
Surf Forecasts:
Popoyo surf forecast from 11 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 9PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period, SW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 15 Sep, 3PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 18s period, SW swell with 600 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 3AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 14s period with SW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Popoyo this week:
The surf forecast for Popoyo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 3AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Popoyo in the next 16 days are 1.0m 18s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 3AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 9PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 3PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Popoyo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's get into it.
We're looking at a mixed bag for Popoyo. The next week or so is going to be a real test of patience, with small, marginal surf and tricky winds. The real promise sits out in the second week, with a few standout sessions that could make the wait worthwhile.
Right off the bat, Friday morning (September 11th) is the best we’ve got for a while. It's not huge, with 4ft of SW groundswell, but that long 16-second period is packing a surprising punch. The combined energy is a solid 670 (moderate). What makes it work is the fresh offshore wind from the ENE, keeping the faces clean at this reef break. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 85°, which is notable. Popoyo is a very consistent spot, but you might still have company as crowds are sometimes an issue.
From Friday afternoon all the way through to the end of the next week, it gets pretty grim. Winds are either cross-off or onshore, and the swell drops right off, mostly below 3ft with short periods. This is a long stretch of small, choppy, or bumpy surf. Not worth paddling out for unless you just want a tan on your board.
Now, let's fast forward to the second week. Things start looking up on Friday, September 18th. The morning brings a tiny 2ft swell, but it’s a 21-second, very long period groundswell from the SW. That long period makes the most of what little height there is. The wind will be a light offshore from the NE. Expect clean lines, but it'll be a long wait between sets. The combined energy is 422 (moderate).
The real standout of the whole run is Monday, September 21st. The morning is looking glassy with a 3ft SW groundswell at 18 seconds. The wind is a slight air, making it perfectly glassy. That’s the kind of session you dream about. The energy reading is 570 (moderate). This is the pick of the bunch for the whole 16 days, but it’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it.
Tuesday, September 22nd sees a jump in size, with an 8ft S swell hitting in the afternoon. The period is a short 8 seconds though, so it will be a bit chunky. The energy rockets up to 1207 (very strong). This is getting into expert territory for size, and the cross-shore wind will leave a chop on it. It’s more of a power session than a pretty one.
Wednesday, September 23rd holds similar size at 8ft from the SW, with a 9-second period and 1170 energy. The wind is a light cross-shore, which is better than it was, but still not ideal. Friday the 25th is another promising one, with clean conditions on both the morning and afternoon sessions. The morning has a gentle offshore wind with 3ft of SW swell, and the afternoon turns glassy with similar swell.
The very last day, Saturday, September 26th, finishes the run with a glassy afternoon and a 2ft, 18-second period SW groundswell. It's small, but that calm, glassy surface is a beautiful thing.
Overall, the next week is for checking the charts and cleaning your wax. The real hope is that glassy Monday morning on the 21st, and the other clean windows in the last few days. Don't hold your breath on the long-range stuff, but it's definitely worth having a plan for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Sat afternoon, min 27°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Warm (max 32°C on Mon morning, min 25°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 19 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
636 | 632 | 350 | 301 | 248 | 149 | 140 | 140 | 184 | 179 | 152 | 375 | 252 | 600 | 508 | 447 | 496 | 372 | 367 | 362 | 288 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:45PM2.45m | 3:09AM2.59m | 3:29PM2.47m | 3:50AM2.63m | 4:11PM2.44m | 4:30AM2.60m | 4:51PM2.36m | 5:08AM2.52m | 5:31PM2.25m | 5:47AM2.40m | 6:11PM2.11m | 6:27AM2.25m | 6:53PM1.97m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:54PM0.12m | 9:23AM0.13m | 9:36PM0.12m | 10:05AM0.11m | 10:16PM0.15m | 10:46AM0.14m | 10:55PM0.23m | 11:26AM0.22m | 11:34PM0.34m | 12:06PM0.33m | 00:12AM0.47m | 12:48PM0.47m | 00:53AM0.60m | ||||||||
5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
— | 5:47 | — | — | 5:46 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:45 | — | — | 5:44 | — | — | 5:44 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6 |
Temp °C | 33 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 34 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 34 | 28 |
Feels °C | 31 | 29 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 32 | 33 | 31 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SSW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 14 |
636 | 632 | 350 | 301 | 248 | 149 | 140 | 140 | 136 | 35 | 35 | 375 | 252 | 600 | 508 | 447 | 496 | 372 | 367 | 362 | 288 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 7 | W 10 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 18 | S 8 | S 8 | S 8 | S 9 | SW 13 | S 9 | S 8 | S 8 | S 10 | S 8 |
26 | 8 | 26 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 38 | 39 | 184 | 75 | 152 | 50 | 46 | 46 | 54 | 136 | 36 | 34 | 20 | 46 | 35 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | SSW 19 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SSW 21 | SW 20 | S 9 | SW 19 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 14 | W 14 | W 12 | S 9 | SSW 24 | SW 23 | SW 22 | SW 22 | SW 21 |
8 | 37 | 7 | 7 | 80 | 49 | 44 | 60 | 37 | 179 | 52 | 50 | 103 | 4 | 3 | 37 | 55 | 86 | 129 | 118 | 222 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 3 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 |
5 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 40 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 10 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 71 | 75 | 75 | 71 | 75 | 47 | 88 | 149 | 75 | 54 | 88 | 9 | 47 | 54 | 18 | 55 | 75 | 75 | 9 | 139 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Tola Province | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Nicaragua | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Popoyo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Popoyo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Popoyo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Popoyo surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Popoyo) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Popoyo may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Popoyo is 30 km (19 miles) from Rivas. If you plan a holiday in Tola Province, look for hotels and other accommodation in Rivas. Rivas has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










