Trips & Activities
Things to Do in Polhena
At our Family Surf Camp in Polhena, you can shape your days around what works for your family: surf time, beach time, pool dips, small outings, shared meals and quiet breaks in between.
The camp gives you a relaxed structure to lean on, with guided surf time, tuk-tuk transfers and our team nearby if you need local tips. Many surf spots, beaches and restaurants are easy to reach, so your week can stay flexible — with a little more planned on some days and more time at the camp or by the water on others.
Tours & Trips
From drivethru Family Camp Polhena, it’s easy to explore the area at your own pace. Nearby, you’ll find beaches, small towns, temples, local markets and places like Matara or Mirissa. If you feel like planning a bigger day out, national parks and longer trips are possible too.
With kids, it’s nice when the week has room for both: small outings and relaxed time at the camp. A beach trip, a short tuk-tuk ride or an afternoon by the pool can fit into your week just as well as a bigger tour.
If you’d like to plan a longer trip, we’ll be happy to help with recommendations once you’re here.
You can find more ideas for trips in the area here, too.
Surfing
Around Polhena and Madiha, Sri Lanka offers a good mix of surf spots: from relaxed beach breaks to soft reef waves and more challenging spots.
At the Family Surf Camp, you’ll go to the beach together with the other families from Monday to Friday in the afternoon. The guided surf time is designed to stay flexible. You surf together, get feedback and support in the water, and can see what works best for your family on the day.
In the mornings, you also have a tuk-tuk transfer available for free surf or a beach trip, for example to spots between Meddawatta and Weligama. This way, you can decide how much time you want to spend in the water, depending on your energy, surf level and family rhythm.
If your kids would like to surf too, we’ll look together on site at what is age-appropriate and makes sense. For younger kids, you can also borrow softboards and enjoy their first small surf moments together at the beach.
With the tuktuk you can go to many great surf spots in the area. Just ask us for recommendations!
Beach, Pool & Family Time
Not every day needs a big plan. Sometimes the pool, the camp, games, books or a short trip to the beach are exactly right.
Polhena Beach is close by and, thanks to the reef in front of it, is a good place for swimming. Depending on the conditions and how everyone is feeling that day, you can decide whether you’d rather go to the beach, stay at the camp or split up as a family for a while.
Restaurants Nearby
There are several easy places to eat in the area. In Matara, you’ll find many local classics such as rice & curry, kottu roti and short eats. You’ll also find simple restaurants serving shawarma, grilled chicken or Indian food.
If you’re in the mood for fresh fish by the sea, Mirissa is a good option. There are many beach restaurants where you can choose fresh fish directly from the display, and it will be grilled for you.
Around Polhena Beach, there are also a few restaurants right by the ocean. You’ll find local dishes, simple snacks and, in some places, Western food too. This is especially handy if you don’t want to travel far after swimming or spending the afternoon at the beach.
At the Family Surf Camp, a large part of your meals is already included: breakfast, lunch and a shared dinner on four evenings per week. If you’d like to eat out in between or on the free evenings, we’ll be happy to recommend places that work well for you and your kids.