October 27th, 2020

Somewhere in Nicaragua

Seeing this too many days back to back tends to really make you appreciate how many really good days we actually do have here through out the entire year. This soon shall pass… SO. Today I decided to do a little surf break virtual tour. YOU IN? Let’s do this!!

I pulled out the ol’ archives and put together a little list of a few of some of the best known and some unknown surf spots some of you may or may not have seen or been to. So let’s start it off with Manzanillo.

This point break has lots of potential for many reason, although it is tide sensitive, hit this place on the right swell angle and you will for sure fall in love with this place, especially if you’re a goofy footer.

Another long left point break, El Piñon (aka known as Lances Left) can divvy up some super fun boat trip surf sessions if you like to venture out and see this beautiful coast by panga boat. You can also drive there, however you will have a good 30 min walk in the hot sun and scorching black sand beach, then cross over some rocks and you’re there. This is why most people opt for the good old boat trip.

This shot and the previous shot is a from a couple years back of some of my friends on a really really solid day at Lances. This place can handle size and is usually one of  the go to spots when all other places (i.e. beach breaks are too big and closing out).

Just up the road or about 10 nautical miles by boat is Playgrounds. The name says it all! It’s like a cross between uppers and lower trestles.

There’s a short fast and punchy right off the peak and a longer more rippable left on the other side. Just watch your toes and the nose on your board as the rocks on the inside are shallow and a little sharp.

A lot of people coming down to Nicaragua often are looking to try their hand at surfing. Mag Rock is one of the best places for this. As you can see in the photo, there are lots of newbies even up to intermediate. This place can super fun when it’s really big on the outside and you just wanna cruise and catch some playful waves.

Another fun place to surf if you’re a beginner or intermediate is just around the bend from the infamous Playa Colorados beach, called Amarillo. This little stretch of beach in between Hacienda Iguana and Gigante has fun beach break waves and a little right hand point break like wave on the north end and left hand point break like wave on the south end. Great spot for a little day hike or trip.

Another popular surf break a little north is Popoyo. This wave breaks completely over an entire rock bottom and works like a machine and pulls in multiple angle swell energy. If you like a high performance type wave and can keep up with the kind of surfers that enjoy the same thing. This place is GREAT! Especially when it gets big like over head to double overhead and up.

When things start to get serious and those purple blobs on the swell charts bring in the heavy water. Unless you like surfing in survival mode, this next break is the perfect place to watch from the cliffs or if you want front row seats from your private chartered panga or ocean type vessel. Watching the Outer Reef from the safety of the channel.

Just make sure who’s driving keeps a close eye on those super scary wide swinging west clean up sets. It’ll definitely keep you on your toes out there in the channel!

Rancho Santana or Jiquiliste which both names will work depending on your access to the beach, is a super fun beach break with multiple defined peaks from first peak breaking right (well left) off the rocks in front of the beach club restaurant. This place likes a higher tide and nothing too big. So it’s the perfect smaller to head high maybe a little bigger type waves with ramps air sections….

And of course barrels. This place has a little bit of everything all packed into one perfect little stretch of beach.

Next up, I told you you would see maybe some spots that you’ve never seen. Here is IDK’s 1. It’s heavy and should only be surfed by experienced surfers.

If you know, then you know, but this place and crowd factor stays pretty low because of it’s location (gotta get there by boat) and when it’s on…. it’s ON! Better bring your A-Game!

IDK’s #2 is another spot that’s super fickle but as you can see is mental the way it breaks over super shallow urchin infested rock reef. Make the drop without getting pitched and you’re going to get one of the best and squarest barrels in Nicaragua. (oh… ed note*** IDK stands for “I DON’T KNOW”) Jaja!

Los Perros in all it’s high tide backwash glory! If you find yourself getting bored with all the lefts Nicaragua has to offer, you can always check Los Perros, especially when it’s really big everywhere else. This place does need some swell and the more west in it the better.

Just be sure to time your paddle out right. The inside closeouts can certainly get the heart rate going if you find yourself in this predicament.

Second to last on the list…. Old faithful! Panga Drops. Everyone tends to have a love/hate relationship with this wave. Not in a negative way, but only because of its shifty nature. Some sessions you can find yourself in what always seems that you’re out of position the entire time. Other times, you can have some of the best and longest waves than any surf spot within a 50 mile radius.

The other thing is no matter, never, ever, never can you sit outside far enough. This wave is notorious for its giant sneaker set’s that come from out of nowhere.

ANNNNND of course saving the best for last….. Our beloved Playa Colorado!!! What more can I say about this wave that I haven’t already said day in and day out. Big waves or small waves. Surf report after surf report over the last few years. This place is as synonymous with Nicaragua as Puerto Escondido is with Mexico, or Pipeline is with Oahu, Hawai’i.

If you love this view…. then Playa Colorado is FOR YOU!!!!!!!

There are plenty other surf spost that didn’e make the list, who knows, maybe I’ll do a second round another lay day. In the meantime, the biggest cherry on top of anything good about Nicaragua are the sunsets here. Always beautiful, always stunning, always amazing… just like you for taking time to check out todays surf break virtual tour, report. Muchísimas Gracias ~