A premier surf destination
Nicaragua receives plenty of southern hemisphere swell between May and September and has perfect wind and water temperature conditions.
Nicaragua is home to heavy beach breaks and many different reef setups with plenty of varying shoreline configurations. For traveling surfers, it is easy to find the right waves for you and your crew. We have the spot for you if you’re taking a family trip or have a fearless, hard-charging group.
All these spots are accessible daily
This wave abruptly hits a very shallow shelf. The channel there is deep, in front of Popoyo, and the deep water funnels southern Hemi swells towards the shallow rock shelf. As the swell marches north, running out of deep water, each wave magnifies the energy. Finally, the thick waves detonate on the reef producing heavy barrels, with just a thin layer of water covering the rocks. If everything is up for you at the Outer Reef, you might bag the wave of your life. However, if you do not feel like it’s your day, you still have plenty of high-quality sand bottom and reef setups to choose from, just a quick boat ride away.
Just five minutes north by truck from NST, Astillero offers a hard-hitting beach break at the far north side of the bay. You could walk from NST, but it’s hot sand, so don’t forget your sandals. Astillero is very sensitive to the tides. Mid-tide going from low to high is the best, but like most Central America, you must always be ready. These spots can go from good to epic with no notice, with lefts and rights coming off multiple peaks near the north side of the bay. There is a small river mouth, as Astillero is an estuary. The rainy season pushes the sand around and can produce some great surf.
3. Playgrounds
A short boat ride up north and Playgrounds offer up lefts and rights. The cobblestone bottom reminds one of Trestles in Southern California, except without the crowds. Super fun “skatepark” style waves, with ramps everywhere on suitable days! There is a surf camp there now; however, it has been accessible by boat for some time.
4. Chacocente
A fun beach breaks up north. Conditions change rapidly with the tide but expect a good chance of dry, beach break barrels. Frequently empty. Boat access only.
Fun reef setup in front of the camp. Walking distance from MangoTime, with two or three reef setups. Nothing fantastic, and you will see a foil or a SUP out there more often than a short board.
6. Rancho Santana
Rancho Santana is one of Nicaragua’s most playful waves. “Rancho’s” is very tide-dependent, working mid-tide, going high. Peaky refraction waves bounce off the rock outcropping south of the bay. On a set, you will see A-frames marching down the beach as the sand bottom stays well-groomed, and the bounced refraction waves make for some enjoyable, playful conditions.
The most well-known spot in all of Nicaragua. “Colorados” is Nicaragua’s answer to Puerto Escondido. OK, that’s a bit of a stretch, but this beach break can take just about any size. It’s always questionable as far as the close-out factor when you get up there in size. However, so is every world-class beach break. You will see guys getting blown out of barrels up and down the beach if any swell runs. Surprisingly, even on the rare double overhead swell events, you will still see guys paddling into bombs that don’t look makeable, only to watch the spit seem to do most of the work—world-class beach break, accessible by boat.
8. Manzanillo
This is the furthest spot to the south, but it’s worth the trek. Otherwise known as ‘The Left”, this spot was on the cover of Surfer Magazine back in the ’90s. After an excellent easy take-off near the rocks, the wave gains size and speed as it peels down the reef. Usually, you will have time for one substantial cutback before the fastest section starts to line up. However, if you time things right, you will find a formidable barrel section in the middle of the wave. The shallow reef and the proximity to rocks make this wave feel pretty intense, although it’s pretty forgiving and playful. Unfortunately, this surf spot is by boat access.
