Our coaching team is fit with an all-star lineup- Kassia Meador- longboard and style extraordinaire, Leah Dawson - all board aficionado, Makala Smith - acute eyes for helpful adjustments!! Between them, they have hosted over 30 retreats, continually refining their coaching skills so they can help fast forward your progression!

This retreat is for surfers looking to improve their skills on a longboard, mid length, or soft top. In Nicaragua, the December - January months often has smaller surf, ideal for longboards and mid lengths.

Popoyo offers empty surf breaks that allow you time to practice techniques on picturesque waves. Repetition helps improve our skills, and matched with video feedback, we aim to help you cross through plateau's, bad habits, new fundamentals, and the knowledge you need to practice your way to that epic nose ride or fully committed turn.

We are so thrilled to partner with Malibu Popoyo, a new eco-resort ready to support your surf trip dreams. Located in Southern Nicaragua, the resort is located close to handfuls of good waves.

From the resort, we can walk to some, drive to some, and even boat to some!

With an emphasis on clean, simple spaces, this unique resort is built with nature in mind, with stunning landscaping throughout the premises. Malibu Popoyo also operates a flourishing farm which supplies their kitchen with organic produce. Your stay here will leave you inspired and relaxed!

- Surfboard(s) Bring the board you are most comfortable on. We suggest bringing at least 2x Boards as the waves will range in size and speed depending on the swell and spots we surf.

- Surf Gear Bring your surfboards, leashes, reef booties, fins, surf wax and ding repair kit.

- Surf Attire Surf hat, longsleeve rash guards, swimsuits, surf leggings, board shorts. The water is tropical but if you tend to get cold we suggest a wetsuit jacket or a spring suit.

- Sunscreen Please bring non-toxic, reef-safe sunscreen for both Body & Face

- Toiletries Please bring non-toxic soaps, shampoos, conditioners etc to minimize our footprint on the island

- Medical Kit Please bring your own personal medical kit

- Other Suggested Packing Items

Waterproof bag for boat trips, reusable water bottle, book & personal journal, sarong or coverup, rain jacket for passing thunderstorms, sun hat for the beach & boat, photocopies of passport

- Cash To buy gifts and tip the resort staff

- Harddrive - We suggest at least 1 T of space to bring your photos & videos home with you

Intermediate & Beginner Longboard/Funboard retreat

This is a Longboard/Midlength focused retreat! Whether you've been surfing for years and want to progress with helpful tips, or you're looking for new friends who surf, or you've always been interested in surfing but have never had the chance to try, this retreat is a celebration of it all, and we can help you wherever you are at!

Malibu Popoyo offers beautiful longboard waves at many beach breaks and reef breaks around the area for this time of year.

If you have been surfing for a while and are looking for ways to improve, we'll pair you in a group with similar level surfers to work on breaking through plateaus.

If learning to catch waves is a primary lesson for you now, riding a soft top can be helpful to eliminate the danger element of hardboards, allowing you to fully focus on technique! There are a number of rental boards available at Malibu Popoyo. We will put you in touch with their staff to arrange a rental if necessary.

If you are a beginner or have never surfed before- let's start now! Our team, along with our local surf guides, will have you flowing on the waves! Our goal is to give you the tools to develop confidence in the waves, ocean awareness, board & body awareness, and so much more, so that you have a strong foundation for your surfing journey! We may have to separate the beginner group at a different wave location depending on conditions in order to insure safety.

Our only requirement is that you know how to swim, as this is a necessary skill for surfing.

*All deposits and payments are nonrefundable.

If you have to cancel due to illness or other reason please let us know right away and we can work together to find a replacement for your spot. If we can in time, your deposit and any other monies paid will be refunded minus a $150 service fee.

We understand things can happen last minute so we always recommend travel insurance

( World Nomads is one of our favorite )

Session 1: Dec. 27, 2024- Jan. 3, 2025

*Please Select departure date at checkout

Arrival:

Fly into Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) arriving by on December 27, 2024 by 3pm

-- Common routes are through San Salvador (SAL) , Houston (IAH) and Miami (MIA) --

Once you arrive in Managua, we will have an airport transfer vehicle to take the group 2 hours south to Malibu Popoyo.

If you need to fly in the day before (there's some flights that land at 11pm), let us know and we can suggest an airport hotel to stay at.

Departure:

Fly out of (MGA) no earlier than Jan. 3rd at 10am.

(we have a 2 hour drive in the morning, so the 5-6am flights are not possible)

Session 2: Jan. 4 - Jan. 11, 2025

*Please Select departure date at checkout

Arrival:

Fly into Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) arriving by on January 4, 2024 by 3pm

-- Common routes are through San Salvador (SAL) , Houston (IAH) and Miami (MIA) --

Once you arrive in Managua, we will have an airport transfer vehicle to take the group 2 hours south to Malibu Popoyo.

If you need to fly in the day before (there's some flights that land at 11pm), let us know and we can suggest an airport hotel to stay at.

Departure:

Fly out of (MGA) no earlier than Jan. 11th at 10am.

(we have a 2 hour drive in the morning, so the 5-6am flights are not possible)

Accommodation
Each guest will have their own private space, please notify us if you are a couple wanting to share a room
Boat and Surf Transfer
By boat or by vehicle, all transfers to surf breaks are included
3 x Meals/day
All meals will be provided by Malibu Popoyo
Surf Coaching
This is a surf-centric retreat- we will maximize swell times to surf as much as possible and give you tips to work on for each session. Each surf coach we have specializes in a different area!
Sound Mediations x 2
Enjoy a soothing sound bathe by extraordinaire Kassia Meador
Yoga
Daily yoga will be offered in the afternoon
VIdeo Feedback
We will do at least 2 video feedback sessions during the retreat
Photos
Surf photos will be taken of you! Get ready for your surf pose!
Water, Coffee
Available all day

Single Room/ Garden Suite (Price PP)

Deposit:$2,000

Sold Out

This package offers a single garden suite. This is a nice master room for you to have with yourself.

$3,950

Deposit:$2,000

Shared Double Room (Price pp)

Deposit:$2,000

Sold Out

Share a room in the deluxe loft accommodations. Whether you are coming with a friend or making a new one, this spacious loft will offer a great rest area in between all the fun! To be shared if you are coming with a friend both people must book your own room or you need to book 2 spots on one participant.

$3,475

Deposit:$2,000

Master Suite for a Couple (Price PP )

Deposit:$2,000

Sold Out

Share a Master Garden Suite with your partner. Each participant must sign up separately. Please message us and let us know that you are signing up as a couple so we can make sure to pair your reservations together!

$3,475

Deposit:$2,000

Rental Boards

$90

There are rental Boards available and once we arrive we will make sure to get you sorted with an awesome board that will suit your needs for your stay. If you damage the board you need to pay separately for any repair. So lets hope that does not happen and we will address any issue at the end of the trip

Arrival Day
Arrival Day
Day 1
Arrival day will vary a bit depending on arrival time and location. Most people will arrive at Malibu Popoyo late afternoon into the early evening. Depending on your timing we will have a late lunch or dinner followed by an opening circle with the group, we will chat through logistics and for those of you renting boards we will pick those out at that time.

If you are arriving early and want to schedule your included massage this is also a good opportunity to do so and ground as you arrive before we get started with an epic week. Please reach out and let us know if you would like to book this when you let us know your arrival details so we can work out your transportation to and from the airport.

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Day 2-7
Day 2-7
Surf Surf Yoga and Surf
We will have 6 full days of Surfing, Yoga, Sound Bathing, Land Camps , Video Feedback, Massages and connecting.

These days will vary based on surf conditions we will prioritize surfing as the best tides and times.

We will organize the schedule for the non surfing activities based around our surfing timing.

The schedule will adjust day to day and we will make the plan the night before for the following day and share it ad dinner time.

Were going to have the best time ever as well as have plenty of down time for relaxing and integrating all of the fun
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Day 7
Day 7
Departure Day
It is always sad to say good bye but all good things do need to come to an end. We will have breakfast together depending on your departure times and send you off with love to create this new year feeling surf stoked and nurtured with new life long friends and an upgraded surf flow

With waves of Love

Salty Sensations
Read more

Arrival Day

Day 1

Arrival day will vary a bit depending on arrival time and location. Most people will arrive at Malibu Popoyo late afternoon into the early evening. Depending on your timing we will have a late lunch or dinner followed by an opening circle with the group, we will chat through logistics and for those of you renting boards we will pick those out at that time.

If you are arriving early and want to schedule your included massage this is also a good opportunity to do so and ground as you arrive before we get started with an epic week. Please reach out and let us know if you would like to book this when you let us know your arrival details so we can work out your transportation to and from the airport.

Salty Sensations

9 reviews

Salty Sensations was created by long time friends and professional surfers Leah Dawson and Kassia Meador. The intention, to create a space for people to learn from their shared surf knowledge and experience in a supportive environment. Later joined by Makala Smith these retreats are hosted by three of the best female longboard surfers in the world. They are a highly unique opportunity to up level your surfing ability and have an epic time expanding your global surf community. Come for the surf and leave with life long friends!

Bucket list trip with capable hosts and great accommodations. Group that assembled was awesome as well. Will certainly recommend.

By Jo P for SALTY SENSATIONS xx MENTAWAI DREAMS on Nov 12, 2024

Incredible trip! I would definitely go again. The instruction from Kassia, Leah, Makala and Andy was unparalleled. I have been on a couple other surf trips and had some other surf instruction and their ability to read the ocean, explain it and help put it into practice was next level. To top if off, they're also amazing humans and fun to be around! Great resort, like-minded people and great waves made it all an excellent experience that I won't forget. Thanks guys!!

By Gina B for SALTY SENSATIONS X MENTAWAI DREAMS on Nov 05, 2024

I recently had the pleasure of taking a trip with Salty Sensations, and it truly was a dream come true. Although it was a significant financial effort for me due to Spanish wages, it was absolutely worth it. The trip was incredible, but I would like to offer some constructive feedback based on my experience. Throughout the journey, I often felt overwhelmed by the waves. Just as I started to feel more comfortable, it was already time to go back home. During the lessons, I also felt a bit confused about the turn-taking system. I wasn't sure if we were going by turns or preference, and at times, I felt I might miss my turn or accidentally take a wave that should have been someone else's. As a suggestion, it would be helpful to organize the sessions into two parts. In the first part, a structured class with one instructor at the top of the wave and another at the bottom would provide immediate feedback, eliminating the wait for video corrections. Having an instructor at both ends would also enhance safety and confidence. In the second part, a free surf session would allow us to see the instructors surf and practice the feedback given in real-time. This approach might also reduce the pressure on instructors to do video corrections daily and provide them with a bit more rest time. Additionally, the food was amazing but could benefit from a bit more marketing. Perhaps a menu board highlighting what’s being served would enhance the dining experience by giving it a bit more prominence. I would love to do another surf retreat with you. The sound meditation with Kassia was an amazing experience for me, and watching Leah surf with such a repertoire of moves was truly inspiring. Overall, it was an incredible experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Thank you, Salty Sensations, for making my dream a reality.

By Maria Luisa A for SALTY SENSATIONS X MENTAWAI DREAMS on Nov 04, 2024

Joining Salty Sensations in the Mentawais was such a magical experience that unlocked blocks in my surfing through incredible knowledge sharing and unstoppable and irresistible energy and passion for the ocean. The location and accommodations were a dream, beautiful, super comfortable, and accommodating to food preferences. The team at Botik were lovely. The experience was incredible. Simply the best. ❤️

By Kimberley N for SALTY SENSATIONS X MENTAWAI DREAMS on Oct 26, 2024

The ultimate surf coaching experience! I'm so happy I took the leap and signed up for surf camp with some of the most radical surfers in the game, the wealth of knowledge they shared was beyond enlightening. We talked about everything from the very basics of catching a wave to dealing with critical sections, foot placement, paddling, body awareness, and most importantly sharing the stoke and bringing excellent vibes to every lineup we paddle out in. I couldn't imagine a better way to meet new friends who are also stoked, we all had the best time! Not to mention the FOOD!!!! Incredible. Kassia's soundbaths were also pure magic, the campsite offered us the best sunsets and moonrises, and San O is a dream always. The overall experience was well planned but be also had the space to go with the flow, surf multiple times a day and lounge and chat surfing in between. A+ camp with A++ coaches. I'm so grateful I was able to participate!