I’m a surfer–I’ve spent most of the past 30 years surfing the best beaks California had to offer, and my surf trips took me to El Salvador, Hawaii, Indonesia, Tavarua, all over Mainland Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and more.
I share this so that you’ll understand I know what I’m talking about when I say that along Nicaragua’s South Pacific coast, the surf is world class.
Strong trade winds blow from the Caribbean to the Pacific (east to west) with nothing in the way to slow them down…no large mountain ranges or vast plains. Lake Nicaragua dominates the geography allowing these winds to blow uninterrupted out to the Pacific Ocean. The result: offshore winds all day. Perfect for surfing.
I can reach my favorite waves directly from my home at Rancho Santana. (I’m not going to name the waves here–that would only spoil your fun exploring when you visit.)
The beach break offers top to bottom fast hollow barrels. In the same class as Blacks, Silverstand and other world class beach breaks. The left point provides long peeling lefts that offer a canvas to do 10 turns or just high line it for speed. The combination of the offshore winds and the variety of waves mean that I can surf from dusk ‘til dawn.
If you’re not a surfer, this translates as: The beaches here are stunning.
Those of us who have made this coast our home have tried to keep it to ourselves. Now word is getting out, at least in the surfing world. Many of the top names have visited including: Andy Irons, Cory Lopez, Chris Ward, Keith Malloy, Shea Lopez, Fred Patachia, Brett Simpson, The Hobgoods, Pete Mendia, Jason Shibata, and Yadin Nicol.
No one leaves without promising himself that he will return…and soon. These guys see world class surf every month, so that’s not the only reason they want to return–what sets this stretch of Pacific coast apart is the stunning scenery and warmth of our neighbors and hosts.
Marc Brown
For International Living
Editor’s Note: Marc left the daily grind of selling software in California nearly four years ago, and moved his family (a wife and two little girls) to the beach in southern Nicaragua. He’s never looked back. You can follow his adventures via his monthly e-letter, “The Pacific Frontier.” It’s free, and in it, Marc talks about surfing much less than you think. Sign up here.
