Expert-verified surf spot database with detailed swell/wind parameters, hazards, and travel information
Popoyo is Nicaragua's flagship surf destination—a reef break that catches virtually every SW swell and offers multiple peaks to choose from. The setup is perfect for a surf trip: consistent waves, warm water, offshore morning winds, and a growing infrastructure of surf camps and restaurants. The reef produces both left and right options, with the outer reef getting heavier and hollower. This is where Central American surf trips often begin and end.
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's best • Multi-peak reef • Year-round consistency
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-250°.
Ideal size: 2.3m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 16s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 45° (NE). Offshore range: 0°-90°. Best window: morning.
SW swell season. Offshore winds most mornings.
Sharp reef with urchins. Booties recommended.
Swell direction must be within the workable range AND within the spot's coastal orientation. A south-facing beach cannot receive north swells, no matter the size or period.
Offshore wind (blowing from land toward ocean) grooms the wave face. Onshore wind (blowing from ocean toward land) destroys wave quality. Wind tolerance varies by wave type.
Colorados is Nicaragua's answer to boat-access exclusivity—a perfect beachbreak on a remote island that's only accessible via boat from Las Penitas. The resort setup keeps crowds to a minimum while delivering pristine A-frame peaks in warm Pacific water. When SW swells pulse in, the sandbars light up with hollow, punchy waves that rival anything in Central America. Bull sharks patrol these waters, adding an edge to the adventure. Remote perfection.
🏝️ Remote island perfection • Resort exclusive • Empty A-frames
Works best with swells from 225° (SW). Workable range: 200°-270°.
Ideal size: 1.9m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Offshore wind from 90° (E). Offshore range: 45°-135°. Best window: morning.
Best in SW swell season. Boat access adds adventure.
Remote island setup. Bull sharks in area.
Unknown minutes drive from MGA airport. Requires boat access ($100/day).
Playa Maderas is Nicaragua's most beloved intermediate wave—a fun beach break near San Juan del Sur that has become the heart of the country's growing surf scene. The wave offers consistent left and right peaks that work for all skill levels, from beginners finding their feet to experienced surfers looking for playful sessions. The vibe here is pure Central American warmth: sunset sessions, beachfront bars, and a community of international travelers who've discovered Nicaragua's incredible value proposition. When the southwest swells pump from April through October, Maderas delivers daily surfable conditions at a fraction of Costa Rica's prices.
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's heart • Consistent peaks • Budget surf paradise
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Needs at least 10s period. Ideal: 14s+ (long-period groundswell).
SW swell season April-October. Consistent beach break.
Strong rips on bigger swells. Otherwise beginner friendly.
Near San Juan del Sur. Easy beach access.
Playa Santana is Popoyo's quieter neighbor—a quality beach break that offers the same consistent southwest swells without the crowds that have discovered the famous point. The wave provides excellent intermediate-level surfing on sandbars that shift with the seasons but remain reliable throughout the swell season. While others jostle for position at Popoyo, savvy surfers slip over to Santana and find space to spread out. The uncrowded nature is part of the appeal, as is the genuine local community that hasn't yet been transformed by tourism. This is what Nicaragua surf travel felt like before the crowds arrived.
🏄 Popoyo's secret • Uncrowded quality • Pre-boom vibes
Works best with swells from 215° (SW). Workable range: 185°-255°.
Ideal size: 1.6m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2.5m.
Offshore wind from 50° (NE). Offshore range: 10°-90°. Best window: morning.
Consistent SW swells. Less crowded than Popoyo.
Playa Remanso is Central America's safest beginner wave—a sheltered bay south of San Juan del Sur that catches smaller swells and transforms them into gentle, rolling walls perfect for first-time surfers. The wave is so forgiving that multiple surf schools have made this their home, introducing hundreds of newcomers to surfing each season. The protected nature of the bay means minimal hazards: no rocks, no strong currents, just warm water and consistent small waves. For families or nervous beginners, Remanso removes every excuse not to try surfing. The dirt road access adds just enough adventure to make it feel like discovery.
👶 Beginner paradise • Sheltered bay • Zero hazards
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 175°-235°.
Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.6m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
SW swell season. Protected bay catches smaller swells.
South of San Juan del Sur. Dirt road access.
Manzanillo is Nicaragua's serious point break - a quality left-hander at Guacalito de la Isla that needs solid swell to turn on but rewards patience with long, workable walls over rocky reef. While the neighboring beach breaks work on any swell, Manzanillo requires size and period to show its true character. When conditions align, the wave offers one of the region's better point break experiences: defined takeoff zone, predictable walls, and enough length to really open up. The rocks and reef sections demand respect, but competent surfers will find this a welcome step up from the beginner-friendly alternatives.
🪨 Quality left point • Needs size • Nicaragua step-up
Works best with swells from 205° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-240°.
Ideal size: 2.0m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 3m.
Offshore wind from 60° (ENE). Offshore range: 20°-100°. Best window: morning.
Needs solid SW swell. Best in peak season.
Near Popoyo. Private resort or boat access.
The Boom is Nicaragua's most celebrated barrel—a world-class A-frame beachbreak that has been likened to a miniature Puerto Escondido for its hollow, dredging peaks and startling consistency. Pioneered in the late 1990s, this wave earns its namesake season after season as Northern Nicaragua's premier tube-riding destination. The outside canyon magnetizes swells and creates textbook barrels that break close to shore, making it nearly impossible not to score a tube on a good day. Normal surfers get the wave of their lives here—just be ready for the power and the consequences.
⚡ Mini Puerto Escondido • World-class tubes • Nicaragua's best barrel
Works best with swells from 215° (SW). Workable range: 190°-260°.
Ideal size: 2.1m. Too small below 0.8m, too big (closeout) above 3.5m.
Offshore wind from 80° (E). Offshore range: 45°-120°. Best window: morning.
SW swell season. Best March-October. Offshore 300+ days/year.
Heavy barrels with powerful closeouts. Strong rips on big days.
Chancletas Beach Resort area. 4WD recommended.
Puerto Sandino is Nicaragua's ultimate long left—a 300-yard ride that ranks among the longest waves in Central America when solid SSW swell arrives. The wave starts in front of a large rivermouth and peels down a mixed sand and reef bottom, offering barrel sections and wally walls throughout its extraordinary length. The magic size is around 8-10 feet on the face, where the wave truly comes alive. Boat access is highly recommended since the takeoff zone sits almost half a mile from shore. When conditions align, this is Central American perfection—long, powerful, and nearly empty.
🏄 300-yard rides • Nicaragua's longest • Boat access perfection
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-240°.
Ideal size: 2.6m. Too small below 1.2m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Needs at least 14s period. Ideal: 18s+ (long-period groundswell).
Needs solid SSW swell. Best 8-10ft. Incoming tide ideal.
Boat access recommended. Rock/reef sections along ride.
90 minutes drive from MGA airport. Requires boat access ($75/day).
Boat from rivermouth. Half-mile paddle otherwise.
Miramar Point is Northern Nicaragua's accessible quality left—a point break near León that offers consistent waves and multiple nearby breaks to explore. The wave itself provides workable walls over rocky reef, while the surrounding area includes Pipes (hollow beachbreak), Shacks (fast hollow left), and various other setups. Thanks to the Lake Nicaragua wind corridor, the area enjoys predominantly offshore winds year-round. The growing surf camp scene here offers an alternative to the southern Emerald Coast crowds while delivering similarly consistent conditions.
🏔️ Northern Nicaragua gem • Multi-break zone • Offshore wind corridor
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 185°-250°.
Offshore wind from 75° (ENE). Offshore range: 30°-120°. Best window: morning.
Consistent SW swells. Offshore wind corridor from Lake Nicaragua.
Rocky point with reef sections. Booties recommended.
Near León. Multiple breaks in area including Pipes and Shacks.
Pipes is the hollow beachbreak gem in the Miramar zone—a wave that lives up to its name with dredging barrels on both the rights and lefts. The rights wedge up from the takeoff zone and break over mostly sand bottom, while the peeling lefts break over reef and demand more respect. When conditions align, Pipes gets very hollow and fast, especially on falling mid-tide or incoming low. The wave sits just up the beach from Miramar Point, making it easy to move between breaks and maximize your session.
🔥 Hollow tubes • Wedging rights • Northern Nicaragua barrel
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 195°-260°.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 15s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 80° (E). Offshore range: 40°-125°. Best window: morning.
Best on falling mid-tide and incoming low. SW swell season.
The left breaks over reef. Can be shallow.
Up the beach from Miramar Point. Walk or short drive.
Poneloya is Northern Nicaragua's gateway wave—a forgiving point break near León city that introduces countless travelers to the country's exceptional surf scene. The wave works on smaller swells and all tides, providing consistent conditions for beginners and intermediates throughout the long season. Unlike the more isolated breaks further south, Poneloya sits in an actual beach town with local restaurants, accommodations, and genuine Nicaraguan culture. This is where León residents escape to the beach on weekends, creating an authentic atmosphere that tourist-focused zones sometimes lack.
🌴 León's beach • Beginner paradise • Local beach culture
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 185°-255°.
Ideal size: 1.3m. Too small below 0.5m, too big (closeout) above 2m.
Very consistent. Works on smaller swells. Year-round surfable.
Easy access from León city. Local beach town atmosphere.
El Transito is Nicaragua's exposed beachbreak discovery—an open-coast wave that picks up swell when other spots remain flat and delivers raw, uncrowded surf in a basic fishing village setting. The wave requires minimal swell to turn on thanks to its position on the coast, making it a reliable backup option during smaller periods. The atmosphere is pure rural Nicaragua: no fancy resorts, no surf camps, just local fishermen and the occasional traveling surfer who knows where to look. This is what surf exploration felt like before the crowds discovered Central America.
🎣 Fishing village vibes • Exposed swell magnet • Raw Nicaragua
Works best with swells from 210° (SSW). Workable range: 185°-260°.
Offshore wind from 85° (E). Offshore range: 45°-130°. Best window: morning.
Exposed location. Works on minimal swell. Consistent.
Strong rips on bigger days. Open beach exposure.
Dirt road from León area. Basic fishing village.
Masachapa is Nicaragua's authentic local surf scene—a fishing village south of the resort zone where Nicaraguan surfers gather on weekends to escape Managua and ride consistent beachbreak peaks. The wave quality matches nearby Montelimar, but the atmosphere couldn't be more different: this is working-class Nicaragua, with fresh-caught seafood, cold beer, and a community that's been surfing here for decades. For travelers wanting to experience Nicaraguan surf culture rather than the international backpacker scene, Masachapa delivers genuine local flavor.
🇳🇮 Local surf culture • Fishing village • Authentic Nicaragua
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 175°-245°.
Offshore wind from 65° (ENE). Offshore range: 25°-105°. Best window: morning.
Consistent. Local Nicaraguan surf scene.
Standard beachbreak rips on bigger days.
Fishing village south of Montelimar. Local scene.
Panga Drops is the Emerald Coast's swell magnet—a deep water reef break that catches and amplifies swell when other spots remain small. The wave offers long rides with wide open faces and a softer character than the nearby heavy reefs, making it excellent for progressive surfing rather than pure barrel hunting. Boat access via panga (local fishing boat) is required, which adds adventure while keeping crowds manageable. When the southwest pulse arrives, Panga Drops provides some of the most consistent quality surf in the entire region.
🚤 Swell magnet • Long rides • Boat access adventure
Works best with swells from 215° (SW). Workable range: 185°-260°.
Ideal size: 2.5m. Too small below 1m, too big (closeout) above 4m.
Needs at least 12s period. Ideal: 17s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 55° (NE). Offshore range: 15°-95°. Best window: morning.
Deep water reef magnifies swell. Works all season.
Deep reef. Bull sharks in area. Boat access.
115 minutes drive from MGA airport. Requires boat access ($40/day).
Panga (boat) access from Popoyo area. Multiple operators.
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.
⚡ Big wave Nicaragua • Central America's heaviest • Expert only
Ideal size: 3.5m. Too small below 2m, too big (closeout) above 5m.
Needs significant swell. Peak season only. Expert conditions.
🪸 Sharp reef, 😮‍💨 Hold-downs, ⚠️ Shallow, 🦈 Sharks
Heavy reef break. Long holddowns possible. Boat access.
120 minutes drive from MGA airport. Requires boat access ($50/day).
Boat access only. Serious big wave spot.
Lance's Left is the Emerald Coast's most accessible long left—a point break that provides 200+ yard rides on bigger swells and welcomes surfers of all skill levels. Unlike the heavy reef breaks nearby, Lance's is more forgiving and less barrel-prone, making it ideal for longboarders and intermediate surfers wanting to work on their rail game. The wave peels consistently down the point, offering multiple sections and plenty of time to set up turns. This is where you come when you want length over intensity, making it a perfect counterpoint to the region's heavier options.
🏄 200-yard rides • All skill levels • Emerald Coast longboard wave
Works best with swells from 220° (SW). Workable range: 195°-265°.
Consistent left point. Good for all season.
Part of Emerald Coast. Near Popoyo area.
Playgrounds is Nicaragua's version of Trestles—a cobblestone-bottom break that delivers rippable, open-face waves perfect for high-performance surfing and skill progression. The wave favors mostly lefts with barrel sections inside, but the real appeal is the workable walls that let you practice turns without the heavy consequences of the nearby reef breaks. For surfers wanting to progress their shortboard game in warm water with consistent conditions, Playgrounds provides the ideal training ground. This is where you come to work on your surfing, not just survive it.
🏋️ Nicaragua's Trestles • Progression paradise • Rippable walls
115 minutes drive from MGA airport. Requires boat access ($30/day).
Playa Hermosa is Nicaragua's best kept secret—a powerful beachbreak south of San Juan del Sur that features lots of peaks, long walls, and enough space to spread out even when it's pumping. The privately maintained access road keeps casual visitors away while delivering surfers to one of the longest beaches in the area. During swell season, Hermosa can get BIG, with double-overhead days that challenge even experienced surfers. The multiple peaks mean you can always find an uncrowded section, whether you want the heaviest barrel or a more forgiving wall.
🤫 Best kept secret • Powerful beach break • Uncrowded perfection
Works best with swells from 205° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-245°.
Most consistent in region. Can get big during peak season.
Strong rips on bigger swells. Long beach means space.
Private access road. Small fee. Worth it.
Playa Amarillo is Nicaragua's empty wave—an untouched beachbreak that delivers fun sand-bottom peaks to surfers willing to venture off the beaten path. The beach offers multiple takeoff zones, with a shallow reef section at the south end providing an alternative when you want something different. While the more famous spots in the region collect crowds, Amarillo remains blissfully overlooked. Minimal development means you'll likely share waves only with the occasional local or fellow explorer who discovered this quiet stretch of coast.
🏖️ Empty perfection • Untouched beach • Off the radar
Works best with swells from 200° (SSW). Workable range: 175°-240°.
Uncrowded beach break. Shallow reef at south end.
Shallow reef section at south end of beach.
Near Playa Gigante. Walk from Hacienda Iguana.
Shacks is Northern Nicaragua's most challenging wave—a very fast, well-shaped left that breaks over sharp reef and can get extremely hollow when conditions align. The wave doesn't work well at low tide, where it sections out and gets dangerously shallow, but mid-to-high tide transforms it into a world-class barrel. This is the most difficult wave in the Miramar area when it's pumping, but also the most rewarding—surfers who can handle the speed and power will find some of the best tubes in Central America. Not for the faint of heart.
⚡ Sharp reef barrel • Expert only • Northern Nicaragua's heaviest
Works best with swells from 215° (SW). Workable range: 190°-255°.
Offshore wind from 80° (E). Offshore range: 40°-120°. Best window: morning.
Best mid-to-high tide. Sections out at low. SW swell season.
Sharp reef. Very shallow at low tide. Expert wave when pumping.
Astillero is Nicaragua's powerful rivermouth discovery—a hollow beachbreak in a fishing village that can hold waves up to 8 feet and beyond. The river constantly replenishes the sandbars, creating hollow peaks with rights typically outperforming lefts. The wave is known for its hollow barrels, double-overhead days, and point break sections that demand experienced surfers. What makes Astillero special is the combination of quality waves and authentic Nicaragua: no crowds, warm water, a working fishing village, and perfect conditions when the swell hits. 4WD access adds to the adventure.
🎣 Hollow rivermouth • Double overhead potential • Fishing village gem
Works best with swells from 205° (SSW). Workable range: 180°-250°.
Rivermouth replenishes sandbars. Best low-mid tide.
Strong rips on big days. 4WD access recommended.
Fishing village on Carazo/Rivas border. 4WD to the point.
Chacocente is Nicaragua's wildest surf setting—a quick, hollow beachbreak located inside a protected wildlife reserve that's also one of the world's most important Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting beaches. The wave offers barreling lefts and rights on a sandy bottom, surrounded by lush jungle and towering cliffs. With offshore winds grooming the waves 300 days a year and virtually no crowds, this is as close to surfing in paradise as it gets. The remote location means boat access is recommended, especially during rainy season when the dirt roads become challenging.
🐢 Wildlife reserve • Zero crowds • Jungle barrel paradise
Offshore 300 days/year. Best low-mid tide. Wildlife reserve.
Dirt road access dicey in rainy season. Boat access recommended.
Inside Chacocente Wildlife Refuge. Boat access recommended rainy season.
Asuchillo is Nicaragua's most consistent beachbreak—a world-class wave that hosted the 2024 ALAS Pro Tour and delivers reliable surf nearly year-round. Two rivers flow into the ocean here, carving out perfect sand plateaus that shape excellent waves. The spot sits just north of the main Lake Nicaragua wind corridor, so dawn sessions before the winds pick up are essential. When a south swell combines with offshore ENE winds, Asuchillo produces the kind of friendly, well-formed waves that work for everyone from beginners to pros looking for a fun session.
🏆 ALAS Pro venue • Year-round consistency • River-shaped perfection
Offshore wind from 70° (ENE). Offshore range: 30°-110°. Best window: morning.
Year-round consistency. Best at dawn before winds. S swell with E-ENE offshore.
Big Corn Island is Nicaragua's Caribbean surf frontier—a remote island 70km offshore where coral reef breaks come alive during the rainy season and tropical storm activity. The east coast faces the open Caribbean and needs east to northeast swell (45°-135°) to produce surfable waves, which occurs during sustained trade wind periods, tropical storms, or winter cold fronts pushing NE swell. While not as consistent as the Pacific coast, the reward is empty tropical perfection: crystal-clear water, uncrowded lineups, and the adventure of surfing Nicaragua's forgotten coast. Serious surf exploration.
🏝️ Caribbean frontier • Tropical storm swells • Empty reef breaks
Works best with swells from 90° (E). Workable range: 45°-135°.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 12s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 225°-315°. Best window: morning.
Rainy season (May-Oct) brings best waves. NE winter swells secondary. Needs E-ENE Caribbean swell or tropical storm activity.
Coral reef breaks. Sharp and shallow. Remote island 70km offshore.
Fly to Corn Island Airport (RNI) from Managua. East coast reef breaks.
Little Corn Island is the ultimate off-grid surf adventure—a car-free Caribbean island where the rugged east coast transforms into dramatic surf when east-northeast swells (30°-130°) arrive from tropical storms or sustained trade winds. The island has no motor vehicles, so you'll walk everywhere through jungle paths to reach the breaks. Consistency is low, but when conditions align during peak rainy season (July-August), you'll surf empty reef breaks in crystal-clear Caribbean water with zero crowds. This isn't a surf trip destination—it's a tropical island escape that occasionally delivers waves.
🚶 Car-free paradise • Caribbean adventure • Tropical isolation
Works best with swells from 80° (E). Workable range: 30°-130°.
Needs at least 8s period. Ideal: 11s+ (long-period groundswell).
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 220°-320°. Best window: morning.
Peak rainy season (July-Aug) best. Needs sustained E-NE Caribbean swell. Very inconsistent.
🪸 Sharp reef, ⚠️ Shallow, 🏝️ Remote, 🚶 Difficult access
Coral reef. No motor vehicles on island—walk everywhere. Very remote.
Unknown minutes drive from RNI airport. Requires boat access ($15/day).
Fly to Big Corn (RNI), then panga boat to Little Corn. No vehicles on island.
The Corn Islands are Nicaragua's Caribbean surf outpost—remote islands off the Mosquito Coast with reef breaks that see few surfers. A flight from Managua opens up an entirely different Nicaragua surf experience.
🌴 Nicaragua's Caribbean • Remote reef breaks • Mosquito Coast
Works best with swells from 90° (E). Workable range: 60°-120°.
Offshore wind from 270° (W). Offshore range: 240°-300°. Best window: morning.
Unknown minutes drive from BEF airport. Requires boat access ($50/day).
Caribbean Nicaragua. Flight from Managua.