10-day surf forecast with Strike Scores for Popoyo Outer Reef, Rivas, Nicaragua
Popoyo Outer Reef is Central America's legitimate big wave spot—a heavy left reef break that only shows its true form on solid southwest swells and transforms into Nicaragua's most challenging wave. While the inner reefs entertain intermediate surfers, the outer reef lurks offshore waiting for the big pulse. When it arrives, the wave jacks up over shallow reef and delivers long, powerful left barrels with serious consequences. This is not for the casual traveler—it's for experienced big wave surfers seeking Central America's heaviest wave.
Best day in the forecast: 2026-08-04 with a score of 30/100 (Poor)
Poor conditions overall: Average score 20/100. Look for spots with better forecasts.
Moderate alignment: Swell from 192° is 18° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 1.1m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 11s is below minimum 14s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Strong offshore: 24 km/h from 66° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
+6 points: Multiple days of offshore wind have groomed the ocean surface, creating ultra-clean conditions.
Groundswell-dominant conditions (clean, long-period waves).
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (192°), size (1.1m), or wind (24 km/h from 66°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.1m (3.6ft) swell from 192° (SSW) at 11s period
Local wind-generated waves (choppy, short-period)
Moderate alignment: Swell from 191° is 19° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 1.0m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 8s is below minimum 14s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Strong offshore: 25 km/h from 69° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (191°), size (1.0m), or wind (25 km/h from 69°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 191° (S) at 8s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 190° is 20° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Too small: 0.9m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Strong offshore: 24 km/h from 76° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (190°), size (0.9m), or wind (24 km/h from 76°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 190° (S) at 8s period
Perfect alignment: Swell from 209° is within 5° of optimal 210°.
Too small: 0.8m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Moderate period: 14s meets minimum 14s but below ideal 18s. Some groundswell energy present.
Strong offshore: 28 km/h from 69° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
-5 points: Short-period windswell is present, creating choppy, disorganized conditions.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (209°), size (0.8m), or wind (28 km/h from 69°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 209° (SSW) at 14s period
Good alignment: Swell from 215° is 5° off optimal 210°, still within prime range.
Too small: 1.2m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Short period: 13s is below minimum 14s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Strong offshore: 26 km/h from 68° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (215°), size (1.2m), or wind (26 km/h from 68°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.2m (3.9ft) swell from 215° (SW) at 13s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 221° is 11° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Strong offshore: 28 km/h from 71° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (221°), size (1.0m), or wind (28 km/h from 71°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
1.0m (3.3ft) swell from 221° (SW) at 13s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 225° is 15° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Short period: 12s is below minimum 14s. Windswell-dominated (choppy, weak waves).
Strong offshore: 28 km/h from 68° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (225°), size (0.9m), or wind (28 km/h from 68°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 225° (SW) at 12s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 223° is 13° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Strong offshore: 29 km/h from 68° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (223°), size (0.9m), or wind (29 km/h from 68°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.9m (3.0ft) swell from 223° (SW) at 12s period
Very low confidence (8-10 day forecast, conditions may change)
Too small: 0.7m is below minimum 2.0m. Waves will be weak/mushy.
Moderate period: 15s meets minimum 14s but below ideal 18s. Some groundswell energy present.
Strong offshore: 27 km/h from 68° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (215°), size (0.7m), or wind (27 km/h from 68°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.7m (2.3ft) swell from 215° (SW) at 15s period
Moderate alignment: Swell from 184° is 26° off optimal 210°, workable but not ideal.
Strong offshore: 26 km/h from 67° (ENE). Grooming but may make paddling difficult.
Poor conditions at Popoyo Outer Reef. Either swell direction (184°), size (0.8m), or wind (26 km/h from 67°) is unfavorable. Consider other spots or wait for better conditions.
0.8m (2.6ft) swell from 184° (S) at 13s period
Open-Meteo Weather API (wind/weather data)