When is the Best Time to Surf in Nicaragua?
When is the best season for surfing Nicaragua?
For consistent waist to head high swell, Nicaragua surfing is best between the end of March and September. Consistent southern swell typically shows up during the peak of the dry season, at the end of March. The surf swell will build over the next few months.
In April, we get to take advantage of good waves while crowds are minimal. The only exception is Semana Santa or Holy Week, the week proceeding Easter. If you are here at that time, be prepared for Nicaraguans descending on every beach in the country for the Thursday through Sunday before Easter. Our town of Gigante will transform from a sleepy fishing pueblo of 500 to a crazy beach party with thousands of people. It can be a great time and an unforgettable experience, but it is an important thing to be aware of when booking your surf vacation in Nicaragua.
With May come the rains. Temperatures cool off a bit and the swell continues to build better consistency. May through August is the best time to surf in Nicaragua. This is the prime-time! The swell is dependable and big days can generally be expected from June on.
The Lake Effect
What makes this time of year best for Southern Nicaragua surfing is the wind created by the lake effect. All sorts of weather conditions go into making each break work at its best; swell height, swell direction, tidal conditions, and steady offshore winds. Most surf spots have wind conditions that tend to be predictable, but they will shift directions at different times of day. Down here in the Rivas province, Lake Nicaragua creates steady daylong offshore winds. That’s not to say that onshore never happens, but Gigante isn’t like some places where the wind always turns onshore after noon.
September and October are the peak of the rainy season. In October, the wet season tropical storms start to hit Gigante. Occasionally these storms will arrive in September but it is uncommon and the swell is still good, especially during the first two weeks of the month.
The best waves for surfing in Nicaragua depend on what kind of waves you are looking for and when you are coming.
November is the dry season. During November and December waist to head high waves, comparable to high season can occur. You can definitely score great surf until mid-January, but good swell transitions from being the norm to the exception as time moves on. This means that from November on is the perfect time for beginner surfers in Nicaragua. If you are looking to learn to surf or aren’t quite to the point where you are hunting for barrels yet, November through January and March through May are the time of year you want to come down. Come late January the winds kick up for a few weeks, and the water cools down again.
I would recommend February for someone who is just starting out or needs to knock some rust off of their surfing hinges. Plenty of boat tour companies will be more than happy to take your money in February, but it is a lot of expensive driving around looking for big waves that probably aren’t going to come. Even if it is when we have our version of ‘cold’ water, it’s probably warmer than anything you get at home all year long. The silver lining is that the waves may be less than perfect but this is the best time of year to have days with the surf all to yourself. Personally, I will take fun little waves all to myself over perfect waves with crowds almost any day.
Everyone is different and we just want to make sure every guest has the best time that they possibly can. This is your vacation and we understand that you need to make the best of what little time you have off. Check our variety of Surf Packages to see what is your best fit!
Also, a reminder that our Early Season Sessions Special happens every March and spaces fill up fast, so contact Reservations or send us a WhatsApp message to +505 8277 5111 to lock up a slot for next March for our all-inclusive Boat Tour Package for one week at $1400 per surfer!
Looking forward. To shreds your waves! Soonnnnnn!!!!! Jerra/ Yahaira. From. Puerto. Rico!✌️
Hola Jerra! When will you be arriving in Nicaragua?
como es en marzo? Popoyo area.
Hola Elizabeth! March is a great time to get in before the high season! Waves about 3 to 5 feet.
Hello Tara, thank you for your insights. I appreciate it very much.
Could you give me a quick information, please?
I am an experienced surfer that has been back to the Surf after 20years. I Recently visited Costa Rica where I spent 5 days surfing 1.5 to 2.9 waves (Between Jacó and Uvita).
My next trip will go to Nicarágua. Still 2022. To surf waves around 2m to 3m and some barreling ones which place do you recommend to go? And when is the best time?
Holaaaa!! Right now until about late May would be best!! Or September, November. October is a good size for you, can usually be pretty rainy but that’s never certain with nature these days
Please feel free to email and chat or message me via WhatsApp at +505 8277 5111
Would love to host you at Giant’s Foot! Our boat can take you to all the best spots for your size!
Hi, I have heard that February and March is really bad, to much wind, bad conditions- others say it’s the best time for beginners to intermediates – what is true. Actually I m Planung to stay from January to June – half a year. I want to become more “fluent” in my surfing. Should I better wait until end of March? Thanks and cheers David
Hey David! Early January is OK for winds but as February approaches the winds get stronger and the Swell flattens. So, late January and into February is best for pure beginners. The swell begins to rise again in March, which is when we have many who like to arrive just before the more consistent swells of April, as they choose quantity over quality with fewer people traveling to the area! We have a discounted rate of $1300 for a solo surf room, completely all inclusive, for March 2023 if you’re interested in that early bird special! Email us at giantsfoot@gmail.com
Cheers!
Do I understand it correctly that at the end of January the surf is not so great due to the winds but it improves again in February?
Hey Mark! Which level of surfer are you? Early January is OK for winds but as February approaches the winds get stronger and the Swell flattens. So, late January and into February is best for pure beginners. The swell begins to rise again in March, which is when we have many who like to arrive just before the more consistent swells of April, as they choose quantity over quality with fewer people traveling to the area! We have a discounted rate of $1300 for a solo surf room, completely all inclusive, for March 2023 if you’re interested in that early bird special! Email us at giantsfoot@gmail.com
Cheers!
Do I understand it correctly that the end of January is not so great due to onshore winds and that from February the swell picks up again compared to Nov-Dec?