Talofofo (Talofofo Bay)
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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.
- 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.
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
Can be crowded on weekends with local families and beginner surfers.
July to November is the wet and typhoon season.
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
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
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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
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.
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
Eco-cultural park offering river cruises, botanical gardens, and ancient Chamorro latte stone sites.
Historical caves used during WWII, including the site where Shoichi Yokoi hid for 28 years.
Park featuring waterfalls, a cable car, and historical museums.
A beachfront restaurant and museum known for its burgers and island atmosphere.
A scenic beach park with picnic shelters suitable for family gatherings and coastal views.
From riders who've been here
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.