Tropical location
7 night trip bodyboarding perfect waves
Bath-warm waters
Constant offshore winds
Come with us for a week of awesome bodyboarding coaching in the super-warm tropical waters of Southern Nicaragua … uniquely setup with permanent offshore winds and consistent wedges, all against a stunning backdrop of untouched beaches and lush, green mountains.
Quick Facts
Water Temperature: 27°C
Local Currency: Nicaraguan Cordoba
Language: Spanish
Local Beer: Tona
Tropical climate
Reliable Pacific swell
Surf 2ft – 3ft
Constant sunshine
Uniquely 100% offshore winds
Perfect for riders of all abilities
Bespoke one-on-one coaching available
Primo beach accommodation
One of Central America’s best-kept secrets
Trip Information
Our Aim
Welcome to Nicaragua – the land of ‘lakes and volcanoes’ – where you’ll experience an incredible week of bodyboard coaching along a tropical coast which is groomed clean every day with consistent offshore winds.
This epic bodyboard trip takes you to one of Central America’s last undiscovered surf regions. Only popping up on people’s radars in recent years, the potential for perfect surf in Nicaragua is off the scale, with gorgeous weather, warm waters, offshore winds and consistent swell, even in the off season, when 2-3ft is the norm.
Combine this with a wide variety of surf spots, low crowds in the off season and glassy waves from dawn ‘til dusk, is it any wonder this is one of the trips we look forward to the most?
Whether you’re a nervy novice or a seasoned pro, we’ll enjoy consistent, clean, conditions at a number of beaches, wedges, reefs and rivermouths only a short walk from our camp, which itself is tailor-made for us and located in the heart of the action.
On this trip you’ll get to know some great people who all want to travel, score epic waves, enjoy the beach lifestyle and improve their riding – a recipe of interests which always makes for a great group vibe.
Waves
Just a one-minute walk from the front porch of our surf camp sits the legendary Playa Santana wedge. The Bodyboard Travel Guide referred to this spot as:
“This hollow lefthand wedge is just perfect for bodyboarding. Super consistent, the waves at this spot never seem to go flat. The take-off fires you down the line through kegs and into oncoming sections – the ultimate playground.”
This spot works through nearly all stages of the tide, meaning you get refracted A-frames off the rocks at the southern end of the beach for almost six hours per day – and always feathered clean with the grooming offshore breeze. The paddle out is super easy, and the rewards endless.
Just as a juicy little bonus, overlooking the wave is the Rancho Santana resort. So if you fancy a break from being barrelled, you can take five, chill by the pool, enjoy a smoothie, and watch perfect wedges breaking just 20 metres away from you.
It’s not just the wedge though, the main beach of Playa Santana also offers plenty of left and right-breaking peaks along a beautiful two-mile stretch, giving you heaps of opportunity to catch some super-fun tubes and practise your manoeuvres without the crowds.
The north end of the beach also has a mellower right-hand wedge, which can be a whole heap of fun when the tide pushes up.
If you fancy stepping it up, just around the headland to the north sits the famous reef break of Popoyo, which jacks up the swell further and offers great left and right walls to tear apart.
If this local smorgasbord of left and right-hand beachie peaks, wedges and reefs isn’t enough, we can easily explore all of the nearby secret spots, which offer everything from mellow point breaks and fun shoreys to fast rivermouths and heavier reefs.
Accommodation
Having travelled for decades and stayed in a load of different surf accommodations around the world, we can safely say our surf camp in Nicaragua is the best we’ve ever stayed in, period.
It comprises fully air-conditioned surf villas and apartments, as well as a communal eating area, free WiFi, a private swimming pool and gated security.
The best thing is, just 10 metres from the front gate are the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, so we’re perfectly placed to wax up, paddle out and start getting slotted in the sun.
Climate
We time our trip to Southern Nicaragua slap bang in the middle of the dry season, when it’s virtually guaranteed to be warm and sunny. Being based on the Pacific coast (rather than the wetter Caribbean side) means it rarely – if ever – rains, giving you gorgeous clear skies and sunsets every day.
As well as the weather, the beauty of hitting this amazing corner of Central America in the dry season is there are fewer mosquitos and clearer waters for bodyboarding and snorkelling. It’s also a lot easier to spot wildlife like monkeys and birds in the canopies when there is less foliage.
Nicaragua is generally hotter and drier than Costa Rica, but luckily, with the ‘Papagayos’ offshore breeze, it’s always a really comfortable temperature – easily warm enough to just wear boardshorts, but not so hot that you feel as though you’re melting.
In addition to the perfect weather, the sea temperature on the Pacific coast is routinely 27-29C … about as good as it gets.
Food
Our epic surf camp offers a tasty food package, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks, snacks and unlimited drinking water.
This price of this package comes in at just $35 USD per day, which is great value when you consider what you get. Everything from Lobsters to steaks to homemade pizza. Opting for this also minimises any stress from your end, and maximises your time in the water or in the hammock, so all you need to do is focus on the sea, the surf and the sun!
The price of alcoholic drinks is generally between $2 to $4 USD, so please budget for these according to your thirst. Most people also bring a bottle of spirits from duty free.
Please note the package is to be paid for on arrival. There are also daily specials available in the restaurant, and ‘Nica Plates’, which include fresh fish, lobster and pizza. We also have barbecue nights, which are all-time.
Coaching
Our coaching team offers daily tuition, tailored to your ability with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured. Experienced lifeguards, some have 30 years of surfing experience and 20 years of worldwide travel experience, trained by multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
Foundation Level Tuition
You’ll never be thrown straight into the deep end. We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Likewise, intermediate and advanced-level coaching is also tailored towards the individual.
Don’t stress if you haven’t been bodyboarding long – on this trip there’s something for everyone. You’ll be amazed how quickly you master riding good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
To aid with this, we send out a pre-event form to measure your ability before you arrive. If you’ve not attended a coaching holiday before, don’t worry – we can have a surf assessment, get to grips with your riding and help plot you a path of improvements. By the time you fly home you’ll be well on your way to reaching that next level. Improvements are 100% guaranteed.
Intermediate and Advanced Coaching
Our instructors are on hand with groups in the water, able to give extra tips on the beach, and give detailed feedback during our informal classroom video and photo analysis. Our coaching covers all levels of riding, with separate ability groups and instructors to suit your standard, whether you’re a novice or a pro. Each day we’ll split the groups and coach accordingly.
We aim to have one long session or two 2-hour sessions each day, depending on the swell, tide and wind conditions. There will also be both photo and video analysis available following all sessions to help improve your riding, and both will be available to take away at the end of the trip for £30 and £50 respectively.
If you’re already a ripper and are just looking forward to tackling some Pacific swell in good company, you’ll love Southern Nicargua – a daily routine of seeking out the best breaks in the area, pulling into tropical tubes and boosting out of barrels in the sun.
Travel
You need to make your own travel arrangements to get to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Nicaragua.
If you are flying from the UK, we work closely with the good people at Dial-A-Flight, so get in touch and they can hook you up – just give them a call on 020 7295 1556 and ask to speak to our bodyboarder-friendly agent, Lee . Alternatively, check out SkyScanner to find well-priced flights from an airport close to you.
When booking, make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges by weight and number, so you don’t get hit with any nasty hidden fees on the day.
If you have a stop, please ensure you have sufficient time to make your connection and allow for short delays. If you’re flying from Europe, this will often be in New York, Miami or Atlanta. It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Managua if possible.
Once you’ve arrived, we’ll have organised for a driver to pick you up and take you to our surf camp, though this will be an extra cost you’ll need to factor into the trip.
We recommend you aim to pick a flight which arrives between 7pm and 9pm, and likewise when heading home aim to fly out between 7am and 9am, so we can group you up in the taxis. One-way from the airport can be as much as £95 ($125USD). By sharing it will be much cheaper per person. So please try to arrange your flights to land and depart as close as possible to these times. If this is not possible we will do our best to create a schedule that works for everyone.
If you want to arrive earlier or leave later, that’s fine. We’ll let you know where and when to meet us on the first day. However please be aware, if you arrive at an airport other than at Managua, you will need to find your own way to our bodyboard camp.
Once we’ve all made our way to our accommodation, you’ll be shown to your rooms, after which we’ll have a group meeting to chat about the holiday ahead and start getting the boards waxed up.
Price
Food package – $35USD per day
Alcoholic drinks – $2-$4USD
Airport transfer – Between $25USD and $125USD (depending on number in vehicle)
Optional excursions – $30USD
Payment plans
We have three payment plans. You can pay in full at time of booking. Or you can split the payment in to two or three instalments. We will agree this with you at time of booking.
Until a payment is received your place on the trip is not reserved. The full balance for the trip must be received 12 weeks prior to departure.
Area
This is like the land that time forgot – from the dense jungle and craggy mountains inland to the massive Lake Nicaragua and its islands, it wouldn’t look out of place to see a few dinosaurs stumbling about in the undergrowth.
It’s only natural then that as well as being a prime bodyboarding location, there are plenty of other activities to do in the area, such as jungle treks, wildlife spotting, volcano tours, offshore fishing trips, colonial city visits and some cool local markets to check out and spend some cash in.
Alternatively, back at the beach you can give horse riding a go, or simply relax and recharge between bodyboarding sessions by snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters or lazing in a hammock with a good book.
Kit List
Bodyboarding is one of life’s great pleasures, and we’re convinced if you haven’t already, you’ll want to get fully kitted out to get the most from the waves.
Bodyboard
The super-warm waters of Southern Nicaragua do make older boards suffer. If you have an older PE board it’s likely to get very flexible in the heat, so we recommend boards with a stringered PP core. Also look for warm water waxes.
To help with this, we can supply hired boards which are perfect for use in Nicaraguan water temperature and wave types.
If you need to hire one, or are interested in trying one different to your own, get in touch and we can get you sorted with the right-sized board so you can get the most out of the trip.
Shorts and rash vests
On any tropical trip, it’s important to invest in a good pair of high quality, lightweight, stretchy board shorts, and a good lycra vest to help keep the sun off. In fact, make that two pairs of shorts – it’s not worth risking getting caught short if you rip a pair.
Fins
It’s essential to use a pair of comfortable, powerful, bodyboarding swim fins to get the most from the awesome waves on the trip.
Leash
It’s a simple insurance policy on any trip, so don’t forget – bring an extra leash. The day you snap one you’ll thank yourself.
Bodyboard travel bag
A decent board bag will keep your kit safely protected throughout your journey, especially when you consider the brutality of some baggage handlers. They range from £20 to more than £100 – the more you pay, the better protection you get. The best on the market is the Creatures wheelie bag, it’s heat-reflective, padded and you can wheel it around, saving your arms and shoulders for paddling.
Board sock
Board socks perform a dual purpose, protecting your board from the harsh South Sumatran sun, and drying you off as it’s a handy towel. The humble board sock is an awesome piece of kit for travelling (or home use).
Anti-rub protection
Fin slippers and socks prevent rub on the foot and Achilles heel, and also save you from needing to wear full-length fin socks. Absolutely worth picking some up.
Heel shields
If you don’t wear wetsuit socks and want to prevent rub around your heels, it’s worth considering a set of heel shields. They make fins comfortable, stop chafe and have different thickness levels to suit the snugness of your fin.
Finserts
Finserts are (in our opinion) the ultimate foot protection from fin rub! Definitely have a look at buying a pair.
Fin tethers
Don’t let a lost fin ruin the rest of your trip. Bag a set of tethers and know you’ll pop up from every duckdive and wipeout with both fins still attached.
Shorts and rash vests
On any tropical trip, it’s important to invest in a good pair of high quality, lightweight, stretchy board shorts, and a good lycra vest to help keep the sun off. In fact, make that two pairs of shorts – it’s not worth risking getting caught short if you rip a pair.
Sun protection
There are a range of sun creams geared specifically for bodyboarding abroad. We can attest they actually stay on in the water, and we’ve tested them in some searing conditions.
We strongly advise you buy some bodyboard or surf-specific sun protection. They’re much more effective than regular creams – there’s nothing worse than having to sit out on an epic session because your suncream washed off yesterday and today you’re painfully crispy.
Sun hat
Maximise your surf time by keeping the sun off your head. If you don’t already have one, please purchase a surf hat, especially if you have a shaved head or have fair skin. Trust us, it will make your trip much more enjoyable.
General things to make your life more comfortable
- You will be sleeping in fairly close proximity to others in traditional buildings, and noise travels through this jungle area. Whether that is the wildlife, people listening to music in the bar/eating area or somebody snoring in your room, it’s a good idea to pack some ear plugs if you are a light sleeper.
- Cool, light clothing. You will spend most of your time in just shorts. Make sure they are lightweight and ‘quick dry’ – heavy denim shorts will be uncomfortable in the tropics, especially when travelling.
- Lycra shorts to wear under your boardshorts. Just in case you missed it, here it is again: Lycra shorts to wear under your boardshorts.
- A good book or a Kindle, a stack of music on your phone, and movies to watch on your tablet.
- Sunglasses (and spares if you are prone to losing/breaking them).
- Flip flops / sandals.
- Your own refillable water bottle – always stay hydrated.
- A waterproof bag to help keep your kit dry if you go out on a boat.
- Earplugs for use in the water.
First Aid Kit
While we do have a trained medic on-site throughout the trip, it is always best practice (and polite) to bring your own first aid kit.
Accidents can happen when travelling and/or around camp, and there is the ever-present danger of connecting with a sharp coral reef at some point during a session. It’s important to expect this, and to bring a first aid kit with contents ready for it.
Essentials
- Mosquito repellent (an obvious one, but easy to forget)
- Antiseptic wipes / wash / cream
- Sterile saline solution
- Steri-strips / sutures
- Wound dressings
- Bandages / sterile gauzes
- Band aids / plasters (a good selection of sizes)
- Waterproof tape / duct tape (basically fixes everything)
- Aspirin
- Latex gloves
- Cotton tips
- Stainless steel scissors
- Stainless steel fine point tweezers (key for removing bits of coral)
- Safety pins
- Tourniquet / triangle sling
Recommended
- First aid manual (or better yet get some training)
- Deep Heat / muscle rub gel
- Hydrogen peroxide / iodine water purification tablets
- Scorpion sting remover
- Anti-histamine tablets
- Super glue
- Compeed (pads for fin rub)
Extras
- Sudacrem
- Vaseline
- Hydration sachets
- Imodium / travel sickness tablets
- Zinc lip cream
- Cold and flu tablets/Lemsip
What’s Included
- One week’s awesome accommodation
- Administration of land transfers
- Clean waves with offshore winds all day every day
- Surf guiding each day to find waves to suit your ability
- Video and photo analysis to advance your riding
- Expert tuition tailored to your ability
- Guaranteed good times!
Every day we’ll be exploring the region’s stunning coastline to track down the best waves for your ability, normally getting up early, grabbing a snack and getting in before anyone else.
After a couple of hours we’ll head back to the pad for a refuel. Once done we’re straight back on it – if it’s been pumping we’ll head back out, or check out different spots to make the most of it before tides drop or swell shifts.
Back at camp we’ll then go through a photo and video analysis session, and people’s time is then their own to chill, crack open a cold one or relax in a hammock with a book.
For the frothers there’s always the chance of a sneaky third session before dinner, kicking back, witnessing a stunning sunset over the Pacific, or catching the latest bodyboarding flick before bed.
Photography and video analysis will be available throughout all sessions to help improve your riding, and each of these will be available to take away and keep at the end of the week too, for an additional £30 and £50 respectively.
Dates
Please check our Upcoming Trips for our next trip dates.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about our Nicaragua Trip.
Do I need a visa?
British nationals can visit Nicaragua for up to three months without a visa. However, entry into the country may be refused and airlines may turn you away if you have less than six months left on your passport, or if you don’t have an onward ticket.
Please note, there is also a $10 USD entry fee on arrival. If you’re not a British national, please check international travel requirements for your nationality.
Please contact your travel agent or airline if you have any further questions. It’s a good idea to carry photocopies of your important documents and guide books, and pack them separately. We also suggest scanning copies and emailing them to yourself for extra reassurance.
I’m a silver surfer, will this be a problem?
If you’re over 60 years old – or will be turning 60 on the trip – we need to chat on the phone prior to booking. Please call us on 01637 879571, or email us to arrange a time for a call.
Can we contact you if we have travel problems?
On the day that you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes.
Please inform us at the airport if you’re early or delayed for any reason. If you need help to book your flight then just drop us a line.
If you’re having problems on arrival, please call your trip leader (details in your pre-trip email) or the office on +44 1637 879571
What’s the best way to transport my bodyboard and kit?
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as read their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.
Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with the largest, most permanent marker you can find. Make sure you wrap your towel and wettie around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking your bag zips with a padlock.
Do I need personal travel insurance?
Please advise our coaching staff of any medical complaints or conditions prior to your trip.
We will ask for travel insurance details upon booking, so please organise this nice and early. We will also ask you to fill out an enrolment form with these details before the holiday.
How can I find out about medical advice for travelling?
Health and safety medical advice for travellers can be found at www.doh.gov.uk. Otherwise, contact your GP or the Department of Health (DoH) for further information.
Alternatively, from the UK you can call the helpline on free phone 0800 555777. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issues up-to-date information on safety issues for countries world-wide. Contact the FCO travel advice line on 020 7238 4503/4504 if you have any concerns.
Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit. According to netdoctor.co.ukthe risk is very low.
What currency should I take?
The currency in Nicaragua is cordoba, but it’s easier to buy US dollars. You can purchase these from any travel agency, bank or post office.
There are exchange facilities in airports as well as ATMs, so please do this before the trip.
Please note there are no ATMs in or around our surf camp, so you need to bring all of your cash with you. The majority of our customers bring dollars and a credit or bank card.
How much should I budget for the trip?
The journey to the accommodation from the airport is 2.5 hours each way. The taxi seats five people, so we aim to group you together so you can split the cost (which is £95 ($125 USD) per vehicle per journey).
If in the unlikely event you can’t share the journey with anyone, this is the maximum it will cost you, so please bring enough in case this happens.
All being well though we can get you in with 4 other guests for both the arrival and departure journeys, and this would drop the cost to just $25 per person, each way.
The food package at camp is $35 per day, and this needs to be paid in full on arrival. Alcoholic drinks are generally $2 – 4, so please include this in your budget.
If we have a rare flat day, we could look at an excursion, for which you should budget $20 – $30. However, it’s worth noting that we have been visiting this camp for six years and haven’t been on an excursion yet (as the waves are generally good each day) and in between sessions we simply eat, chill and recharge. It’s bliss!
Can I make contact from outside the UK?
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to chat through the trip details, we can be contacted through WhatsApp, Facetime or Skype, just let us know by email and we can arrange this with you.
How do I pay?
Payments are all made via our online invoicing system called Simple Invoices. Once you have confirmed you wish to join a trip we will send you an online invoice via email. Within this email there will be a link where that will take you to our secure payment system where you will need to enter your credit or debit card details to make the payment.
Payment plans
We have three payment plans. You can pay in full at time of booking. Or you can split the payment in to two or three instalments. We will agree this with you at time of booking.
Until a payment is received your place on the trip is not reserved. The full balance for the trip must be received 12 weeks prior to departure.
What happens if I want to cancel my booking?
If you can no longer join the trip please let us know as soon as possible via email, your cancellation will be effective from the date which it is received by Bodyboard-Holidays. Cancellation charges are payable as follows:
Over 12 weeks – deposit only (one third of the total trip price)
36 days to 12 weeks – 50% of total cost
21-35 days – 75% of total cost
Under 20 days – 100% of total cost
However if your cancellation is within the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim. Further information here. https://bodyboard-holidays.com/terms-conditions/
How to book
Once you have read all the info and made your selection. Book your holiday in 3 easy steps
Enquire
Fill in the enquiry form below
Confirmation
We’ll confirm availability and explain payment plan options.
Completion
Pay your deposit, book your flights and complete the enrolment form. You’re on the trip!
Tripadvisor
“The moment I stepped off the plane, it felt like a dream come true. To add to the magic, Bodyboard Holidays has found a secret location with several fabulous spots to surf, particularly a dreamy wedge that breaks left. I spent a week and could have kicked myself for not making it two! I can’t recommend enough!”
Steven S
“The week was absolutely packed with surf. We had fun waves all week, just a short walk from where we were staying. The photos and videos, along with the daily (or often twice daily) review really helped me progress quickly. By the end of the trip, I was getting awesome rides, doing cutbacks, and working on rolls. The whole thing was a breeze. Once the trip was booked, they took care of everything. All I had to do was show up at the airport!”
Jeremy E
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