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Surf

Surfing is a top activity at Rancho Santana for a reason: offshore breezes, warm water, and a variety of waves at multiple beaches create optimal conditions for beginners and experts alike.

Riding The
Ranch’s Waves

Three of Rancho Santana’s five beaches are popular Nicaraguan surf spots among surfers. Experienced surfers flock to Playa Santana, a beach break that serves up powerful barrels that go left and right. Catch the best conditions here at mid to high tide. The same crowd also paddles out at Playa Rosada, known for its left point reef break. As for newbies, the place to be is Playa Los Perros, where the waves are more gentle and Rancho Santana surf coaches are ready to give you a lesson.

view of two surfers taking surf lesson on playa los perros at Rancho Santana

Signature Surf Journeys

Elevate your Surfing Skills with a Rancho Santana Surf Retreat

Join us for an unforgettable surf experience. Looking to build confidence, our ISA-certified coaches will guide you through tailored sessions and surf adventures.

Beginner Surf Week
May 9th – 15th 2026

Intermediate/Advanced Surf Week for Short and Longboarders
May 17th – 22nd, 2026

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Surf Packages & Experiences

Surfers come from near and far to paddle along Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. Take a private surf lesson or boat excursion in search of world-class waves.

picture of a surfer on the emerald coast of Nicaragua surfing with Rancho Santana surf teachers

Surf Butler

Enjoy a personalized surf experience with this just-launched service. Your surf butler is at the ready with any gear, guides, or insider scoop you may need.

– 5 days experience
– Private transportation
– Choose the perfect surfboard from our quiver
– Daily surf report
– Email conversation 1-week before the experience to tailor a surf plan
– Unlimited surf sessions between 6 am – 6 pm
– A surf boat charter experience
– A 50-minute wellness massage per person

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surf in Nicaragua - Rancho Santana

Surf Guiding

Embark on an exceptional surfing experience with our experienced surf guide who will lead you to the best surf spots tailored to the conditions and your skill level.

Duration: 4 hours | 8 hours
Meet: At the Beach & Surf Club at Playa Los Perros
Includes: English-speaking guide
Bring: Bathing suit, rashguard (if preferred), sunscreen

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surf instructor and student

Take a Surf Lesson

For first-timers, pick between a private or group lesson at Playa Los Perros. For those with a bit of experience under their belts, we also offer off-site private and group lessons.

Duration: Around 1.5 hours
Meet: At the Beach & Surf Club at Playa Los Perros
Includes: English-speaking instructor and a surfboard
Bring: Bathing suit, rashguard (if preferred), sunscreen, and a bottle of water

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Surf car on beach

Get Surf Coaching

For more experienced surfers, we offer private coaching sessions with our professional instructors. Bring your board and we can arrange transportation to take you off-site.

Duration: Varies
Meet: At the Beach & Surf Club at Playa Los Perros
Includes: English-speaking instructor
Bring: Your surfboard, bathing suit, rashguard (if preferred), sunscreen, and a bottle of water

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picture of a surfer on the emerald coast of Nicaragua surfing with from a boat with Rancho Santana surf teachers

Head Out on a Surfing Boat Trip

Like a surf safari, we’ll take you on a boating excursion in search of top-notch waves. Head north bound or south bound, and bring up to eight people total.

Duration: 4 hours
Meet: At The Inn
Includes: Transportation, english-speaking guide, and soft drinks
Bring: Your surfboard, bathing suit, rashguard (if preferred), sunscreen, and a bottle of water

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advanced surfer

Add Surf Photography to your Lesson or Session

Capture your surf adventure with professional photography or videography. Your photographer will be on the beach as you paddle out, pop-up, and hang ten.

Duration: 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours
Includes: Professional photographer
Bring: Your surf essentials – bathing suit, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a rashguard (if preferred), and your surfboard if it’s not a lesson

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boy surfing with a surf instructor on Playa Los Perros at Rancho Santana

Family Surf and Photo Package

What’s more fun than a family surf lesson that includes everyone, from grandchildren to grandmothers? We accommodate all age groups and ensure everyone has a great time in the waves. Capture these special moments with a photoshoot during your surf lesson, as well as a family picture at the beach.

Includes: Beginner Surf Lesson at Los Perros and
Surf Lesson Photography for The Family
Bring: Your surf essentials – bathing suit, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a rashguard (if preferred), and your surfboard if it’s not a lesson

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Hangout for the Hang Ten Crowd

The Beach & Surf Club at Playa Los Perros is home to our Surf Shop, where you can grab gear (extra wax, rashguards, and tees, for example) and rent a board. Then, wander over to La Taqueria, also at Playa Los Perros, for shrimp tacos and refreshing tequila cocktails while you recap the day’s wins and wipeouts. But the ultimate post-surf spot is the Spa in El Bosque, where a massage can soothe paddle-weary arms.

  • On a sandy Rancho Santana beach, three people practice surfing moves on green surfboards—an instructor in a red shirt leads two women. The ocean waves and blue sky capture the vibrant spirit of Nicaragua’s Green Season.
  • A group of children sit on surfboards on the beach, eager to catch waves as three surf instructors in red shirts explain techniques. The ocean and waves are in the background, ready for them to make memories under a partly cloudy sky.

Meet our Surf Team

We are proud to work with a rotating group of instructors each season. Explore our current lineup of talented Beach and Surf Club Team and our Surf Instructors.

 

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Dominique – Surf Club Manager

Dominique, originally from Switzerland, moved to El Limón 7 seven years ago because of her love for surfing. She has been managing Rancho Santana’s surf program for 6 years, sharing tips for finding the best waves and ensuring visitors a fun and safe experience.

Celeste – Surf Club Assistant

Celeste is a Business Administration graduate from Nicaragua, and has a natural talent for making people feel welcome. With a background in customer service and a love for connecting with others, she brings warmth and energy to every guest interaction. She’s passionate about creating meaningful experiences and making sure every visitor enjoys the best of The Good Life.

Sergio – Surf Club Assistant Manager

Sergio, originally from Nicaragua, went to college in Argentina at age 18. After completing his studies, he returned home to pursue his passion for the beach. Now, he serves as the surf club assistant manager, sharing the beauty and warmth of The Good Life with valued guests.

Lenin – Surf Guide

Lenin Espinoza, originally from El Limón 2, has 15 years of surfing instruction experience. As the most experienced instructor, you can rely on his expertise in navigating waves and improving your surfing skills.

Graviel – Surf Instructor

Graviel from El Limón 1 is the youngest team member and has been surfing for 6 years. He is known for his positive charisma and loves sharing his passion for surfing with guests, ensuring a memorable experience.

Uri – Surf Instructor

Uri is an experienced surfing instructor with ten years of teaching experience and 18 years of surfing. He first visited Nicaragua on a surf trip and made it his permanent residence.

Nicole – Surf Instructor

Nicole has been surfing for eight years. She feels thrilled to be a part of people’s surfing progress and enjoys helping them catch waves. Nicole came to Nicaragua for the surf, but the relaxed way of life made her stay.

David – Surf Instructor

David is a surfer with 25 years of experience who loves sharing his knowledge and being a part of his students’ new experiences. He ended up in Nicaragua because of the chill lifestyle and the opportunity to surf.

Darwin – Surf Instructor

Darwin from El Limón 2 has over 20 years of surfing. He has been part of our team for 10 years, one of our most senior instructors that always makes sure everyone is catching some fun waves.

Saddy – Surf Instructor

Saddy Zapata is from Limon 2. Besides teaching the initial steps of becoming a great surfer, he also serves as one of the SUP guides for Playa Escondida.  Saddy provides top-notch recommendations for the best surf spots and ensures a memorable experience.

Angel – Surf Instructor

Angel grew up in Veracruz de Acayo. 10 years ago, he developed a passion for surfing. His favorite part of teaching is seeing people of all ages experience the joy of standing up on a surfboard for the first time.

Jennifer – Surf Instructor

Jennifer has been surfing for 18 years and loves the adrenaline rush and mental peace that comes with the sport. She enjoys teaching surf classes to share her passion and knowledge about surfing and the culture of Nicaragua.

Emilien – Surf Instructor

Emilien chased waves around the globe as one of the world’s top 36 longboarders and a European & French champion. With over 20 years of surf coaching experience, his journey eventually led him to Nicaragua, where he now teaches with heart and soul — inspired by the wild coastline and the richness of the local culture.

Ella – Surf Instructor

Ella has been surfing for 5 years, and from the moment she started, she fell in love with it, a passion that has profoundly changed her life. Ella is also a yoga teacher, snowboard instructor, and scuba dive master. She loves following her passions and diving in headfirst to be the best she can be. She has been living in Nicaragua for a year now and visited for the first time 3 years ago.

Elise – Surf Instructor

Elise is from France and has been surfing since a young age and is now one of the best longboarders you see around here. She has been teaching and coaching surf for over 9 years. She loves sharing her passion about the sport and that’s also what brought her to Nicaragua.

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