About your Kima surf retreat
in Sri Lanka
Modern history of
Sri Lanka surfaris
We are hooked on surfing, the enchanting mentality of local people involved and respect surfers around the world. The outstanding community we have been involved with in our Bali based camps has inspired us to find new places to share the sport of surfing. Our Sri Lanka surf retreat offers similar travel feelings on its southern coast as in Bali/Indonesia – yet of course, it is completely different in culture, people and food.
The waves we’ll get you to from our Weligama surf camp are good quality and consistent.
We’ve found and developed an outstanding, historically beautiful and fun place for you to join us on your Sri Lankan Surfaris!
ORGANIZING SURF CAMPS AND SURFARIS SINCE 1995
Surf safaris on the islands of Sri Lanka and Bali are a get-together of like-minded people with one and the same passion – surfing as a lifestyle.
We all have one commitment: working hard to make our Surf Camps an unforgettable experience for you.
No matter how long you stay with us, Kima provides you with a maximum of surf-time without spending time looking for surf spots or the best tides and swells
YOUR SURFING HOLIDAY IN SRI LANKA
We want to make sure you have an absolutely fantastic surfing holiday – Sri lanka is a large and diverse country, and beside its beautiful waves, there is an enormous wealth of culture, nature and history– you simply have to experience and explore all this.
Keep your eyes open and always be ready for new experiences – you’ll soon see Sri Lanka really is stunning and understand why we’ve come to surf and chill here.
NEWS
There’s always something exciting to report about our surf camps. Coming soon is the Kima Surf Sri Lanka news area where we keep you up to date about the latest Kima news and many other Sri Lankan highlights.
Look forward to exclusive insights into life in our surf camps, discover the best offers and immerse yourself even more in our unique world of wonders between the waves. We’re already looking forward to your visit!
SUSTAINABILITY
HOW WE HELP
We do not sell any beverages in plastic bottles and offer environmentally friendly water dispensers in all of our camps to refill your water bottles. This dramatically reduces the usage of plastic water bottles. Use our water dispensers and refill your bottle with fresh drinking water in the camp at any time.
KIMA FAQ
RESERVATION
HOW DO I CONFIRM AND COMPLETE MY RESERVATION?
As soon as you’ve filled in the online registration form on our website, your place at Kima Surf Sri Lanka is reserved. Payment arrangements are made through the confirmation email of your booking and, of course, more information will be given to you upon your arrival in Weligama. This reservation is binding. Cancelling will result in a cancellation fee (see General Terms & Conditions).
GETTING TO SRI LANKA
HOW CAN I GET A CHEAP FLIGHT?
There are several locations throughout Europe that offer non stop flights to Columbo. Cheap flights can be found through the following internet portals: Skyscanner, Traveloka, Checkfelix or Opodo.
What airport Do I Fly in to sri Lanka
Your destination will be Bandaranaike International Airport (In Columbo). It is the island’s main international airport.
CAN I BRING MY OWN SURFBOARD?
Some airlines transport surfboards free of charge, provided your total checked baggage weight is under the usual allowance (20 to 23 kg). But please check with your airline beforehand as it seems to be handled quite arbitrarily (make sure they know it is a ‘real’ surfboard to avoid mix-ups with wind surfboards).
WILL I BE MET AT THE AIRPORT?
Airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop-off) are available for a fee starts at 109 euros each way for Weligama and 145 euros each way for Hiri. If you would like to book this service, please let us know your exact flight details (date and time of arrival, airline and flight number) and your WhatsApp number by email at least 48 hours before your departure to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Upon your arrival at Colombo airport, please connect to the free airport WiFi, and our driver will send you a text message with their name, photo, and details about the meeting point at the airport. The drive from the international airport to Weligama takes approximately 2.5 hours.
VISAS FOR SRI LANKA
HOW DO I GET A VISA?
For almost all European and North American nationals, currently the 30 day visa is free of charge, and we recommend you get this before you arrive to Sri Lanka. Once you land in Sri Lanka tourists are permitted to stay for 30 days with this visa. If you wish to stay in Sri Lanka longer than 30 days you can apply for an extention for up to 90 days from the date you arrived into the country. To apply for your visa please find details here: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa
WHAT KIND OF VISA DO I NEED TO STAY LONGER THAN 30 DAYS?
If you want to stay longer than 30 days in Sri Lanka, you can extend your visa for an additional 60 days, however this is a dificult process and requires returning to Colombo.
FINANCES
WHAT’S THE CURRENCY IN Sri lanka?
The local currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). The fluctuating exchange rate is approximately 198 rupee for € 1.
HOW AND WHERE CAN I CHANGE MONEY?
Lots of money exchangers will try and bait you with good exchange rates. To avoid any rip-offs, you should only change your cash at official moneychanger.
CAN I PAY FOR MY SURF CAMP ON THE SPOT?
Please note that you cannot pay in cash for your accommodation at the Sri Lanka surf camp. The full amount of your booking must be paid within a week upon your booking is confirmed / upon received booking confirmation. If payment is not made in full, we do not guarantee your bed at the camp.
AN I GET MONEY FROM AN ATM?
There are lots of ATMs in Sri Lanka where you can withdraw rupee with your credit card or bank card (international creditor, e.g. Maestro, Cirrus). Make sure you know the pin number of your card(s). The maximum amount per transaction varies depending on the ATM, but the absolute maximum per transaction is 60,000 rupee (approx. € 300). Several transactions can be done one after another. It is best to use ATMs inside banks with security guards to avoid scams.
SURF CAMP
HOW FAR IS THE SURF CAMP FROM THE BEACH?
Our Kima Surf camp is located 2 minutes by foot from the beach of Weligama.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY VALUABLES?
Every room has an electronic safety box where you can keep your cash, flight tickets, and other small valuable things. Larger valuables (laptop, photo equipment etc.) can be deposited at our front office. Our surf camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
WILL I NEED A PLUG ADAPTOR?
For Sri Lanka there are two associated plug types, types D and G. Sri Lanka operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. You may bring your adapter if your devices have other plugs. Every kind of adapter can also be bought here in Sri Lanka.
WILL I NEED A MOSQUITO NET?
Mosquito nets are available, you can simply ask and our team will be happy to assist you with your request for a net.
ARE THERE TOWELS IN THE SURF CAMP?
Our Kima Surf Sri Lanka surf camp provides towels. These should not be taken to the beach, so please pack your favourite beach towel.
IS THERE BED LINEN IN THE SURF CAMP?
Bed linen is provided and changed regularly (with night temperatures of around 26 °C you won’t need a sleeping bag.)
IS THERE INTERNET IN THE SURF CAMP?
Free WI-FI is provided in all of our surf camps.
SURF & WEATHER
WHAT KINDS OF SURFBOARDS ARE THERE AT KIMA SURF SRI LANKA?
We have all kinds of different sizes and surfboard shapes for every level. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced or pro surfer, we have the right board for you! Our high quality surfboards are by Hayden Shapes & NSP Surfboards and are made of high-quality epoxy or polyester resin. For beginner surfers we have soft-tops from the market leading brand OCEAN&EARTH.
Boards can be easily damaged if they’re not handled properly, in this case repair costs must be paid by the user. For a small fee you can insure your rented board to cover all the damages. In the possible event that you lose the board or parts of it, you will still have to take over the costs despite the insurance.
DO I NEED A WETSUIT IN Sri Lanka?
The average water temperature is about 28 to 30 °C; leave your wetsuit at home.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SURF LESSONS & SURF GUIDING?
Surf lessons are professional lessons with a surf school instructors. Kima recommends surf lessons to beginners who have never surfed before in order to get a basic knowledge about the waves and first training with soft-top surfboards in order to reduce the risk of injuries and cuts.
We offer 5-day Learn-To-Surf package for all our beginners. Those lessons need to be booked separately and are not included in our room/surf-guiding packages. Surf guiding means that our professional surf guides will take you to surf spots that match your ability, give you a detailed spot introduction and be in the water with you to support you in catching as many waves as possible.
Our surf guides will provide you with feedback and give you advice on how to improve your surfing skills. A beginner who is booked into a 5-day Learn-to-Surf program can join the afternoon surf guided sessions of Kima Surf from their second day, as the surf school lessons are provided in the morning.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK THE SURF SCHOOL?
For absolute beginners we recommend our 5-day Learn-to-Surf package. Please talk to our sales team to assist in booking. This package will save you a lot of time in the learning process help avoid making mistakes that are difficult to straighten out later on.
Along with the surf school course, you can surf a second time later in the day with our surf guides (depending on surf conditions). If you can handle a take-off and manage to surf to the beach standing upright ahead of the white wash, you do not need to attend surf school and your best bet is our surf guiding where you’ll learn with lots of practice. Our surf guides will help you and give you lots of tips so you can take your surfing to the next level.
DO I NEED MY OWN EQUIPMENT AT THE SURF SCHOOL?
Learn-To-Surf package at the surf school includes: lycra, towels, sunscreen and drinking water. For the surf school and the surf guiding sessions you need to rent a board in advance or directly from the camp.
WHEN DOES THE SURF SCHOOL START?
You can start the Learn-To-Surf course any day from Monday to Sunday.
WHEN DOES THE GUIDING PROGRAM START?
The latest registration for the morning and afternoon session needs be done up to 8 pm the day before. Please be aware that you need to sign up in our session planner first. Nothing will stop you heading to various surfing spots once you get your equipment and do a briefing.
ARE SRI LANKA'S WAVES SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS?
Weligama Beach is the best spot in Sri Lanka for beginners to learn surfing and it’s right out our doors at the Kima Sri Lanka camp.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN SRI LANKA?
Sri Lanka is genuniely a year – round holiday spot! The high season falls between December to mid April with temperatures staying fairly conistant all year round. Between October to February the West and South coasts gets most of the sun, while during the months of May to August the weather is more dry and sunny on the East Coast.
It can rain during daytime sometimes, as the weather anywhere is always a bit of gamble. Sometimes it won’t rain the whole week and then later it rains a few days in a row.
WHAT’S THE TEMPERATURE LIKE IN Sri Lanka?
The average temperature in Sri Lanka is 27 °C. The warmest average high temperature is 31 °C in February, March, April & May. The coolest average llow temperature is 22 °C in January & February.
LIFESTYLE
WHAT KIND OF FOOD IS THERE IN Sri Lanka?
There is a nice variety of food around Weligama. From Italian to Mexican and most plentiful Sri Lankan Rice and Curry!
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES SHOULD I TAKE WITH ME?
As a rule of thumb, you can go around in a bikini or board shorts and flip-flops during the day. In the evening when you go out to eat, T-shirt, shirt and long trousers are a good idea as they also help against the mosquitos.
ILLNESS, VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE
WHAT VACCINATIONS DO I NEED?
We recommend a tetanus boost (1 jab in your rear end), hepatitis A (2 to 3 jabs, starting 6 weeks before your trip), typhoid (oral vaccination, 3 weeks before) and, if you want to be on the safe side, malaria prophylaxis and rabies vaccination. Sri Lanka is classified as malaria-free. However, there are some isolated cases of infection now and again. Bear in mind that malaria prophylaxis has side effects on organs and mind. If you act wisely (repellents, protective/covering clothing), you can keep the risk to a minimum.
WHAT’S MEDICAL CARE LIKE IN SRI LANKA?
All kinds of antiseptic creams, lotions, band-aids, etc. can be found very cheaply at local pharmacies. Medical care in the tourist regions of Sri Lanka is good and mostly up to western standards (hygiene, disinfection, educational standards of the medics, etc.).
WHAT INSURANCE SHOULD I TAKE OUT?
We strongly recommend that everyone coming to Kima Surf should have travel health insurance. Apart from treatment expenses and drugs on location, this also covers return transport by an emergency service. This insurance costs about € 20. A must for everyone and mostly valid for a whole year. As well as a travel health insurance, you can also take out a casualty insurance (hospital daily benefits or even a pension in a worst-case scenario) and travel and baggage insurance. For Australian guests, please check www.indosurf.com.au.