Threes
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Threes is an exposed reef break known for having fairly consistent surfing conditions and a strong right-hand component. Reports emphasize fast, hollow character—especially when the swell hits correctly—while also noting that the lineup is shared by both rights and (less consistently) lefts. Hazards are the main consideration at this spot: sharp coral reef, rocks, coral heads, and very shallow sections can make wipeouts and bailout areas risky. Multiple sources specifically recommend using high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef and to reduce the chance of contact with the reef flat. Wind conditions are typically influenced by trade winds, and offshore trades can help keep the wave face groomed. Reported wind seasons differ by source (one emphasizes November to April; another lists May to September among best months for surf), so conditions are best verified locally before committing—especially given the reef sensitivity. Access and safety logistics matter: one source describes the break as located within Naval Base Guam with restricted entry, requiring valid military identification and discouraging unauthorized entry. Emergency guidance varies by source; regionally, rescue services are covered by Guam Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, and emergency dialing is 911. Overall, the spot is best suited to surfers comfortable with reef hazards and expert-level traffic etiquette.
- Fast, hollow right-hand reef break
- High tide recommended to avoid the shallow reef
- Trade winds/offshore trades can groom the wave face
- Consistent surf when conditions align
- Exposed reef break with consistent surf when conditions line up.
- High tide improves safety by covering shallow sections.
- Trade winds can be offshore and help groom wave faces.
- Sharp reef and rocks; water can be very shallow over coral.
- Access can be restricted to authorized military personnel.
- No lifeguards reported.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds/offshore trades can help groom the wave face.
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind reported.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs of the Orote Peninsula can create some wind shadows depending on the exact angle.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef with rocks; sand/coral referenced.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Described as medium wave size in one source; also characterized as overhead-capable on the right swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky shoreline requiring a careful walk across the reef flat (reported as difficult launch).
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky shoreline with careful walk across reef flat.
Through the year
Generally quiet; more activity on weekends with military personnel.
July to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break that can be fast and hollow. Rights are the standout, with the right-hand side often longer and more consistent; both rights and occasional lefts are referenced.
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSE
- Swell Height
- 3–8 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is preferred to reduce risk from the very shallow reef.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed location.
- Wind Effect
- Trade winds are commonly offshore, helping groom the wave face.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size and can offer overhead sets with clean take-offs into open tubes when the right swell hits; on larger swells it may start to close out or become sectiony.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as average in one source; another source describes world-class wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as powerful; another source characterizes as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Fast and hollow right-hander; also described as hollow.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast and hollow, with reported peel speed varying by swell; otherwise characterized as fast.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically shorter than a nearby reference, but still described as providing a decent wall.
- Ride Length Details
- Right breaks can be longer and more consistent; ride length described as medium overall and shorter than a nearby reference.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Threes in the full forecast view.
Threes wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 18 kts
- Direction
- ENE70°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–1.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, Threes is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 18 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.7–1.2 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
- Rocks
- Very shallow reef
- Sharp coral reef
- Coral heads
- Urchins
- Restricted access / no unauthorized entry
- Proximity to naval shipping lanes
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Regionally, rescue units are served by Guam Fire Department (GFD) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Guam.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, dial 911. Naval Hospital Guam is the nearest medical facility (also regionally Guam Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard serve rescue operations).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Generally mild localism noted, with more activity during weekends due to military personnel.
Rules of the spot
Priority to the closest take-off; paddle wide around the lineup (avoid being in the middle of the lineup). Access may be restricted to authorized personnel.
- Restricted military area—entry may require valid U.S. military identification (CAC/DBIDS).
- Wait for high tide to avoid the shallowest parts of the reef.
- Paddle wide and do not position yourself in the middle of the lineup.
- Check with base security or current local military surf access status before entering.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hagåtña
- Nearest Town
- Santa Rita
- Parking
- Parking available in designated areas near the beach inside the base (reported).
- Access
- Beach access in the Waikiki/Diamond Head area just west of Pops (as reported by one source). Access is via the Naval Base Guam main gate and may require valid military identification.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Chamorro
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Military lodging available on base; hotels in Tumon Bay for civilians.
- Food & Drink
- Various fast food and mess hall options available on the military base.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at surf shops in central Guam; very limited on-site at Umatac (regionally). No dedicated surf rental on site at the base (reported).
- Gear Storage
- Not available.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surf/board repair is available at shops in Hagåtña and Tamuning (regionally).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Umatac Bay is a southern-coast area with rugged volcanic scenery and historic Spanish-era heritage sites, offering outdoor access for water sports and nearby hiking.
An 18th-century Spanish fortification with panoramic views over Umatac Bay.
A viewpoint/hike area offering views of the bay and southern foothills.
Scenic hiking trails nearby leading to views of bays and volcanic hills.
Local eatery serving traditional Chamorro dishes.
A quiet seaside park suitable for picnics and cultural appreciation.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Threes?
The best overall months at Threes are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Threes?
Threes works with E, NE winds. Offshore directions are E, NE.
What skill level is Threes suitable for?
Threes suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.