7 Day Fantastic Surf Camp and Yoga Holiday in Arugam Bay, Eastern Province

Facilities

Starrest Arugambay aims to keep things a bit different. From their fine surrounding at the guesthouse and the surf points nearby, all their certified surf coaches and guides, and to the equipment that they use, they aim to have the highest regional standard.

Everything on the surf coaching courses is designed to make sure that you get the most out of your surfing during your stay. The surf programs are comprehensive in that they not only include plenty of time in the surf. Each surfing session is progressive and goal oriented for each of the participants and at the end of the surf session, your coach will be discussing with you how you progressed learning that new skill taught.

The team is careful not to mix ability levels. Therefore, there will be a four-to-one student-instructor ratio at all times. This will also mean that you will never have to wait for others to keep up or feel left behind looking at the good surfers.

Day 1

• Check in at Star Rest Beach Hotel at 11 a.m.
• Trip to the ancient forest monastery of Kudumbigala and Okanda temple at 1 p.m.
• Dinner

Day 2

• Morning yoga session
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Evening surf lesson
• Dinner

Day 3

• Morning yoga session
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Evening surf lesson
• Dinner

Day 4

• Morning yoga session
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Evening surf lesson
• Dinner

Day 5

• Morning yoga session
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Evening surf lesson
• Dinner

Day 6

• Morning breakfast
• Surf lesson
• Complimentary free massage
• Lunch
• Lagoon safari (boat tour)
• Dinner

Day 7

• Breakfast
• Surfing lesson
• Check out time at 12:00 p.m.

You have included in the price one trip to ancient forest monastery of Kudumbigala and Okanda temple. There will also be a lagoon (boat) safari during this program.

This surf camp will take place in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. It has an array of quality surf spots for all levels. Starting from sunrise, you have perfect, glassy conditions for surfing with the wind picking up between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., ideal for kite and wind surfers.

Arugam Bay also has famous surf points, which hosted various international competitions. The best season for surfing runs from March to October. Here are some of the non-secret surf spots to check out for:

• Arugam Bay point - the best for beginners
• Crocodile Rock - dependent on the swell's mood
• Elephant Rock - amazing location and good waves
• Light house - remote and romantic with a small sand break
• Main point - the best for advanced surfers with right, reef breaks, long and fast waves
• Okanda - the highest waves and big swells only
• Peanut Farm - a must for all levels as it offers high-quality waves
• Pottuvil point - the longest one and opens late into the season
• Whiskey point - great for beginners with fun waves and sunrise sessions

Distances

• Arugam Bay beach - 1 minute
• Village center - 10 minutes

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During this holiday, you will be served with daily breakfast included in your price package. Arugam Bay surf camp offers a range of breakfast options, as well as coffee, home-made desserts, and healthy smoothie bowls. If you have special dietary requirements it is a good idea to communicate your concerns to Starrest Arugambay when making a reservation.

The resort's café also serves fresh breakfast lunch from 07:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. They offer an array of snacks and beverages at any time for guests at additional costs. The café is pleased to open early morning in time for the surfers, yogis, and travelers who would like a hot drink and snack box to take away. Special barbecue seafood nights are available upon request.

During this holiday, after 06:30 p.m. surfing guests can visit the following attractions in the area with additional cost. You can make day trips from Arugam Bay to see the plantations, waterfalls, old ruins, Panama sand dunes, temples, and see the wildlife in Kumana.

Visit Lahugala National Park

Located about 16 kilometers inland to the west of Potuvil is the 1554 hectare Lahugala Kitulana National Park. The Pottuvil-Monaragala trunk road runs through the south-eastern sector of the park. It is two kilometers off the main Monaragala - Pottuvil road, approximately five kilometers from Potuvil.

The park lies between larger wildlife reserves of Gal Oya National Park to the north and RuhunaYala National Park to the south. The Lahugala Park is part of the protected 'Elephant Corridor' for the elephant population to move freely across the south-eastern part of the island initiated by the Government as a part of its nature and wildlife conservation project.

Visit Magul Maha Viharaya

Located in the north to the edge of the park is the MagulaMahaViharaya, an ancient temple built by King Devanmpiyathissa in the second century BC which also attracts tourists. This temple has a historic Vihara and is said to be the location where the King married Princess ViharaMaha Devi. The foundations of the “MagulMaduwa” where the wedding ceremony took place can still be seen in the Vihara premises.

The entire Vihara complex had covered an extent of around 10000 acres where ruins of a palace, moonstone, monastery, bo-maluwa, stupas, and ponds are found scattered all over. The moonstone here is said to be unique in the country as this is the only location where elephants are carved with their mahouts in the moonstone.

Visit Muhudu Maha Viharaya

Alongside the Arugambay in Pottuvil is an inconspicuous but ancient temple called MuhuduMahaViharaya. Many archaeologists believe that this spot, also known as the SamudraMahaVihara, in fact, marks the place at which Princess Devi set foot in the Ruhuna Kingdom. According to a stone inscription that was found in the vicinity of the shrine, this place had also been called RuhunuMahaViharaya in the past.

The temple site which has of late been encroached upon by villagers has been reduced to a small shrine with three granite statues. The central statue is of the Buddha with two more sculptures believed to be those of royalty facing it.

Believed to have been built in the 5th century AD during the reign of King Dhathusena, many believe the royal figures depicted in worshiping position are in fact those of King Kavantissa and his Queen ViharaMaha Devi.

Visit Okanda

Okanda hill top has by long tradition been cited as one of the places where a divine katir from Lord Skanda struck. Veddas preserved the sanctity of the place with a simple shrine of stick and ola leaves. %According to another myth, the third ray from Vakura Hill reached here and came to rest on this hilltop, making it a favorite site for Murukan worship. There is yet a third myth according to which, Valli and Murukan arrived in separate stone boats which still rest on the beach to reside on top of the UkantaiMalai.

The temple is located along the eastern shores of the country, along which the pilgrims walk to Katirkamam. In places like Panama and Kumana, which are close to Ukantai, Tamils, and Sinhalese lived in harmony even down to the present day.

Visit Panama village

Panama village and region still preserves traces of an agrarian tradition that is many thousands of years old, composed of highly skilled and knowledgeable farmers. The region is also home to an extraordinary genetic diversity, particularly renewable forest products from perennial species and from plants of known medicinal value. Many Panama villagers still maintain the cultural knowledge associated with this region.

• 6 surf lessons (2 hours)
• 3 yoga sessions
• Surfing equipment
• 1 complimentary free massage
• Experienced professional team of instructors with ISA certificates
• Transport to and from surf sports
• One trip to ancient forest monastery of Kudumbigala and Okanda temple
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry service
• 1 lagoon safari
• 6 breakfasts
• 6 nights accommodation

• Airport transfer
• Insurance
• Lunch
• Nature tours
• Personal expenses

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.