How are the rooms arranged?

Every room is unique — from the four-bed female dorm to the garden jungalow, the pool-view bungalows and a single room for solo travellers. The all-inclusive week is 975 EUR per person whichever room you choose. Any room can be made private for an extra 300 EUR per week. All rooms have hot water, air conditioning, good mattresses, high-quality linens and a private outdoor en-suite bathroom.

Why Sunday to Sunday?

The retreat always starts on Sunday and ends the following Sunday. Check-in is 2 pm and check-out is 10 am. You can arrive or leave on another day — just let us know and we'll arrange a transfer.

Which season should I come?

Sri Lanka is great all year round, with sea and air temperatures at 27–31ºC. December to April brings sunny skies, offshore wind and 2–6ft waves. April to October gives 2–8ft swells with fewer crowds and a lush green jungle. October/November and April are our favourite shoulder seasons — green, uncrowded and pumping.

Yes. For stays under a month you can apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) via Sri Lanka's official site. Approval is usually instant. Your passport needs two free pages and must be valid for 6 months after your trip.

The international airport in Sri Lanka is Colombo (CMB). From there we can help you organise a transfer down to Ahangama on the south coast.

Is there a discount for longer stays?

Stay two weeks or more and you get 20% off the additional week(s) on all our retreats. Two weeks gives a great amount of time to progress in your surfing.

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Ahangama · Sri Lanka

Surf camp & yoga retreat in Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Q: What is not included?

Airport transfers, drinks from our honesty bar, one lunch and two dinners out, transport to free surfs and free-day activities, massage treatments, the photo package, donations and tips.

All-inclusive weeks of surfing, yoga, home-cooked food and mini adventures, tucked into the jungle on Sri Lanka's south coast. Sunday to Sunday, year-round.

Check availability Prices from 975 EUR

Welcome

Not just surfing. Not just yoga.

It’s the combination that makes Sunshine Stories. A lifestyle retreat built around surfing, yoga, good food, nature and the simple joy of slowing down.

Sunshine Stories started as a lifestyle blog and grew into a real-life version of the life we were writing about — tucked away under the palm trees and jungle of southern Sri Lanka.

A place where you can step away from everyday life, meet good people, spend time in the ocean, move your body, eat well and simply be.

Come live your own Sunshine Story.

The Retreat

Around the courtyard, under the palms

It was love at first sight when we found this hidden gem, tucked away from the noise of the busy Galle Road.

Our hundred-year-old Dutch colonial villa has been lovingly renovated with open verandas, traditional details and a few nods to Geoffrey Bawa. Six bedrooms surround a spacious courtyard built around a frangipani tree, with a long pool tucked into the jungle.

The courtyard is the heart of Sunshine Stories — where we share meals, surf stories, hang out and let the days unfold.

Just a five-minute walk from the ocean and the heart of Ahangama, we live right in the middle of a lively Sri Lankan beach village. We buy our fruit, vegetables and fish locally and have been warmly welcomed into the community. We hope you will feel welcomed here too.

Galle and Mirissa are both just 20 minutes away, making Sunshine Stories a peaceful base from which to explore the south coast.

Aerial view of the colonial villa, pool and tropical gardens

Poolside loungers and a green umbrella by the villa pool

A shaded veranda with wooden beams, hanging chairs and bunting

Colourful surfboards stacked in a rack along the villa corridor

A black-and-white portrait in the villa living room beside a bookcase

Guests jumping into the pool from the villa terrace

Two guests carrying longboards through the villa garden

A tuk-tuk loaded with surfboards on the coast road

Guests carrying rubbish bags during a beach clean-up

A small tiled-roof bungalow porch lit by warm wall lights at dusk

A table laid out with small clay bowls of spices and curry ingredients

Freshly grilled prawns served on banana leaf

Guests gathered under string lights at the courtyard bar at night

An evening gathering of guests in the villa garden

A group of guests and instructors posing on the beach with surfboards

A surf lesson with Sunshinestories on the south coast of Sri Lanka

The Surf

Coaching that tells you why, not only how

At our surf camp we're not only going to teach you how to surf — we're going to have fun sharing waves while giving you the tools to become a great surfer. In each lesson you'll learn a particular skill, but even more important, you'll know why you are learning it.

With daily in-water lessons, video analysis, surf theory and surf-yoga, we believe we've created the best possible environment to improve your surfing while having a lot of fun. Our surf coaches are ISA & ILS certified, the universally recognised global standard for surf coaching and surf safety.

We cater to level 1 (complete beginner), level 2 (surfed before and want to progress) and level 3 (avid surfers looking for the next level). Every day we check the different breaks around Ahangama and choose where to surf depending on swell, wind and crowd.

A guest gliding down the line on a clean wave

A surfer drawing a clean line in black and white

A guest throwing a shaka while riding a wave

Longboarder walking the nose of a board in black and white

A surfer’s feet balanced on a board from the water

A surfer riding an open green wave under a soft sky

A coach helping guests with boards on the beach

Green tuk-tuks and palm trees along the coast road near the villa

Two surfers walking to the water at dawn with longboards

A guest carrying a longboard across the sand

A surfer carrying a longboard down a palm-lined beach

Two smiling guests hugging on the beach beside the ocean

Two friends laughing together on the beach

A surfer paddling out over glassy morning water

Guests watching the surf from the coast road beside a tuk-tuk

A surfer walking down the sand toward the waves

A guest paddling out on her board at sunset

A red tuk-tuk loaded with surfboards under the palms

A lone surfer lying on a board on deep blue open water

A guest sitting on a board in calm water

A surfer wading out past stilt fishermen at golden hour

Guests carrying pink foam boards into the ocean for a lesson

A group of guests lined up on the beach with surfboards

Palm trees on the shoreline seen from the water at dawn

Guests practising yoga in the open-air shala at Sunshinestories

The Yoga

Ten sessions a week in the shade of the courtyard

Yoga is woven into every day here — morning practice before the first surf, and a slower restorative session in the afternoon once the salt has dried. Ten sessions across the week, all included.

In the shala we welcome first-timers with open arms as well as avid yogis who want to break a sweat. Our surf-yoga is built around what your body actually does in the water: mobility for paddling, breath for hold-downs, and the balance that makes pop-ups effortless.

Morning yoga practice surrounded by tropical greenery

A guest resting in a yin pose in the open-air yoga shala

A guest flowing through a lunge in the jungle shala

A guest balancing in a headstand on a mat in the shala

A guest meditating in the open-air yoga shala

A guest sitting in meditation at the retreat shala

A guest balancing in an advanced yoga pose in the shala

A guest resting on a yoga mat in the shala

A guest lying in savasana on dark wooden floors

Rooms & Prices

The rooms

The package

All-inclusive Surf & Yoga week

Sunday to Sunday, year-round · 7 nights

€975

per person / week

Starting from 975 euro per week for the all-inclusive surf & yoga package. Any room can be made private for an extra €300 per week. Stay two weeks and get 20% off the additional week(s).

Check availability

What's included in a week

—7 nights in our colonial villa, Sunday to Sunday
—7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 afternoon teas, 5 dinners
—5 surf lessons with certified on-site coaches
—5 surf theory lessons
—4 video analysis sessions of your surfing
—10 yoga sessions
—Your own surf video & weekly fun reel
—Free use of surfboards
—Transport to the surf lessons
—A Sri Lankan cooking class with our chef
—Sri Lankan tea & freshly ground coffee all day
—And of course, unlimited fresh coconuts
—Free sundown drinks at the beach after our weekly beach clean
—Guided meditation with the monks from our local temple
—Welcome gift on arrival
—Complimentary postcard including postage, to send to someone loved
—Friends for life and lifelong memories when you depart
—Free high-speed fiber WiFi in all rooms
—Walking distance to the town and the beach
—Toiletries, towels and beach towels

Not included: airport transfers, drinks from the honesty bar, one lunch and two dinners out, transport to free surfs and free-day activities, massages, the photo package, donations and tips.

At the heart of Sunshine Stories is a charming old Dutch colonial building, designed in the traditional Walawwa style and inspired by the timeless architecture of Geoffrey Bawa.

The building features rooms arranged around a central courtyard, each with its own unique character and all with private en-suite bathrooms. In our lush garden, we also offer four bungalows with private en-suite bathrooms.

Frangi Pani — Female Dorm

This dorm room is for women only, has four beds and a maximum occupancy of 4 people. The bathroom is en-suite and beautifully set outdoors with a private courtyard and a double shower.

Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet

Book this room →

The Kithul — Male Dorm

Our male dormitory in the old part of the building, newly renovated while keeping its original charm. Typically arranged with four separate single beds, it is a comfortable, social shared stay ideal for solo travellers or friends.

Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet
Authentic character

Sunshine Shoebox

Our smallest and cosiest room. There is not much space inside, but you have a big and airy private outdoor en-suite bathroom — watch the monkeys swing between the palm trees while you shower. Beds can be arranged as singles or as a king size double.

Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet

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Jungalow Double

The jungalow is our favourite honeymoon room: a private bungalow in the garden, with a spacious outdoor en-suite bathroom and a small front porch to soak in the sounds of the jungle.

Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet
Private terrace

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Pool-view Bungalow (small)

Double or twin beds, hot water, air conditioning and a private veranda overlooking the pool. Thoughtfully crafted with tropical luxury in mind — an elegant, serene escape for friends or couples.

Pool view
Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet
Desk
Private terrace

Pool-view Bungalow (large)

The spacious bungalows feature double or twin beds, a large convertible daybed and the option to add a fourth bed at a discounted rate — ideal for families or groups, or a couple wanting extra space, with a private veranda over the pool.

Pool view
Air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet
Desk
Private terrace

Lazy Lefts — Single Room

A small room for single occupancy with a private en-suite outdoor bathroom. Perfect for the solo traveller who wants their own space.

Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
En-suite bathroom
Outdoor toilet
Desk

Book this room →

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

The experience we have tailored at the retreat is how we love to live. Our small family of staff is dedicated to making it unforgettable in each aspect — from the surf coaching to the yoga, the hospitality and the other experiences. Our all-inclusive weeks run Sunday to Sunday, year-round, which has given us plenty of time to perfect our service. Not just surfing, not just yoga. It's a combination, it's a lifestyle retreat.

Life here

Slow mornings, salty afternoons, pizza on the beach

Between the surfs and the yoga there is a whole week of small things: coffee in bed with the palms rustling outside, the train rolling past the village, beach clean-ups at sunrise and long dinners with people who arrived as strangers.

Guests helping push a traditional fishing boat down the beach at sunrise — Pushing the boat out at dawn

Two longboard fins resting on a boat above dark ocean water — Single fins, still water

A surfer in a denim bucket hat peeking over a longboard on a boat — Ready to jump in

Two guests sitting on a boat watching fishing boats offshore — Waiting on the set

A guest diving headfirst into green ocean water — Straight in

Three friends with surfboards outside a jungle house — Home before the surf

Coffee, a book and morning light in a room at Sunshinestories — Slow mornings

Surfers walking the palm-lined beach in Ahangama, Sri Lanka — Our home beach

Two guests sharing pizza on the beach at night — Pizza on the sand

The railway line running through the village of Ahangama — The village train line

A guest collecting plastic from the beach during a clean-up — Sunrise beach clean-ups

Guests and coach heading out for a surf lesson among the palms — Off to the waves

A guest waxing her board under the beach cabana — Wax up, paddle out

Guests releasing a baby turtle on the beach — Turtle season

Locally made Ceylon toiletries in a bathroom niche — Little luxuries

Surfers waiting for waves near the stilt fishermen — The lineup

Two surfers walking the shoreline with their boards — Salt in everything

Guests on a boat at sunrise heading out to the surf — Boat trips at dawn

A guest diving off the boat into clear water — Mid-session dip

Guests sitting in a circle on the beach at sunset — Sunset circles

Water splashing as someone floats in the pool — Cannonballs welcome

A guest walking along the beach at sunset — Evening wanders

A hand holding a red hibiscus flower against jungle green — Garden treasures

A group of women standing in front of their longboards on the beach — Boards up, all smiles

Two friends laughing together on a boat in black and white — Boat chats

Overhead view of a guest paddling a longboard in the retreat pool — Pool laps on a longboard

Guests and local fishermen pushing an outrigger boat off the sand — Launching with the fishermen

A surfer sitting on the sand with a longboard, watching the ocean — Waiting for the tide

A laughing guest walking through tropical rain — When the rains come

A guest gazing out a rain-streaked window — Slow afternoons

The retreat courtyard with frangipani trees and bunting — Frangipani afternoons

A guest reading magazines in front of a bookcase — Books and coffee

A cane chair beside the bookshelves in the main house — The reading corner

A guest waxing a longboard in the living room — Getting the board ready

A stilt fisherman silhouetted against a golden sunset — Sunset stilt fisherman

Poolside loungers beneath a green umbrella by the retreat pool — Poolside shade

A tuk-tuk loaded with surfboards on the coast road in black and white — Boards on the tuk-tuk

A guest surfing a green wave in front of palm trees — Week 42 trim

Two guests chatting in the turquoise water between waves — Between waves

Petter and Linn, founders of Sunshinestories

Our Story

It started as a travel blog

Sunshinestories started as a travel blog by founders Petter & Linn, documenting their three year long journey around the world searching for waves and the next adventure. The people they met turned into short stories — sunshinestories — of inspiring people living by the sea and following their dreams.

Six years later the blog grew into something else: a lifestyle retreat under the palm trees in the Sri Lankan jungle, where everyone is welcome to create their own Sunshine Story. Nowadays Sunshinestories is so much more than just the two of us — it's a whole family.

We got lost a lot of times. And we found the essence of life more times. Keep on dreaming, surfing and adventuring, and remember to follow your own Sunshine Story.