Sri Lanka is a magical tear drop shaped island known for luscious landscapes, fascinating Buddhist sights and culture, a tropical climate and unspoilt beaches.
The island is fast becoming popular as one of the best surf destinations in the world and, whether you’re an absolute beginner or looking to improve your skills, there are some really great surf camps in Sri Lanka to choose from.
Sri Lanka is also a top yoga destination, and offers an easier experience for solo female travellers than neighbouring India, and many Sri Lanka surf camps also offer yoga for the ultimate fun and healthy retreat experience.
Why I love Sri Lanka
As well as surfing and yoga you can also enjoy hiking, safaris and other interesting activities while visiting Sri Lanka. Ride a train through the lush countryside of rolling green tea carpets, spot wild elephants in one of Sri Lanka’s national parks, visit Buddhist temples and explore a colonial fort.
For me, Sri Lanka is kinda like a combination of the best bits of India, Thailand and Bali yet it’s still not overrun by tourism! Since Sri Lanka packs a lot in to a small island it’s often possible to do all these things as a day trip from the surf camps in Sri Lanka.
If you have more time why not combine a surf holiday with a trip around this beautiful island. If you want to see all the highlights – check out my 2 week Sri Lanka itinerary for inspiration and help with planning an epic adventure.
Read More: My favourite places to visit in Sri Lanka
When and where to go surfing in Sri Lanka
There are so many great surf hotspots and surf camps in Sri Lanka and the tropical waters are warm all year round so you shouldn’t need a wetsuit. Some surf spots are more suited to beginners whilst others offer challenging waves for more experienced surfers – so choose wisely.
Popular south and west coast surf destinations like Ahangama, Weligama, Mirissa, Dickwella, and Hiriketiya are best visited from October to April. While on the east coast Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka’s biggest surf hotspot, is best from June-October, when the rest of the island is in monsoon.
Read More: My favourite offbeat places in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka has a diverse range of surf spots and each surf camp has different facilities, so you’ll want to do some research before choosing the right surf camp for you.
I use www.booksurfcamps.com to find surf schools and check real reviews from people who’ve already been there. It’s like the Booking.com for surf camps!
To help you in your search for the perfect experiences here’s my pick of the 5 best Sri Lanka surf camps.
Read More: Why I loved traveling in Sri Lanka
Here is my pick of the 5 Best Surf Camps in Sri Lanka
Here is my pick of the 5 best Sri Lanka surf camps to narrow down your search:
- The Surfer Weligama, Weligama
- Surf & Yoga Mirissa, Mirissa
- Arugam Bay Surf Camp, Arugam Bay
- The Salty Pelican, Hiriketiya
- Surfers Paradise, Weligama
Click on the links to find out more or carry on reading to find out what I love about each one.
The Surfer Weligama, Weligama
The Surfer Weligama hosts some of the most popular surf camps in Sri Lanka. This exciting surf camp offers 8 days of surf instruction for all levels, with two lessons a day taught by experienced instructors, plus yoga classes.
The camp is located in Weligama, right near beautiful, uncrowded beaches with surf breaks for all levels. You can also explore secret surf spots only accessible by boat. You’ll stay in accommodation with private balconies and bathrooms and access to wifi. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and a rooftop restaurant where the included breakfast and dinner are served.
Groups are kept to a maximum of 5 so you’ll receive plenty of personalised instruction and enjoy an intimate atmosphere while embracing the fun, relaxed vibe of this highly rated surf camp. This package includes daily yoga lessons that will compliment the skills needed for surfing.
Surf & Yoga Mirissa, Mirissa
Head to Mirissa for this special yoga and surf camp experience designed especially for women! This surf camp for women is ISA certified and welcomes beginner and intermediate surfers.
The bohemian vibe of this camp creates a sense of relaxation, as you balance 5 surf sessions, 4 yoga sessions (mat and ariel yoga are both available) and relaxation in a garden surrounded by roaming peacocks, monkeys, and mongoose.
This surf camp’s location in the south offers ideal conditions for new surfers, with consistent, inviting waves to ride all day. You’ll learn from certified instructors in a small group setting, relax in a comfortable hostel atmosphere with air conditioning and hot showers, and enjoy complimentary breakfast with vegetarian and vegan options, and plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, bars and beaches nearby to explore.
Read More: The Best Yoga Retreats in Sri Lanka
Arugam Bay Surf Camp, Arugam Bay
Head to the Arugam Bay, one of the top surf destinations in the world, for a relaxing 8 day surf camp. Arugam Bay Surf Camp offers surf lessons for all experience levels, a complimentary daily breakfast with amazing smoothie bowls, and a complimentary massage that customers rave about.
You’ll stay in cute and comfortable accommodation equipped with air conditioning or ceiling fan, hammocks, access to a yoga deck, and a restaurant.
Ride the surf all day with certified instructors in small groups of the same ability, and head in to enjoy a delicious smoothie bowl afterwards, soaking up Arugam Bay’s one of a kind vibe. You’ll also get footage of your surfing footage for you to keep or share with friends.
There’s also the option to join several excursions (for an additional cost) to visit the national parks, tea plantations, waterfalls, temples and ancient sites that make this area truly special and make the most of your time on this beautiful island.
The Salty Pelican, Hiriketiya
If your ideal surf camp in Sri Lanka has you daydreaming of sunny days surfing before winding down with a relaxing yoga session, surrounded by unspoilt, tropical paradise and magical vibes, then The Salty Pelican may be just what you are looking for.
This popular Sri Lanka surf camp and yoga retreat is located on a headland right between two pristine beaches. The multi-cultural instructors offer great surfing instruction, diverse yoga classes and rejuvenating meditation sessions for all levels.
This retreat is recently built and only 200 meters from the beach. It features modern, clean, and comfortable amenities including a gorgeous infinity swimming pool, yoga deck and yoga shala surrounded by jungle greenery. Enjoy meals at the poolside restaurant featuring delicious local ingredients, seafood, smoothie bowls, Sri Lankan coffee, and vegetarian and vegan dishes.
There are a variety of packages available. The 8 day surf, mediation and yoga holiday includes unlimited surf board hire and 5 surf lessons as well as daily mediations, unlimited daily yoga classes in Hatha and Yin styles, accommodation, daily breakfast, 2 group dinners and a massage. You also have the option to join evening events, national park visits, exploring temples, markets and more beaches nearby.
Surfers Paradise, Weligama
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a short and affordable intro to surfing or an intermediate looking to sharpen your skills, check out Surfers Paradise.
The highly reputable surf school has been operating in Weligama for over 20 years. Despite having highly experienced instructors, Surfers Paradise remains one of the most affordable (and most popular) surf schools in Sri Lanka.
Every day on this 4-day surf camp, you’ll get a 90-minute surf lesson, followed by an hour of free surfboard use to work on what you’ve just learnt.
You can then choose between a massage or a yoga class to soothe your aching muscles. And if that’s not enough, you’ll go home with 10 professional surf photos to show to your friends and family.
During the camp, you’ll stay in a shared dorm at a beachfront hostel, or you can upgrade to a private room. All options include a complimentary breakfast each morning to fuel you for the day.
Bonus – Learn to Kite Surf in Kalpitiya
If you love surfing and love water sports here’s something different you could try while in Sri Lanka – kite surfing!
The offbeat beaches around Kalpitiya are one of the best places in the world for kiting and also one of the best places to spot dolphins! I lost count of how many dolphins I saw here frolicking and jumping when on a boat trip. Kalpitiya is only just starting to be discovered so it’s still very authentic.
It takes a while to get the hang of kite surfing so if you’re interested in trying it out check out this 8 day learn to kite surf package at Sun Wind Beach Kalpitiya, the only wholly local family run kite resort here with natural, hand built cabanas and delicious home cooking. The package includes 9 hours of tuition over 4 days and you can also add on option excursions around this part of Sri Lanka so far undiscovered by tourists.
I hope this post has helped you to find your ideal surf experience in Sri Lanka. My top tip is to make sure to choose the right camp for your level of experience and to check the reviews before you book!
Whether it’s your first time learning to surf or whether you want to improve your technique you’re sure to find the ideal surf school and the perfect wave in Sri Lanka!
Read More
- The ultimate 2 week itinerary for Sri Lanka
- Why I loved traveling in Sri Lanka
- Must visit places in Sri Lanka
- My favourite offbeat places in Sri Lanka
- Best yoga retreats in Sri Lanka
- Best surf camps in Bali
- Best surf camps in Costa Rica
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[…] This is one of the best surf camps for both beginner and intermediate surfers and yogis as you’ll get unlimited yoga classes and surfboard hire. Salty Pelican are also one of my favourite retreats in Sri Lanka […]