South Nicaragua

Colorados: A very good and consistent beachbreak that works best on South-West swells during mid-tides (depending on swell size) to mid-high tides. A river flows out right front and keeps the sandbar replenished. The surf tends to always be best from just on the north side to right in front of the river mouth. The south side of the river mouth is usually always walled out. Colorados' perfection size is 8-foot or less (depending on sandbar quality) -- anything bigger will usually wall out. Incoming sets will first bump up some on a reef way outside (which will even break on larger swells), before sinking back down then rising again at the lineup. The wave/peak can be quite shifty (which spreads out the crowd a little bit) with a fast peeling right, quite often with a hollow barrel. The lefts are usually a little less hollow than the rights, but still very racey and ripable. Colorados is best and most hollow on low to mid tides.On higher tides, it becomes a bit backwashy and less hollow. The best wind is obviously calm or light offshore. Although Nica is known for the steady offshore flow due to Lake Nicaragua, sometimes it can blow a little too hard offshore. When these offshores are strong, you can often spot people getting pitched over the falls trying to get over the ledge. Colorados is one of the most popular spots in Nicaragua, frequented mostly by visiting surfers, however the number of local surfers is steadily growing (especially among the kids). Unless you are staying at Playa Iguanas, access is often obtained by boat, or a long walk south from Rancho Santana. Panga Drops: Located at the north end of Playa Colorado, Panga Drops is a fun, less crowded alternative to the more popular Colorados. Pangas enjoys the same offshore bathymetry benefits as Colorados, but it is a horseshoe reef rather than perfectly crafted sandbars. On a proper South-West swell, the reef will peel off both shifty lefts and rights that can barrel. Pangas is never as consistent or all-time as Colorados, but it is always worth checking out if you're not in the mood for crowded line-ups.

Popoyo has been described by some as a poor man's Lower Trestles, and the comparison isn't totally off ... in a couple different ways. First, it's more of a flat slab of rock reef than a configuration of cobblestones, and the left is more similar to the Lowers right, while the right is more like the Lowers left. Second, it's one of Nicaragua's most classic and popular spots due to its relative close proximity to Managua and the incessant offshore winds from Lake Nicaragua.The best waves at Popoyo offer enough speed and face to schwack and carve to your heart's content ... every day, all day given the offshores and good on all tides. When a bigger swell fills in, especially from the SW, there are a few barrel sections to be had on both the lefts and rights, though it does tend to close out regularly when the waves begin to reach the double overhead range. If all-day offshore winds aren't enough of a treat, Popoyo pretty much breaks with equal character on all tides, though mid tide is when it is at its best. And for the advanced to pro surfer, there is Outer Reef Popoyo, which is a fifteen-minute paddle offshore.As mentioned, Popoyo has long been the first place to come to mind for surfers considering a trip to Nicaragua, therefore there is plenty of accommodation (from gritty to luxury) to choose from in the area. This notoriety makes for a pleasant vacation experience but certainly not a solitary one. For ease and consistency, Popoyo is hard to beat, but a little exploration to parts south and north along the serpentine Nicaraguan coast hold their fair share of perfection, too.

Santana is a really fun, consistent beachbreak that works best on higher tides and mid-period SW-SSW swells. Swells will reflect off the long lava platform shelf on the south-end of the beach, right in front of Rancho Santana Resort. This reflecting energy will create a series of wedging peaks down the beach (usually a couple main peaks, but sometimes three or more, depending on swell). First and Second Peak are usually best and peakiest (as well as the most crowded). Furthermore, a river flows out right here, which keeps the sandbar replenished, but water can get quite dirty and with tree branches or whatnot after a significant rain. These peaks will offer fun, rippable lines, as well as some barrels that you can backdoor (especially off First Peak). The waves become less peaky and less crowded toward the north, with less interaction of swell reflection. But sometimes a good sandbar will set up down that way. Santana is best on mid to high tides for size, shape, and consistency. On lower tides, it becomes smaller, very dumpy, sectiony and drained out. It's pretty much a guarantee to always improve as the tide fills back in, unless winds turn onshore or swell drops out. The best wind is obviously calm or light offshore. Although Nicaragua is known for the steady offshore flow due to Lake Nicaragua, sometimes it can blow a little too hard offshore in this section of coast.

Located at the north end of Playa Colorado, Panga Drops is a fun alternative to the heavier Colorados. Pangas enjoys the same offshore bathymetry benefits as Colorados, but it is a horseshoe reef rather than perfectly crafted sandbars. On a proper SW swell, the reef will peel off both shifty lefts and rights that can barrel. On big days, the right at Pangas can sometimes give you a feel of Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu. This wave can break way out there, and there have been accounts of bull shark sightings on this reef.

Maderas is the closest beach to San Juan Del Sur, which makes it one of the cultural centers of Nicaraguan surfing. Local surfers flock here and there are contests happening year-round. The wave itself is fairly flat, walled, and kind of average -- not as good as the beachbreaks to the north, generally -- but it's a stunning setting and a nice place to relax after the hairball drive over the mountain to get there.Always show respect to the locals.

Manzanillo is one of the Pacific side's most fickle waves. When it's on, however, it's one of the best waves in Nicaragua. Manzanillo requires both a very specific swell direction from the S-W and a certain size before it begins to show its true form. (The wrong direction can render it mushy or a closeout, or both.)