What size does Casares work best at?

3–10 ft is the working range. Below that it goes flat; above, it stops being fun and the lineup thins out.

When is the best season to surf Casares?

Peak season runs through the months when the swell window aligns and trade winds blow offshore. See the month strip in Wave fit for the working window.

What swell direction does Casares need?

Casares works on a s - sw groundswell with north easterly winds.

What are the main hazards?

no concerns. Reef booties are common at reef breaks; check tide and crowd conditions before paddling out.

What type of wave is Casares?

Casares is a a-frame breaking wave over reef. Fickle multi-peak submerged reef, S to SW swell dependent.

Casares, Nicaragua - Pacific Side, Nicaragua

Casares

11.647, -86.361

Edited by Thomas Jackson

Verified May 2026

Cross-referencedCross-checked against 1 reference

A-frame · ReefIntermediate → Advanced3–10 ftMay – Oct

A submerged reef break on Nicaragua's Pacific coast, Casares needs a legitimate S to SW swell to push through the offshore reefs and focus energy onto the rocky shoreline, where several peaks fire at higher tides. Optimal size runs 3-10ft, with offshore NE winds keeping faces clean. The wave is fickle and hard to read, rewarding patient surfers who can decipher shifting peaks over an uneven bottom. Crowds are rarely an issue given the inconsistency and lack of facilities, making it a quiet session when it does click. Bottom: submerged reef. Season: south swell season, roughly May through October. Consistency: medium at best. Bring a step-up if swell is pushing toward the top of the range, and do not expect the place to be firing on arrival.

Wave fit

Skill suited

Intermediate → Advanced

BegIntAdv

Best months

May – Oct

Character

Fickle multi-peak submerged reef, S to SW swell dependent.

Conditions

When it works

Swell window

S - SW

Offshore wind

North easterly

Optimum tide

All tides

Size range

3-10ft

Medium

Hazards

No concerns

Trip planning

Quick facts

Wetsuit

Boardies

What to bring

Shortboard 6ft to 6ft 4in for standard S swell days
Step-up 6ft 6in to 7ft for overhead-plus pulses

Lineup

Mellow lineup

Where it sits

Location

Loading map...

About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd Access Nearby Alternatives

Crowd & Localism

The combination of inconsistency, no facilities, and a medium-consistency rating keeps the lineup thin. Crowds are rare. No significant localism signals from available sources, but standard lineup respect applies as always.

Access & Facilities

No facilities on site, so bring water, food, and sun protection. Free parking is available. The rocky shoreline means reef shoes or booties may help during entry and exit, particularly at lower tides. No pollution concerns noted.

Nearby Alternatives

When Casares is not firing, Pochomil about an hour's drive toward Managua offers beachbreak peaks that pick up plenty of S swell and works across a wider consistency window. Punta Miramar to the south delivers long consistent lefts with fast inside runners when the swell is up.

10-day swell, wind and tide