Umatac
A southern Guam village on the bay where Magellan is held to have landed in 1521.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Umatac sits on a bay on Guam's southwestern coast, a small village with a church, a plaza and a bridge over the river, and it is where Magellan's expedition is traditionally held to have made landfall in March 1521 after crossing the Pacific. A monument on the shore marks it. The Manila galleons later used the bay as a watering stop for two and a half centuries.
What you actually see
- The bay - the anchorage the galleons used for two and a half centuries.
- The landing monument - the marker on the shore for the 1521 arrival.
- The village church - San Dionisio at the centre of the settlement.
- The southern coast - the green hills running down to the water.
When to go
December to June is the drier season. The Discovery Day observance falls in March. Typhoon season runs July to November.
Honest expectations
The exact landing point is disputed and other Guam villages claim it. The village is very small and quiet with few facilities. The bay is not good for swimming.
Nearby
Fort Soledad is above, and Merizo is southeast.
What to pack for Umatac
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.