S u r f l i f e
a n a l l i n c l u s i v e e x p e r i e n c e i n n o r t h e r n N i c a r a g u a
What we're all about.
SurfLife was founded by local Melqui Chavéz with the dream to give back to the community that has given so much to him. SurfLife is more than just a retreat, it's an invitation to experience the local culture that gives Nicaragua so much heart. As the only locally owned retreat in the area, your trip with SurfLife allows you to step into the real feel of the community, and for every visitor to leave feeling that they've found a second home here in Aserradores, El Viejo, Chinandega.
A week with SurfLife includes
Acommodation
Choose from luxury oceanfront properties to bungalows tucked in the trees or homes in the heart of town. SurfLife offers options to bring your dream trip to life.
Meals
Enjoy three meals a day from a local chef offering traditional Nicaraguan cuisine with freshly caught and locally grown ingredients.
Surf
Whether you're catching your first wave or you're after Northern Nicaragua's renowned barrels, SurfLife offers surf instructors and guides with 10+ years of knowledge.
Logistics
We take care of everything from airport transfers to organizing local activities, and showing you the best of Northern Nicaragua. Show up, experience, explore, and relax. SurfLife will take care of the rest.
Choose your adventure.
Your trip with SurfLife is 100% customizable. Choose adventures that fit your group to craft your dream trip. Not sure where to start? SurfLife is here to help.
-
Surf lessons
-
Surf guiding
-
Massage
-
Mangrove boat trip
-
Mangrove wakesurfing and tubing trip
-
Fishing
-
León city visit
-
Volcano boarding
-
Local rum tour
-
Yoga
-
Local salsa night
-
Local dance performance and class
-
Local cooking class
-
Private bartender
-
Cocktail / mocktail making
-
Chocolate making
-
Beach bonfire
-
Temezcal ceremony
-
Horseback riding
-
Professional photo and video services
Melquing Chavéz was born in Aserradores on the Pacific in Northern Nicaragua, and learned to surf at 15. In his years since, he has worked for top rated international surf retreats, coached internationally, and has spent over ten years as a local guide sharing Nicaragua's exclusive surf breaks. His knowledge of the area spans more than just the waves. Melqui knows all the local spots from the best area to watch the sunset, catch a fish, or grab a post-surf cocktail. Melqui is passionate about showing you all that his home has to offer.
Founder and guide of SurfLife
Meet Melqui
Melqui works alongside his family and life long friends to give you the authentic Nica experience. From eating freshly cooked meals cooked by Melqui's Mom to wakeboarding in the mangroves with his Dad, SurfLife invites you to join the family.
It's a family thing
Testimonials
Tia
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Incredible surfer and knowledgeable local
If you are seeking waves in Northern Nicaragua, and looking for a coach and guide while you’re there, Melqui is your guy! An incredible surfer and knowledgeable local, Melqui will ensure you’re making the most of your time both on and off the waves. Depending on tide, wind, and swell, he’ll tailor your experience to your surf level and goals, all with a smile on his face, music in the car, and a cooler of Toñas ready for you when you get out of the water. His laid-back energy and infectious love of a life well-lived around the ocean will leave you planning your next trip sooner than you think
Holly T
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Can't wait to go back!
Melky is by far one of the best surf coaches I’ve ever had. He knows how to push you while also ensuring you are having fun and laughing in between every wave. His knowledge of spots throughout Nicaragua is apparent and tremendously helpful as he guided me and my friend for a week in different conditions. He also made sure all of our needs were take care of from housing, food, transportation and entertainment. You name it, Melky can make it happen. I’m so fortunate to have connected with him and looking forward to planning another trip very soon!
Alix
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best guide in Nicaragua
Melqui is an incredibly knowledgeable guide and great surf coach. He is equally versed at helping beginners catch waves and have fun to pushing intermediate surfers to the next level. He local knowledge of the area waves tides swell and wind is unsurpassed. If you are looking for a true local experience and an all around great time. Look no further.
Laurianne
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% recommend!
I’ve had an amazing week with Melquing surfing in Asseradores/Aposentillo (Northen Nicaragua). He’s driven us to different surf spots depending on the tides, the swell, the wind and general conditions, to provide the best surf sessions according to our levels and goals. Always cheerful and with a smile, Melqui is genuinely interested in his guests’ progression and will automatically give you feedback/encouragements after each wave to keep you motivated. I definitely can say that I improved a lot thanks to him and I 100% recommend you to book a tour/retreat with him. The food is delicious, accommodations are well chosen according to your needs and there is a lot to explore in the country as well. Not only is Melqui a great surf coach; he is also an excellent tour guide who’ll make you laugh and enjoy your vacations! Don’t hesitate, go ahead and contact him for more information
Jessica Hardesty
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Without a doubt would recommend SLTN and Melky for your next vacation!
Melky has been a surf coach for me on a few occasions, and my friend and I did a week with Surf Life Tours Nicaragua over this last summer. Melky is the kind of guide that truly lights up to see his guests have a great time. From party waves to constructive instruction to local experiences to having every moment taken care of, Melky created a customized and fun-filled trip for us.
A week with Melky was spent finding the best waves in Northern Nicaragua, eating the most delicious food from a chef (Gloria) that he set-up, staying a lovely Airbnb hosted by a couple that he set us up with, being driven around in a car that Melky secured for us, salsa nights, tidepools, surf instruction, a local flavor, and amazing sunsets.
Surfing: Melky found the perfect waves for my comfort level and helped improve my surf skills with both video reels and instruction both in the water and right before we got in. He would even push me into the waves when I would get tired (which I didn’t mind) He was invested in my success and continues to follow-up to see how my surfing is improving.
He truly cares that you’re having a great time and customized the perfect trip for us. I would without hesitation recommend Melky and Surf Life Tours Nica for an amazing vacation. You will get an experience that you wouldn’t get elsewhere with one of the best guides with a heart of gold.
Céline
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fun in the sun - motion in the ocean
In and out the water we had a blast,
time went by so fast.
Melky was not only the best teacher,
but also a chill out beacher.
Every second we felt save,
him pushing us on the wave.
Why can’t we stay here
for more surf and more beer?
If you are looking for an amazing and unforgettable surfretreat I can highly recommend surflifetoursnicaragua. I had the chance to do a retreat for three weeks and I loved it every single day. The retreat is very customizable depending on your needs and wishes. My focus was surfing as much as possible. Melky is a very experienced surfcoach. Safety is his first priority and he always kept an eye on me and away from the other surfers. This was very important for me. After the lesson, I got feedback through the video analysis, which helped me a lot to improve. All of this in a relaxed atmosphere, he always has a smile on his face and a joke on his lip. He always brings you to the best surfspot. I have seen so many different places in Northern Nicaragua. Beside surfing we had a blast with other activities such as fishing, salsa dancing, rontour, Léon City tour, el transito etc. Everything was very professional and well organized.
Last but not least the food was sooo delicious.
Book a retreat with surflifetoursnicaragua – you wont regret it
Nic Turner
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Melky is awesome!!!!!
We had such a great time with him boarding the Volcano, surfing, and checking out the town of Chinadega. He is very knowledgeable about Nicaragua and knows everyone. He speaks great English and is also a great surfer. I would highly recommend his service to anyone looking to have a great time in Nicaragua.
Alexis Alvarez
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Making my surfer girl dreams come true
I am a beginner surfer and had surfed about 14 days of my life before I scheduled a tour with Melqui. My goals prior to the trip were to get to a smaller board, I had previously only rode a long board (8’5). Melqui helped me more than exceed my goal – by the second day I was on a 7’4 board and by day 4 catching waves on my own.
Melqui is a great instructor in the water. He provides a ton of encouragement and instant feedback. Every time you get out of the water you feel like you have progressed significantly!
This surf tour with Melqui was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. You will truly feel like you are part of the Nica community and most likely will not want to leave! His knowledge of the area, connections with others in the community and overall knowledge for surfing really elevates this tour above any others I have been on. He also has such a positive attitude and is truly there to make your experience the best it could be – I was sick a few days of the trip and he made sure I had all the medications I needed, had the chef make me a Nica herbal tea every morning (this stuff was magical!) and was always checking in with me to make sure I was feeling okay. This is above and beyond what I would have expected from a surf instructor!
10/10 recommend a surf trip with Melqui!