suping in Nicaragua

[ozroc78]

Hello Everyone!!!!

I was hoping some of you could help me out. I am going to be traveling to Nicaragua soon and I wanted to know if there were some nice cruising spots there. Not really into sup surfing just wanna cruise around in a safe area.

thank you

Lizi

[endlessfight]

where in nica are you planning on being? there's lots of places to flat sup. there are a lot of lakes - if you want something chill go to Apoyo or Masaya. Apoyo is awesome for paddling. check out Apoyo Lodge. head out on the lake early morning before the winds start. it's dry season there right now and windy every day - if you're in to downwinders now is the time. you can cover some serious distance with the right wind direction.

If you're in the tourist mecca areas you can just paddle around the san juan del sur bay. real nice for flat paddling and they dont usually have any swell there. in grenada just head on lake nicaragua around the islands. if you're up north near leon go over towards salinas grandes or north towards las penitas - there's an estuary system that runs through that is amazing for paddling - lots of flamingos, birds, and other nature ish'

let me know if you need any more info

[ozroc78]

This is great info. We are most like,y heading over in may.  . Excited and apprehensive at the same time.

We are going to be in Managua. Do you know of anywhere safe near by that I could go almost everyday. I was thinking lake xiloa but I don't know the area at all. What would be the closest beach to Managua.

Thanks again.

[endlessfight]

the city of managua is located right on lake managua, so the closest would be to just go in lake managua. however the lake access right in the city is probably pretty dirty any not really ideal for going for a flat sesh. but i dont know that 100%. i usually land in managua and head to somewhere nicer. it may be worth it to get a taxi to take you a bit around the lake and away from the city so you're not swimming in garbage it would honestly be worth it to take a taxi to masaya or apoyo. from managua to masaya should be no more then like $20 for a taxi. im not sure about water access there but i know laguna de apoyo (just south of masaya) is awesome for flat paddling and ive done a bunch there myself. if you can just go for a couple days - accomodations are cheap as hell.
i was just there last week since the beginning of the month - but i was more on the coast surfing then flat paddling since i only had a 7'11" with me.
are you brining your own boards? rentals are pretty much non existant down there besides a couple 11' NSP's in san juan or up at iguana

[H2Oman]

Ditto Endless' info.  If you are planing on staying outside of San Juan or Tolas area, you will need to pack your board for the flight.   

San Juan would be a nice day trip if you have transp.  Its all open harbor/bay, but pretty, almost flat and a short walk from the car to the water.  If you email the folks a nicaragua surf report, they probably have a cruising board in the San Juan fleet.

[ifallalot]

If you are in Granada (a cool town to check out regardless) go cruise around the Islettas. My dad spends the winter down there, and keeps his scull at the marina, and rows a few miles every morning out there. You will probably want to stay on the marina side of the peninsula because of water quality issues on the town side.  But cruising around all the tiny islands would be very cool, plus it will be sheltered, so wind won't be a major issue.  You can even paddle out to the restaurant and grab bkst or lunch.