Swells from South Pacific storms pound Central America during the North American summer months, especially in June and July. The shape of Nicaragua’s long, isolated beaches and direction of the shoreline help form these pushes of water into perfect overhead barrels.
Old-school surfers compare Nicaragua to Hawaii’s unspoiled North Shore in the 1970s.On the southwest coast around San Juan del Sur, lake-generated offshore breezes often blow year-round. Waves are still being “discovered” and named. Old-school surfers compare Nicaragua to Hawaii’s unspoiled North Shore in the 1970s.Nicaragua, once a blank spot on the world’s surfing map, now hosts international competitions and draws an increasingly well-informed crew of sponsored and nonsponsored shredders from across the planet. Meanwhile, a few young Nicaraguans have picked up the sport and caught the attention of surf journalists and documentary filmmakers, while small ecosurf camps spring up along the entire Pacific coast. In short, the secret is out.
Instructor and pro surfer Holly Beck runs Surf with Amigas a surf and yoga retreat for women. Photo courtesy of Surf with Amigas.
San Juan del Sur and the Southwest Coast
Most surfers head straight to San Juan del Sur (a.k.a. Sin City) where they can get oriented, rent or buy a board, socialize, and arrange transport to breaks north and south of town. You’ll find plenty of accommodations, guides, surf shops, and beach shuttles–none of which existed only a few years ago.
Start your research with Nicasurfing, the first and only surf tour operator that is entirely Nica-owned. For photos and practical information, check out Nica Surf Report, the longest-running online daily wave report in the country, which also offers a full complement of services for visiting surfers (rentals, equipment, transport, etc.).
Another option, especially if you’d prefer to explore the north coast, Rise Up Surf Tours Nicaragua offers fully guided surf tour packages to Nicaragua’s Central and Northwest Pacific coast; the owners are surfers based in León.
Women surfers can check out the San Juan del Sur—based ChicaBrava Surf Camp (U.S. tel. 832/519-0253), the first all-female surf operation in the country. The second, Surf with Amigas Surf and Yoga Retreat, was opened in 2010 by pro surfer Holly Beck on the Nicaraguan north coast.
Loaner boards waiting and ready to go for women at Surf with Amigas. Check out more photos on their Instagram: surfwithamigas.
Excerpted from the First Edition of Moon Volunteer Vacations in Latin America.
