| SURFING PANAMA |
Morro Negrito Surf Camp
Have you every dreamed of surfing in a tropical paradise with perfect warm water waves to yourself? This is your opportunity. We have a surf camp that opened in June 1998 that will fulfill your ultimate wave fantasies. It is located on a small island in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Panama (Gulf of Chiriqui)
There's also diving, fishing, exploring, or just relaxing in a hammock. On the island there is a variety of wild life including monkeys, many types of bird, parrots and deer.
The Morro Negrito Surf Camp is actually two islands. One being the big island and then a smaller island. The big island has the living accommodations. Cabanas are located on the side of a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Water is supplied by a fresh water spring on top of the hill that has been piped down for drinking and showering. 110 volt electricity is supplied by solar energy and a generator. There's a large sandy beach break in one bay area. There are also several left point breaks on this island.
* SFA Discount * The SFA Boston has been in contact with Morro Negrito Surf Camp and they will offer discounted rates to surfers that reference the SFA when inquiring for rates. The staff there is real helpful and friendly and will do whatever they can to make your stay at their camp as comfortable and fun as possible.
Please see the contact information below for Steve Thompson, when inquiring about Morro Negrito
| PANAMA SURF NEAR MORRO NEGRITO |
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About the breaks.....
The smaller island is about a 30-minute boat ride. This is the island of the largest waves. When the waves are flat everywhere else, you'll find 6-8 feet faces here on average. On the north side of the island there are lefthanders going off and on the south side of the island there are right breaking waves. (Something for everyone) We provide two major boat trips per day to the various surf breaks. One early in the morning, the next later in morning or early afternoon.
We are up to 10 breaks at this time within a short distance of the camp. More discoveries are being made all the time. Some break best on high tide, some on low tide. Heres a description of each:
In front of camp left point break, often described as playful. When theres a good swell, getting double barreled on the same wave is possible. With a swell, wave is generally, head high to two feet overhead. Surfed at medium tides.
The Point, left point break about ½ mile from camp. Generally breaks, 3-4 foot bigger than previously break. Fast and hollow and easy to get barreled on. On a big swell, has been compared to a Pipeline type wave. Quite often I have heard people say, That was the best wave of my life!. Best surfed at medium tides.
Sand bar break, south of big island. A 400 yard ride on the sand bar. This wave breaks both left and right. Has been described as the perfect wave you draw on your notebook in high school that just keeps going and going. Not a fast wave, but a long, long playful wave. Surfed at low tide only.
Bouncing wave break for sometime different. On the big island and goes left. Best described a Newport Beach Wedge Wave. Swell bounces off a large volcanic rock formation and then connects with the next incoming wave to double up. Surfed at medium tides.
Inside small island break. Goes right and is an island wrapper. Best on low tide and needs a large swell to surf. Nice barrel here.
There four breaks are on outside island. One is a big wave left reef break, next is a smaller, but very fun left reef break, the other a right break reef pass and the last is a island wrapper going right. Only to be surfed at medium to high tide. With a good swell, can produce double to triple overhead condition. Average swell, generally produces 2-4 ft overhead conditions. When swell is right, has been described as a G-Land style wave. Weve seen surfers get standup barrels at these breaks with spitting tubes.
We also have a two mile long sandy beach breach that is good for beginner surfers and for warming up.
What do I bring?
The weather is tropical, so all you will need is your trunks, sunglasses, warm water wax and alot of sunscreen. Reef shoes are a good idea for coral and rock breaks.
Citizens of the U.S.A. must have a valid passport. There is no visa requirement, but a tourist card must be purchased for $5.00 at the airport. When you leave Panama, you will also need to pay a $20 airport departure tax.
Details & Reservations
All guests will arrive at the International Airport in Panama (PTY) on Saturday. (if you can fly into Panama City on Friday, we will charge you $50 for the extra day) The first night will be in Panama City. We will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel.
Early the next day (Sunday morning), you will depart for the island by bus. The bus ride takes about 5 hours to arrive at the Cruce de Tole. There is another 30 minute ride in the Landcruiser to the port. Then and a 30 minute boat ride and you are at the camp. The island is located in the Gulf of Chiriqui, about 80 miles from the border of Costa Rica.
All food, shelter, transportation, daily boat trips are included between both surf islands and hotel costs are included. Beer and soda and horseback riding are extra.
Your departure from the island will be Friday afternoon for the trip back to Panama City. We will provide your last hotel night in the city and your transport from the hotel to the airport for your Saturday airport departure.
If you wish to have extra days with an airport arrival on Friday and/or a airport departure on Sunday, then you will be charged an additional $50 per day.
The Cost
The cost for the package is $500 p/stay per person.
A stay is an arrival in Panama City Airport on Saturday and then leaving Panama City Airport the following Saturday. Friday Airport Arrivals or Sunday departures can be arranges but are $50 extra per day.
A $100 per person deposit is required to hold your reservation. Make your deposit check payable to Cesar Concepcion. The balance is due upon arrival at the airport in Panama City (cash only, no checks). If you wish to stay additional weeks, the charge will be $550 per week.
If you have a group of 10 or more, the organizer will receive one half off for his or her trip. If you have 15 people (or pay for 15 spaces), you can rent the whole camp.
We also have surfboard rentals available for $10 per day.
Surf lessons can be provided for beginners for $5 per 30 minutes of instruction.
You are responsible for finding airfare to Panama. Some of the best fares can be obtained through consolidators. Try an Internet search under air consolidators. It pays to shop around.
I have found a very good consolidator travel agency called Travel Easy Tours. Ask for O.P. at
1 626 814 4747. You can also email him at NAMINOKI@aol.com (email is normally better) Tell him Steve Thompson referred you.
Reservations:
Mail to: Steve Thompson (do not address letter to Cesar Concepcion)
P.O. Box 1266
Cardiff by the Sea, Ca 92007
(make deposit check payable to:Cesar Concepcion)
call 800-846-2363
760-632-8014 (North County San Diego)
fax 760-632-8416
Hope to see you in the water!
Steve Thompson