Nicaragua is really not known as a longboard spot. It’s more known for its powerful and barrelling waves, but there are quite a few places where you can find some longboard-friendly waves. Most of these places will have many days of pumping waves, but you’ll find longboard waves in the winter or on the inside.

Longboard Season in Nicaragua

Generally, the surf season in Nicaragua is in the summer, or rainy months. However, for longboard waves you’ll ideally want to aim for the dry season (November-March). It stays so consistent and reliable in the dry season that it made our list of the best places to surf in December. You’ll find less crowded waves that work much better for your longboard.

Popoyo

Most people head to surf in Popoyo in the rainy season. During the months of May-September, Popoyo can absolutely pump. However, the dry season (November-March) will still offer plenty of consistency. In my experience, Popoyo is one of the most consistent waves in all of Central America. You’ll almost always find a surfable wave here.

There are a bunch of different breaks here. The biggest is the Main Reef. This is where it can get pumping. In the winter, it offers nice A-frames that give a good long ride. For the best longboarding, we like Stoneys. It’s a left-hand point break off of a reef, and can give pretty nice rides for longboarders in the winter. It’s also super beginner friendly, and one of the best places to learn to surf in the dry season.

There are plenty of surf camps in Popoyo, but we’ll stick with one here: Hide and Seek. Hide and Seek is on our list of the best surf camps in Nicaragua and the best surf vacations for families. It’s truly a great surf camp with plenty of offerings. They offer weeklong family surf camps for $3,000 (includes up to three people), weeklong surf and wellness camps for $1,750, and couples surf camps for $2,450.

Playa Hermosa

Located about 30 minutes south of San Juan del Sur, Playa Hermosa is a relatively quiet spot with much less crowds than some of the bigger breaks to the north. It does need more swell to break enough to draw crowds, so you’ll frequently find smaller and mushier waves here, perfect for longboarders and beginners.

Most people who surf in Playa Hermosa stay in nearby San Juan del Sur, as it’s the hub of surfing in the area. It’s a great place to stay. The town is the center of the surf culture here, and you have access to plenty of waves up and down the coast. It’s on our list of the best surf vacations for beginners in Latin America due partially to the sheer number of waves on offer.

For lessons right at Playa Hermosa, we recommend checking out Makako Surf Academy. They offer surf camps, lessons, and all the rentals you could ask for. If you want to stay in San Juan del Sur, check out Casa Happy Life. They have 5 day camps for about $600 and 7 day camps for about $700.

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Playa Remanso

El Remanso is another break just to the south of San Juan del Sur. It’s close to town, and a legit surf spot. As such, you might find some crowds especially in the rainy season when it’s pumping more. However, this wave doesn’t get quite as big as other waves in the area, so you’ll still find an intermediate-friendly wave in the summer.

This beach break is pretty consistent, especially when the southern swells come in. There are a variety of waves and sections, so you’ll find everything from shortboarders to longboarders in the lineup. I recommend going in the early morning to avoid the crowds.

Playa Nahualapa

Nahualapa Bay is located up in the northern end of Nicaragua, just outside Manzanillo. It’s a super quiet area compared to the other places on this list. It’s much less developed, more relaxed, and full of nature. If you’re looking for a spot out of town with more of a chilled out atmosphere connecting with the sea and jungle, Nahualapa is the place for you.

The waves here work well at mid to high tide, and is known as a good intermediate surf spot. They’re much emptier than some of the more popular breaks in the area and you can also access Aposentillo, a solid beginner wave in the area. During the winter, the waves are a bit smaller and can give decently long longboard rides.

For somewhere to stay in the area, we recommend Chancletas Beach Resort. Located a few miles to the south near Aposentillo, Chancletas is owned and operated by surfer Shay O’Brien and his family. They’ve been here for over 20 years, and the community-oriented vibes here make it a rad stay that feels like home.