Intermediate: Playa Colorado (Epic, 1.6 m, offshore around 06:00), Playa Amarilla (Epic, 1.6 m, offshore around 06:00), Playa Santana (Epic, 1.6 m, offshore around 06:00)
Beginners: Punta Manzanillo (Fair, 1.1 m, offshore around 06:00)
Advanced: Playa Colorado (Epic, 1.6 m, offshore around 06:00), Playa Amarilla (Epic, 1.6 m, offshore around 06:00)
Forecast updated 20 Oct, 01:03 UTC.
The spots
Panga Drops · reef break, advanced, best on SW/S/W swell with NE/E wind, mid tide. Horseshoe-shaped reef at the north end of Playa Iguanas that throws hollow lefts and rights on solid swells; usually reached by boat from Gigante or the nearby resorts.
Playa Colorado · point break, intermediate, best on SW/S swell with NE wind, all tides. A rivermouth and reef spot on the Nicaraguan south coast with lefts and rights, less crowded than Popoyo. It works on south-west swell and offshore morning winds.
Playa Rosada · point break, advanced, best on S/SW swell with NE/E wind, mid tide. Left point over rock and sand at the south end of the Rancho Santana property, also called Perfect Peak; access is mainly through the resort.
Playa Amarilla · beach break, intermediate, best on SSW/SW/WSW swell with NNE/NE/ENE wind, all tides. Beach break near Popoyo that likes southwest swell with a northeast wind. Often working, and the remote setting keeps it uncrowded.
Playa Santana · beach break, intermediate, best on W/SW/S swell with NE/E wind, mid to high tide. 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.
Playa Gigante · beach break, intermediate, best on S/SSW/SW swell with NNE/NE/ENE wind, mid tide. A beach and reef break north of Popoyo with both left and right reef options. It is consistent on south-southwest swell.
Popoyo · reef break, intermediate, best on SW/S swell with NE wind, all tides. A shallow reef with a long right plus a left on the south Nicaraguan coast, one of Central America's most consistent waves. It receives south-west groundswell and is…
Punta Manzanillo · point break, intermediate, best on SW/S swell with NE wind, mid tide. Left point over reef and rock south of Gigante, uncrowded even on good days; best around mid tide on a rising swell.
When to surf in Popoyo
Best months for intermediate surfers: April to September. For beginners: April to September. The water goes from about 25 °C in February (Boardshorts / rash vest) to 29 °C in May (Boardshorts / rash vest).
Days per month at the best third of the 8 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Popoyo?
The best-known are Popoyo, Panga Drops, Playa Santana, Punta Manzanillo. In all, 8 spots lie within 8 km: 3 beach breaks, 2 reef breaks, 3 point breaks.
Where can beginners surf in Popoyo?
Popoyo is mostly for intermediate and advanced surfers: reefs, points or powerful beach breaks. Beginners should take a lesson and stay on the smallest days.
When is the best time to surf in Popoyo?
For intermediate surfers April to September. For beginners April to September.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Popoyo?
The sea goes from about 25 °C in February (Boardshorts / rash vest) to 29 °C in May (Boardshorts / rash vest).