Location – The main peak in Playa Grande is located within the Las Baulas National Park, approximately 200 meters south of the Las Palmeras surf break and about 1 km north of the Palm Beach surf break.
The wave is located just south of where Playa Grande’s main access road ends at the ocean. There is a 2-story wooden structure on the beach just north of the main peak.
Wave Quality:
Very good (8 / 10)
Ideal Swell Direction:
SSW (185°– 205°)
Ideal Wave Height:
Chest high – slightly overhead
Best Wind Direction:
Light offshore
Best Tide:
Mid tide
Required Experience: Advanced
Best Board: Fish, shortboard
Bottom:
Sandy
Crowd:
Moderate – Heavy
Wave Power: (7.5 / 10)
Best time of the year:
July – August and December – April
Wave Type / Quality -Left & Right beach break (5 / 10) Average
Palm Beach along Playa Grande’s coastline receives more swell energy than Tamarindo on Southerly swells. Although not as big at the main peak, you can generally find rideable, powerful waves. The reason for the average rating is because the wave is mostly walled and there are lots of closeouts. Since there are no rocks out the back to refract and bend the incoming swells, many of the waves don’t have the A-frame shape like
Playa Grande’s main peak. However, if you pick off a nice corner, you can still get a long, fast wave to the beach.
Ideal Swell Direction – SSW (185° – 200°)
All the surf spots in Playa Grande will receive any swell with a southerly direction (180° – 230°), But the ideal angle for wave shape at Palm Beach is almost straight south from 180° – 200°. With a dramatically southerly swell, the waves have a better chance running along the beach for long, roping left handers.
Ideal Wave Height – waist – shoulder high
Because of its tendency to close out, a small – medium swell works best at Palm Beach. While the main peak may be head high – overhead, Palm Beach will remain in the waist – shoulder high range with decent shape. For this reason, many Intermediate surfers
love to start at Palm Beach and work their way up the beach to the main peak as they progress.
Best Wind Direction – Light offshore
Best wind is light – moderate offshore which can range from NNE to NE to ENE. Playa Grande actually has a huge advantage over many other spots to the south because the wind will stay offshore longer. Since Playa Grande is located closer to Lake Nicaragua, the wind will stay offshore here all day while many spots to the south turn onshore around 10am. During the dry season (Dec – April) the offshore winds can be quite strong but the waves generally remain groomed.
Rubber?
–
Yes (December – April)
Bring some rubber especially if the winds have been blowing offshore for several days. Although rare, water temps can drop down to about 63°F. This is a phenomenon called upwelling. Normally, water temps hover in the 75° – 80°F range. Upwelling really only happens a few times during the dry season. A wetsuit top generally comes in handy for dawn patrol sessions year round.
Although the SSW swells are not super consistent in the dry season (Dec – April) the conditions are perfect and you can generally surf everyday no matter what time the tides are. When there is an offseason SSW swell this time of the year, you can expect some fun waves practically by yourself. July and August also made the list because these are our “mini-summer” months where we get plenty of offshore winds along with consistent SSW swell. During this time of year, all-day offshore winds are less common, but there is generally an offshore window that can last until 1pm.
Required Experience – Advanced
For the main peak in Playa Grande, you should be fairly advanced if you want to catch your share of waves. The waves are fast, powerful, and can get very hollow. If you are more of an intermediate surfer, there are plenty other fun waves just a few hundred meters down the beach to the north or south.
Best Board –
Shortboard, fish
Although you could ride a longboard at the main peak, the wave itself cries out for a shortboard with its fast, steep waves.
What’s On The Bottom?
Sandy bottom
A few rocks about 500 meters out give way to a flat, sandy bottom where the waves are crashing.
What’s The Crowd Like?
– Moderate – heavy
There is always a crowd at Playa Grande. The access is easy with a nice, paved road that you can take all the way to a parking lot in front of the main peak. Also, between Playa Grande and the actual Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) 2 hours to the north, there are not too many consistent surf spots. Therefore, Playa Grande’s main peak brings in surfers from multiple towns along the coastline. All the locals surf this peak because it has the most size and best shape. Many locals feel entitled to the best waves so just be respectful, show that you rip, and work your way up the totem pole.
How Powerful Is The Wave? (7.5 / 10)
Since the wave generally doubles up, Playa Grande’s main peak offers excellent power catching the wave initially and also while you’re riding down the line. The wave is known to slow down and speed up with reforming sections. Don’t kick out too early or you might miss the best part of the wave.
Perfecto Meter – (8 / 10) (1 = Lake Michigan wind chop / 10= Kelly Slater Surf Ranch)
On an ideal day with the perfect swell angle, size, and light offshore winds, you will have plenty of opportunities to grab some amazing rides. There are 3 main peaks at the main break and all of them get very good.
Spaghetti Arm Index – (4 / 10)
It’s easy to get caught inside on a set, but the wave itself doesn’t break all that far from the beach. If you find yourself caught inside, get out of the water, walk 50 meters to the north or south of the main peak, and you will have an easier entry.
Hazards – Agro crowds, rip currents, heavy surf
How Do I Get There?
From the Tamarindo beach break, you can walk there in about 40 minutes. This requires crossing the estuary and then a long arduous walk along soft sand for about 35 minutes. In a car, the drive takes about 25 minutes on paved roads. Since most of Playa Grande is national park you have to take a longer route out and around. If you have access to a boat, you will be there in 5 minutes after leaving the beach in Tamarindo.
