Surf Breaks

Casita Santana is in the central surf zone on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. The vacation rental sits on Playa Santana, a world class surf break at Rancho Santana. In addition to Playa Santana, there are uncrowded surf spots everywhere. There is surf almost year-round and the surf is good all day. Plan on surfing 2-3 sessions per day. You will find breaks ranging from hollow A-frame breaks, to classic point breaks, to ruler-edged tubes and outer reef breaks.

Surf breaks benefit from Nicaragua’s permanent “Santa Ana condition”, offshore winds over 330 days per year. The winds are accelerated across Nicaragua by the absence of mountains in the southwest region and by the presence of Lake Nicaragua to the east. As the North East winds sweep across the country toward the Pacific, they blow straight into the oncoming swells, creating clean hollow lines and almond shaped barrels-nearly every day of the year. And the wind blows all day long so you can surf multi-sessions per days. Deep water swells range from 3 feet to 5 feet with bigger swells of 6 feet to 8 feet occurring regularly, and sometimes up to 15 foot swells, especially from March through November. Although December through February is less consistent, fun surf can still be found on most days.

Rancho Santana Wave Heights Nicaragua

Rancho Santana Wave Heights Nicaragua

Rancho Santana Wave Heights Nicaragua

  • Surfing Nicaragua in January – Not advised, swell is poor
  • Surfing Nicaragua in February – Not advised, swell is poor
  • Surfing Nicaragua in MarchSwell good, some consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in AprilSwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in MaySwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in JuneSwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in JulySwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in AugustSwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in SeptemberSwell excellent, great consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in October – Not advised, usually very rainy
  • Surfing Nicaragua in NovemberSwell good, some consistency
  • Surfing Nicaragua in December – Not advised, swell is poor

Area Surf Breaks – Best Places to Surf in Nicaragua

  • Playa Santana – rights and lefts – beach-break – hollow barreling – super fun beach break – Just out your front door
  • Playa Rosada – left point break – partial reef – 10 minute walk or 2 minute drive
  • Playa Colorado – rights and lefts – rivermouth – occasionally barreling – 15 minute drive
  • Panga Drops – rights and lefts – sand-rocky – 15 minute drive
  • Popoyo – rights and lefts – reef-rocky – hollow barreling left – 20 minute drive
  • Astillero – rights and lefts – point break – 30 minute drive
  • Manzanillo – left point break – partial reef – barelling long left – only accessible by boat – call for charter

Climate

Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast climate is Marine Tropical and has two main seasons: green and dry.

The green season from May to October consist of sunny days with sometimes short tropical showers in the afternoon or night. The driest season runs from November to April.

Air temperatures along the coast are 75 to 90 degrees during the day and 70 to 75 at night. (24 – 32 Celsius during day and 21 – 24 Celsius)

Water temperatures are ideal year around and no wet suit is needed. Warm air, warm water, palm trees, sandy beaches and cool drinks.