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
-
Should Some Ocean Destinations Be Off-Limits to Tourists?
As people who love exploring ocean destinations (and love encouraging others to do the same), this is a topic that’s hard to address. But it’s something we regularly think about, particularly when we’re travelling to far-flung reefs, islands and marine sanctuaries to dive and surf. There is an irony at the heart of surf and…
-
Engaging Citizen Science Projects for Divers + How to Get Involved
Every dive is an opportunity, not just to explore our diverse ocean environments, but to contribute to ocean science. Around the world, recreational divers are helping researchers monitor coral bleaching, track shark populations, document marine debris and even identify new species. Imagine stumbling across a species that no one has ever seen before! Through citizen…
-
Blue Carbon Destinations: 5 Travel Spots Protecting Mangroves and Seagrass
If you’ve never heard of “blue carbon”, you’re forgiven. It’s a term we’re just getting acquainted with too. But it’s at the centre of a conservation movement that is rapidly gaining momentum. It’s a movement we think is of particular interest to sustainably-minded surfers and divers. “Blue carbon” ecosystems – mangroves, seagrass meadows and coastal…
-
Surfing and Environmental Activism: A Growing Movement
Surfing has always been more than a sport. It’s a culture shaped by natural forces – tides, winds, swells – and a lifestyle that depends on healthy ocean environments. So it’s no surprise that surfers are often engaged environmental activists, at both a local and global scale. As we’ve travelled around the world, we’ve loved…
-
Sustainable Snorkelling Tips for Ocean Advocates
You don’t need a scuba certification to fall in love with the ocean. Snorkelling is an equally magnificent way to explore coral reefs, seagrass meadows and the marine life that calls them “home”. In fact, snorkelling is often a gateway to scuba diving. Or sometimes, it’s the destination. We all snorkelled long before we ever donned…
-
How to Be a More Responsible Underwater Photographer
In recent decades, photography has become unbelievably accessible. Almost everyone carries a camera around with them everyday in the form of a smartphone. Technological improvements have also made underwater photography far more accessible, resulting in powerful images of a world that’s inaccessible to many. A single image of a healthy reef, a shark passing through…
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.
