Popoyo

Playa Santana is a fast, wedging beach break in Nicaragua's Popoyo region and possibly the most consistent surf spot in the entire country. The wave produces hollow, almond-shaped barrels on both lefts and rights across numerous peaks spread up and down the beach, working best from waist-high to a couple of feet overhead before starting to close out on bigger swells. It fires from mid-tide rising through mid-tide falling — roughly a six-hour window — and the May through December swell season delivers the most reliable conditions from south and southwest Pacific groundswells. The steep takeoff, fast lines, and wedging sections suit intermediate to advanced shortboarders, and the wave can deliver surprisingly perfect little tubes even on smaller days. Because peaks are spread along the beach, Santana offers a welcome escape from the more competitive lineups at nearby Popoyo's reef breaks.