Advanced Surf Spots in Nicaragua

Astillero

Wave

Rivermouth / Beach Break · Right / Left

Level

Intermediate / Advanced

Season

March - October

Tide

Mid Tide / Rising

Watch out

Rips and river-mouth currents, with shifting sandbars. Heavy rain brings runoff through the river mouth. Fishing boats work the bay, so keep clear.

Chacocente

Wave

Beach Break · Right / Left

Level

Intermediate / Advanced / Pro

Season

April - October

Tide

Low to Mid Tides

Watch out

Protected wildlife refuge with seasonal turtle nesting and access restrictions; surfing may be prohibited during nesting, so check current rules locally. Rocks, strong currents and rips. Remote, with rough roads in the wet season and minimal facilities.

Tola

Wave

Shallow Reef Break / Slab · Right / Left

Level

Advance / Expert Only

Season

April to October

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Extremely shallow rock reef • sea urchins • critical takeoff • heavy square barrels • severe consequences for mistakes • boat-only access • remote location • difficult rescue potential • highly fickle conditions • Expert Only.

El Astillero

Wave

Outer Reef / Slab · Left

Level

Advanced Only

Season

April - October

Tide

Medium - High Tide

Watch out

La Burra is a powerful outer-reef slab and should be treated as a serious big-wave surf location. It requires substantial swell, advanced wave-reading skills, excellent paddling ability and experience in heavy reef conditions. Takeoffs can be critical, and local sources report that jet skis are sometimes used for assistance when the wave is large. Surfers should understand the reef, currents, entry and exit options, changing tides and emergency considerations before entering the water.

El Astillero

Wave

Point Break / Reef Break · Left

Level

Intermediate / Advanced

Season

May – November

Tide

All Tides with Mid–Low preferred

Watch out

Rock reef and boulders, sea urchins and strong currents. The lineup is remote and the walk-in is rocky, so many surfers come by boat. Swell-dependent and powerful at size. Do not leave belongings on the isolated beach.

Tola

Wave

Reef / Point break · Right

Level

Advanced / Expert

Season

March – September

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Shallow Rocks • Strong Currents • Slabby Barrels • Closeouts • Backwash • Big-Swell Only • Advanced/Expert

Wave

Reef Break / Point Break · Left

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Season

April–October

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Rocks • reef • rip currents • swell-direction sensitivity • limited access • powerful surf when large. The point needs the right SW swell angle; a poorly angled swell can make it mushy, sectiony or close out. Rocks and currents are the primary hazards. Access is more restricted than at many public Tola breaks, so surfers commonly reach Manzanillo through authorized local access through Guacalito or by boat.

Wave

Reef Break · Left

Level

Pro to Expert

Season

April–September

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Extreme wave power; expert-only conditions; extremely shallow rock reef; exposed/dry reef during drops; strong currents; critical takeoff; very large surf; long offshore paddle; strong offshore winds; difficult rescue environment; and rivermouth runoff after heavy rain. Surfline specifically lists the wave itself, shallow/dry reef and currents among the hazards and recommends a gun or tow setup.

El Gigante

Wave

Sand Reef Combo · Right and Left

Level

All levels

Season

April through September

Tide

Best on a low to mid-tide

Watch out

A lot of water moves on bigger days, and the reef is powerful. The peak shifts, so watch a few sets before paddling out. Access is through private property or by boat.

Playa Gigante

Wave

Beach / Reef Break · Right / Left

Level

Beginner / Intermediate / Expert

Season

April to October

Tide

Mid / High / Rising Tide

Watch out

Rips • Shifting Sandbars • Shorebreak • South-End Reef/Rocks • Hollow When Bigger • Limited Facilities

Rancho Santana

Wave

Reef break · Left

Level

Advanced

Season

April–October

Tide

Low

Watch out

Very shallow lava-rock reef, sea urchins and submerged rocks. Fast, slabby take-off with heavy consequences for a missed drop. Strong north-running current on bigger days. Paddle out from the middle of the beach, not off the rocks; high tide hides rocks in the wave's path. Access is through Rancho Santana.

Playa Jiquilite

Wave

Beach break · Left & Right / A-Frame

Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Season

April–October

Tide

Mid to High Tide

Watch out

Strong rip currents; fast shorebreak; shallow sandbars at lower tide; scattered flat rocks/boulders; powerful closeouts on larger swells; and competitive crowds around the best peaks. A river empties near the main surf zone and helps replenish the sandbars, but after significant rain it can also discharge dirty runoff, debris and branches into the lineup. Keep valuables off the beach as local surf guides also flag petty theft as a concern.

Veracruz de Acayo

Wave

Reef break · Left / Right

Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Season

April - October

Tide

Mid Tide

Watch out

Sharp cobblestone reef and barnacles; sea urchins; boat access; shallow sections; faster and more consequential rights; currents and tiring paddle-backs when larger. Don't put your feet down on the reef unless you want to leave with a souvenir. The southern/right-hand portions become shallower and more advanced.

El Gigante

Wave

Beach break · A-frame peaks (lefts and rights)

Level

Advanced

Season

March to October (south swells)

Tide

All tides; sandbar-dependent

Watch out

Rip currents form between the sandbars and the closeouts are heavy on bigger swells. Check the banks before you paddle out. Access is through private property or by boat, so arrange it in advance.