Playa Amarillo
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.
Playa Amarillo surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (200°)
- Direction range
- 175° - 240°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (50°)
- Offshore range
- 10° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.6m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Near Playa Gigante. Walk from Hacienda Iguana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playa Amarillo?
Playa Amarillo is a beach break in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playa Amarillo?
Playa Amarillo 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 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s 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 Playa Amarillo?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Playa Amarillo, and anything from the N 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 Playa Amarillo?
Playa Amarillo is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Amarillo?
The most reliable run of swell at Playa Amarillo comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. Uncrowded beach break. Shallow reef at south end.
How cold is the water at Playa Amarillo?
The water at Playa Amarillo 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 Playa Amarillo good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Shallow reef section at south end of beach.
How do I get to Playa Amarillo?
The nearest airport on our list is MGA, then it's roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Near Playa Gigante. Walk from Hacienda Iguana.
What other surf spots are near Playa Amarillo?
The closest breaks we track are Manzanillo (1.6 km), Colorados (2.1 km) and Panga Drops (3.7 km), handy when Playa Amarillo isn't working. We track 4 spots around San Juan del Sur in total.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Mar, Nov
Uncrowded beach break. Shallow reef at south end.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Manzanillo
🪨 Quality left point • Needs size • Nicaragua step-up
Colorados
🏄 Hacienda Iguana A-frames • Fast, barreling beachie • Panga Drops next door
Panga Drops
🚤 Swell magnet • Long rides • Boat access adventure
Playa Santana
🏄 Popoyo's secret • Uncrowded quality • Pre-boom vibes
Popoyo
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's best • Multi-peak reef • Year-round consistency
Popoyo Outer Reef
⚡ Big wave Nicaragua • Central America's heaviest • Expert only