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Sri Lanka Fitness Retreat

Sri Lanka Yoga

Sri Lanka

Tide is Rising

11 DaysFeb 9–19, 2027Ella + Ahangama, Sri LankaFrom $3,199USD

Prices include HST.

Duration11 days / 10 nights
Group Size20 guests
Coaches3 SALTY coaches
PropertyFull exclusive buyout
SurfRight out front of the property
Per DayFrom $291
Sri Lanka fitness retreat experience

About the Retreat

The 2026 trip taught us one thing: Sri Lanka deserves more than a one-stop retreat. The country's too beautiful. So we built this one around the diversity. We start in the highlands where the mornings come in cool and the views go on forever, then make our way south through Wellawaya and a safari stop in Udawalawe, before we settle on a stretch of surf coast in our own private centre.

The first two days are in Ella, deep in tea country. You'll hike before breakfast as the mist clears off the hills, and learn that "rest day" doesn't have to mean "boring day." We're staying at Arana Eco Lodge — the same place 2026 guests still talk about — with incredible food, monkeys greeting you in the morning, breathtaking views from bed, and excursions of all sorts to choose from.

Then we head south. Our first stop is a night in Wellawaya before we explore the Udawalawe safari. Wild elephants are the headline here, and if luck is on our side, a leopard too.

From there our scenic travel day continues as we make our way to our home for the final week. We've bought out Dreamsea Ahangama entirely — pool, restaurant, beach access, surfboard access, the break out front. For a week it's ours. Mornings are yoga, surf, eat, and relax. The rest of the day fills itself: workouts, hammocks, Galle Fort excursion, sunset volleyball, group dinners filled with laughter.

Want the full vibe check? See Sri Lanka's SALTY Meter

Included

  • 2 nights at Arana Eco Lodge (Ella, highland eco-lodge)
  • Udawalawe safari excursion
  • 7 nights at Dreamsea Ahangama (full exclusive property buyout)
  • 1 night stay in Wellawaya
  • Daily breakfasts throughout the retreat
  • 5 lunches + 5 dinners at Dreamsea
  • Select group dinners on the Ella leg
  • Dreamsea Level 0 surf package (5 lessons, 10+ hours in-water instruction + theory)
  • Free board rentals for the entire Ahangama week
  • Daily SALTY workouts, yoga, pilates, MetCon, boxing
  • Inbound airport shuttle from Colombo (3 scheduled times — see FAQ)
  • All on-retreat ground transportation
  • Outbound airport shuttle to Colombo
  • Full-day Galle Fort group excursion
  • Welcome reception + 2 hosted party nights
  • Private beach volleyball court at Dreamsea
  • Professional photography & videography
  • SALTY community — 20 guests + 3 coaches all in on the trip

Not Included

  • International flights to Colombo (CMB)
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Sri Lanka ETA (free for most passports, apply at eta.gov.lk)
  • Personal expenses, shopping, souvenirs
  • Tips for staff at any property (discretionary)
  • Alcohol beyond hosted events
  • Late-arrival private airport transfers — 3 inbound shuttle times are mandatory

Related guide: What your trip costs

What You'll Do

Surf

Daily

Surf

The break rolls in directly in front of the property — surf sessions start with grabbing a board and walking 30 seconds. Beginner package includes 5 lessons, 10+ hours of instruction, theory session, and free board rentals all week.

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SALTY Workouts

Daily

SALTY Workouts

Coach-led strength, MetCon, boxing, and soul work. Sand sprints, ocean swims, beachfront circuits, rooftop flows. This trip runs hot on sweat — expect to move hard and love it.

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Yoga & Flow

Daily

Yoga & Flow

Morning and sunset yoga to balance the intensity. Vinyasa flows and mobility work. Guided recovery in the on-site movement space.

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Explore

Group day trip + optional excursions

Explore

Full-day group trip to Galle Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site, 20 min away). Optional add-ons include a Yala National Park safari and Mirissa whale watching (Nov–Apr). A Sri Lankan cooking class is on the menu too.

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Rest & Recovery

Whenever you need it

Rest & Recovery

This isn't the chill one. Between surf, workouts, nightlife, and a packed itinerary, you make your own rest days. Bring your energy.

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A Sample Day

Everything is optional, except for fun.

7:00 AM

Sunrise yoga

8:30 AM

Group breakfast

11:00 AM

Surf session

1:30 PM

Lunch on the beach

4:00 PM

Shop local

7:30 PM

Delicious Sri Lankan dinner

8:30 PM

Bedtime yoga (or a night on the town)

This is what a SALTY morning looks like.

Day by Day

01Ella, Sri Lanka

Touchdown in tea country

Arrival yoga in the misty hills, then a hike to the Nine Arches Bridge.

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02Ella, Sri Lanka

Choose your adventure

Train ride, cooking class, tea estate, or a slow lodge day — your call.

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03Ella → Wellawaya, Sri Lanka

Morning flow, scenic drive south

Yoga in the hills, then road-trip through temples and a waterfall.

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04Wellawaya → Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Sunrise safari, sunset by the sea

Dawn safari in Udawalawe, then transfer to the south coast.

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05Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Settle into the SALTY rhythm

Morning movement, breakfast, beach, community dinner. The flow begins.

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06Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Sweat and surf

Classic SALTY day — movement, breakfast, waves, recover, eat together.

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07Ahangama / Galle, Sri Lanka

Galle Fort field trip + party

Wander Dutch-colonial Galle Fort by day, party in Ahangama by night.

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08Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Sweat and surf

Back to the rhythm — movement, breakfast, surf, recover, eat together.

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09Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Full SALTY day + party

Train, eat, surf, sundown — then the music goes up.

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10Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Finale day

Last full day — full SALTY, then a finale dinner the crew remembers.

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11Ahangama → Departure

Bye for now

Farewell breakfast and long hugs. Then airport transfers. Pack the salt-stained towel.

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Where You'll Stay

Arana Eco Lodge & Dreamsea Ahangama

Ella, Sri Lanka

Two distinct properties across one trip. Arana Eco Lodge is a small highland eco-lodge tucked into the hills above Ella — open-air dining, hand-built porches, slow food, mountain views. Then Dreamsea Ahangama: a beachfront property on Sri Lanka's south coast with the surf break out front. We've bought out Dreamsea entirely for the week — pool, restaurant, beach access, board storage, common areas. No day-pass public and no other guests. Just SALTY.

Dreamsea Venue
Dreamsea Venue
Dreamsea Venue
Arana Eco Lodge & Dreamsea Ahangama accommodation photo
Arana: tea-country setting, open-air restaurant, mountain viewsDreamsea: direct beachfront access, ocean-view pool, full surf schoolPrivate beach volleyball court at DreamseaAC + WiFi in all Dreamsea roomsBoard storage + rinse stationsFull exclusive buyout at Dreamsea

How It Works

01

Pick Your Room

Choose the accommodation tier that fits your budget and style. Same trip and programming, different room options.

Pick Your Room

Your Coaches

Erin Harris
ErinHarris

The Boss | Yoga | Pilates

Margarita Master

Nate Behar
NateBehar

Mr. Fix It | Mobility | Strength

R&B Connoisseur

Julianne MacDonald
JulianneMacDonald

Yoga | Surf

Dance-Circle Instigator

Sri Lanka SALTY Meter

1086420SWEAT LEVELRESTCULTUREADVENTUREPARTYGROUP SIZE

Adventure-forward and culture-rich. The mountain leg slows you down, the surf week speeds you up. Intimate group at 20 — built for all travellers who want to really know this beautiful country. Options for celebration and partying arrive towards the end of the trip as we stay close to the action in Ahangama.

Group Size

How many people you'll share the experience with. 1 = ~6 guests, 10 = 60+.

Sweat Level

How intense and frequent the workouts will be.

Adventure

The dose of excursions and off-the-beaten-path moments.

Culture

How immersed you'll be in local food and traditions. Community is part of it too.

Party

The level of nightlife and dancing. It sets the evening social energy.

Rest

The amount of downtime and quiet moments built in.

Real People. No Script.

The Verdict

“This was my first Salty retreat and I had such an incredible experience! Everything was so well organized.”

Nicole M.

Sri Lanka

“It never felt overly rigid or overly “wellness serious.” Instead it felt like a group of people coming together to move, explore a beautiful country and genuinely enjoy the experience.”

Brandi A.

Sri Lanka

“The kind of fun I’ve had on these trips honestly reminds me of being a kid again — that feeling of pure, carefree bliss that’s hard to replicate in the middle of a busy adult life.”

Charlotte T.

Sri Lanka

“I’ve attended 2 Salty Retreats (Sicily and Sri Lanka), 2 years apart, and would attend 1000 more!”

Lindsay B.

Sri Lanka

Getting there

CMB

Colombo (Bandaranaike International)

Land by 6pm local time

Last group shuttle leaves at 6pm local time

A few group shuttles run from the airport on arrival day, and the last one leaves at the time above. Landing later than that? We'll help you sort a private transfer - that one's on you.

Questions? Answers.

Everything you need to plan your trip.

A few group shuttles leave Colombo (CMB) for Ella on arrival day, and the last one leaves at 6pm local time. Most flights from North America land in the morning or early afternoon, so you're likely covered - just check before you book. Landing later? We'll help you sort a private transfer - that one's on you.

You need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you fly. Since May 25, 2026 it's free for 40 countries, Canada and the US included, for stays up to 30 days. Apply only at eta.gov.lk, because lookalike sites charge a fee. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you leave Sri Lanka.

Ahangama is on Sri Lanka's south coast — a stretch with several beginner-friendly breaks within easy paddle. Water is warm (27–29°C / 80–84°F), no wetsuit needed. February is peak surf season on the south coast. The Dreamsea Level 0 package covers all levels and includes board rentals all week.

None. Most SALTY guests start as total beginners. The Level 0 package is designed for first-timers. Experienced surfers can upgrade to Level 1 or 2 with the same instructors.

Skip it. Pool, hammock, town, yoga, optional excursions — there's no attendance taking. The week is built so you can dial in or dial out as you want.

Most of our guests come on their own, and on this trip we travel together with the logistics handled. Canada's advisory for Sri Lanka is "exercise a high degree of caution". It notes rising reports of sexual assault against foreign travellers, including drink spiking, and women can get unwanted attention in crowded places. Read the advisory before you book. We move as a group for transfers and outings, and your pre-trip docs include practical tips.

Peak dry season on the south coast. Daytime ~28–32°C (82–90°F) and low rain. The ocean stays warm. Ella is cooler at elevation — bring layers for highland mornings. Pack a light rain layer just in case.

20 guests + 3 coaches + 1 content creator = 24 total. Small by SALTY standards — intimate, but enough to find your people.

Yes. Many guests add days in Colombo, Kandy, Mirissa (whale watching), or Yala/Udawalawe (safari). We can help you think through logistics.

Daily breakfasts at all properties. 5 lunches + 5 dinners at Dreamsea. Group dinners at Arana. Otherwise meals are on your own at local restaurants — Sri Lanka has incredible food and we'll point you at the best spots. Dietary restrictions accommodated with advance notice.

No. The workouts are scalable. Surfing is more timing than strength. The only fitness required is the ability to swim and walk. If you can breathe and move, you're qualified.

All payments, including the $350 deposit, are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption.

Lisa at Movement Travel — Ontario-licensed TICO travel agency. All payments flow through her for your protection.

Related guides: Travelling soloBeginner fitness retreatsWhat your trip costsWhat a fitness retreat isWinter fitness retreats

Sri Lanka

Destination Guide

More About Sri Lanka

From tea country to surf country, with a safari in the middle. Misty highland mornings give way to a wave at your doorstep.

Explore Sri Lanka

Hold your spot with a USD 350 deposit

Ready for Sri Lanka?

Reserve with a $350 deposit. 65% of guests travel solo.

All payments are non-refundable.