Rancho Santana (Tola) · Rivas · Nicaragua
Beach break in front of Rancho Santana, south of Popoyo, with A-frame peaks along the sand; groomed by the near-constant offshore wind from Lake Nicaragua.
For intermediate surfers the best months are April to September: in June about 26 days have rideable waves and 22 rate good or better. Beginners find the friendliest waves in April to May, July to October. Experienced surfers looking for size and power: June. Local guides: April-October; offshore winds most of the year.
Water 26 °C in February to 30 °C in May: Boardshorts / rash vest in winter, Boardshorts / rash vest at the warmest.
| Month | Rideable days | Good days | Beginner days | Typical size | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0.9 m | 27 °C |
| Feb | 7 | 2 | 8 | 0.9 m | 26 °C |
| Mar | 14 | 5 | 13 | 1.0 m | 27 °C |
| Apr | 22 | 13 | 19 | 1.1 m | 28 °C |
| May | 25 | 16 | 20 | 1.1 m | 30 °C |
| Jun | 26 | 22 | 13 | 1.4 m | 29 °C |
| Jul | 26 | 12 | 22 | 1.1 m | 29 °C |
| Aug | 22 | 12 | 18 | 1.1 m | 29 °C |
| Sep | 25 | 16 | 20 | 1.1 m | 29 °C |
| Oct | 20 | 10 | 17 | 1.1 m | 29 °C |
| Nov | 16 | 7 | 14 | 1.0 m | 28 °C |
| Dec | 9 | 2 | 9 | 0.9 m | 27 °C |
Days per month, typical of the last three years of wave and wind model data, rated with the same scale as the forecast. Not a forecast: some years are better than others.
For intermediate surfers April to September; in June about 26 days a month have rideable waves and 22 are good or better. For beginners April to May, July to October. Local guides say: April-October; offshore winds most of the year.
The sea ranges from about 26 °C in February to 30 °C in May. Wear a Boardshorts / rash vest in the coldest months and a Boardshorts / rash vest in the warmest.
It is best for intermediate surfers (rips; restricted access).
W, SW, S swell, NE, E wind (offshore), at mid to high tide. Typical size 1-2.5 m.
Live swell, wind, tide, a 14-day outlook, satellite pictures and webcams for Playa Santana are in the Surf Spoting app.