How Far Is Guam From Hawaii? A Detailed Look At The Distance And Travel Time

If you’ve ever wondered exactly how far away the tropical paradise of Guam is from the Hawaiian Islands, you’re not alone. Many people are curious about the distance between these two iconic Pacific destinations known for their beautiful beaches, cultural attractions, and idyllic island landscapes.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Guam is approximately 3,930 miles (6,325 km) from Hawaii. It would take about 8-10 hours to fly directly between Guam and Hawaii or around 6 days if traveling by cargo ship.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the exact distance between Guam and Hawaii both by air and sea. We’ll look at flight times on major airlines as well as routes and durations for cargo freighters and cruise ships.

We’ll also compare the climates, landscapes, cultures, and tourist attractions of these two island paradises in the Pacific Ocean.

Flight Distance and Travel Times Between Guam and Hawaii

Direct Flight Distance and Duration

The flying distance from Guam’s Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) to Hawaii’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu is approximately 3,300 miles (5,300 km). Given typical commercial jet speeds, a nonstop flight between the two airports takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes.

For example, United Airlines offers a daily direct flight from Guam to Honolulu that covers the 3,298 mile route in 5 hours and 25 minutes on average.(source) Other major carriers like Japan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines also operate regular direct flights that take right around 5 and a half hours gate-to-gate.

Multi-Stop Flight Options and Duration

If traveling indirectly from Guam to Hawaii with a stopover, there are a few potential routes that add an extra 1-4 hours to the total travel time:

• Stop in Manila or Taipei: Flights with a short layover in Manila, Philippines or Taipei, Taiwan add about 1-2 hours to the itinerary.
• Stop in Japan: Stopping in Tokyo or Osaka, Japan adds approximately 3 more hours of travel time each way.
• Stop on U.S. West Coast: Some itineraries route through major hubs like Los Angeles, adding up to 4 extra hours due to the longer distance covered.

The actual duration can vary depending on long the layovers are. But in most cases, indirect flights from Guam to Hawaii take around 7-10 hours gate-to-gate as opposed to the 5.5 hours for direct routes.

As the table shows, direct flights are the fastest way to fly between Guam and Hawaii by a significant margin. But for some itineraries, the slightly longer travel time of indirect routes may be worth it to take advantage of reduced fares or mileage rewards.

No matter what route you take, be sure to check multiple flight search sites, airline deals pages, and pack entertainment to make the 5+ hour journeys enjoyable!

Sea Route Distances and durations from Guam to Hawaii

Travel Distance by Cargo Freighter

Cargo freighters taking goods between Guam and Hawaii typically travel about 3,700 nautical miles on the direct sea route over the Pacific Ocean. This journey takes around 12-14 days depending on the speed and stops of the freighter ship.

Some sample routes and durations for freight ships making the interisland trip include:

• Apra Harbor, Guam to Honolulu Harbor, Oahu: 3,661 nmi, 12 days
• Apra Harbor to Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai: 3,747 nmi, 13 days
• Apra Harbor to Kawaihae Harbor, Hawaii Island: 3,517 nmi, 12 days

Freight distances can vary slightly depending on exact departure and arrival ports. But most sea freight between the Marianas and Hawaii takes right around two weeks give or take a day or two.

Routes and Duration on a Cruise Ship

Cruise ships sailing between Guam and Hawaii make the trip in around 20-21 days based on popular routes. This allows plenty of time for passengers to enjoy island stops along the way.

Cruises allow travelers to soak up the culture of Micronesia before experiencing the beauty of Hawaii. Ports of call may include snorkeling in Palau, WWII history in Guam, and beachcombing in the Marshall Islands.

Expect island-hopping adventures and Pacific exploration crossing between paradise destinations.

While cargo vessels focus on efficient direct routes, cruiselines take more time winding through exotic locales en route. This makes for very different Guam to Hawaii experiences depending on whether shipping freight or voyaging leisurely on a passenger liner.

Key Differences and Similarities Between Guam and Hawaii

Landscapes and Geography

Both Guam and Hawaii are tropical islands located in the Pacific Ocean. However, there are some key differences in their landscapes and geography:

• Guam is a smaller island at only 212 square miles, while Hawaii consists of multiple islands spanning over 10,400 square miles.
• Guam has more hilly terrain with narrow coastal plains, while Hawaii has wider coastal plains and active volcanoes like Mauna Loa and Kilauea on the Big Island.
• Guam is closer to the equator at 13°N latitude, giving it a slightly hotter and more humid tropical climate compared to Hawaii’s 18°-22°N latitude.

Climate and Weather Patterns

The tropical location of both Guam and Hawaii means generally warm and sunny weather year-round. However, there are some notable climate differences:

• Guam experiences high temperatures averaging in the 80s Fahrenheit all year, while Hawaii sees greater fluctuation from winter lows in the 70sF to summer highs in the 80sF.
• Trade winds moderate temperatures in Hawaii, while Guam’s average wind speeds are 50% lower at 5-10 mph.
• Both locations have wet and dry seasons, but Guam sees slightly more annual rainfall averaging 80-100 inches compared to Hawaii’s 25-70 inches.

Cultures and People

Guam and Hawaii share some cultural similarities due to their history and ethnic diversity, but also have unique aspects:

• Native Chamorro and Hawaiian cultures have experienced outside influences from Spanish, American, Japanese, Filipino, and other settlers over time.
• Over 30% of Guam’s population is Chamorro indigenous people, while native Hawaiians comprise less than 10% in Hawaii.
• Guam has seen more Asian influence with Filipinos making up over 25% of the population and significant numbers of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese residents.
• The military has strong presences on both islands, but military personnel and dependents make up a much larger percentage on Guam at around 33% of the population.

Tourist Attractions

Beautiful beaches, ocean activities, hiking, culture, and sights attract visitors to Guam and Hawaii. Some key attractions include:

• Guam: Tumon Bay’s resorts and beaches, War in the Pacific National Historical Park, Chamorro Village Wednesday night market.
• Hawaii: Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waikiki Beach and resorts in Honolulu, Road to Hana drive on Maui.

While Hawaii certainly offers more sheer area and diversity of attractions across multiple islands, Guam packs plenty to see and do for its size including world-class diving and snorkeling sites.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a vacation to soak up the sun on tropical shores, experience unique Pacific Islander cultures, indulge in island cuisine, or simply admire breathtaking vistas, both Guam and Hawaii offer amazing destinations.

While they may be separated by close to 4,000 miles of open ocean, these two island groups share much in common as well.

Hopefully this guide gave you a better sense of exactly how far Guam and Hawaii are from one another and what routes you can take to travel between them. Safe and happy journeys wherever your tropical island adventures may take you!

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