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Beach
both
Level 4/10

Playa Santana

Rivas, Nicaragua
🌀Strong rips

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.

Spot Details

Swell Requirements

Optimal direction
SW (215°)
Direction range
185° - 255°
Size range
0.6m - 2.5m
Ideal period
14s+

Wind Requirements

Optimal direction
NE (50°)
Offshore range
10° - 90°
Best window
morning

Tide Requirements

Optimal tide
mid
Optimal range
0.3m - 1.6m

Water temp

28°C

Wetsuit

Boardshorts / Rashguard

Difficulty

4/10

Crowd level

3/10

Access: Near Popoyo. Uncrowded alternative.

Getting There

Airport
MGA
Drive time
115 min

Best Season

Peak: Apr-Oct

Secondary: Nov, Mar

Consistent SW swells. Less crowded than Popoyo.

Data Quality

verified

Verified by Nicaragua surf community