Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Santa Maria Anguar is an exposed right-hand point break on Angaur (Ngeremasch) with surf that’s described as fairly consistent and capable of producing powerful, peeling waves over a sharp coral/reef base. Conditions are most favorable in December, with northwest swell described as ideal for the break. Offshore wind is described from the east (and winds described as trade-influenced), which helps keep faces cleaner for riding. Typical reported wind strength for the area is around 10–20 knots, with moderate wind reliability. The spot is not for casual surfers: the reef is very sharp, there are rocks and submerged reef hazards, and rips/undertow or strong currents are reported near the point. Sharks are specifically called out in the hazard notes, and the area is described as extremely isolated. Local guidance/permission may be needed for access, so plan carefully. Because there is no formal on-site rescue and medical care is extremely limited on the island, safety planning is essential. Bring reef protection/boots for the sharp entry, secure a reliable return plan, and treat December as the peak time window for the most consistent conditions.
- Exposed, fairly consistent right point break
- Best month: December
- Ideal swell direction: northwest (reported)
- Offshore winds from the east for cleaner faces (reported)
- Uncrowded/rarely visited due to remote access
- Exposed right-hand point break with fairly consistent surf during the winter swell window
- Longer ride potential when the swell angle is correct
- Generally very low crowd levels due to difficult access
- Warm, tropical water with exceptional visibility
- Serious hazards: sharp reef/coral, rocks, sharks, and rips/undertow/strong currents
- Exposed, remote access with extreme isolation
- Requires advanced/expert skill level and careful planning for entry and return transport
- On-site rescue and medical facilities are not available; major care requires transport
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind dominated winds; offshore effect for surfing when winds are from the east.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- December
- Thermal Window
- All day · Dir: N, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW · Regional winds are primarily driven by trade-wind patterns and are described as consistent throughout the day and night during the peak winter season.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Also described as rocks; reef/coral base over sharp sections.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as powerful overall for expert-level conditions.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline entry or boat drop-off (remote access).
Through the year
Always low due to the extreme difficulty of access
June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
An exposed right-hand point break over a sharp reef base/coral reef. Surf is often described as fairly consistent, with powerful sections and serious hazards due to sharp reef and strong currents.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed location with no strong wind/swell shielding described at the break.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the east/southwest provide the cleanest faces; winds from the east are described as offshore for the break.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes heavy and challenging due to current.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality is described as good when winds are offshore and swell angle is correct.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as moderate in some reports; overall conditions are generally described as strong/serious for experienced surfers.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often described as fairly consistent and peeling/peeling sections when swell angle is correct.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can offer long peeling sections; typical ride length reported as 100–200 meters.
- Typical Ride Length
- 100–200 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce longer, peeling sections when the swell angle lines up.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) in the full forecast view.
Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 10 kts
- Direction
- SW229°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 288 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–1.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 28–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 10 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–1.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
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
- Sharks
- Rips/undertow
- Sharp coral reef
- Sharp reef entry areas
- Strong tidal currents/potential rip currents near the point
- Extreme isolation (remote access)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is described as no on-site rescue; regional emergency assistance depends on transport and local/maritime response.
- Emergency Info
- No formal on-site rescue. Emergency assistance relies on the local community and maritime law enforcement; major medical care requires transport to Koror for hospital access. Emergency number: 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Respect the local community; access may require local guidance/permission.
Rules of the spot
Only for experienced surfers due to the combination of sharp reef hazards, strong currents/rips/undertow, and sharks. Be especially cautious around rocks and coral reef entry/exit.
- Remote access only
- Access may require permission or local guidance
- Best month is December for more consistent conditions.
- Boots/reef protection are highly recommended for the sharp reef entry.
- Ensure you have a reliable way to return because transport can be infrequent.
- Crowds are generally unknown/typically low, but hazards make the spot suitable only for experienced surfers.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ngeremasch
- Nearest Town
- Koror
- Nearest Airport
- Angaur Airstrip and/or Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) ~65 km away
- Parking
- Limited informal parking near the village track
- Public Transport
- Limited; accessible via a weekly government ferry from Koror or small charter flights
- Access
- Shore access to an exposed point break; also described as remote access via boat from Koror or via Angaur airstrip with local transport to the point.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English, Palauan
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Very limited local guesthouses in Ngeremasch; many visitors base in Koror and travel by boat/flight.
- Food & Drink
- Small local shops in the village; visitors should bring their own supplies.
- Equipment Rental:
- No commercial equipment rental available; visitors must bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated gear storage facilities exist on the island.
- Gear Repair
- No professional gear repair services available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Angaur is a remote island with strong WWII history and nature-focused activities; it’s known for secluded access and exceptional ocean visibility.
A historic lighthouse offering panoramic views of the island and surrounding ocean.
Remnants of the island's industrial mining history, now reclaimed by jungle.
A central community church reflecting the island's colonial and religious history.
Various bunkers, shrines, and memorials from the 1944 Battle of Angaur.
One of Palau’s places with consistent surf breaks.
Meals provided by local guesthouses serving traditional Palauan seafood.
Quiet jungle walks to spot local birdlife and monkeys.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur)?
The best overall months at Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) are December, January, February, March, November. The best wind months are December.
Which wind directions work at Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur)?
Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) works with W, SW winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE.
What skill level is Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) suitable for?
Santa Maria Anguar (Angaur) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.