One of the most ripple waves in Nicaragua, often compared to Trestles in California,The left is the longer wave, but it works in both directions. Playgrounds is a wave for all levels of surfer. Playgrounds is a boat only spot, better with lighter winds. A must surf for many repeat visitors to the area.
Often overlooked, this river mouth beach break can produce some of the best barrels in the area. Located at the end of the road in The seaside village of Astillero. As with Lances left, it is a good idea to park and pay with one of the local restaurants, to avoid petty theft. The right is the main attraction, and can really turn on in the right conditions. Try to avoid surfing directly after the early season rains due to dirty river water.
One of the few real point break style waves in Nicaragua. Lances can offer up 500 yard rides when it is working. Needs a medium size swell to do its thing, it is a go to for many of the surf camps when the swell is really pumping, as it offers a safe alternative for the average surfer to score super fun over head walls. Best on mid to low tides. Mainly accessed by boat. You can also park at some of the local beachfront restaurants in Astillero and pay $5 to park, and walk down the beach and paddle out. Petty theft is a reality here, so don’t bring anything that you cannot afford to lose. Sandals highly recommended, as the black sand will blister your feet in no time at all.
The wave that put surfing in Nicaragua on everyones radar. A powerful A frame peak, that favors the left. Breaks on all swells and tides. Always has a crew on it of all shapes and ability levels. Lower tides can be the go for uncrowded conditions, also the mid day lunch break is a good time to slip out for a few uncrowded ones. Super consistent, holds up to double overhead plus. Be careful of the reef at lower tides, pay attention to entry and exit points used by the locals, to avoid dry docking on the reef.
This world famous wave can resemble Pipeline in Hawaii. Experts only! Usually only breaks properly a few times a year, with surfers flying in from all over to give it a shot when the forecast lights up. Unless you are an experienced heavy water surfer, sit up on the cliffs that line the shore, and enjoy the show.
Located in the small village of Playa Jiquiliste.Best on mid size swells, can be super fun with peaky, wedging barrels up and down the small beach. Heads up, there are a crew of local surfers out anytime it breaks, so use common sense, and show respect, and you will have a hassle free experience. Breaks over sand , with a few submerged rocks. Catch it when it is firing and prepare to get barrelled!!
This wave can be world class when all the conditions line up. It is known to be fickle, not to mention it breaks over a shallow urchin infested reef. Mid tides are optimal, as higher tides will put you right on top of some pretty nasty rocks. Fast, barreling and powerful. It needs a bit of swell to work. Accessed by staying in Rancho Santana, or hike in at lower tides around the rocky headland from the beach at Playa Santana. For experienced surfers only !
One the most consistent waves in Nicaragua. Located inside the Gated community of Hacienda Iguana. Pangas always has more size than anywhere else in the area on a given day, Pangas is a deepwater reef that offers up numerous shifting peaks. Super accessible on smaller swells, requires real ocean skills once there is any mid size swell in the water, as it is twice as big as any wave in the area, and will hold form on the biggest days. The wave breaks a good ways from the beach, and you WILL get caught inside. Best described as a softer version of Sunset Beach in Hawaii. The fun size days can be ridden on your favorite short or longboard, bigger days require your step up or Gun, as it is exposed Nicaragua’s strong offshore winds, making for some wild late drops. Plenty of room here, as it is never really crowded, with the focus in Hacienda Iguana being on scoring Colorado”s.
This is one of the best beach break barrels in Central America, hands down. So it usually has a diverse crew of local rippers, and surfers from all over the globe in the lineup. You can score the barrel of a lifetime here when it is working properly. The preferred way to access it is stay in Hacienda Iguana, as it has a bit of a learning curve to dial it in. It can also be accessed by boat. If you put in the time, and are in good shape you stand a much better chance of getting that dream wave.
A super fun reef point that is accessed by boat. The Easiest place to find a boat is to drive into the beachfront village of Gigante. Its a quick 5 to 10 minute boat ride around the corner. It can get quite crowded, as it is on everyone’s radar. The reason being the super ripple long walls, coupled with several barrel sections. Works best on mid to high tide. Mid size swells are the go. as bigger swells tend to max out and push wide into deep water. Despite its friendly demeanor, don’t be fooled, you are surfing over urchin covered reef, keeping that in mind will save you an unpleasant session.
This is the most popular surf spot in SJDS. Popular with all of the locals , and van loads of visiting surfers as well. That means it can be a bit crowded. A good time to avoid the masses can be found at low tide, on smaller swells. This is least crowded time to surf, and there are still some fun sections to be had. The spot handles big swells, and will weed out the average surfer, as it the real deal at size. As with Playa Hermosa there are submerged rocks to look out for. Be courteous to the locals , and enjoy!
The beach at Playa Hermosa is close to a mile long, there is plenty of room for surfers to spread out, and find their own peak. Located south of SJDS, it likes a bit more swell to turn on. When it is working, it offers a great combination of peaks and long ripple walls. Smaller days are ideal for beginners. Best on mid to high tides. Usually uncrowded, there are a few submerged rocks to keep an eye out for, but nothing major. Definitely a great spot to hit if you are in the area.
