I am a solo traveler with some experience surfing, but I kept struggling making the same mistakes. Danny was a game changer for me. He guided me to use the right board and technique fit for my level. With his guidance I improved a lot in only 2 sessions. He has a lot of expertise, is patient and takes your goal for his own. I would definitely recommend taking courses with him.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- surf gears
- surf instructor
- Bottled water and light refreshments
- Optional photography and video package (additional cost)
- 1-2 hour private surf lesson
- Beachside warm-up and safety briefing
Excludes
- Transportation to and from the surf spot (available upon request for an additional fee)
- Gratuities (optional)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Learn to surf in Weligama — one of the best beginner surf spots in Asia and the most consistent beach break in Sri Lanka. YOUR LESSON Two hours on Weligama Bay with your certified instructor. We start on the beach — stance, paddling, wave reading, and safety — then straight into the water. Your instructor stays with you the entire session, coaching in real time, positioning you for waves and correcting your technique as you go. Most complete beginners are standing up and riding waves independently by the end of the session. Surfboard and rash vest included. Sessions start at 6:30 AM when the bay is at its glassiest and most uncrowded — the best conditions of the day. YOUR OPTIONS 90 min Lesson: (Regular and relaxed) Small group lesson — (max 6 guests) Private 1-on-1 lesson (trail road to fast progress) 3-lesson bundle — (Three mornings, surf independently by the end) 5-lesson bundle — (five mornings, surf independently by the end) Want more than lessons? Your all-inclusive surf camp includes daily lessons, all meals, accommodation, surf video analysis, a Sri Lankan cooking class, a community surf party, and more. See the Weligama Surf Camp listing for 5-day and 8-day packages
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Denny is very prepared and a very kind and helpful instructor. In just 3 days we were able to improve our level a lot thanks to him. We highly reccommand booking a lesson with him! Fun and enjoyable:)
We love the surf training with Danny! Everything was nice
I had a great class at Surf and stay. Teachers explained all the technique very well and then my instructor Danny helped me switch quickly to hard board. fast progress 100% recommend this place for any level of students.
We had a great time learning to surf and made far more progress than we expected. Danny and Madu are excellent instructors. We really appreciated the personalised instruction. My daughter loved the whole experience.
Danny was a very nice Surf teacher
danny N1 ! i learned a lot starting from scratch
The activity, the instructor and the overall experience is beyond any words can describe. We had the best time, initially i found it extremely challenging and was almost about to give up, but the instructor keep encouraging me and by the end i was actually able to sustain better. 100% advisable even for complete beginners and non swimmers. This activity was the highlight of my trip to sri lanka.
Everything went super good! The teacher was super nice and explain everything super good! Highly recommend
It was really great. He gave me a surfing lesson in Arugam Bay. His directions were really clear and helpfull. It was my second surfing lesson ever.
I was a beginner: they helped to find the best place for beginners and thought my how to swim
My daughter had excellent experience with surfing lesson with Danny in Weligama. Initially booked for one lesson and then after the first day, booked another lesson on second day. Danny provided good coaching and encouragement to my daughter to help her learn
Danny is a very patient and kind surf instructor. We were very happy to take a lesson with him, he took the time to explain everything and encouraged us to not give up. We highly recommend to take a lesson with him if you want to learn how to surf or improve your surfing! We had a lot of fun and it was definetely the best lesson in Sri Lanka for us 🏄♂️🏄♀️
Had a great experience with Danny and the team! Danny was quick to reply to all my questions and made the booking process really easy. My instructor, Inosh, was patient, encouraging, and helped me stand up on the board much quicker than I expected. Huge thanks to Ishan as well, the photos turned out amazing, and he sent them on the same day. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn surfing in Weligama! 🌊🏄♂️
We had a really nice experience! the teaching was great and we got a lesson right in the spot without a real appointment:)
danny is the best surfer in weligama. Happy to ride with you highly recommended instructor
I stayed at Surf & Stay for a total of 10 days and took a class almost every day. At the beginning, I was quite scared of surfing, but thanks to the instructor called Danny, I quickly started to enjoy it and became motivated to improve. Danny is an amazing instructor who gives clear, practical tips and really encourages you to push yourself. I took 5 beginner lessons and 5 intermediate lessons, and I especially learned a lot during the intermediate sessions. They really helped me progress and build confidence. My stay at the hostel was also fantastic. You meet solo travelers right away, and it truly has a warm, cozy, family-like atmosphere. I originally planned to stay for 3 nights, but ended up extending my stay by another 7 nights because I was having such a great time. Luckily, the team was very flexible with bookings. I would also highly recommend taking the breakfast option. Overall, both the hostel experience and the surfing lessons were the highlight of my trip — 100% recommended!
As a fellow operator in the tourism and surf industry, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and collaborate with this surf school, and I can confidently say they run a highly professional and well-structured operation. Their approach to customer experience is particularly strong. From first contact to post-session follow-up, they maintain clear communication, reliable scheduling, and a welcoming attitude that reflects well on the wider local surf community. It’s evident that they prioritize both safety and progression, with instructors who are not only technically skilled but also patient and attentive to different skill levels. From a business perspective, their consistency is what stands out most. They deliver a dependable product, manage logistics efficiently, and uphold a standard that aligns well with international expectations—something that’s critical for Sri Lanka’s growing surf tourism market. They’ve also shown a collaborative mindset, which is increasingly important in this industry. Whether it’s coordinating bookings, sharing insights, or supporting joint experiences, they operate with a level of professionalism that makes partnerships smooth and productive. Overall, this is a surf school that understands both the experiential and operational sides of the business. I would have no hesitation recommending them to partners, agents, or clients looking for a trustworthy surf provider.
"Our travel company has started to collaborate with this surf school. Our customers are very happy with their lessons and hospitality, and we highly recommend this school for surf lessons."
Great experience in surf & stay weligama.very good and helpful guys.fun lessons and a great atmosphere.great for learning
Amazing experience. Perfect place Super friendly staff Highly recommend .....
It was my first time. Weligama is the best for begginers and surf and stay is the number one in sri lanka no doubt
I had a great experience learning to surf with Danny. He really pushed and motivated me, making sure I got the most out of every session. I’d highly recommend learning to surf with him
I had a solo surf session with Danny and it was an amazing experience. He’s a great instructor, very patient, encouraging, and attentive. Even in a short session, I felt more confident in the water and really enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a relaxed and supportive surf experience!
Surf and stay was the first hostel I stayed in when I arrived to Sri Lanka and one of the best I have stayed in during my 6 months travelling Asia! Since the first stay, I have gone back regularly to visit or stay again, Nishant and Danny were so welcoming and have gone above and beyond to help me out when I needed it. The hostel is close to the beach and has a very small, family feel which I loved. It’s very clean and affordable, Nishant is also an amazing cook and hosted some great family dinners😊 The surf instructors are also great and really helped me as a beginner surfer. They are patient and encouraging. Overall can’t recommend this hostel enough and I will definitely be back.
I had an amazing experience with Surf and Stay! The surf lesson was perfectly organized from start to finish, making it ideal whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to improve your skills. The instructors were incredibly friendly, patient, and professional. They took the time to explain everything clearly—from ocean safety to proper technique—so I felt confident getting into the water. What I really appreciated was the personal attention and encouragement throughout the session. The location was beautiful, with great waves for learning, and the whole vibe was relaxed and welcoming. By the end of the lesson, I was already standing up and riding waves, which felt incredible! If you’re in Sri Lanka and thinking about learning to surf, I highly recommend Surf and Stay. It’s not just a lesson—it’s a fun, memorable experience you won’t forget.
Had good surf lessons . Best teachers in the town . Got four lessons final one is deep water lesson
We stayed at Surf and Stay Weligama as a family and it was one of the best experiences we had in Sri Lanka. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel very welcome and comfortable. A special thank you to Instructor Danny — he was absolutely amazing with our family. He was patient, professional, and very encouraging, especially with our kids who were trying surfing for the first time. Danny made sure everyone felt safe in the water and always kept a close eye on us. Thanks to him, we were all able to stand up on the board and enjoy real surfing! The accommodation was clean, cozy, and close to the beach. The location is perfect for beginners and families. We also loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere — it felt like staying with friends rather than just a surf camp. If you are traveling as a family and looking for a safe, fun, and professional surf experience, we highly recommend Surf and Stay Weligama. And if you get the chance, ask for Danny — he is the best! We will definitely come back again ❤️
Waited for my pickup at my accomodation as confirmed in the ticket from Viator, however it never showed up. I also had no communication from the operator, either at the time of booking, between booking and activity, or after the no-show. I'm glad so many other people have had a great experience, judging by all the great reviews, but sadly my own experience didn't match that at all.
I have an amazing time with Surf and Stays (5 days). The service is very professional from start to finish. I was assigned Arun as my surf instructor, and he was excellent - very patient and skilled. The spot at the beach is very nice and welcoming, and the waves are absolutely perfect for beginners. What I liked most is the flexibility: you can either get full support from their great instructors or just rent a board and practice on your own. A special shoutout to the manager of Surf and Stays, who was extremely accommodating and even arranged a pickup from my hotel, which was a bit further away. Highly recommend this place!
Danny is a professional and good teacher. Personal advice and otherwise made sure everything was fine. Only good vibes. I recommend!
Great surf team!! Recommended!
Surf & Stay Weligama has experienced surfers & instructors who teach you with joy. I was able to pick up some technique very quickly with their help, for reasonable prices.
It was so much fun. I had some intermediate surfing lessons with Danny. I learned something new from him and also took a new board for the first time. I can recommend go surfing with him. Thank you, Danny! ☺️
We booked a surf lesson in Weligama for my husband and our three kids and it was hands down one of the highlights of the trip. The instructors were so patient and encouraging, especially with the younger two, and had them all standing up on boards within the first lesson (maybe not the hubby ha!). Such a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and loads of fun. The kids are already begging to go back — and honestly, my husband is too! Would 100% recommend for families.
Danny is an amazing surf instructor! His explanations are very clear, technical, and easy to understand, which made a huge difference in my surfing. He really focuses on positioning, paddling technique, timing, and wave selection, and thanks to his guidance I improved so much in a short time. He is patient, supportive, and gives very precise feedback in the water, which helps you correct mistakes immediately. You can truly feel his experience and passion for surfing. If you want to progress, gain confidence, and surf better, I highly recommend Danny. Best coach ever!
Everything about it from start to finish was excellent! Booked again before I left.. If your hesitant, just do it. You will not regret it.
What an amazing experience, my girlfriend and I both were very happy with our lesson. Good price, positive learning environment and smiles all round. Yasuri, our coach was very passionate and welcoming toward us beginners. We will be back!
Everything was amazing! The hostel atmosphere, the surf lessons the food and all the service Thank you Lucky, Nashin and Denny 🫶🏻 I can’t wait to come back
Danny is an awesome surf instructor, I had a previous instructor who didn’t properly correct my pop up style. One session with Danny and my pop up improved so much, so much so that he was able to improve my intermediate stance and get me comfortable catching bigger and stronger waves. Started on a soft top and now I’m on a hardtop, Od highly recommend Danny as a surf instructor - I’m excited to see how much more I can improve over the next week!
Nice little hostel, just minutes away from the best surf spot in weligama. Our host Nishan was super caring and friendly. I Definitely recommend this place :)
Absolutely amazing instructors and they really helped me up my surf game 🏄🏻♀️ Great beach great waves and great coach’s !
In November I took multiple classes with Danny! He is absolutely great at surfing and knows how to explain this to beginners. Not only is he good at explaining, it is also a very nice person that cares if you fall and if you are okay, gives you a high five after the wave to celebrate the success. Can't wait to go back to Sri Lanka and surf again with Danny!
I’ve been surfing with him for a bit over a month now, and honestly, he’s the best surf instructor I’ve ever had. Not just because he knows exactly what he’s doing in the water, but because he’s genuinely a great person. He’s helped me improve so much, even though I was pretty insecure about my surfing at the beginning, cause I haven’t done any surfing in a while. He explains things clearly, gives feedback that actually makes sense, and somehow manages to push you without ever making you feel pressured. What really stands out big time as well is how supportive and friendly he is outside the lessons too. He’s helped me with so many things, always just naturally and without making a big deal out of it. I honestly don’t know how I’m ever supposed to find another surf coach like him lol. He’s just really solid, skilled, patient, and a genuinely good human. Highly recommend!
Danny is a fantastic surf instructor! He makes every session exciting and pushes you just the right amount to improve. He has a great way of explaining the technical details so that everything becomes easier to understand. You always feel supported, safe, and encouraged to catch that next wave. Fun vibes, great progress — couldn’t ask for more. Thanks, Danny!
A very good experience with a great wave master. Highly recommended, without a doubt my first time surfing and I was able to enjoy incredible waves.
Danny is the best surf teacher on the Weligama beach. His professional tips push me to catch those waves. I can definitely recommend.
The only problem with Danny is that I don’t know if I’m able to survive without him and his tips anymore. He is absolutely the one and only surf teacher. 100% recommendation.
Danny is a good teacher! With a second lesson we are catching a bit bigger waves now, and I’m getting better and not afraid anymore
Danni approached us in a very chill manner and gave us a good feeling in general. He is a very skilled instructor and knows how to help you to get to the next level. He teached us some new things, eventhough we had a couple of teachers before (good and bad ones) so that's always a good thing! Would recommend for sure!!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email
