Your Nicaragua team includes expert bodyboarders and surfers with years of coaching, local knowledge, and surf travel experience. Fully trained in-house and qualified lifeguards, they ensure every session is safe, supportive, and fun, your mentors, motivators, and ultimate wave buddies throughout the trip. With five staff for just 12 guests, it’s an unprecedented ratio that guarantees progression.
Rob Barber is not only the Director of Bodyboard Holidays, he is also a former European and British Bodyboarding Number 1. After a remarkable 25-year career combined with his role as Head Coach for the British Surfing & Bodyboarding team, he was inspired to create unique bodyboarding experiences for like-minded people. A chance conversation at a bodyboarding contest in the UK gave him the tip off of the waves in this area of Nicaragua. That was back in 1998. Roll on to present day and he has held many trips to Nicaragua and received endless glowing reviews on the experience. While Bodyboard-Holidays took a hiatus from the visits to this region during and post the pandemic, they are now back and have things set up better than ever before.
Chelsea began surfing competitively at just 12 years old and has since earned over 100 wins and more than 50 titles on the international stage, even representing Barbados at the Olympics. One of her proudest achievements was winning the APSPR Corona Pro in Puerto Rico, where women and men received equal prize money.
An ISA Level 2 Surf Coach and qualified Montessori Teacher, Chelsea combines her teaching expertise with her lifelong connection to the ocean to help women build confidence, skill, and joy in the surf. She co-hosts our Barbados Camps and leads all our Costa Rica trips, where she has been surfing and coaching for more than a decade.
Jacob has been voted as instructor of the year for 2 years in a row for good reason. Maturity beyond his years, strong in the water (he’s a triathlete as well as a bodyboarder), a great explainer and definitely the biggest fins out of any of the team (he’s a size 12 shoe and 6 foot 4 inches tall). Jacob flew through the 4 month instructor training course, climbed the ladder of achievement among his peers and now finds himself working on the Central America camps each winter. When he’s not working for Bodyboard Holidays he is training aspirant watersports and surfing instructors. He’s extremely safety conscious, knowledgeable and approachable. If you hear him being called ‘John John’ it’s because of his likeness to World surfing champion John John Florence!
Hatty has an unrivalled love for surfing that is infectious to be around. She’s a true talent as she divides her time working as a Trip Leader on our international camps and coaching weekends. As well as spend time back at Women and Waves HQ she keeps as Head of Partnerships. She brings years of experience building authentic connections and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. With a love for surfing, sustainability, and community, she’s already bringing fresh energy and exciting ideas into the mix.
An ISA level 1 instructor, SLSGB Beach Lifeguard and a slave to the art of surf coaching, there is no one better to help you have an amazing trip and achieve all of your surfing goals!
Your trip includes seven nights in one spacious, fully equipped houses and two condos within a private complex, just steps from epic waves. Nestled in a quiet, lush setting, this is a bodyboarder and surfer friendly base with on-site facilities for fun, relaxation, and progression.
Room Options
Accommodation Facilities
With comfort, community, and a relaxed tropical vibe, this is one of the best bodyboard bases you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Enjoy seven days of professional bodyboard and surf coaching tailored to your level. With five expert instructors for just 12 guests, you’ll get one-to-one attention in the water, hands-on guidance, beach tips, and video analysis to accelerate your progress enormously.
Groups are split by ability so every session offers the right level of challenge. Daily 3 hour lessons combine water and land-based coaching, workshops, and theory to help you ride the waves that suit you best. Beginner, intermediate, or seeking a confidence boost? We’ve got you covered.
What’s Included:
Extra Options:
This setup ensures personalised coaching, guaranteed improvement, and plenty of fun as you ride Nicaragua’s epic waves.
Seeing yourself in action is one of the fastest ways to progress. Every day, you’ll get move-by-move breakdowns of your sessions with footage captured from the water and beach. Multiple photographers ensure your waves are covered from different angles, creating a jaw-dropping package of images and video.
We guarantee everyone leaves with at least one epic barrel shot. A full photo and video package is provided and uploaded to an online gallery during the week, perfect for tracking progression, reliving your bodyboard and surf adventure, or sharing your waves to make friends seriously jealous.
What’s Included:
Why It Matters:
This isn’t just coaching. It’s the ultimate keepsake of your bodyboard and surf journey.
Fresh, nutritious, and full of flavour, exactly what you need to fuel long days of bodyboarding and surfing. Three delicious meals a day are freshly prepared onsite by our private chef and served at the main villa, with flexible timings to suit the surf. Hot coffee and bottled water are available 24/7.
Hearty breakfasts feature staples like scrambled egg and avocado on toast or pancakes with banana, paired with fresh fruit and coffee, perfect after a dawn session. Lunches and dinners are relaxed, social affairs enjoyed outdoors, with a mix of local and international dishes: fresh fish, grilled meats, tacos, chicken burgers, salads, and plenty of veggie options. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are all catered for.
If you fancy dining out, the beachfront complex offers sushi, pizza, poke bowls, and pasta. We recommend the Beach Club for a sundowner while watching the last of the empty waves roll in, the best way to round off your day.
This trip includes two tailored yoga sessions designed specifically for bodyboarders and surfers. Each class blends mindful movement, strength-building postures, and breathing techniques to complement your time in the water.
What to Expect:
By integrating movement, breath, and mindfulness, these sessions leave you balanced, relaxed, and fully bodyboard-and surf-ready.
You will need to arrange your own flights to Managua International Airport (MGA), Nicaragua.
We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
Please arrange your flights to arrive before our 14:00 transfer from the airport and after 10:00 when we drop you back at the airport on departure day.
If you want to arrive earlier before the trip begins and book a night at an airport hotel to recover from your travel, that’s fine. If you’d like to tag extra days on to the end of your trip, we can help you to arrange that. Many guests choose to arrive early to relax and sleep off the jet lag or to enjoy some cultural experiences before the bodyboarding bonanza begins. We’ll let you know where and when to meet us on the first day of the trip or how to book extra nights in the accommodation at the end. If you’re after something slightly longer, you may be interested in our Nicaragua and Costa Rica Multi Stop bodyboard tour.
If you arrive at an airport other than at Managua, you will need to make your own way to our accommodation.
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. If you’re flying from Europe, your stop will often be in the U.S.
It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Managua if possible. If you’re transiting through the U.S. you will most likely need an ESTA visa. Ask your travel agent.
When you walk through arrivals (after collecting your bags) your driver will be there to meet you, please keep an eye out for him. He will be holding a sign with ‘Bodyboard Holidays’ on it. Once your bags are loaded, they will take you to the accommodation, which is approximately 2.5 hours away.
Transfers from Managua airport are smooth and efficient, whisking you away to your destination in 2-2.5 hours.
Pick-ups and drop-offs, in an air conditioned minibus, are included in the price of your trip – as long as you can make the scheduled timings:
14:00 on arrivals day, from Managua airport
10:00 arrival at Managua airport on departures day
When you arrive and have collected your bags, look out for the Bodyboard Holidays sign.
If you can’t make the transfer we can arrange your pick up at a charge of $100 each way. If you share a transfer this price will be split between the passengers. We will try our best to group you together to keep the cost down.
This is a fully all-inclusive trip, meaning your accommodation, meals, transport, coaching, and activities are all covered. Nicaragua offers incredible value, so you can enjoy a first rate bodyboard lifestyle without constantly reaching for your wallet.
VISA
Tourist visa entry fee is $10 USD, paid in cash on arrival at the airport.
FOOD
All meals are included and prepared onsite by our private chef, so there’s no need to budget for food during the trip. Everything is taken care of, leaving you free to focus on surfing and relaxing. If you choose to dine out one evening you should budget $25USD with drinks.
DRINKS & SNACKS
Budget around $20 a day for extras like a cold beer at the beach club, snacks, or a post-surf doughnut from the local bakery, purely optional treats after long, wave-filled days.
When you’re not bodyboarding or surfing, there’s plenty of time to relax or explore. Chill by the pool, stretch out in a hammock, or recharge between sessions. Nicaragua also offers an incredible range of optional adventures, some with extra charges, including:
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences to complement your waves.
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We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!
All trips must be paid in full no later than 12 weeks from start date. We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you. Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.
Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.
Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.
You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same.
Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.
ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.
If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.
If you wish to bring a non-bodyboarding partner with you, that is absolutely fine, however, the price stays the same.
The accommodation has acceptable WiFi which can be used for video calls, emails etc. It would not be strong enough to support the downloading of films and large files.
You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the accommodation and during our social evening meals.
We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.
We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.
Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.
Expect uncrowded, sand-bottomed waves that are fun, bowling, and perfectly peeling, just like the photos. Conditions are clean over 320 days a year, with warm tropical water and generally chest- to overhead-high surf, delivering all-day bodyboarding in relaxed, uncrowded line-ups.
We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.
Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading 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 a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes 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 the zips on your bag with a padlock.
Many nations 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 check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.
You may also need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). If you are travelling through America you should take a look at this website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
There are now enhanced security requirements to travel through the U.S using the Visa Waiver programme. There is a charge for the ESTA. If you are unsure, please contact your travel agent or the company that you purchased your air ticket from for further information.
If you’re not a British national, please check international travel requirements for your nationality.
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.
If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.
On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.
If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.
If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you. Upon booking the trip the trip leader will share their direct mobile number so that you can contact them if you need them.
As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company.
Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard.
For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.
You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.
If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities.
The local currency in Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan Córdoba, but US dollars are widely accepted, especially in coastal and tourist areas. We recommend bringing small-denomination USD in cash, as it’s easy to use for extras like drinks or snacks.
It’s best to arrive with cash already changed, as ATMs can be unreliable, may charge high withdrawal fees, and aren’t always nearby. While some places accept cards, cash is king here, coming prepared will make your trip smoother and stress-free.
Nicaragua is generally a safe and welcoming country for travellers, particularly in coastal regions where surf tourism is well established. The local communities are friendly, laid-back, and accustomed to visiting bodyboarders and surfers.
At our camp, safety is a real standout. We stay within a private, gated community with controlled access, and the area is quiet, relaxed, and very well looked after. Crime is nonexistent, and guests regularly comment on how safe and comfortable they feel. It’s common for accommodation owners in the area to leave homes and vehicles to be left unlocked, allowing you to fully relax and focus on the waves.
We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.
If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.
Our Terms and Conditions can be found on our website at https://bodyboard-holidays.com/legal-hub/terms-conditions/
Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.
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