Sri Lanka Surf Camp
3-11 Feb 2024
Overview
Sri Lanka is a surfers’ paradise for those who aren’t just looking for a typical surfing holiday, but who also want to discover an amazing nature and culture. The tropical climate in the middle of the northernhemisphere in February is just the cherry on the cake.
DURATION
9 days / 8 nights*
DIFFICULTY
Easy - from total beginners to advanced surfers
ACCOMMODATION
4* ocean front boutique hotel
LOCATION
Kabalana / South West Sri Lanka
MEETING POINT
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) / Colombo
PRICE
From € 1890
*The duration of the trip lasts from meeting at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) / Colombo until the flight home from the same airport.
Description
The tour is primarily for surfers – or thosewanting to learn to surf, but it’s also great for those who’d rather explore an alternative side to Sri Lanka by soaking up everything there is to seeand do here.
Sri Lanka is famous for its tea plantations, its stunning rain forests, and its sandy beaches. But, there are also two distinct historical flavors that have left a lasting mark on the island: one is the colonialarchitecture, the other is the thousands of yearsof Buddhist culture that continues to inspire the decorative flair of the island.
But it’s Sri Lanka’s natural landscape that makes this island country especially interesting. Along the way, we’ll visit Yala or Udawalawe National Park where we’ll spot elephants, bears and even crocodiles! Another day we’ll jump on a boat and head out whale watching, and perhaps even spot some dolphins from right up close. We’ll also visit a local turtle farm, where they raise baby turtles.
Of course the itinerary won’t be too packed; we want to leave heaps of time to soak up the unique experiences that Sri Lanka has to offer even in our down-time. Take your time sipping coconut water on the beach, or sit back and relax while drinkinga beer on an uninhabited island.
Local surfer
Buddhist temple
Sri Lanka sunset
GoBeyond Sri Lanka headquarteres
Luxurious boutique chalets for 2 or 4 people
Local fisherman proving the freshness of the catch
Enjoying the simplicity and purity of an easy longboard session
There are over 5000 elephants in Sri Lanka - the highest number in Asia
The locals lead a unique lifestyle in the surrounding colonial architecture
All tropical fruits you can imagine and even some you can't
Sandy beaches and ministry of chill
Details
Sri lions – SURF AND CHILL CAMP
3-11 Feb 2024
The duration of the trip lasts from meeting at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) / Colombo until the flight home from the same airport. The flight there and back might take an extra day, depending on where you are travelling from.
2, 3 or 4 bed
€ 1890
room
MOUNTAIN
€ 650
TRIP
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- 8 nights accommodation with breakfast
- Daily Surf lessons and surf guiding
- Surf rental, yoga sessions
- 2 Sri Lankan feasts
- Airport transfers
- Daily transport to organized activities
- GoBeyond tour guide
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- Safari and Whale watching 30-50 EUR.
FURTHER EXPENSES
- Plane tickets to and from the meeting point – Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) / Colombo
- Travel insurance
- VISA
- Personal expenses
- Lunches & most dinners (except the 2 dinners)
MOUNTAIN TRIP
- 4 nights in special and high quality accommodation
- Half board
- Train journey from Ella to Nuwara Eliya
- Elephant orphanage visit
- Organised excursions, tea workshop and cooking classes, yoga
- Transfers during the whole road trip
- GoBeyond tour guide for the additional 5 days
ACCOMMODATION
8 nights in a luxurious ocean front boutique hotel (AC, stylish interior, comfortable bed, crispy fresh sheets). Located in the hot spot of the Sri Lankan surf scene at Kabalana beach. All of the major sights on the island are less than a 30 minutes tuk-tuk ride away. The social area includes a sizeable swimming pool with a chill area and a beautiful garden by the ocean.
Our accommodation for the extra days is a community-run organic farm and guest-house in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka, perched in a small valley with views of Ella Rock and Lipton’s Seat. Our hosts produce a range of artisanal teas, coffees, spices and preserves, and work with the local community to support a variety of educational, economic and environmental initiatives.
SURF PACKAGE
Daily 1-2 surf lessons with professional English-speaking instructors in groups based on surfing skills (from total beginners to advanced). A wide variety of surfboards to choose from which you can use also for free surfing. Surf photo and videosession with analysis.
WEATHER
Tropical climate, tons of sunshine, 28-35°C, water temperature, 26-29°C. Make sure to bring high FPS sunscreen and lycra (UV protective) surf shirt.
GROUP
Maximum of 24 people usually of mixed nationalities. Solo travellers, groups of friends and couples with varying surfing skills and experience.
PHOTO & VIDEO
All the photos and videos you see are from our previous camps. We produce high-quality content for all our camps, which you will receive after returning home to remember all the amazing memories.
PERSONAL EXPENSES
The local currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee LKR. We recommend bringing USD in cash and to exchange at the airport. Depending on spending habits your budget for the trip should range from 300-600 USD. For reference, a meal is between 3-15 USD.
MEALS
The food scene in Sri Lanka is thriving with amazing local produce. Hawker stalls, casual and fancy restaurants everywhere. Seaside lunches and gourmet cuisine dinner feasts. Healthy local organic breakfast and 2 dinners are included in the price.
SURF CONDITIONS
The ocean is transparent and warm, the waves are predictable, friendly and diverse. The closest surf spot is 2 minutes walking distance in 5 km radius over a dozen surf spots form beginner beach breaks to intermediate reef breaks and also pumping world-class waves.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Comfortable minivans with AC for transfers from airport and longer daily trips. Tuk-Tuk for short trips and surf sessions. All transports besides for nightlife are included in the price.
ACTIVITIES & SIGHTS
Daily yoga sessions, tea plantation visit and tasting, Koggala lake boat trip, Galle fort sightseeing, Hiriketeya bay day-trip, Mulkirigala rock Buddhist temple, jungle safari, whale and dolphin watching, turtle nursery visit. Vivid nightlife with jungle and bonfire beach parties.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
You will need an insurance that covers surfing accidents. You can contact us and we are happy to recommend the most suitable one.
Program
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
The group meets at the airport followed by a 2,5h private bus transfer to the Surf Lodge. Check-ingetting to know each other and the accommodation, dinner and drinks.
DAY 2 - THEORY & FIRST DIP
First breakfast, then we will have a theoretical surf lesson, afterwards we’ll head to the beach for our first joint surf session. Most days we will have lunch together close to the beach. Followed by a yoga session in the afternoon then comes the day’s second surf. We will finish up the day in a nice restaurant on the beachside with amazing food.
DAY 3 - KOGGALA LAKE
Breakfast, morning surf session, lunch at the accommodation. In the afternoon we are going on a boat trip on Lake Koggala to see some wildlife and meet with locals on three different islands. We will have dinner at the accommodation and head to Mirissa beach for a bonfire party.
DAY 4 - GALLE
Followed by our morning surf session and lunch at the beach in the afternoon we will go to Galle to check out the fort and the colonial architecture, we will have a famous seafood dinner in the best restaurant of the region.
DAY 5 - THEORY & TEA
With all the confidence and experience we gained in surfing we will have a surf photo and video session so you will have some nice memories to show of your surfing skills. This session is followed by another theoretical lesson then lunch, yoga and in the late afternoon we will visit the famous tea plantation of Handunugoda. After dinner we will analyse the footage we made during the morning session.
DAY 6 - BUDDHIST CULTURE
We will head to Hiriketiya amazing bay where you can enjoy the beach and the waves. Then we will hit an awesome lunch spot and head to Mulkirigala rock temple to learn about local culture. To finish up the day we will head to Midigama to let the steam out with a Cheeky Monkey Party.
DAY 7 - FISHMARKET
Rise and shine! Usual morning surf session followed by a visit at a secret beach close to Mirissa. Lunch at the weligama fishmarket succeeded by a yoga and afternoon surf session. Dinner at the Lighthouse with epic sunset views of the ocean.
DAY 8 - SAFARI
Optional programs: Uduwella Safari in the morning or whale and dolphin watching. Based on the group’s decision we have our ‘regular’ schedule including morning surf afternoon chill and yoga or any of the extra programs. Concluding our day in Weligama at an awesome tiki bar.
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE
We will start our final day with a group mealfollowed by optional massage and spa treatments. Check out from the hotel around noon and headto the airport and head back home with amazing new memories.
DAY 10-13 - MOUNTAIN TRIP
For those who would like to stay longer, we will organise a trip into the mountains to experience world famous tea plantations. Here we will spend 2 nights at a secluded organic farm producing the highest quality artisanal tea. We will go hiking, practice some yoga and attend cooking and tea classes.
On the morning of the third day, we will board a train and spend half a day travelling through tea plantations on the world's most beautiful railway line. In Nuwara Eliya, the capital of the Sri Lankan highlands at 1,868m, we will stay in a colonial-style, elegant grand hotel. Finally we will visit an ethical elephant orphanage on the way back to our beachfront hotel near the airport for our last night before flying home.
*The program is subject to change at any times. The final itinerary depends on current weather conditions, swell, tidal movements, the group’s surfing skills and stamina.
Application
1
ENQUIRY
Call us, Email us or use the form below
2
AVAILABILITY CONFIRMATION
We will get back to you within 48h
3
BOOKING
Secure your spot with a 40% deposit & travel contract
4
PLANE TICKETS & VISA ARRANGEMENT IF NEEDED
Typically 1-2 months before departure
5
SECOND INSTALMENT
30 days before departure
6
GoBeyond ADVENTURE STARTS
We greet you at the meeting point
Get in touch with us
Phone: +43 660 552 2466 | Email: hello@gobeyond.travel
Surf trips
Sri Lanka Surf Camp
Q&A
Obviously yes, at least half of the group always consists of beginners. We have found perfect conditions for beginners each year, and with the help of the professional instructors, you will be able to learn the basics very effectively.
During the daytime it’s sunny, around 28-35°C, during the night it’s around 28 °C. The water is 28 °C. Board short, bikini, lycra (UV and rash protection) surf shirt is needed. Don’t forget the suncream and your hat at home!
A BTS tour guide and professional local instructors with many years of experience.
Sri Lanka offers the best beginners and intermediate waves. Most likely you won’t find stand up barrels, but there are also hollow waves breaking on shallow reefs and lots of forgiving and super fun reef breaks. If you’re not only focusing on very big waves and you’re not a pro, you will enjoy it!
We’re pretty sure that you’ll love surfing. In the same time the villages of Sri Lanka have a very chill vibe and enjoying the sun on a tropical beach is quite easy. On the other hand most of the group will surf at least half day every day, meaning we'll stay on the beach together going in and out to the water.
The accommodation consists of modern luxurious boutique chalets for 2-4 people each. The small houses are located in a park of palm trees, with a pool and community area in the center.
Not at all. There are always people who come alone, so you can be sure that you’ll make new friends!
It really depends on spending habits it’s possible to survive from 150 USD. We recommend a budget range of 300-600 USD. For reference, a meal is between 3-15 USD, motorcycle rental 8-10 USD, coconut 0,5 USD, Safari and Whale watching 40-70 USD. Also, you should calculate how many souvenirs you would like to buy.
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupees LKR. You can only change money in banks at the airport and some small shops with your passport. First, it’s recommended to change some money at the airport, then we’ll go to a bank if you run out. You can only pay by card at our surf house, there are a few ATMs but withdraws have large extra charges so we recommend using cash.
It depends on your nationality, please always check it on your local embassy’s website. From most of the European countries, the price of the visa is 35 USD and you will need to fill out an online form before the arrival (http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/).
Healthy fresh food, mostly based on seafood, chicken, rice and vegetables. You will get a buffet breakfast every morning and two community dinners. Coconuts are offered everywhere they are almost for free.
Tap water in Sri Lanka is OK for washing and brushing teeth, but it is not recommended for drinking. Bottled mineral water is cheap (0,5 USD) and available everywhere. Alternatively, there will be a purified water fountain at our surf hostel, where you can fill up your bottles and help keep plastic out of the ocean.
Please ask your local health authority. Usually, there are no mandatory vaccinations.
There is an OK level of hygiene, no stomach infection has occurred in the last years as the foods are healthy and clean. It’s always a good idea to keep a hand sanitizer and/or a small bottle of spirit in your bag.
Check more surf trips
The natural and cultural scenery of a destination are just as important to us as quality and uncrowded waves. Even when scoring two sessions a day, we still have enough time to explore the surrounding area.
And we are not afraid to #gobeyond when it comes to having a rad time - even if it means taking that third transfer with a propeller plane or paddling in chilly water.
Whether you’re a rookie or a pro, feel free to join one of our surf camps.
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