Hiriketiya Surf Camps & Surf Stays: 5 Great Picks for 2027
So, you’re on the hunt for a Hiriketiya surf camp? Lucky for you, we’re experts in this town. We’ve been coming since it was just a twinkle in the eye of most surf travelers hitting Lanka and we’ve seen it grow from a dirt-track set of shacks (ahhh, those were the days) into a land of chic hotels and edgy cafes.
Hiriketiya has a very nice mix of surf camps. We’d say they tend to lend themselves to beginners, simply because the bay here is well protected and sand-bottomed.
Accordingly, much of the tuition in camps is targeted towards novice folks, which is why advanced surfers should opt for either…
A) a camp like Kima that does outings to other surf spots in the region other than Hiri or B) a more casual surf camp like Salt House that’s accommodation only, so you can surf wherever you want, whenever you want.
That’s our two cents anyhow. Whatever you choose to do, the fact remains that Hiriketiya Beach reigns as one of the finest learner spots on the island and a downright loveable tropical beach town besides.
Let’s take a look at the Hiriketiya surf camp packages that we think stand out for 2025…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
>>Read our guide to surfing in Sri Lanka. Or read our guides to surf camps all over the world
Quick-book the best Hiriketiya surf camp…
- Salt House – The classic Hiri surf-stay – it’s been here since before the town was cool!
- Boho Jungle Studio – Standalone studios for couples and travelers who like their own space
- Wilson’s Place – A unique hotel with plenty of space for chilling
- Lazy Monkey Surf Hostel Hiriketiya – The uber-social, uber-budget option
- Kima Surf Camp – Trusted surf camp brand with a lux out-of-town lodge
>>For more inspo be sure to read our guide to the top surf camps in Sri Lanka as a whole
Salt House
The classic Hiri surf-stay – it’s been here since before the town was cool!
The Salt House was already a Hiriketiya stalwart when we first visited the town back in 2019. It’s basically one of the originally high-quality surf stays here and it’s still got one of the best offerings of any place in Hiri if what you want to do is surf, chill, eat and repeat (which is what we’re guessing you would like to do).
First, location. This camp is uber close to the waves. About 50m down the road and you’ll be staring through the coconut palms at Hiriketiya’s beginner beach break, with the left hander a paddle just over the water from there. It takes 30 seconds or less to go from bunk to wave.
Second, the lodge. The space here is like an oasis. It’s half café, half hangout area with a small pool overlooked by a big yoga shala. They offer what we still think is some of the best coffee you can get in Sri Lanka, plus lovely filling breakfasts.
We value this one as more of a solo surf base. Come here, book in, enjoy the yoga program and the food, and just surf whenever you like. That said, they do run regular surf lessons that you can book at reception, often heading out to other spots in the Hiri region.
Boho Jungle Studio
Standalone studios for couples and travelers who like their own space
Boho Jungle Studios are a little different from the usual surf accommodation around Hiriketiya. Instead of dorms and organized group itineraries, you get a collection of stylish, self-contained studios tucked into lush tropical greenery, just five minutes’ walk from the beach.
It’s the simple way to go, and, personally, the way I like to organize my surf trips here – you wake, walk, and surf whenever you wanna.
There are three to choose from, each spread over two floors with a pair of open-plan bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning and a private patio on hand.
We particularly like the indoor gardens and the little stream that winds through the property. It all looks wonderfully peaceful considering how close you are to Hiriketiya’s busy beachfront (and I really do mean busy these days).
The property advertises surf classes, although this isn’t a conventional all-inclusive surf camp with daily coaching packages. We’d say it’s better suited to couples, families or independent surfers who want somewhere lovely to stay while exploring the waves of southern Sri Lanka.
Wilson’s Place
A unique hotel with plenty of space for chilling
Wilson’s Place isn’t in the hubbub of downtown Hiri, and this busy little beach town can really feel like it’s a downtown these days – *sigh* what we wouldn’t give for the rustic Hiriketiya of 2016 again!
So, if you’re keen to get away from the action, have some peace and quiet, and wake to the sound of macaques swinging in the nearby trees, then head this way to the east of town. The backstreets between Hiriketiya Beach and next-door beach of Nilwella (a fantastic sunset spot, and a chill beach that’s perfect for people watching) are host to this charming hotel set over four storeys.
If I had to pick one major selling point, it would probably be the gardens. Wilson’s Place has a big green area and lots of room for lazing about once you’re done surfing. That’s not something other hotels in the area can boast, because Hiriketiya’s main streets are now packed tighter than a Sri Lankan bus.
Past guests also say that the owner is a super nice guy who’d ready to offer in-the-know surf tips.
Lazy Monkey Surf Hostel Hiriketiya
The uber-social, uber-budget option
https://www.hostelworld.com/pwa/hosteldetails.php/Lazy-Monkey-Surf-Hostel-Hiriketiya/Hiriketiya/331886Lazy Monkey is a family-run surf hostel tucked into the greenery just behind Hiriketiya Beach. It’s the sort of place that should appeal to budget-conscious surfers who want a more personal setup than the bigger surf retreats along the south coast.
The hostel was founded by Simona and Sumee, the latter a local surf instructor who knows the breaks around Hiri inside out.
Along with good-value stays, they offer great flexibility in the surfing. You can just book on to however many lessons you like, and sessions are catered to different abilities, with groups capped at six people and the option to book coaching with or without accommodation and breakfast.
That’s the sort of thing that comes in handy if you’re travelling with non-surfers or don’t fancy committing to a full week of lessons.
Accommodation is pretty simple, with two shared dorms and three private double rooms. There’s also a leafy garden with cabanas and a bar for post-surf beers. Best of all, you’re only a minute or two from Hiriketiya’s beach break and left-hand point, so it’s just a case of strolling down to surf whenever you wanna.
Check prices and availability at the Lazy Monkey Surf Hostel Hiriketiya
Kima Surf Camp
Trusted surf camp brand with a lux out-of-town lodge
The Kima name is one that should ring a lot of bells. These guys are one of the legends of the Isle of the Gods. They’ve been running surfaris in Bali since like 1995, so they know a thing or two about the surf-travel industry.
The Kima edition in Hiriketiya is one of their newest ventures and it’s prettyyy darn nice. The camp is series of super-cool “jungalows” (that’s bungalows in the jungle in case you didn’t know) hidden in the coastal woods 10 minutes’ tuk-tuk outside of Hiri.
They are among the slickest surf camp accoms we’ve seen on the island – think thatched roofs with polished concrete floors, rattan lazers and big banana plants for added greenery. It’s like island style with a big dollop of luxury.
Camps with these guys are very surf-focused. You do 2x daily surfs with the in-house guides, who are all local experts. Groups are small, so each surfer gets lots of attention. Plus, it’s all level-designated, with different groups for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers, each of which will often surf a different spot to develop a different skill.
There are LOTS of add-ons included in the price, too. All yoga is free and it takes place every day between Monday and Saturday. Breakfast is included as are dinners for five nights of the week. You’ll also score a free Kima t-shirt and unlimited coffee and tea for the duration of your stay.
The only downside we see is that the camp is located outside of Hiriketiya town. If you don’t mind not being able to walk to the break and back then this one’s likely to be an absolute cracker!
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
