Surf Forecast  Colorado

Colorado surfspot characteristics

More about Colorado surfspot

The rivermouth sandbars at Playa Colorado are quite possibly the hollowest, fastest barrels in the country when a SW or even better a W swell arrives. Quite sensitive to tide and wind, favouring rights and the surfers staying in the private Hacienda Iguana. Tube junkies paradise when it comes together, which isn't always.

General: Colorados is a very good and consistent beachbreak that works best on SSW-SW swells and during medium tides (depending on swell size). A river flows out here and keeps the sandbar replenished. The surf tends to always be best from just on the north side to right in front of the river mouth. The south side of the river mouth is usually always walled out. Colorados' perfection size is typically from around chest-shoulder high to 2-3 feet overhead (depending on sandbar quality and tide) -- anything bigger will usually wall out. Incoming sets will first bump up some on a reef way outside (which will even break on larger swells), before sinking back down then rising again at the lineup. The wave/peak can be quite shifty (which spreads out the crowd a little bit) with a fast peeling right, quite often with a hollow barrel. The lefts are usually a little less hollow than the rights, but still very racey, ripable, and hollow enough. Colorados is best and most hollow on a low-mid to mid-high tide. On the peak higher tides, it becomes a bit backwashy and less hollow, and peak low tides can get drained out with bad rips. The best wind is obviously calm or light offshore (anything from north to east). Although Nica is known for the steady offshore flow due to Lake Nicaragua, sometimes it can blow a little too hard offshore. When these offshores are strong, you can often spot people getting pitched over the falls trying to get over the ledge. Colorados is one of the most popular spots in Nicaragua, frequented mostly by visiting surfers, however the number of local surfers is steadily growing (especially among the kids). Unless you are staying at Playa Iguanas, access is often obtained by boat, or a long walk south from Rancho Santana. Tides: Medium tides are typically best, but can be ok on peak high and low depending on size. Size: The shoulder high to 2-3 feet overhead zone is typically best, but can occasionally hold a little bigger, depending on sandbar and tide. Tends to usually close-out once it crosses the double overhead mark. Wind: Calm or offshore from north to east, with NE as straight offshore. Swell: Can be fun on any swells, but best on SSW to SW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Depends on size and consistency, but typically not so bad. Spot Rating: One of the best waves in Nicaragua when it's on and its on lot -- certainly one of the best beachbreaks. Long draining barrels are not uncommon here.

Intermediate to advanced.

Stay at Iguanas. Otherwise, you'll need to boat or hike in.

April-August

Crowd Factor: Thick when good at Colorados, but usually pretty spread out, as there are a few different peaks to choose from. Local Vibe: Depends on conditions and size of the crowd. Always show respect though.

Crowds arrive by boat to join the residents who need to avoid the copious stingrays on the shuffle out.

Usually clean, unless the river is flowing with farm runoff, which then can be quite dirty. The river is usually flowing heavy in October.

Shallow impact zone, which the wave can slam you hard in; caught inside on a big set; river debris after rains.