Where to Surf in Nicaragua: Nicaragua Surf Spots Top 5 List

In this post, we will discuss where to surf in Nicaragua.  When we compared Nicaragua surf spots to find the best of the best, we considered swell consistency, offshore wind consistency, crowd factor and accessibility.

With offshore winds, high swell periods and low cost of living, Nicaragua is truly a paradise for surfers of all levels.  It’s one of the easiest places to learn, one of the best places to improve your skills and one of the hardest places to leave.

Where to Surf in Nicaragua: Nicaragua Surf Spots Top 5 List

5. Playa Manzanillo

If this post was solely focused on wave shape, crowd factor and getting barreled, Manzanillio would have easily made the top spot.  It starts working best at about 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) and can hold rideable surf up to 3 meters (9.85 feet).  Although this left-hand point break produces quality surf at all tides, low tide offers the best barrels.

The problem with Manzanillo is accessibility.  It’s located on a private resort and can only be accessed by boat.  The best deals are $150 for about three hours of surfing.  You will rent a boat from San Juan del Sur Bay and the ride to the break is about one hour.  You can fit up to eight in the boat, which will reduce the price per person.  If the swell’s up, the price is worth it.  No crowds, perfect barrels and incredible surroundings.

4. Playa Remanso

Playa Remanso should be called “Everybody’s,” because it’s the perfect wave for a range of talent levels and stances (goofy and regular).  It’s located in San Juan del Sur, an area just north of the Costa Rican border that enjoys offshore winds more than 300 days each year.  This means a gentle wave that is perfect for beginners, but when the swell’s over 1 meter, you’ll definitely see some talent in the water.

Playa Remanso offers a left point-break and a right-point break.  Say what?  That’s right, when the swell reaches about 2 meters, the points will turn on and rides can go 300 meters.

The good thing about Remanso is if there is any swell in the water, there’s a wave to ride.  The bottom is sand, so it’s perfectly safe for beginners.  The best tide is mid and high, although it works on all tides.

Access is easy by car.  There’s also a taco stand that sells alcohol, food, smoothies and drinks.  The beaches in San Juan del Sur are perfect for groups travelling with people who don’t surf; there’s plenty to do and the waves are easy to learn on.

3. Popoyo

Popoyo is by far the most known spot in Nicaragua.  It’s often compared to Trestles due to its fast speed and incredible shape.  It’s a rock-reef break and offers some incredible barrels in the right tides and swell size.

Popoyo offers a-frame waves, so it’s great for goofy- and regular-footers.  The outer reef is about a 15-minute paddle from shore and gets massive!  If you’re looking for powerful, big surf, Popoyo Outer Reef is the place to go.

2. Puerto Sandino

Puerto Sandino, often incorrectly referred to as Freight Trains, is a rivermouth break that resembles Restaurants in Fiji when the conditions are right.  It’s always fast and usually has a decent wave.  At low tide, Puerto Sandino can offer 10-second barrels.

The wave length surpasses 100 meters pretty frequently.  Many days, you’ll do six or seven turns and still see an incredible wall building at the perfect speed.

Puerto Sandino is an easy wave to surf and it only breaks left.  It would have made the number 1 spot, but it can only be accessed by boat.  Fortunately, there are several surf camps nearby that offer boat rides several times each day.

1. Playa Maderas

And taking the top spot—Playa Maderas.  You’ll find rideable surf at Playa Madears almost every day, and with the offshore winds of San Juan del Sur, this is the place to be.

Compared to most spots in Nicaragua, Playa Maderas can get a little “crowded.”  I use the “quotes” because crowded in Nicaragua means 20 people sharing three peaks.  The crowd really isn’t much of a factor here.

Playa Maderas is mostly a beach break, but in the right conditions, a left-hand point break will start working.  Access is easy from shuttles in San Juan del Sur or by car. There’s several places to stay right on the beach starting at $10 per person, per night.

And there you have it—our synopsis of where to surf in Nicaragua.  We’ll have more information soon with pages directly devoted to each of these spots and offering useful statistics to plan your next surf trip.  Stay tuned for more useful info about Nicaragua surf spots.

For our list of the best barrels in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 best Barrels.
For our list of the best beach-breaks in Nicaragua, read Surfing in Nicaragua: 3 Best Beach Breaks.