Safa Surf Camp
Safa Surf Camp
4.5
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Full view
About
SAFA Surf Camp is a locally owned and run surf business, Arugam Bay. Here, at SAFA (Surfing Access For All), we want you to truly experience the real and traditional Sri Lanka with all its simple beauty. We also want you to learn how to surf in a unique opportunity with the locals who will never fail at putting a grin on your face. We also support our community by employing and training local fishermen in surf as their knowledge of the ocean, currents and tides is immense. Arugam Bay is a perfect spot for beginners to learn how to surf or improve their surfing skills. SAFA Surf Camp and Surf School is opened from 2nd week of March to end of January every year. Come and have the best surfing experience in Arugam Bay with complimentary yoga classes in the best chill & relax spot. We also provide surf Lessons, surf board rental and surf gears for those who rather a one-time session instead of a full stay.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
163 reviews
Excellent
143
Very good
3
Average
3
Poor
4
Terrible
10
Arabella H
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
The spots we were taken to are stunning, seeing wild elephants on your way to and from the gorgeous breaks. The staff made an extra effort to beat the intense crowds by getting us therr early or staying late, but there's not much you can do when it's very busy. Great to have video analysis and lots of tips in the water. Despite the crowds, we took lots of waves. Fawas is an expert who really knows this area well and how to manage any challenges. Met some great people at the camp. Good vibes, good location, good food. Thank you!
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pandre2
6 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
I went to Safa Surf Camp in May 2022 for one week, and had such an amazing time !! The week was very intense, we had 2 surf classes and 1 yoga class per day, but this is how we improved a lot and managed to have great surf sensations. I went with a friend, both of us were beginners. The lessons given by Fawas were very clear and helpful, we really liked the organization and the theoretical classes between surf practice. The 2 other teachers, Kutty and Rasheed, were very friendly and had great surf advices as well. Always helpful and there for us. And the atmosphere at the camp was so nice, we cooked Sri Lankan dishes all together.
I can’t recommend enough this camp, and I will definitely go back !
I can’t recommend enough this camp, and I will definitely go back !
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick Veerapen
3 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
I had a great time at Safa would definitely be back again. The surf was great, instructors were really knowledgeable, and the rooms were spacious. Nisser the photographer/videographer takes some brilliant shots of you surfing as well!
Written 6 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane.90
4 contributions
Jul 2019
I visited surfcamp this summer with a my friend.
The accommodation was fine. The camp is more far away from the center of Arugambay, so we were dependent on the tuktuk.
Every evening we had tun together with all people at the camp (bbq nights. karaoke and etc...) until we found out that the owner has a wife and children. It is not right that probably every time he is trying to flirt/catch some tourist girls.
Surf lessons were good, but only when there were not many other instructors with students in the water. Then our instructors pushed us to the waves where even other beginners surfed. So they taught us to drop the waves from the beginning. Our instructors also taught for other surf schools where they had higher salaries.
The accommodation was fine. The camp is more far away from the center of Arugambay, so we were dependent on the tuktuk.
Every evening we had tun together with all people at the camp (bbq nights. karaoke and etc...) until we found out that the owner has a wife and children. It is not right that probably every time he is trying to flirt/catch some tourist girls.
Surf lessons were good, but only when there were not many other instructors with students in the water. Then our instructors pushed us to the waves where even other beginners surfed. So they taught us to drop the waves from the beginning. Our instructors also taught for other surf schools where they had higher salaries.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review and we know as professionl many girls are coming here wants to do some business in Arugambay and they know we doing a profession business then trying to put us down we receive lots of yoga teachers and marketing specialist wants to do a own business with locals. recenly our government depod 186 foreigners who wants to do business illigally we know you also wanna do business here, but sorry we are not in that occation.non of your business to check others personal if you wanna find a guy you can find many in here you can keep it. hope you can find someone legally to run a business and have fun in here.good luck.
Written 8 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sachin D
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
We visited Arugambay several times and each time we stayed at safa surf camp. They are very nice people and professionals in surfing. If anyone wishes to visit Sri Lanka for adventure safe surf is the ideal place for it.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthieu C
6 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
I spent seven day at SAFA Surf camp and it was above my expectations !
- Very nice and professional crew, they are analysing your stance and behaviours on the water (+ videos and pictures). They give you concises and picky feedbacks that help you to improve your surf faster and gradually !
- The camp is such a nice and peaceful place, straight to the beach in Arugam Bay. Accommodations are nice and clean perfect to relax after surf sessions !
The free breakfast every morning was very good, well cooked and spicy like you want, many choices (for every diet) and good quantities !!
The free dinners were also very nice with good Sri Lankan food !
- Very nice and professional crew, they are analysing your stance and behaviours on the water (+ videos and pictures). They give you concises and picky feedbacks that help you to improve your surf faster and gradually !
- The camp is such a nice and peaceful place, straight to the beach in Arugam Bay. Accommodations are nice and clean perfect to relax after surf sessions !
The free breakfast every morning was very good, well cooked and spicy like you want, many choices (for every diet) and good quantities !!
The free dinners were also very nice with good Sri Lankan food !
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin and Sara... B
3 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We stayed as a family with 16 and 18 year olds. The camp itself is really nice, right on the beach and a great place to chill. The other people there was really nice and it's a really sociable place. The breakfast and dinner are excellent. Be prepared to get up very early to attempt to beat the crowds at least for a while. 5am leaving. We saw Elephants on the way to the beach each morning, which is quite an experience. We surfed Peanut farm each day. It would have been nice to try some of the other spots.
Isak was a really great surf coach who knew the waves incredibly well having lived and surfed there all his life. He made sure we made the most of the surfing and really helped my daughter to improve.
One warning, there is a party each Wednesday right next door and it's really really loud and goes on all night. It might not be there when you go but we got very little sleep that night.
It looks like the camp is expanding and they have some rooms that are not right on the beach, so you might want to check where you are staying.
Overall we loved the place and had a great time. We would definitely go again. Good value for money.
Isak was a really great surf coach who knew the waves incredibly well having lived and surfed there all his life. He made sure we made the most of the surfing and really helped my daughter to improve.
One warning, there is a party each Wednesday right next door and it's really really loud and goes on all night. It might not be there when you go but we got very little sleep that night.
It looks like the camp is expanding and they have some rooms that are not right on the beach, so you might want to check where you are staying.
Overall we loved the place and had a great time. We would definitely go again. Good value for money.
Written 25 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neranjan Jayaruwan
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka1 contribution
Dec 2019
It is a very nice place to enjoy.. really appreciate their services. Their instructors are very friendly and helpful. I really recommend this. I was with some of my friends, but I feel like it also a great place to come and enjoy as a family or a loving couple.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you
Written 11 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Escape53465612126
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Very nice place to stay as a family, we were 5, youngest 11 years old. We got surf lessons adjust our level. It was very nice they had a photographer that took a lot of nice pictures and videos from the surf lessons that we got when leaving. Tip is to bring a memory ship.
Breakfast and dinner was very good, especially the curry buffet.
Sometimes we heard the music from parties in Arugambay Bay during night, l guess it’s not to avoid since it seams to be a party destination as well.
Friendly staff and surf instructors.
We recommend Safa Surf camp and will love to come again.
Breakfast and dinner was very good, especially the curry buffet.
Sometimes we heard the music from parties in Arugambay Bay during night, l guess it’s not to avoid since it seams to be a party destination as well.
Friendly staff and surf instructors.
We recommend Safa Surf camp and will love to come again.
Written 22 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keny B
4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
I just stayed with my boyfriend for 2 weeks at safa surfcamp in Arugam Bay. We had the best time with Favas and his team either in the water or at gatherings in the camp. The camp is situated just in front of the beach which allows you a swim into the sea at anytine you wish.
I learnt more about surfing as expected and improved my surfing skills a lot. I appreciated the way they taught us with their friendly and open nature. We felt absolutely welcome and will for sure come back as soon as possible.
I learnt more about surfing as expected and improved my surfing skills a lot. I appreciated the way they taught us with their friendly and open nature. We felt absolutely welcome and will for sure come back as soon as possible.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How can I get in touch with the safa team. They don't respond to our messages we send by the contactformular on the homepage. Regards Corinna
Written 4 August 2019
Hope you guys doing well. We have not received any mail yet would be nice you can double check and send me a message by or you can WhatsApp:0094779552268
Kind regards
Fawas
Written 5 August 2019
Hello SAFA, do you offer family Surf camp package? I am interested in an intermediate Surf camp for myself, I have a 5 and 7 year old who would like to learn to Surf as well. Please let me know if you could accommodate this. Thank you!
Written 17 March 2018
For sure you could. But the kids we can't put in the group we have to take separate sessions.
For a week I charge 1500U$ for you 3 with accommodation.
Kind regards
Fawas
Written 18 March 2018
Hello could you let me know the fees that you charge to learn, my son was there last year and he did some training at Peanut Farm.. This year we are planning to come there for 2 weeks and would like to know the total cost for learn surfing..
Written 12 May 2015
you are couple or single?we are charge for couple for one week 900 US dollar
Written 17 June 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.