5 Eco Surf Samps in Sri Lanka for a Sustainable Stay
Looking for sustainable surf camps in Sri Lanka? Discover 5 eco-friendly places to stay in Sri Lanka for surfers looking to keep their environmental footprint to a minimum.
Surrounded by palm-fringed beaches and warm waters, Sri Lanka boasts nearly 1,600 kilometres of coastline. Thanks to swells hitting both the west and east shores, this teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean offers waves year-round.
We love Sri Lanka! The people, the scenery, the FOOD! And the surf here is really accessible, no matter where you are in your wave-riding journey.
Added to that, the surf culture in Sri Lanka is laid-back and welcoming – there’s little “agro” in the water here. And with the rise in eco-friendly surf resorts dotting Sri Lanka’s coastline, it’s easy to embrace a sustainable stay.
In this article, discover 5 of the best eco-friendly surf camps in Sri Lanka, whether you’re just starting or an experienced surfer seeking barrelling waves.
For more info about surfing in Sri Lanka, including the best surf spots, check out our detailed article here.
This article contains affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase through that link, we earn a small commission. Affiliate links come at no cost to you and ensure our content remains free!
The Jungalows
Best eco surf camp in Hiriketiya
By staying at The Jungalows, you can guiltlessly indulge in sustainable luxury while making a positive impact on the environment and local community.
This eco-friendly Hiriketiya surf camp nestles within an acre of jungle, just 200 metres from a gorgeous beach.
It combines incredible surf adventures with tailored fitness programs to enhance your wave-riding abilities. Most days start with surf-specific stretches in the breezy open-air training centre before you hit the water.
Accommodations range from luxury cabanas to breezy, communal dorms for those travelling around Sri Lanka on a budget.
From the locally sourced, repurposed building materials to the solar-heated swimming pool, the resort is a model of sustainable design.
At this eco-friendly surf camp in Sri Lanka, you’ll be supporting environmental sustainability and giving back to the local Sri Lankan community.
Ocean Tribe Surf & Yoga Retreat
Best eco surf camp in Weligama
Tucked away on the southern coastline lies Ocean Tribe, a Sri Lankan surf and yoga retreat that is a paradise for beach lovers.
Though just a stone’s throw from the beaches of Weligama, this eco-friendly surf camp manages to feel like a secluded hideaway. Guests from across the globe come together here, united by a shared love of the sea.
Mornings start with yoga sessions on an open-air platform overlooking the waves. This is followed by a surf session at a break that suits your level.
After an active day under the Sri Lankan sun, the “tribe” reunites for dinner beneath strings of lights while feasting on local delicacies and fresh catches from the sea.
If you’re looking for a beachside community with a sustainable stamp, then Ocean Tribe might be your calling.
Talalla Retreat
Best eco surf retreat in Sri Lanka
Talalla Retreat offers the perfect escape for those seeking adventure or spiritual rejuvenation on Sri Lanka’s south coast.
When you arrive at this sustainable Sri Lankan hotel, the panoramic views are hard to beat. Guests can choose from an array of eco-friendly accommodation options, including sea-view villas, deluxe rooms and glamping bamboo huts.
In our opinion, Tallala Retreat is a great choice for surfers travelling with non-surfing family members. They will find plenty to entertain themselves.
Its extensive amenities cater to all interests, with the resort boasting yoga classes, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa.
The on-site restaurant utilises fresh, local and seasonal produce to craft traditional Sri Lankan specialties and international favourites. There’s something for all tastes.
Additionally, the incredible staff can arrange excursions to natural and cultural attractions in the surrounding area.
Upali Beach Surf Resort
Best eco surf resort in Arugam Bay
Overlooking one of Arugam Bay’s main surf breaks, this eco-friendly Sri Lankan surf resort caters to wave-riding wanderers seeking serenity and sustainability.
Upali Beach is a one-of-a-kind glamping getaway. You can check the wave conditions just steps from your accommodation, without breaking the bank.
While catering primarily to surfing enthusiasts (of all levels), Upali welcomes all travellers pursuing a beachfront camping experience.
Free of televisions and air conditioning, the resort’s canvas-walled cabins range from thrifty to luxurious. Travellers on all budgets will find a home here.
Upali Beach Surf Resort’s restaurant serves up hearty breakfasts from 7 am to noon. Plus, a range of delicious dishes is available throughout the day for a post-surf feed.
Sunshine Stories
Best eco surf camp in Ahangama
Occupying an 85-year-old Dutch colonial-style villa is Sunshine Stories, a Sri Lankan surf retreat for surfers and yogis alike.
This eco-friendly Sri Lankan surf camp lies within the traditional fishing village of Ahangama (less than a five-minute stroll from the water) and receives rave reviews from its returning guests.
Start your day with sunrise yoga stretches on the veranda. Then, wander down to the beach to experience the day’s best breaks. With over 20 options nearby, there’s a wave for every level.
Return to the villa to relax on a hammock under the swaying palms or enjoy a mid-afternoon nap in your breezy room.
This solar-powered camp draws on cross-ventilation to keep guests cool, with no energy-intensive air-conditioning. The attentive service really adds to the experience, as does the flexibility to alternate surfing and yoga as you please.
Planning a sustainable surf trip to Sri Lanka
The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka has long been a surfer’s paradise. It boasts nearly 1,600 kilometres of coastline exposed to consistent swells. In our opinion, it’s one of the world’s best surf destinations for a laid-back tropical vibe.
Blessed with a warm tropical climate and palm-fringed beaches, this island nation offers an abundance of surf spots catering to wave riders of all skill levels.
Aside from gentle breaks that are ideal for beginners, there are powerful, barrelling waves that will appeal to seasoned surfers.
Beyond the fantastic surf conditions, Sri Lanka has also seen a rise in eco-surf resorts and camps. These allow you to keep your environmental impact to a minimum during your Sri Lanka surf trip.
From off-grid surf camps to luxurious retreats, these eco-friendly havens offer easy access to some of the Indian Ocean’s most legendary waves.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR FAVOURITE RESOURCES:
Find hotels and resorts via Booking or Agoda
Book tours and experiences via Viator or GetYourGuide
Find a rental car via Discover Cars
Book flights via Kiwi or Booking
Search for buses and trains via 12Go or Omio
Get travel insurance via SafetyWing
Buy a digital eSIM with Airalo
By purchasing through our links, you’ll be supporting our website at no additional cost to you
-
The Carbon Footprint of Surf Trips: How to Reduce + Offset Yours
Surf travel is all about chasing waves, feeling a complete sense of freedom and embracing time spent in nature. Here at EcoOceanEscapes, we also believe it’s an incredible opportunity to connect with locals and discover unique corners of the globe. But the reality is that most surf trips (especially international ones) come with a heavy carbon…
-
Sustainable Dive Liveaboards in the Red Sea: What to Look For
The Red Sea is one of the world’s most iconic dive destinations, with thriving coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs and historic wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm. It lures divers from across the globe, with most basing themselves along the Egyptian coastline or boarding one of the many liveaboards that ply the Red Sea’s waters. But the…
-
The Ethics of Surf Tourism in Developing Nations: Travelling Aware
If you’ve done a few surf trips around the globe, you’ll know that travel impacts destinations, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Surf tourism has transformed once-quiet coastal communities into globally renowned hotspots, bringing money, infrastructure and crowds. From Morocco to Sri Lanka, Mozambique to Indonesia, waves that were once surfed almost exclusively by locals…
-
Overtourism in Dive Destinations: Are We Destroying Our Reefs?
If you’re a diver or snorkeller, you don’t need reminding that coral reefs are among the most magnificent places on Earth. The colours, the abundance, the movement – it’s hypnotic at times! But coral reefs are also among the most fragile ecosystems on our planet and human actions are a threat. As dive tourism grows…
-
Sustainable Surf Tourism and Respecting Local Communities
Surf tourism has exploded over the last two decades. With travel becoming more accessible and social media exposing hidden spots, once-remote breaks in Indonesia, Central America, Morocco and the Pacific Islands are now iconic stops on global surf circuits. While surf travel brings income, jobs and global attention to coastal towns, it can also disrupt…
-
Inspiring Citizen Science Projects for Surfers + How to Get Involved
As surfers, we are intimately connected to the ocean – its rhythms, its wildlife and its health. Because of this relationship, many of us are looking for meaningful ways to protect the marine environments we love. One of the simplest and most impactful ways we can do this is by joining citizen science projects. These…
We are a team of passionate divers and surfers with decades of combined experience in the water and travelling to all corners of the globe.
After years of chasing waves and descending into the deep blue, we’ve created this resource to highlight sustainable surf camps, eco-dive resorts and conservation-focused ocean trips to help inspire your next adventure.
Eco Ocean Escapes was born out of a love of the ocean, an obsession with travel and a concern about the impacts of our adventures on the environments we explore.
