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Retreat

East Coast Surf Camp Intensive — Arugam Bay

at East Point Surf Camp · Arugam Bay

Why this one

Retreat highlights

  • Timed to Arugam Bay's May–September season — longer, more powerful point-break waves than the south coast offers
  • Coaching aimed at surfers who already have the basics, not a first-timer program
  • Small groups (max 14) so coaching stays genuinely 1-on-few in the water, not a crowd
  • Evening yoga for recovery after longer sessions on tougher waves
Before you paddle out

Surf details

What to expect in the water

Skill level
Intermediate
Lessons included
8 over the week
Coaching ratio
Max 3 students per instructor
Board rental
Included

Boards: Performance shortboards and hybrids, sized to ability

Set the right expectations

Is this retreat for you?

Good fit if
  • You can already catch and ride green waves and want to push into faster, more powerful conditions
  • You want a smaller, less polished camp than the south coast's bigger surf-yoga scene
  • You're traveling in the May–September window, opposite the usual south coast season
Look elsewhere if
  • You've never surfed before — Arugam Bay's point break is genuinely more demanding; start at Weligama instead
  • You need air conditioning or private-first accommodation — this is a simple, fan-cooled camp
  • You want yoga to be the centerpiece — it's recovery here, not the program
Before you go

What's included

  • Shared dorm accommodation (private room, limited availability)
  • 8 surf lessons, coached to your level
  • Board rental for the full week
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Evening yoga most nights
What to bring
  • Reef booties are recommended — the point break has more exposed reef than Weligama's sandy-bottom beginner wave
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • A rash guard for the longer sessions
What a day actually looks like

Daily program

6:00 AM
Surf session at Main Point, timed before the onshore wind picks up
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Midday
Free time — board repair, rest, or explore the bay
4:30 PM
Second session on alternating days, conditions permitting
6:30 PM
Evening yoga (optional)
7:30 PM
Dinner
8 lessons over 7 days — fewer than the Weligama beginner camp on purpose; Arugam Bay's waves are more physically demanding and the extra rest matters.
Where you'll sleep & eat

Stay & meals

Accommodation

Room type
Shared dorm
Private upgrade
A few private rooms available, first come first served
Bathroom
Shared
Linens & towels
Provided

A simple, rustic camp two minutes from Main Point — priced and built for surfers who'd rather spend the budget on lessons than the room.

Meals

Included
Breakfast and dinner daily
Diet
Mixed, simple communal meals
Dietary needs
Let us know in advance — the kitchen accommodates most common requests
Alcohol
Available for purchase nearby

Simple, shared meals — the point of this camp is the water time, not the dining.

Dietary restriction, accessibility need, or a specific room request? Mention it when you send your enquiry below — East Point Surf Camp handles most requests with advance notice.
Who's leading it

Meet your facilitator

Chamara Wijesinghe
Head Surf Coach
Has coached the east coast season at Arugam Bay for several years, working mostly with surfers who already have the basics and want to get comfortable on faster, more powerful waves than the south coast offers. Runs sessions in small groups so feedback happens in real time, not after the fact.
Where it happens

Venue & amenities

East Point Surf Camp
Arugam Bay
Capacity
6–16 guests
Price range
Budget
Best for
Surfers who already have the basics and want a focused week on more powerful east coast waves, with yoga as recovery rather than the point of the trip.

A no-frills surf camp a short walk from Main Point, timed to Arugam Bay's east coast season — longer, more powerful waves than the south coast, and a program built around that: daily coaching for improvers rather than absolute beginners, with a slower evening yoga session to unwind. Rustic and priced accordingly, not a boutique retreat.

View venue profile →

Amenities

  • Shared dorm plus a few private rooms
  • Board quiver, all levels
  • Board repair kit on site
  • Simple communal meals
  • Fans, no AC
  • Filtered drinking water
Where it is & how to get there

Location & getting there

Arugam Bay — East Point Surf Camp Open in Maps →

Arugam Bay

Pottuvil
~10 min (lagoon boat tours depart here)
Kumana National Park
~1 hr (45 km)
Whisky Point & Pottuvil Point
short tuk-tuk ride
Ella
~3 hr (130 km)

One of Asia's genuinely world-class right-hand point breaks, running on a season that's the exact opposite of the south coast's — and a village that's kept its character.

See Arugam Bay guide →
Before you send an enquiry

Frequently asked questions

1How is this different from the Weligama camp?+
Arugam Bay's point break is faster and more powerful, and runs on the opposite season (May–September vs. the south coast's November–April). This camp assumes you can already catch and ride a green wave — it's not a first-timer program.
2Do I need reef booties?+
Recommended, not required — the point break has more exposed reef than a sandy-bottom beach break. We can advise on rental options locally if you don't want to bring your own.
3Is 8 lessons enough for a week?+
It's fewer than our beginner camp on purpose — the waves here are more physically demanding, and surfers at this level get more out of well-spaced sessions than a lesson every single day.
4How do I get to Arugam Bay?+
Fly into Colombo (CMB); it's a long overland journey (5-7 hours) or a short domestic flight to Batticaloa depending on the season. We'll advise on the best route once you enquire.
EUR 540 6 of 12 spots left
No payment through lankaspirit — East Point Surf Camp confirms directly with you.