Nicaragua is blessed with an abundance of good waves, offshore winds, and sunny weather year-round. Mark and Dave’s Place is situated in front of the best waves the country has to offer with a climate that averages around 80 degrees and water temps that hover between 75 – 85 degrees. The surf rarely drops below 2 feet at any time during the year and bigger swell events are likely – up to 8 feet – between April through September. Mark and Dave’s is located ocean front on one of the most fertile surfing beaches in all of Nicaragua. A boat or car is not required and there is little reason to go anywhere else! The wind tends to blow offshore due to the Lago Nicaragua effect so be prepared for a good mix of barrels, beach breaks, reefs, and points during your visit. There are several other breaks within driving distance or a boat ride away. Our surf guide will set up a trip to the break of your choice including Astellero, Chacosante, Manzanillo, Outer Reef, Playgrounds, Popoyo, Rosada, Santanas, and many more!
Features
LOCATION AND SURF CONDITIONS
Nicaragua is blessed with an abundance of good waves, offshore winds, and sunny weather year-round. Mark and Dave’s Place is situated in front of the best waves the country has to offer with a climate that averages around 80 degrees and water temps that hover between 75 – 85 degrees. The surf rarely drops below 2 feet at any time during the year and bigger swell events are likely – up to 8 feet – between April through September. Mark and Dave’s is located ocean front on one of the most fertile surfing beaches in all of Nicaragua. A boat or car is not required and there is little reason to go anywhere else! The wind tends to blow offshore due to the Lago Nicaragua effect so be prepared for a good mix of barrels, beach breaks, reefs, and points during your visit. There are several other breaks within driving distance or a boat ride away. Our surf guide will set up a trip to the break of your choice including Astellero, Chacosante, Manzanillo, Outer Reef, Playgrounds, Popoyo, Rosada, Santanas, and many more!
CAMP OPERATOR
Surf and yoga resort managers, Zac and Kim Hyland, have turned the cliché of living the dream into a reality. When Zac and Kim left New Zealand on their honeymoon more than seven years ago they transferred their individual passions and love for travel into full time jobs.
Kim, a qualified yoga instructor and physical therapist, Zac a Qualified Surf instructor and Chef, have experienced how opportunities have presented themselves to do what they love whilst traveling.
While in London, as the days were getting shorter and darker, they felt the urge to move on. They applied for positions and their first opportunity opened and they were on their way to Morocco. At Surfmaroc, a Surf yoga travel company, they were able to blend their individual passions with being a part of a successful adventure travel business. They quickly learned that multi-tasking, from front of house, to behind the scenes, to embracing a foreign culture, was the key to success in this industry.
After Morocco, they worked a yacht to Canary Islands, then on to the US. Looking for vacation destinations after the US, they found an ad for a variety of positions at a surf resort in Nicaragua.This dynamic duo covered all of the positions and this became their ticket. They arrived in Nicaragua five years ago and it is here where they found their piece of paradise. As resort managers at Mark and Dave’s they have created a home away from home.
“The biggest joy for us is our guests. We get to meet inspiring people. When they are stoked, we are stoked. There is nothing like sharing our lifestyle of culinary culture, yoga and surfing in paradise with those that visit us. It is a lifestyle! Every day we are grateful we are living it. Viva Nicaragua!”
ACCOMMODATION TYPES
CATERING
“One of the most incredible weeks of food you will ever experience”
Savor the gourmet culinary offerings of Chef Zac’s amazing international cuisines. You will enjoy the convenience of meals and drinks included in Mark and Dave’s all inclusive program. We offer Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free and specialty dishes upon request (please inform our booking agent prior to your departure). We also provide various drinks and one case and a half of beer per guest. Our staff can provide liquor, wine and beer for a nominal fee.
All Inclusive details
Gourmet breakfast, lunch, snacks and sunset hors d’oeuvres, and four course dinner Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten free and vegan meals (upon request prior to arrival). 1.5 cases of beer or 3 bottles of wine per guest
SURF COURSE DETAILS
SURF MATERIALS
At Mark and Dave’s we emphasize safety and fun in the water while learning to surf! We provide high quality soft top foam surfboards from “INT”. These boards are buoyant and pliable to help avoid injuries.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Yoga
Embrace the rhythm of the ocean, the warm sea breezes and the sounds of nature in the jungle. This paradise setting becomes the heartbeat for your yoga practice, surfing adventure and wellness experience. If your focus is yoga, surfing, detoxification, nutrition, self-healing or a combination of all five, we have the right retreat for you. Our all inclusive retreats are designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit. Relax while viewing the Pacific Ocean and take in the beauty of Nicaragua. Enjoy the off shore winds blowing down a mile long white sand beach, surrounded by lush coconut palms and tropical gardens while listening to the waves lapping on the empty shores.
At Mark and Dave’s we offer “Ocean Front” all inclusive yoga packages for groups of 8+. We also offer daily sunrise and sunset classes for our guests on a regular basis. We also offer community classes, Tuesday and Thursday’s and private classes are available upon request.
Fishing
Nicaragua offers incredible fishing, The Pacific offers tuna, dorado, red snapper, jack trevalle, mackerel, mahi, roosterfish, and sailfish. The best fishing is between March – September. There are a variety of options – deep sea fishing or a near shore spear fishing mission. Our guides will help you plan and facilitate your fishing adventure.
There is no need to bring any of your own equipment, grab a case of beer, a few friends, and head out to the open ocean for the day!
Golfing
Mark and Dave’s is located within a two minute walk from one of Nicaragua’s premier Golf Courses. Perched high atop a hill overlooking the entire beach, tee #5 provides an example of the overall beauty the course provides with its small, tiered greens it’s definitely worth a few rounds during your visit.
Club rental, golf carts and accessories are available at the pro shop.
Panga Drops
Panga Drops (aka: Mark and Dave’s) is located directly in front of the Mark and Dave’s resort. A deep water, soft bottom reef break is an absolute magnet for swell. It can turn on with any pulse the Pacific Ocean throws at it. Panga Drops breaks from various swell directions and holds up nicely with offshore winds or no wind at all. Surf a very playful right that breaks all the way through to the inside. Ideal for big top turns and cut backs with a solid section on the inside great for big maneuvers. On the other side of the peak lies an against the grain left ideal for multiple cutbacks and playful ripping that can stand up for expressive turns through the inside. It can hold any size without closing out and has been compared to a tame Sunset Beach, Hawaii crossed with ripple conditions at Wind and Sea, La Jolla. Best of all, your friends and family can film/photograph you surf from our infinity pool!
The Right
The Right down the beach is a fickle right hand wedge that hugs the corner of a picturesque rock cliff. The waves here refract and bend around the headland and ultimately open up for a very entertaining 50 to 75 yard right hand wave that eventually extinguishes itself into the bay. The Right does not break on a consistent basis, but can be compared to various global world-class wedge breaks when it’s on. The Beach stretches for over a mile and is highlighted by Playa Colorado and Panga Drops. Besides these two superb waves the entire beach has the ability to transform into a very good beach break depending on wind, tide, and swell. The area directly out front of Mark and Dave’s can get remarkably good on a mixed swell and has the ability to fire on any given day.
SURROUNDINGS / REGION
JOURNEY
Ways to get to the camp
PACKAGE A - One Week All Inclusive Package - from 1450,00 $ per Week / Person
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights – All Inclusive
Accommodations: Suitable for Single travelers and large groups
The Hacienda Rooms: 1 to 2 guests per room
The Casita: 1 to 3 guests per room
Pricing:
1-4 guests =$1,550.00 per person double occupancy
6+ guests =$1,450.00 per person
3 to a room =$1,450.00 per person [based on "The Casita" availability]
PACKAGE RATES- Please ask our “Trip Coordinator” about photo & board rental package rates.
TRAVELING SOLO? We can put you in with another vacationer or you can have your own room for a slightly additional cost.
FAMILIES- Please ask about our family and children price discounts.
Price Includes:
Accommodations w/soft and comfortable beds
Oceanfront location w/ beachfront pools
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Airport Transfer in Nicaragua (Including Pizza & Drinks)
All Inclusive Meals and Drinks
Gourmet breakfast, lunch, snacks, sunset hors d’oeuvres, and four course dinner
Vegetarian, Pescatarian Gluten Free and Vegan Meals (request prior to arrival)
1.5 cases of beer or 3 bottles of wine per guest
Wireless Internet
IPod Hook up (Rooms and The Hacienda area)
Satellite TV w/sports package (The Hacienda area only)
Movies (Cinema, Kids, Surf, etc – 500+ in each room)
Stand up Paddle Boards
Welcome towel refreshment and drink
Rest and Relaxation
Ping pong table
Horseshoes
Services (additional, not all included in price):
Yoga
Massage
Short board rental (a full selection of “Firewire, Channel Islands, Rusty, and various other” Short and longboards)
Surfing lessons
Surf Coaching
Golfing
Fishing
Surf Excursions (land or boat)
Horseback Riding
Motorcycle rentals
Bottled Liquor
Extra Beer and Wine (If group surpasses their allocated consumption)
Daily ground Transportation
Price does not include:
Airfare to Nicaragua
Staff gratuity
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