Miramar

Surf Guide

Miramar is a very unique surf destination with a plethora of waves that are very consistent. There are pointbreaks, reefbreaks and beachbreaks. The best swells for Miramar are anything from South to West, ideally South-West. The points like mid-to-long period single swells, whereas the beachbreaks favor a combo of swells and mix of swell periods for peakier shape. Around Miramar itself, there are three main spots within walking distance, with many more accessed by truck or boat not far away. Punta Miramar (The spot this travel page is most focused on for specifics) -- This is a Reef pointbreak that holds the most swell in the area with three main take of spots -- two of which are on the outside for bigger swells, where you can either have a short steep right, or a long, lined-up left that breaks all the way through to the inside. The left is usually the best choice as it is a left pointbreak. The outside works at low tide and can hold sizeable swells. When the swell is smaller and during a higher tide, the inside and third take off zone can get pretty good. This inside section -- best between waist-head high -- is a fast, reefy left that you need to make or you run the risk of going into shallow rocks. Pipes -- Just a little north, up the beach from Miramar Point and in front of where a big pipe sticks out of the ground, there's a beachbreak section with rights and a peeling left that breaks over a reef. This wave can get very hollow and fast, especially the rights that wedge up from the reef take-off zone and then break toward the sand bottom section. The take-off on this wave is usually very easy, unless the swell is large, then it can get tricky. Pipes works best on a falling mid tide and an incoming low tide. Shacks -- This wave is right in front of the Puerto Sandino Surf Resort. It is a very fast, well shaped left that breaks over sharp reef and can get very hollow. It works best on mid-going-high tide, and through the high tide hours until mid-going-low tide. This wave does not work well with a low tide, tends to section out, and gets very shallow over sharp reef. This is the most difficult wave to surf in the area when pumping! However, it is definitely the most rewarding as well. Shifty's -- A stretch of about 100 yards of beachbreak that lays just on the south side of the reef formation of Shacks. Shifty's favors the mid-to-high tides and consists of shifty peaks and bowls (sometimes very shifty, hence the name). There are fun but fairly quick right and lefts to pick off in the zone which offer a variety of barrels, ripable lips, and ramps. Shifty's is also right in front of Puerto Sandino Surf Resort. Just outside of Shifty's is a reef that helps to break up the incoming swell lines and form the peaky surf. Sometimes this outside reef will offer a decent left and right on bigger swells and lower tides, but it is usually fat and slopey and not surfed much.