Morro Negrito Surf Camp in the Gulf of Chiriqui

18. Feb, 2010 0 Comments

Have you every dreamed about surfing on a tropical island with warm water waves to yourself? This is your opportunity!   Morro Negrito is a surf camp in Panama that opened in 1998 that will fulfill your ultimate wave fantasies.

Located on a small private island off the coast of Panama (Central America) it is a paradise worth discovering!

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. Private cabanas are located on the side of a hill over looking the Pacific Ocean. Water is supplied by a fresh water spring that is used for drinking and showering. There’s a large sandy beach break in one bay area. Two excellent point breaks are also located on this island.

Why go?

Private, uncrowded, tropical, waves! No crowded lineup here. he surf camp restricts the numbers of surfers to the island to 25.

There are ten different breaks to choose from, so no break with get overcrowded. Y ou will be served three meals per day of a variety of dishes from, fish, chicken, lobster, tropical fruits, etc., The restaurant can accommodate vegetarian diets.

Small Island, Big Kahuna Waves

The smaller island is about a 30 minute boat ride. This is the island of the largest waves. When the waves are small everywhere else, you’ll find 6-8 ft faces here on average. There’s a long left reef break here as well as a large peak, right breaking wave, something for everyone…

What else is there?

There’s also diving, fishing, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, exploring or just relaxing in a hammock. In the evening, you can review your daily surf session on the camp TV-VCR (bring your camcorder). I n the island, there is also a variety of wild life, including monkeys, many types of birds, parrots and even wild deer.

Amenities

Amenities at the surf camp include:

Large spacious dining area

Large covered yoga deck
Ocean view rooms
Running water for showering
Filtered spring water for drinking
24 hour electricity powered by the sun and wind.
Large spacious kitchen with excellent cooks.
Beautiful tiled rooms with a fresh sea breezes blowing through.

3 beautiful camp bathroom with showers, toilet and wash basin.
Large balcony in front of most rooms with a fantastic view and hanging hammocks.

Basketball court (half).
Horseshoe pit

Itinerary

Most clients who sign up for this package fly into Panama City Saturday evening, arrive to the camp Sunday morning after a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport to the terminal, 5 hour public bus ride, 30 minute mini-bus ride, then 30 minute journey to the island en panga (small boat), enjoy 5 full days stay at the camp, and leave camp Friday afternoon with the tide to catch their Saturday morning flights.

The week long package includes:

30 min. mini-bus ride from the Panamerican Highway to our port (Puerto Yurre) provided by Morro Negrito Hotel
Panga transport to the island
One week stay (lodging) at the surf camp
3 meals per day
Daily motorboat trips to the excellent reef and beach breaks that define the small but beautiful and remote camp as a word class surfing destination

Extra charge:

Hotel in Panama City at the front or back end of the trip when necessary
Taxi ride to and from the airport to the bus station
5 hr public bus rides to and from Panama city ($15 each way)

Other optional services include:

Surf board rentals at $25/board/day
Surf lessons at $30/hr for a private lesson, $15/person/hr for 2 people, and $10/person/hr for groups of 3 or more.
Massages are available for $30 for 30 minutes.

Outer island fishing trips are available for $150/day (divided between fishermen)
Cold drinks (soda, juice, and beer) at $2/drink

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best season?

Best chance for double overhead plus waves in from April to October. November to March is more likely to be in the head high range. Rainy season is from May to November, dry season is from December to April. Please note, the camp can not guarantee waves that are either too big or too small for your preference.

How consistent are the waves?

As consistent as any other surf destination in the world. The area has waves most all the time, but they can’t guarantee waves 100% of the time. Nobody can.

How far is the surf camp from Panama City?

The island is located 250 miles from Panama City going in the direction of Costa Rica. Morro Negrito Surf Camp is on an island in the Gulf of Chiriqui.

Will my girlfriend or wife like it there?

If your girlfriend likes the outdoors, she’ll love it. There is fishing, snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding, a long beach you can run/walk with lots of pretty shells she can collect. Though Morro Negrito’s accommodations are better than camping, she will ONLY enjoy it, if she likes camping.

What are the accommodations like?

Oceanfront cabana rooms with a great view and a cool breeze. There is running water for drinking and showering. Morro Negrito has a dining room area for eating and visiting in the evening. The surf camp has electricity in the evening hours with a generator.

What is the bathroom like?

Morro Negrito has a flush toilet, sink and shower.

What do I bring?

The weather is tropical, so all you need is your trunks, warm water wax and a lot of sunscreen. Reef shoes are a good idea for coral and rock breaks. If you snorkel or fish, bring your gear (fishing is world class).

Do I need any special immunizations?

Tetanus would be good if you haven’t had one in the last ten years. No problems with Malaria, Yellow Fever or Hepatitis.
What is the hotel’s preparation for medical emergencies?

Morro Negrito surf camp has a fairly extensive medical supply cabinet, so they can handle most minor injuries like cuts and bruises. Camp workers have some first aid, CPR training, but aren’t doctors. The camp has a phone and radio contact with a local naval base. We are approximately 1 hour to a small country hospital and 1.5 hours from a major city hospital.

How safe is it in Panama?

Recently, a government study on crime in Latin America found Panama with a lower crime rate than Costa Rica, which is typically thought as one of the safest Latin American countries to travel to. Panama is rated at the same level as the United States.

Can the hotel accommodate vegetarian diets?

Yes. Panama has a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Please inform prior to arrival of any special diets.

Activities

There are also a large number of other activities available to the guests at Morro Negrito Surf Camp.

Such as:

Snorkeling
Fishing
Spear fishing
Hiking
Whale watching
Bird watching
Yoga deck for stretching
Massages
Horseshoes
Ping pong
Basketball
Miscellaneous board games
Don’t forget the always popular “Swinging in the hammock, relaxing and reading a book.”

Fishing

Fishing in the Gulf of Chiriqui region is regarded as a world class fishing destination. There have been many write-ups in sport fishing magazines about the marlin, sailfish, wahoo and tuna that have been caught in this area.

Morro Negrito operates primarily as a surf camp. Fishing off the boats is offered at no charge as the boat captains drive around the surf breaks keeping an eye on the surfers. It is typical to see fishermen catch a dozen fish in a few hours, mostly in the 10-20 lb. size. There is no charge for this type of fishing.

An outer island trip is also offered, which requires a payment of $150 for the extra gas used by the panga boat. This can be divided by the number of fishermen onboard. This trip will go up to 15 miles from the camp. There have been some marlin hookups lately as well as small tuna, wahoo and roosterfish.

Starting in January 2007, the surf camp will have a 27 foot serious fishing boat with bait well, standup center console and twin 115 hp motors. The boat should be able to get out to the Coiba Island and Hannibal Bank area where large marlin and tunas can be caught. This boat will rent for $600 per day (price for guests at the camp).

Surf Spots

Morro Negrito has a wide variety of surf spots from a beginner to a professional level.

Emily’s

Emily’s is one of the funnest waves at Morro Negrito. It’s a nice little left breaking directly in front of the camp. It may not be the biggest wave, but it has some really workable sections. Emily’s is recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers because of the lava rock/white coral reef bottom.

Nestles

Nestles is located on the outer island called Silva. This wave is big and steep, some even compare it to the box. Nestles is recommended only for advanced surfers.

P-land

P-land is located on the outer island called Silva. This wave is a left and is usually the most consistent break all year round. P-Land is recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers.

The Point

The Point is a world class barreling wave. I think the pictures can say the rest.

The Sand Bar

The Sand Bar is south of the big island. The wave goes for about 400 yards breaking both left and right. It 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. The Sand Bar is recommended for any surfer that can stand up and turn.