Talofofo Bay
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Chop, Mixed
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Talofofo Bay is an exposed rivermouth spot on Guam that mainly delivers when the swell and wind line up—so sessions can be inconsistent. For surfing, it’s known for fast, powerful waves that can be hollow and provide both right and left options, with ride lengths commonly described in the 50–150 m range and longer runs on good days. The bay’s bottom is primarily sandy but changes near the river mouth with rocks/reef—so conditions can combine surf energy with real entry-and-exit hazards. Currents and rip currents are a consistent warning, and a rock jetty near launch is highlighted as a particular risk area. Because the spot is a rivermouth, water quality can also shift: it may look cloudy after rainfall and can be polluted after heavy rain/runoff. For wind sports, East trades are the key ingredient. Kitesurfing is described as challenging and best treated as an advanced/expert play: while the deep water can support riding at low tide, strong currents and the reef/rock features near launch mean you should be prepared before attempting. One dataset also notes the bay can create wind shadows depending on the wind’s north/south component. Local guidance emphasizes avoiding the water for 24–48 hours after heavy rain due to runoff/bacteria concerns, using booties for reef/rock protection, and watching for seasonal Portuguese Man-o-War blooms. Lifeguards are not present, and rescue is described as limited, so safety planning and conservative judgment are important.
- Exposed rivermouth surf with hollow/fast/powerful character when it works
- East trade winds support kitesurf wave riding during the wind season
- Strong currents and rip currents; reef/rocks require careful entry
- Warm tropical water year-round (shorts/rashguard typically enough)
- Warm water year-round (around 26–29°C)
- When it works, the surf is known for hollow/fast/powerful waves and long rides
- Kitesurfing can be viable in East winds during the trade-wind season, with deep-water riding opportunities
- Typically few surfers on weekdays and weekends
- Strong currents and rip currents can make water entry hazardous, especially near the river mouth
- Rock/reef bottom and a rock jetty near the launch increase risk
- Water quality can become cloudy or polluted after heavy rain/runoff
- Rivermouth surf can be inconsistent (works only sometimes)
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind pattern with East to Southeast winds affecting the bay.
- Reliability
- pretty much year round; best September–May / high during trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady (not notably gusty).
- Best Months
- September, March, May, January, February, April, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Bay cliffs can create wind shadows if the wind has too much North or South component.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom with rock areas; also described as rocks/rocky shoreline near launch.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is expected from East trade winds; kitesurf conditions described as onshore/side-onshore chop.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow launch area near the river mouth/bridge.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to tight access and hazardous nearshore features.
Through the year
Unlikely to be too crowded; generally quiet on weekdays (busier on weekends and during good swell events).
July to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Good wave-riding conditions for wave riding when swell supports the break and East wind is present. Deep water can allow low-tide riding, but strong currents and a rock jetty near launch require experience; booties are recommended due to reef/rocks.
Exposed rivermouth break that works only sometimes. When it does, waves are hollow/fast/powerful with left and right options; it can become difficult to paddle as swell increases.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E, SSE, ESE, S
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Listed as working at all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Semi-sheltered in one dataset; otherwise described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Best with west-northwest wind; East trades can turn it choppy. One source notes offshore in Northwest to West winds.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to 4 m+ / around 12 ft, but becomes very difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic; also characterized as fun/power.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Also described as moderate by one dataset.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Also described as peeling by one dataset.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Also described as medium-peel in one dataset.
- Ride Length
- Long — Normal rides are described around 50–150 m; good days can extend further.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal ~50–150 m; good days ~150–300 m depending on swell and sandbar configuration. One dataset mentions typical 100 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Talofofo Bay in the full forecast view.
Talofofo Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- ENE75°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2612 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.3–2.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Talofofo Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 1.3–2.2 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
- currents
- rip currents
- reefs
- corals
- rocks
- rock jetty
- pollution
- Portuguese Man-o-War
- underwater debris
- debris from river runoff
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at the beach park.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is managed via the Guam Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam; no on-site dedicated water rescue service is described.
- Emergency Info
- No dedicated rescue at the bay; nearest medical facilities are in Hagåtña or Tamuning / Guam International Airport area is referenced as ~17 km away by one source.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism is mild but present.
Rules of the spot
General water safety rules apply; stay clear of the bridge and river mouth during heavy flooding.
- Do not attempt entry if conditions create unsafe rip/currents for your skill level.
- Avoid areas near the bridge and river mouth during heavy flooding.
- Be wary of rip currents for surfing.
- Avoid the water for 24-48 hours after heavy rain due to high bacteria levels and runoff.
- Shoes/booties are recommended due to reef/rocks.
- Experienced riders only due to the rock jetty and strong currents.
- Watch for Portuguese Man-o-War during seasonal blooms.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hagåtña
- Nearest Town
- Talofofo
- Nearest Airport
- Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM)
- Parking
- Parking is available on the left side of the road after the bridge; additional parking may be found near local businesses in Talofofo.
- Public Transport
- extremely limited; a rental car is essential for this rural part of the island.
- Access
- Follow Route 4 south to Talofofo Bay. Park on the left after crossing the bridge. A side road near the bridge can also provide access; the bay is visible from the road after crossing the bridge.
- Local Language
- English, Chamorro
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Limited options nearby; many visitors stay in Tumon or Tamuning.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby food options and occasional small local shops/food trucks; also noted as nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly at the bay are described; equipment can be rented from shops in Tumon/Hagåtña.
- Gear Storage
- No public gear storage facilities are available in the region.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repair is available through surf shops in Hagåtña.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Talofofo Bay?
The best overall months at Talofofo Bay are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are September, March, May, January, February, April, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Talofofo Bay?
Talofofo Bay works with E winds.
What skill level is Talofofo Bay suitable for?
Talofofo Bay suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced to Expert · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.