Merizo, in the south of Guam, a short boat hop across the lagoon. Don’t turn up at the pier at noon assuming a boat is waiting. Check the crossing times before you drive down, bring your own water and snacks, and pack reef-safe sunscreen because the preserve protects the coral. The upside is calm shallows, clear water and almost no crowds. The downside is a small island with a short beach walk, so there is no real hiking and little shade at midday. Go early, snorkel while the lagoon is glassy, then wander the sand and finish in Merizo.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 national park in GuamThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers pick this spot because it is easy to do on your own. You drive or catch a ride to Merizo Pier, take the short boat crossing, and the whole lagoon is yours to swim without a guide or a package. Snorkeling gear can be your own, which keeps the day cheap, and the shallow water inside the barrier reef suits first-timers who want to test their confidence before heading to rougher outer reefs. The Cocos Lagoon protection means fish are more relaxed around swimmers than at busier beaches in the north, so a single mask and an hour in the water gives you more than a tour boat would. The island is also a good counterweight to Guam’s hotel strip. Pair it with the villages and history of southern Guam and you get a slow, self-directed day that needs no booking and little planning beyond tides and boat times.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Cocos Lagoon: The big draw, a wide protected lagoon behind a barrier reef. Water inside is shallow and clear, good for snorkeling over coral heads and schools of small reef fish.
  2. Cocos Island beach: A small island with pale sand and palms on the lagoon side. It is quiet, and you can walk its edge in a short time.
  3. Barrier reef edge: The outer reef breaks the open ocean swell and shelters the lagoon. Experienced swimmers and divers with a guide see more life here, but currents need respect.
  4. Merizo Pier: The departure point for the island, with views across the channel to the lagoon. It is also a handy place to check the water conditions before you commit.
  5. Merizo Bell Tower: A Spanish-era bell tower in Merizo village, an easy stop before or after the boat crossing for a look at old Guam.
  6. Merizo Martyrs
… read more 👉
  1. Cocos Lagoon: The big draw, a wide protected lagoon behind a barrier reef. Water inside is shallow and clear, good for snorkeling over coral heads and schools of small reef fish.
  2. Cocos Island beach: A small island with pale sand and palms on the lagoon side. It is quiet, and you can walk its edge in a short time.
  3. Barrier reef edge: The outer reef breaks the open ocean swell and shelters the lagoon. Experienced swimmers and divers with a guide see more life here, but currents need respect.
  4. Merizo Pier: The departure point for the island, with views across the channel to the lagoon. It is also a handy place to check the water conditions before you commit.
  5. Merizo Bell Tower: A Spanish-era bell tower in Merizo village, an easy stop before or after the boat crossing for a look at old Guam.
  6. Merizo Martyrs Memorial: A monument in Merizo recalling villagers killed during the wartime occupation. It adds weight to the day and is worth a few quiet minutes.
For a first visit, start with Cocos Lagoon, because a morning of snorkeling there explains why the preserve exists.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Cocos Island Marine Preserve

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🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Cocos Island Marine Preserve

  • Dry Season (January to May): Calmest seas of the year, with water visibility often 20 to 30 m (65 to 100 ft) and daytime highs of 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F). Trade winds keep the Pacific side of the island breezy. Sunrise is around 6:30 and sunset near 18:30.
  • Wet Season (July to November): Humid, 26 to 32°C (79 to 90°F), with heavy afternoon downpours and the highest typhoon risk. Boat trips to the Achang Reef Flat area and Cocos Lagoon are canceled when seas build. Hotel rates dip.
  • Holiday Peaks (late December, Golden Week, Obon): Japanese and Korean visitors fill Tumon, so boat and dive slots sell out and rooms cost more.
  • Shoulder Months (June, December): Moderate seas, fewer divers, and easier booking.
Book lagoon trips for a morning, when the wind is usually lightest.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Nobody can stay on Cocos Island itself, so your base is on the mainland of Guam, a short drive and boat ride away. The island sits off the southern tip, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) from Merizo Pier, where the boat leaves.
Merizo is the closest base. Lodging there is limited to a few small guesthouses and vacation rentals, quiet at night, with a store or two and local plate-lunch spots near the pier. Having a place here means an easy morning departure.
Tumon Bay, about 45 minutes north by road, is where most backpackers sleep. It has the island’s only real hostel-style options, plus budget hotels at roughly … read more 👉
Nobody can stay on Cocos Island itself, so your base is on the mainland of Guam, a short drive and boat ride away. The island sits off the southern tip, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) from Merizo Pier, where the boat leaves.
Merizo is the closest base. Lodging there is limited to a few small guesthouses and vacation rentals, quiet at night, with a store or two and local plate-lunch spots near the pier. Having a place here means an easy morning departure.
Tumon Bay, about 45 minutes north by road, is where most backpackers sleep. It has the island’s only real hostel-style options, plus budget hotels at roughly US$70 to 130 a night, a wide choice of restaurants, and the main dive shops. Many operators run pickups from Tumon to Merizo.
Hagåtña and Tamuning sit in between and offer cheaper motels and apartment rentals, often US$60 to 100, with good access to buses and rental cars.
Camping is not permitted on Cocos Island. For the cheapest stay, rent a private room or share an apartment for a few nights near Tamuning and drive south for the day.
Best hostels in Guam


Best quality hotels in Guam

👛 Costs (as of 13 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Cocos Island Marine Preserve

A day at Cocos Island Marine Preserve costs roughly US$110 to 240 including the boat, gear, and food, assuming you stay on the mainland of Guam.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and BoatUS$40 to 80Ferry from Merizo Pier is the main cost. Packages with lunch and gear run higher.
Accommodation (high season)US$40 to 70Private rooms and budget hotels in Tamuning or Tumon. Dorm beds are scarce.
Local TransportUS$15 to 40Rental cars cost US$40 to 60 a day, shared among riders. Buses are limited, with fewer routes south.
Food and SuppliesUS$10 to 25Plate lunches in Merizo are US$8 to 12. Bring water and snacks from a supermarket.
Gear and ActivitiesUS$5 to 25Snorkel gear rental is often included, and extras like kayaks or a guided tour add cost.
Total Daily BudgetUS$110 to 240Splitting a car and
… read more 👉
A day at Cocos Island Marine Preserve costs roughly US$110 to 240 including the boat, gear, and food, assuming you stay on the mainland of Guam.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance and BoatUS$40 to 80Ferry from Merizo Pier is the main cost. Packages with lunch and gear run higher.
Accommodation (high season)US$40 to 70Private rooms and budget hotels in Tamuning or Tumon. Dorm beds are scarce.
Local TransportUS$15 to 40Rental cars cost US$40 to 60 a day, shared among riders. Buses are limited, with fewer routes south.
Food and SuppliesUS$10 to 25Plate lunches in Merizo are US$8 to 12. Bring water and snacks from a supermarket.
Gear and ActivitiesUS$5 to 25Snorkel gear rental is often included, and extras like kayaks or a guided tour add cost.
Total Daily BudgetUS$110 to 240Splitting a car and a room is the best way to stay at the lower end.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsExploring Cocos Island Marine Preserve: trails, terrain, and views

There are no named, marked trails on Cocos Island. The walking is a loop of the shoreline and a few sandy paths through the palms, and the lagoon is the real route. Plan around two to four hours on the island, mostly in the water.
  • Beach loop: Start where the boat lands and follow the sand around the island. It is flat, takes under an hour at an easy pace, and suits any fitness level. Wear sandals you can wet.
  • Lagoon snorkel: Swim from the beach over sand and coral patches in shallow water. Difficulty is low, but tides and wind change visibility, so go in the morning.
  • Outer reef: Beyond the lagoon
… read more 👉
There are no named, marked trails on Cocos Island. The walking is a loop of the shoreline and a few sandy paths through the palms, and the lagoon is the real route. Plan around two to four hours on the island, mostly in the water.
  • Beach loop: Start where the boat lands and follow the sand around the island. It is flat, takes under an hour at an easy pace, and suits any fitness level. Wear sandals you can wet.
  • Lagoon snorkel: Swim from the beach over sand and coral patches in shallow water. Difficulty is low, but tides and wind change visibility, so go in the morning.
  • Outer reef: Beyond the lagoon the reef drops to deeper water with stronger currents. Go only with an operator or experienced partner.
  • Wildlife: Expect reef fish, sea cucumbers and sometimes turtles. Birds work the island edge, and the protected status means fishing is restricted.
  • Merizo village walk: Back on the mainland, a flat stroll links the pier, the bell tower and the memorial in about an hour.
Getting here by public transport is hard. Guam’s bus network barely reaches the south, so most travelers rent a car or share a ride to Merizo, which lies along the southern coast road. The ferry crossing is short, and times can shift with demand and weather, so confirm them locally. Crowds stay light on weekdays and rise on weekends and holidays when local families come. Check current entry or ferry fees at the pier, since arrangements change. Bring water, a hat and a reef-safe rash guard, because shade is thin.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Cocos Island is a low-risk day trip, but the water and sun need respect. Currents can run strong in the channel between the island and the reef edge, so stay inside the lagoon unless you are with a guide, and snorkel with a buddy. Seas get rough in the wet season and when typhoons approach, which is when boats stop running.
Sun is the most common problem. There is little shade on the sandy island, so wear a long-sleeve rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen, and carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Footing on coral rubble is sharp, so wear reef shoes.
Sea life is generally harmless. Look but do not touch coral, sea urchins, or stonefish in the shallows. Reef-sharks are shy and rarely bother swimmers. Shuttle boats are well run, so confirm your return time and keep an eye on the clock.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Cocos Island Marine Preserve

One day is enough for Cocos Island itself, with the boat trip taking about 15 minutes each way from Merizo Pier. Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours on the island. Add a second day for the southern villages such as Merizo and Umatac, or for diving the outer reef.
Without a car you can still reach it, but with effort. Buses run to the southern part of Guam only on limited routes, so a taxi, rideshare, or a tour pickup from Tumon (about 45 minutes) is more practical. Boats leave from Merizo Pier, and many operators arrange transfers.
No national park permit is needed, but the boat ride is the main cost, usually US$40 to 80 per person, and it covers the island landing. Bring cash or a card and reserve in advance during busy weeks. Some operators charge a separate fee for gear or lunch.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Guamanian national parks near Cocos Island Marine Preserve

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Give it one morning and no more. The lagoon is lovely, but the island is small, so after about three hours you have done it. Take the early boat, snorkel first while the water is still, then spend the afternoon in Merizo village. I would skip it on a windy day, because visibility drops and the fun goes with it.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Guam. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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