Thirty Days of Hightides – Nicaragua

As I’m standing in the customs line at Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport in Managua I’m so thankful to be wearing the new Hightides. The customs line up can be dreadfully slow depending on the day. This, unfortunately, was an unlucky arrival on my part but at least I have the world’s comfiest footwear to wait in. The BioLite tech makes it feel like you’re strolling barefoot through the airport and are extra comfy while standing for long periods of time.

After settling in for a few nights at Sunslice Surf House, surfing a beach break and enjoying some local cuisine, I felt it my duty to put the Hightides to the test on a local fishing trip. Nicaragua has a massive fishing industry, and it builds up a lot of these smaller coastal towns, which is crazy to think of because they have almost zero marinas. The fishermen roll their pangas in and out of the ocean every single day on massive wooden dowel-like beams. Once in the ocean they then have to navigate the surf which, I assure you, is no joke. I put the word out around town and before long had a full boat. With the morning sun breaking and the wind blowing through our hair, we’re barreling down the coast heading towards the fishing grounds. We’re not totally sure what we’re going to find. Tuna, Mackerel, Barracuda and even Rooster Fish populate the central coast here. After trolling through a large bait ball for a couple hours, we came out grinning ear-to-ear, with a full cooler of Tuna. Not much variety this day but we came for the fight and were not disappointed. Needless to say, we’re eating well tonight! The Hightides were clutch in the boat. I was thankful to have something on my feet so that I didn’t have to worry about accidentally stepping on the many sharp objects scattered around.

I picked up a motorbike and made my way along the central coast up towards the north where I was lucky enough to make friends with a handful of locals who shared some secret spots that would otherwise be missed. Elton Sanchez, a local surfer and artist who spends time between the central and northern coasts, took me under his wing and showed me some amazing spots. As we began walking through what felt like Mars searching for tide pools, we suddenly came across an unreal sight. Stretching forty feet long and nestled neatly above the crashing waves lays the coolest natural infinity pool I’ve ever seen. We spent the morning relaxing here and sharing stories before the sun came out in full force and it was time to head back. The Hightides were the perfect footwear as we walked through burning hot sand, sharp rocks, and fully-flooded areas. I left a pair with Elton as a thank you.

In-between these excursions I was posting up at the surf, photographing locals and tourists alike. As a 2x National Champion, Elton is extremely talented which made this part of my job relatively easy. Between the different breaks I visited, the Hightides really came in handy–whether I was posted up on a rocky point or walking along the beach on what felt like lava when barefoot. The drainage holes were a next level feature to have when moving between the shallows and the shore, especially in a few specific rocky spots.

As luck would have it, on the last day of my trip I ran into Pat, an Alaskan fishing guide, trying his luck at some Rooster Fish. The bait was plentiful and he mentioned he’d seen a few swim by but was unlucky so far. We had a beer and continued to wait patiently while the sun set in the distance. He told me he saw me walking down the beach earlier and recognized my XTRATUFs; it seemed only fitting to also give him a pair of Hightides to help keep his journey moving forward. He was unlucky again that day but assured me he wouldn’t give up the fight until he was successful.

Overall I was super happy to have the Hightide’s with me during my month in Nicaragua. From the airplane to the ocean, I never once felt like I needed anything else on my feet. Even when cruising down the dirt roads by motorbike to the next village I felt comfortable. Visiting new places can be both nerve-racking and exciting. Nicaragua really felt friendly to me, the people I met were super kind and welcoming. I felt a part of the community after just a few short days in each stop. Needless to say I will definitely be back.

See below for a list of must-eats and must-sees when travelling along the central and northern coast of Nicaragua. 

El Transito
Sunslice Surf House Hotel
Surf Coffee Cafe
Niños Del Mar Bar & Restaurant
Comedor De Pescador
El Oso Coffee Shop
Pupusas El Transito

Miramar
Lobster Lady Restaurant
El Gallo Griton Restaurant

Las Penitas
Watch out for Turtle Hatchings
Mi Rancho Del Mar
Sua

 Leon
Ortíz Gurdián Foundation Art Center
Coco Calala Vegan Restaurant
Bar El Mirador Rooftop Bar
La Nueva Broadway Thrift Shop

Aserradores
Buns of Paradise Bakery
Cafe Hola

Shop Hightides

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