Right and Left Side
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Right and Left Side is an exposed reef break in the Hagatna (Agana) Boat Basin area that produces both left- and right-hand waves over sharp coral reef. It’s described as low-profile and available only when conditions align, so planning around tide height and swell direction is essential. The break is highly tide-dependent, with high tide repeatedly identified as the best time to get safe clearance over the shallow reef peaks. While swell direction determines whether the wave works well, the spot is generally best when a North swell is present, and sessions are commonly timed for when offshore conditions can be achieved. Wind is tied to the regional Northeast trade wind pattern. East to Northeast winds are most favorable for cleaner conditions, while West winds can blow the break out. October is specifically cited as a productive month for this spot’s setup, but the overall pattern is still inconsistent—monthly reliability includes low clean/low-blown percentages and the spot “works once in a while.” Safety is the main constraint: the reef, rocks, and sea urchins make this an expert-only location, and strong currents near the boat channel can develop, especially on larger swells. Avoid the active boat channel and wait for fishing and sail boats to pass before paddling out; exit waves cleanly to reduce scraping risk on the coral.
- Left and right waves over a sharp reef
- High tide needed for reliable/safer access to the reef peaks
- October highlighted as a productive month
- Produces both left- and right-hand waves
- Can deliver rewarding rides when a solid North swell hits at high tide
- Exposed reef break with potentially powerful/hollow sections under the right conditions
- Fickle and only works occasionally
- Hazardous sharp coral reef, shallow water, and rocks
- Boat-traffic proximity (fishing and sail boats) requires careful timing
- Highly dependent on swell direction and high tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, ENE
- No-go directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast trade winds (offshore when blowing from the east for this reef break).
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light gusts.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef break; also described as mixed.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium in another provider’s notes.
- Launch
- Small — Short paddle across the harbor channel from the jetty; paddle out from the nearby boat basin channel area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty with a short paddle across the harbor channel.
Through the year
Generally quiet due to its inconsistent nature, but can see local crowds when it’s on.
July to November is the peak typhoon and rainy season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed, fickle reef break producing both right- and left-hand waves over sharp coral reef. It only works occasionally and is highly dependent on swell direction and high tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is required for safer clearance and for the reef peaks to work.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed reef setting with little protection from prevailing weather/wind.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the East provide the cleanest conditions; West winds will blow the spot out.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and more difficult to manage with stronger currents during large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Fickle; quality depends on matching swell direction and tide height.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as moderate in another provider’s notes.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Also described as peeling in another provider’s notes.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Described as fast (and also medium in another provider’s notes).
- Ride Length
- Medium — Also described as 50–100 meters when a solid North swell hits.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- A decent ride length is possible (around 50–100 meters) when a solid North swell hits and conditions line up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Right and Left Side in the full forecast view.
Right and Left Side wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- ENE67°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Right and Left Side is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–1.6 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharp coral reef
- shallow reef
- sea urchins
- fishing boats
- sail boats
- strong rip currents near the boat channel
- fickle conditions
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Search and Rescue units (Guam Fire Department) and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital services are in Hagåtña and Tamuning.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism; watch out for locals.
Rules of the spot
Exit waves cleanly to reduce the chance of scraping on the reef; avoid getting scraped on coral reef; respect local surfers and stay clear of the active boat channel when paddling.
- Experienced surfers only
- Wait for fishing and sail boats to pass before paddling out.
- Time sessions for high tide and wait for the right swell direction.
- Boots are highly recommended due to sharp reef and sea urchins.
- Watch out for locals.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hagatna (Agana)
- Nearest Town
- Hagatna
- Parking
- Parking lot on the right side of the harbor, visible from the main highway.
- Access
- Park in the lot on the right side of the harbor; harbor is visible from the main highway. Walk out on the jetty, step off, then paddle across the channel (short paddle). Wait for fishing and sail boats to pass before paddling.
- Local Language
- English, Chamorro
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and rentals are available across Hagåtña and Tamuning.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes are located in nearby Hagåtña.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf board rentals may be available via local operators in Hagåtña and the nearby Tumon area.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is mostly limited; most riders transport gear daily.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be available at local surf shops in the capital.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Hagåtña blends Pacific island heritage with modern American amenities, and the area is a core part of the island’s outdoor lifestyle.
Peninsula park featuring a miniature Statue of Liberty and the Chamorro Village.
Cultural hub with local food, crafts, and a popular Wednesday night market.
World-class diving on WWII shipwrecks and vibrant coral reefs just outside the bay.
Local restaurant known for burgers and local fusion cuisine in Hagatna.
Walk-through tunnel aquarium in nearby Tumon.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Right and Left Side?
The best overall months at Right and Left Side are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Right and Left Side?
Right and Left Side works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, ENE. No-go directions are W.
What skill level is Right and Left Side suitable for?
Right and Left Side suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.