Chacocente
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.
Chacocente surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 185° - 255°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 15s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ENE (60°)
- Offshore range
- 20° - 100°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.8m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Inside Chacocente Wildlife Refuge. Boat access recommended rainy season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Chacocente?
Chacocente is a beach break in Carazo, Nicaragua, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Chacocente?
Chacocente picks up swell from the S round to the WSW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SSW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.6 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 15s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Chacocente?
An ENE wind is dead offshore at Chacocente, and anything from the NNE round to the E keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 5am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Chacocente?
Chacocente is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.8m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Chacocente?
The most reliable run of swell at Chacocente comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Offshore 300 days/year. Best low-mid tide. Wildlife reserve.
How cold is the water at Chacocente?
The water at Chacocente averages around 28°C, so boardshorts or a rashguard will do. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Chacocente good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Dirt road access dicey in rainy season. Boat access recommended.
How do I get to Chacocente?
The nearest airport on our list is MGA, then it's roughly a 2-hour drive. Inside Chacocente Wildlife Refuge. Boat access recommended rainy season.
What other surf spots are near Chacocente?
The closest breaks we track are Playgrounds (1.1 km), Lance's Left (7.5 km) and Astillero (7.8 km), handy when Chacocente isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Offshore 300 days/year. Best low-mid tide. Wildlife reserve.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playgrounds
🏋️ Nicaragua's Trestles • Progression paradise • Rippable walls
Lance's Left
🏄 Long left point • All skill levels • Emerald Coast longboard wave
Astillero
🎣 Hollow rivermouth • Double overhead potential • Fishing village gem
Popoyo Outer Reef
⚡ Big wave Nicaragua • Central America's heaviest • Expert only
Popoyo
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's best • Multi-peak reef • Year-round consistency
Playa Santana
🏄 Popoyo's secret • Uncrowded quality • Pre-boom vibes