Surf Forecasts:
Popoyo surf forecast from 13 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 14s period, SW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 6PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 18s period, SW swell with 996 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 12AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 12AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 14s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Popoyo in the next 16 days are 1.3m 18s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 6PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 3PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Best Surf | 12AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 14s |
| Most Powerful | 6PM (Fri 14th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 18s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Popoyo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at the next 16 days for our stretch of coast. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tough watch. We’ve got a solid stretch of surf potential, but the conditions are going to be fiddly, with strong winds and tricky tides being the main story. This isn't a set-and-forget forecast; you'll need to pick your moments.
The first real chance to get wet kicks off on Wednesday the 13th of August. Thursday morning looks the pick of the early days with a clean, offshore breeze at Popoyo. The swell is small, about 2ft from the SW, but with a very long 16-second period. That groundswell will have some push to it, but those long gaps between sets will mean a bit of a wait. The water is sitting at a warm 84°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined swell energy is a moderate 291 – not huge, but enough for a fun little wave if you're patient.
Friday the 15th is where things get interesting, but it’s for the crew who can handle a challenge. We see the swell bumping up to 4ft from the SW, with a long 18-second period. The energy jumps to a solid 852, which is a powerful pulse. However, that strong offshore wind, while keeping the surface glassy, is going to be a real handful. It’s a “strong offshore and clean but hard to paddle into” scenario. The waves will be there, and they’ll be pretty, but you’ll be working hard to get into ‘em. A proper reef break like Popoyo can handle this, but only if you’re on your game.
Through the weekend and into the following week, the swell hangs in there, mostly in the 3ft to 4ft range, but that persistent cross-offshore wind is the constant companion. It’s clean, but never truly glassy. The energy levels remain moderate, dropping from the 400s to the 300s. There are plenty of surfable waves, but nothing that screams “drop everything and go.” The highlight, if you have patience, is the series of mornings from the 19th to the 22nd of August when the wind goes offshore again, offering that clean, racy surface. The swell drops a touch, but the quality of the wave face should be worth it for a morning session.
Looking a little further out, there are some promising signs for the end of the window. On the 27th of August, we see a fresh pulse of SW groundswell building in, with period stretching back to 17 seconds and energy climbing to 434. The wind looks to go offshore again that afternoon. It’s a long way off, so don’t book your flights yet, but it’s a nice thing to dream about after a few days of so-so conditions.
Bottom line: There’s consistent swell running, but the wind is the gatekeeper. The standout window is the Friday the 15th morning for the brave with the biggest, most powerful swell, but the cleanest, most user-friendly conditions will be on those offshore mornings from the 19th to the 22nd of August when the swell is a touch smaller. Don't expect perfection, but there are waves to be had if you're keen.
Stay stoked,
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Wed afternoon, min 27°C on Wed night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 31°C on Sat afternoon, min 25°C on Mon afternoon). Mainly strong winds. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | ||||||||||||||
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 15 | SW 15 | SW 20 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
261 | 207 | 223 | 174 | 306 | 693 | 790 | 772 | 823 | 813 | 793 | 551 | 472 | 418 | 336 | 322 | 317 | 313 | 280 | 358 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:44AM2.45m | 3:01PM2.56m | 3:33AM2.57m | 3:49PM2.56m | 4:18AM2.63m | 4:35PM2.52m | 5:02AM2.63m | 5:19PM2.42m | 5:44AM2.56m | 6:02PM2.29m | 6:25AM2.44m | 6:45PM2.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:29PM0.09m | 8:50AM0.21m | 9:17PM0.02m | 9:41AM0.14m | 10:02PM0.01m | 10:29AM0.13m | 10:45PM0.05m | 11:15AM0.17m | 11:27PM0.15m | 11:59AM0.25m | 00:08AM0.28m | 12:43PM0.36m | 00:50AM0.42m | |||||||
— | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | 5:33 | — | — | |
6:05 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:04 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:02 | — | — | 6:01 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 34 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 32 | 33 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 28 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 16 | SW 19 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 16 |
261 | 207 | 223 | 174 | 255 | 693 | 790 | 772 | 823 | 813 | 793 | 551 | 472 | 418 | 336 | 322 | 317 | 313 | 280 | 358 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 12 | S 8 | S 8 | SW 20 | S 8 | S 8 | SSW 11 | S 12 | S 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 7 | S 7 | S 7 | S 8 |
80 | 73 | 32 | 44 | 306 | 30 | 19 | 41 | 68 | 50 | 67 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 56 | 55 | 37 | 25 | 38 | 64 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 9 | S 8 | SW 12 | SSW 14 | S 8 | S 12 | SSW 11 | — | SW 9 | — | — | S 21 | — | SW 20 | SSW 7 | W 9 | S 10 | S 10 | W 9 | NW 8 |
25 | 22 | 36 | 63 | 28 | 26 | 43 | — | 3 | — | — | 9 | — | 15 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | E 4 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ESE 7 | ENE 3 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | E 4 | ESE 4 | E 3 | E 3 | E 3 |
23 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 32 | 10 | 23 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 119 | 87 | 75 | 75 | 76 | 88 | 76 | 76 | 88 | 88 | 81 | 109 | 128 | 47 | 47 | 88 | 76 | 73 | 73 | 56 |
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.











