Playa Maderas
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.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to MGA, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Central America is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Central America — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
¿Prefieres español? Recibe el Strike Report en español, gratis →
Get the full Playa Maderas trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SSW (210°)
- Direction range
- 180° - 250°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.0m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
5/10
Access: Near San Juan del Sur. Easy beach access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Playa Maderas?
Playa Maderas works best on a mid tide, ideally between 0.3m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Playa Maderas?
Offshore wind at Playa Maderas blows from the NE (45°). Anything in the 0° to 90° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Playa Maderas?
Playa Maderas wants SSW swell (180° to 250°) between 0.8m and 2.5m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Maderas?
The main season at Playa Maderas is Apr-Oct. A secondary window runs Nov, Mar. SW swell season April-October. Consistent beach break.
How do I get to Playa Maderas?
Fly into MGA, then allow about 130 minutes by road. Near San Juan del Sur. Easy beach access.
What kind of wave is Playa Maderas?
Playa Maderas is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights. Difficulty is rated 4/10.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Mar
SW swell season April-October. Consistent beach break.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playa Remanso
👶 Beginner paradise • Sheltered bay • Zero hazards
Playa Hermosa Nicaragua
🤫 Best kept secret • Powerful beach break • Uncrowded perfection
Manzanillo
🪨 Quality left point • Needs size • Nicaragua step-up
Playa Amarillo
🏖️ Empty perfection • Untouched beach • Off the radar
Colorados
🏝️ Remote island perfection • Resort exclusive • Empty A-frames
Panga Drops
🚤 Swell magnet • Long rides • Boat access adventure