Playa Remanso
Playa Remanso is Central America's safest beginner wave—a sheltered bay south of San Juan del Sur that catches smaller swells and transforms them into gentle, rolling walls perfect for first-time surfers. The wave is so forgiving that multiple surf schools have made this their home, introducing hundreds of newcomers to surfing each season. The protected nature of the bay means minimal hazards: no rocks, no strong currents, just warm water and consistent small waves. For families or nervous beginners, Remanso removes every excuse not to try surfing. The dirt road access adds just enough adventure to make it feel like discovery.
Playa Remanso surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
Today's ConditionsToday'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 Remanso 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 (200°)
- Direction range
- 175° - 235°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2m
- Ideal size
- 1.2m - 1.7m
- Height multiplier
- 0.90×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NE (45°)
- Offshore range
- 0° - 90°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.4m
Water temp
28°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
2/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: South of San Juan del Sur. Dirt road access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Playa Remanso?
Playa Remanso is a beach break in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Playa Remanso?
Playa Remanso picks up swell from the S round to the SW, 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 2m, with the sweet spot around 1.2 to 1.7m. 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 Remanso?
A NE wind is dead offshore at Playa Remanso, 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 Remanso?
Playa Remanso has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.3m to 1.4m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Playa Remanso?
The most reliable run of swell at Playa Remanso comes Apr to Oct. There's a second window in Mar and Nov too. SW swell season. Protected bay catches smaller swells.
How cold is the water at Playa Remanso?
The water at Playa Remanso 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 Remanso good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the friendlier waves around, rated 2/10 for difficulty. Expect a moderate crowd (4/10) when it's on. Very safe. Ideal for beginners.
How do I get to Playa Remanso?
The nearest airport on our list is MGA, then it's roughly a 2.5-hour drive. South of San Juan del Sur. Dirt road access.
What other surf spots are near Playa Remanso?
The closest breaks we track are Playa Hermosa Nicaragua (4.7 km), Playa Maderas (11 km) and Manzanillo (28 km), handy when Playa Remanso isn't working. We track 4 spots around San Juan del Sur in total. Fun fact: it's the second most southerly break we track in Nicaragua.
Best Season
Peak: Apr-Oct
Secondary: Nov, Mar
SW swell season. Protected bay catches smaller swells.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Playa Hermosa Nicaragua
🤫 Best kept secret • Powerful beach break • Uncrowded perfection
Playa Maderas
🇳🇮 Nicaragua's heart • Consistent peaks • Budget surf paradise
Manzanillo
🪨 Quality left point • Needs size • Nicaragua step-up
Playa Amarillo
🏖️ Empty perfection • Untouched beach • Off the radar
Colorados
🏄 Hacienda Iguana A-frames • Fast, barreling beachie • Panga Drops next door
Panga Drops
🚤 Swell magnet • Long rides • Boat access adventure
Plan a trip around Playa Remanso
Compare this break with other destinations in these surf guides.