Talofofo (Talofofo Bay)

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Shortboard, Beginners
Best for
Beginner
Skill Level
Flat, Small waves
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) is an exposed river-mouth surf break in Guam that does not work very often, so conditions can be hit-or-miss. When it does line up, it’s commonly associated with mellow, beginner-friendly surf thanks to the sandy bottom and the way the waves tend to break in both directions. Wind-wise, the area sits under trade-wind influence. East trade winds are typically onshore, while West and Southwest winds are the more favorable (offshore) setup. Wind strength is often in the 10–20 range, with medium overall reliability, and cliffs around the bay can create localized wind shadows near shore. Safety is a key consideration at the river mouth. Strong currents and rip currents can pull out to sea near the middle of the bay, and after heavy rain the water can become murkier and more debris-filled with higher bacterial counts. Local guidance emphasizes avoiding immediate post-rain sessions and staying toward the center of the bay to reduce exposure to rocks near the headlands. Seasonally, surfing is best when waves are more likely to form and the wind window aligns. Sources point to late summer through winter as the most promising period (with August frequently cited as a best month), and warm water temperatures remain roughly in the high-20s °C year-round. There are amenities like parking and basic beach facilities, but no on-site lifeguards and rescue is managed through the island’s emergency services.

  • Rare sandy-bottom learning surf when it fires
  • Best offshore wind is typically West/Southwest
  • Warm water year-round
  • Unreliable working waves—plan around conditions
Great for
Surfing shortboardBeginnersAdvanced riders
What's great
  • Rare sandy bottom makes it comparatively forgiving for learners when conditions are right.
  • Warm water year-round.
  • Generally unlikely to be too crowded even when the surf is up.
Heads up
  • Break rarely produces workable waves (often unreliable).
  • Strong rip currents can be present near the middle of the bay, especially around the river mouth.
  • Water can turn brown/murky after heavy rain due to river runoff and debris.
  • No lifeguards on-site.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, W
Offshore directions
W, WSW, SW
Wind Range
10–20 kts
Wind Type
Trade — Trade winds; winds occasionally shift and offshore conditions are rare
Reliability
medium
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Flat, Small waves
Beach
Sand — Chocolate-brown volcanic sand is noted in the region.
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Small
Launch
Medium — Wide sandy beach at the mouth of the Talofofo River.
Launch Difficulty
Easy

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
27–30 °C
Water Temperature
24–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: none (rash guard recommended)
Crowds by Season

Can be crowded on weekends with local families and beginner surfers.

Storm/Rain Season

July to November is the wet and typhoon season.

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Rarely used for kitesurfing due to the enclosed nature of the bay and predominantly onshore trade winds; it may work only during rare offshore wind events and for experienced riders.

WaveFreeride
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Only potential for wingfoiling when the swell is small; murky water and river debris make it less than ideal compared to more suitable lagoon conditions.

Foil Friendly
Limited
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
5–6 m²
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed rivermouth break that rarely produces workable waves. When it does fire, it can be a forgiving, mellow learning environment with sandy bottom waves that break in both directions.

River mouth
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
E, ENE, NE
Swell Height
1–2 m
Optimal Tide
High
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Shelter is limited by the exposed river mouth; surrounding cliffs can create localized shelter and wind shadow effects.
Wind Effect
Best with West or Southwest winds (offshore). East trade winds are typically onshore.
Bigger Swell
Closes out when the swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Soft
Wave Shape
Mushy
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short — Short, fun rides are typical.
Typical Ride Length
40 m
Ride Length Details
Waves typically provide short, fun rides of about 30–50 meters.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) in the full forecast view.

Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–12 ktsGusts 18 kts
Direction
ENE76°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2512 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 (Talofofo Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Rip currents, especially near the middle of the bay
  • Murky water from river runoff (especially after heavy rain)
  • River debris (logs and other material)
  • Jellyfish
  • Submerged rocks near the cliffs/headlands
Ability Level: Beginner
Recommended Safety Gear
Leash

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No dedicated on-site lifeguards at the beach park.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — Emergency water rescue is managed by the Guam Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam.
Emergency Info
Nearest medical facilities are in Hagåtña, approximately 25 minutes away. In an emergency, dial 911.

Rules of the spot

General park rules apply; respect local surfers and the river mouth flow.

Local Tips
  • Avoid surfing immediately after heavy rain due to higher bacterial counts and added debris from the river.
  • Stay toward the center of the bay to reduce the risk of rocks near the northern and southern points.
  • Watch out for strong currents pulling out to sea near the middle of the bay.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Hagatna (Agana)
Nearest Town
Talofofo
Parking
Park on the left after crossing the bridge on Route 4 south to Talofofo Bay; free parking lot at Talofofo Bay Beach Park.
Public Transport
extremely limited; a rental car is essential for this rural part of the island.
Access
Short walk from parking on the left after crossing the bridge on Route 4 south to Talofofo Bay; beach is directly off the main road.
Cost Level
Expensive
Local Language
English, Chamorro
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Showers
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Limited local rentals and guest houses are available in the Talofofo/Ipan area; many visitors stay in the hotel district of Tumon Bay.
Food & Drink
Small local convenience stores and occasional food trucks nearby.
Equipment Rental:
Surfboards and SUP boards can be rented from shops in Tumon or Hagåtña; on-site rental is rarely available directly at the bay.
Gear Storage
No public gear storage facilities are available in the region.
Gear Repair
Basic surfboard repair is available through surf shops in Hagåtña.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Talofofo region is a rural, nature-forward area with eco-tourism and warm-water coastal recreation shaped by the Talofofo River and bay.

Best time to visit: Dry season (December–May)
Valley of the Latte Adventure Park2 km

Eco-cultural park offering river cruises, botanical gardens, and ancient Chamorro latte stone sites.

Talofofo Caves5 km

Historical caves used during WWII, including the site where Shoichi Yokoi hid for 28 years.

Talofofo Falls Resort Park4 km

Park featuring waterfalls, a cable car, and historical museums.

Jeff's Pirates Cove3 km

A beachfront restaurant and museum known for its burgers and island atmosphere.

Talofofo Bay Beach Park0 km

A scenic beach park with picnic shelters suitable for family gatherings and coastal views.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Talofofo (Talofofo Bay)?

The best overall months at Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) are August, September, October. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May.

Which wind directions work at Talofofo (Talofofo Bay)?

Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) works with E, W winds. Offshore directions are W, WSW, SW.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Talofofo (Talofofo Bay)?

Recommended equipment sizes at Talofofo (Talofofo Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.

What skill level is Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) suitable for?

Talofofo (Talofofo Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.