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Nicaragua Surfing and Freediving Trip

Nicaragua Surfing and Freediving Trip

Salty Pilgrims Freediving

$500.00 AUD
$500.00 AUD
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Room Options- $500AUD/$350USD deposit to secure spot.
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A SURFING AND FREEDIVING ADVENTURE TRIP FOR THE WATERPEOPLE

This is no ordinary trip – it’s a Salty Pilgrims journey. Nine days in Nicaragua, freediving in volcanic lagoons, surfing world-class waves with private guides, and chasing unforgettable sunsets in Nicaragua’s most stunning spots. Add in treehouse parties, good vibes, and a crew of like-minded ocean lovers, and you’ve got the ultimate escape. Whether you're diving deeper, getting barrelled, riding your first wave, or just soaking up the magic of this place, this is the kind of trip that stays with you forever.

  • Dates

    6th - 13th December, 2025

  • Location

    Laguna De Apoya/Popoyo, Nicaragua

  • Where to fly into

    Fly into Managua International Airport
    From there, we'll pick you up in private transport and take you to your accommodation.

  • Cost of trip

    $500 AUD/$350 USD Deposit to secure your spot on the trip
    Total Trip Cost:

    $2260USD for Deluxe Dorm Accom
    $2410USD for Twin Share Room (booked with friend or partner)
    $2860USD for Private Room

  • Accomodation

    Freediving Accom: Imagine a stunning resort style hostel perched on the edge of a volcanic crater, surrounded by jungle and howling monkeys. With 30°C water, 15-20m visibility, and perfect freediving conditions right out front, it’s a tropical dream.

    Surfing Accom: Amahula Surfhouse sits beachfront at Playa Guasacate, offering tropical breezes, golden sands, and epic sunsets. Just steps from the ocean and minutes from Popoyo’s legendary surf break, it’s the ideal base for adventure. Choose from private or shared rooms, both featuring outdoor ensuite bathrooms, in a relaxed, social setting.

  • Weather

    The best time to visit Nicaragua is between November and May. It's the country's dry season — Meaning you have plenty of sunny days to explore this beautiful destination.

  • Food

    Food is cheap in Nicaragua and we haven't included it in our package because we know that everyone has different tastes. Paradiso Hostel and Amahula Surfhouse have all kinds of Central American and Western style cuisine. Freediving Nicaragua has a delicious cafe selection and there are endless local spots for your tastebuds to explore.

  • Molchanovs Freediving Course Levels

    Complete your Wave 1, Wave 2 and Wave 3 Molchanovs Freediving Courses

Inclusions

✓ Airport transfers in private transport to Laguna De Apoyo
✓ Private transport between each location (Laguna, Popoyo, Treehouse Party)
✓ 5 nights accommodation at Paradiso Hostel (private room or shared dorm room)
✓ 3 nights accommodation at Amahulu Surf House (private room or shared dorm room)
✓ 5 x freediving Sessions in Laguna De Apoyo -a warm, clear volcanic lake and the most perfect location in the world to freedive
✓ 3-4 x days of surfing in Popoyo on our freediving rest days
✓ 2 x private guided surf trips with surf guides - (Optional Surf Lessons and Surfboard Hire Available)
✓ Complete your Molchanovs Wave 1, Wave 2 or Wave 3 Freediving Course
✓ Apnea Survival Surf Apnea Course
✓ Freediving Gear Hire
✓ Entry to the end of week party at the world-famous Nicaragua Treehouse Party
✓ Underwater photos and videos of you freediving
✓ Freediving Gear Hire

Freediving Courses

This trip is suitable for every level of freediver from the complete beginner to experienced divers. Every ability level is welcome and you don’t need any freediving experience to come along.

There will be a Wave 1 (Beginner) freediving course, Wave 2 (Intermediate) and Wave 3 (Master) freediving courses running throughout the week, run by our experienced freediving instructors.

This involves a mixture of theory sessions (fun theory sessions, we promise) static breath hold training in the lake, and depth line freediving sessions to get you comfortable with diving deeper!

While there is NO pressure for you to dive deep or pass requirements, our instructors will be spending loads of time with you in and out of the water to make sure you get the most possible out of these courses.

At the end of the week, if you pass all of the requirements, you will come away with an Internationally renowned Molchanovs Wave 1/ Wave 2 or Wave 3 Freediving Certification.

  • If you have never been freediving or done a little snorkelling, you will start in the Wave 1 Course. If things progress well, you can move into the Wave 2 Course.
  • If are already diving comfortably to 15m+ or have done your Wave 1 Freediving Course, you will be able to do the Wave 2 Course.

Wave 1 Course Outcomes (Beginner Freediver)
- Dive to depths of 12-20 metres (DYN)
- Achieve breath holds of over 1:30 minutes
- Learn basic freediving theory & how to equalise with the Frenzel Manoeuvre
- Safety skills including a rescue
- Pool skills

Wave 2 Course Outcomes (Advanced Freediver)
- Dive to depths of 24-30 metres (DYN)
- Dive to depths of 15-20 metres without fins (CNF)
- Achieve breath holds of over 2:30 minutes
- How to master equalisation & learn deeper equalisation skills
- Deeper Rescue Drills
- Intermediate Pool skills

Wave 3 Course Outcomes (Master Freediver)- Dive to depths of 34-40 metres (DYN)
- Dive to depths of 25-30 metres without fins (CNF)
- Achieve breath holds of over 3:30 minutes
- Introduction to the Mouthfill Equalisation Technique
- Upon completion of this course, you will be a certified Freedive Instructor Assistant

Surfing

The surfing in Nicaragua is suitable for every level from the complete beginner to experienced pros.

Nicaragua is a surfer’s paradise, and Popoyo is the crown jewel. Thanks to consistent offshore winds from Lake Nicaragua, the waves are clean and glassy almost year-round. The Pacific coastline receives steady swells, offering waves for all levels—from mellow beach breaks to powerful reef barrels like the legendary Popoyo Reef. Warm water (26-30°C) means no wetsuits, and compared to more crowded surf spots, Nicaragua still feels like a hidden gem with uncrowded lineups. Popoyo’s versatility and the laid-back surf culture make it a must-visit for beginners and pros alike.

There are waves that break straight in front of Amahula that you can paddle out to or take a 5-20 minute stroll down to Popoyo Mainbreak or other great surf spots.

We will also be running car or boat trips to other less known surf spots with groups split into 2 with a maximum group size of 5 people and guides. This gives you the opportunity to catch more waves.

If you want surf lessons you can book that as an extra once in Nicaragua.

Where You'll Be Staying

FREEDIVING ACCOMMODATION - PARADISO HOSTEL, Laguna De Apoya
SURFING ACCOMMODATION- AMAHULA BEACHOUSE, Popoyo

We've been lucky enough to travel to some epic places, but Amahula Surfhouse and Paradiso Hostel will always be two of our favourite spots. Both have that perfect mix of good vibes, the right people, and a setting that makes you want to stay way longer than planned.

Paradiso Hostel is one of those places where everything just clicks. The atmosphere is built on live music, communal dinners, and the kind of people you meet once but somehow feel like you've known forever. But what really makes Paradiso special is the location—it’s less than a five-minute walk from our freediving spot, which means you can wake up, grab your gear, and be floating in crystal-clear water before you’ve even had breakfast.

Amahula Surfhouse - Amahula is a dream for anyone who loves being in the ocean. Mornings are all about surf checks and afternoons disappear into hammock naps or sunset beers with a crew that feels like old mates. It’s got that easy, barefoot vibe—where the only real plans you make revolve around tides, swells, and whether or not you’ll go for another surf before the sun dips. If you love the ocean, good people, and a spot that instantly feels like home, Amahula’s got it.

Why is Nicaragua so epic?

We travelled to Nicaragua at the end of 2024 and discovered that Laguna de Apoyo truly offers some of the most perfect freediving conditions in the world. Picture warm, crystal-clear waters with with no sharks, swell or currents, around 20 metres of visibility, surrounded by lush jungle and the sounds of howler monkeys. It’s the kind of place where every dive feels like magic.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Nicaragua also boasts super fun waves, perfect for surfers of all levels, with private local guides who know every break like the back of their hand. Thanks to offshore winds 300 days a year, clean surf is almost guaranteed, making it one of the most consistent and exciting surf destinations on the planet.

The vibe here is unmatched—friendly, honest locals, vibrant culture, and an incredible sense of community wherever you go. From beachside bonfires to wild jungle parties, Nicaragua has a way of making you feel right at home while offering endless adventure.

Trip FAQ’s

The ocean temperature sits between 26 and 30 degrees. When we were here diving we just borrowed a short arm springsuit to dive in and surfed in boardshorts.

Yes, but we would recommend bringing your own mask for comfort.

No, but there is surfboard rental available in Nicaragua for a small price. If you're an avid surfer, you'll probably want to bring your own boards.

If you have never done a freediving course, you will start in the Wave 1 Course. If things progress well, you will be able to move into the Wave 2 Course.

If you have done the Wave 1 course (or equivalent with another agency), you will join the Wave 2 Course. OR if you are already diving to depths of 15m + we can complete a crossover so you can begin in the Wave 2 Course.

No problem! We will cross you over into the Molchanovs Freediving system and slot you into whichever level suits your previous freediving course level and experience.

Unfortunately we can't offer refunds.

If for any reason you have to cancel and let us know at least 90 days before the trip, you’ll be able to transfer the amount you have paid onto any future courses or trips.

If you cancel within 90 days before the trip start date, we cannot refund you and are unable to transfer the amount paid onto a future trip or course. You are able to transfer your ticket onto someone else.

We recommend getting travel cancellation insurance upon booking your spot on the trip, to save you any financial hardships if you need to cancel your trip. You can get travel insurance that covers this.

Exclusions

Flights
Food
Surfboard Rental
Surf Lessons
Travel Insurance
Anything outside our included trip package