Corn Islands
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.
Corn Islands surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Direction range
- 60° - 120°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.6m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Offshore range
- 240° - 300°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.6m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Caribbean Nicaragua. Flight from Managua.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Corn Islands?
Corn Islands is a reef break in Big Corn Island, Nicaragua, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Corn Islands?
Corn Islands picks up swell from the ENE round to the ESE, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the E. 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 12s or longer, as anything under 8s 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 Corn Islands?
A W wind is dead offshore at Corn Islands, and anything from the WSW round to the WNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am 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 Corn Islands?
Corn Islands is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.6m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Corn Islands?
The most reliable run of swell at Corn Islands comes Nov to Mar. There's a second window in Sep to Oct too. Nicaragua Caribbean reef.
How cold is the water at Corn Islands?
The water at Corn Islands 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 Corn Islands 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). Nicaragua Caribbean reef.
How do I get to Corn Islands?
The nearest airport on our list is BEF. From there you need a boat to reach the break (we estimate around $50 USD, but confirm with an operator). Caribbean Nicaragua. Flight from Managua.
What other surf spots are near Corn Islands?
The closest breaks we track are Big Corn Island (0.9 km) and Little Corn Island (15 km), handy when Corn Islands isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Sep, Oct
Nicaragua Caribbean reef.