Surf & Yoga Retreat in Mulki, Karnataka: 7-Day Surf Camp with Beachfront Ashram Stay

The surf programme is the core of the stay. Beginner courses run for 3 or 5 days and cover ocean safety, board handling, paddling technique, and catching white-water waves. Instructors are in the water with you the whole time, and the ratio is kept low enough that you get individual corrections. Intermediate surfers can book 7, 10 or 15-day packages that focus on timing, wave selection and turning, with video analysis some afternoons. There's also a 30-day advanced coaching programme for people who want to push their level fast, with daily sessions, fitness work and manoeuvre practice.

All levels train at handpicked breaks along the Mulki coast, not the crowded main beach. The club has a full quiver of soft-tops and hard boards, so you don't need to bring your own. If you've never surfed before, you'll typically be riding waves on your own by the end of the second session. If you're already surfing, the instructors will take you to faster, more critical sections depending on the swell.

When you're not surfing, there's stand-up paddling and kayaking on the calm backwaters of the Shambhavi River, which is a five-minute walk from the camp. These sessions are easy and scenic — you'll paddle past mangroves and fishing boats, often with kingfishers overhead. The club also has bicycles you can borrow to ride along the coast road to the Mulki lighthouse or into town for chai.

Yoga runs most mornings and some evenings on the beach deck, usually a mix of hatha and vinyasa with a focus on shoulders, hips and lower back — the areas that take a beating from paddling. It's suitable for all levels, including people who've never done yoga. Some guests skip it to catch more waves, and that's fine.

The accommodation is on-site, a short walk from the water. Rooms are clean and simple — tiled floors, ceiling fans, mosquito nets, attached bathrooms with hot water. There's high-speed Wi-Fi in the common areas, and home-cooked vegetarian meals are served three times a day in the open-air dining area. The food is South Indian: rice, sambar, coconut curries, dosas, fresh fruit, and filter coffee. Any surplus from the surf club goes back into maintaining the ashram and supporting the Surfing Swami Foundation, which teaches surfing to local kids.

The vibe is relaxed and community-focused. You'll eat meals with the instructors and other guests, and there's no pressure to do anything beyond what you feel like. It suits people who want to learn to surf in a quiet, uncrowded place without spending a fortune, and who don't mind simple comforts over luxury.

What's included

- Accommodation in private or shared rooms with attached bathroom - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily surf lessons with ISA-certified instructors - Surfboard and rash vest rental - Yoga sessions on the beach deck - Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding sessions - Use of bicycles for coastal rides - High-speed Wi-Fi in common areas - Video analysis sessions (intermediate and advanced courses) - All taxes and local permits

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Airport or railway transfers (can be arranged for a fee) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra snacks, alcohol) - Meals outside the camp - Additional surf lessons beyond the package - Massage or spa treatments - Tips for instructors and staff