A Soulful Retreat in Ahangama
A Soulful Retreat in Ahangama
Tucked away on a sleepy jungle lane, just a few barefoot minutes from Ahangama’s mellow breaks, Lotus Surf & Wellness feels more like staying with old friends than checking into a surf retreat. The guest list is intentionally small, and it changes everything.
Days settle into a gentle rhythm. Dawn in their iconic yellow tuk-tuk heading to empty lineups. Afternoons drift between the palm-lined pool, yoga shala, video analysis sessions, and treatments at the spa. Communal feasts punctuate the day, bringing everyone together around the table. And if you feel like exploring beyond the leafy garden walls, the buzzy heart of Ahangama is just minutes away.
At the centre of it all are Helen and Liam, a mother-and-son duo from the Gold Coast who have poured their love into every corner of the place. It’s the kind of stay that quietly transforms you.
Tucked away on a sleepy jungle lane, just a few barefoot minutes from Ahangama’s mellow breaks, Lotus Surf & Wellness feels more like staying with old friends than checking into a surf retreat. The guest list is intentionally small, and it changes everything.
Days settle into a gentle rhythm. Dawn in their iconic yellow tuk-tuk heading to empty lineups. Afternoons drift between the palm-lined pool, yoga shala, video analysis sessions, and treatments at the spa. Communal feasts punctuate the day, bringing everyone together around the table. And if you feel like exploring beyond the leafy garden walls, the buzzy heart of Ahangama is just minutes away.
At the centre of it all are Helen and Liam, a mother-and-son duo from the Gold Coast who have poured their love into every corner of the place. It’s the kind of stay that quietly transforms you.
Rooms
With just five rooms, Lotus keeps things simple by design. Each space is quiet and uncluttered; thoughtfully arranged to help you slow down, clear your mind, and fully rest. Soft light filters through gauzy curtains, casting a gentle glow throughout. On the walls, framed scenes of Sri Lankan culture and life in Ahangama, captured through Liam’s lens, bring soul to the whitewashed calm and anchor each room in its rightful place.
All come with a private ensuite and are equipped with a comfortable bed, fan, air conditioning, and mosquito net. No TVs, no minibars, no distractions. Just quiet spaces designed for the deep sleep you need after two sessions. The kind of rooms where you wake up actually rested, ready for another dawn patrol. Easy to settle into, and even easier to slow down in.
With just five rooms, Lotus keeps things simple by design. Each space is quiet and uncluttered; thoughtfully arranged to help you slow down, clear your mind, and fully rest. Soft light filters through gauzy curtains, casting a gentle glow throughout. On the walls, framed scenes of Sri Lankan culture and life in Ahangama, captured through Liam’s lens, bring soul to the whitewashed calm and anchor each room in its rightful place.
All come with a private ensuite and are equipped with a comfortable bed, fan, air conditioning, and mosquito net. No TVs, no minibars, no distractions. Just quiet spaces designed for the deep sleep you need after two sessions. The kind of rooms where you wake up actually rested, ready for another dawn patrol. Easy to settle into, and even easier to slow down in.
Food & Drinks
Helen ran kitchens at Australia’s top health retreats. It shows.
Breakfast arrives post-surf. Guests gather to refuel with warm roti, golden dhal, tropical fruit, the occasional hopper cradling an egg and a hint of spice. Four nights a week, the dinner is family-style around the communal table for a vibrant fusion of Sri Lankan and Western flavours.
The S.L.O.W. philosophy (Seasonal, Local, Organic, Whole) isn't just a catchy acronym, you feel it in every bite. Dishes simply work: bright, balanced, satisfying. This is real food that tastes like it was made by someone who truly knows and loves what they're doing.
It is all part of the programme to support your body, mind, and spirit.
Helen ran kitchens at Australia’s top health retreats. It shows.
Breakfast arrives post-surf. Guests gather to refuel with warm roti, golden dhal, tropical fruit, the occasional hopper cradling an egg and a hint of spice. Four nights a week, the dinner is family-style around the communal table for a vibrant fusion of Sri Lankan and Western flavours.
The S.L.O.W. philosophy (Seasonal, Local, Organic, Whole) isn't just a catchy acronym, you feel it in every bite. Dishes simply work: bright, balanced, satisfying. This is real food that tastes like it was made by someone who truly knows and loves what they're doing.
It is all part of the programme to support your body, mind, and spirit.
Wellness
Wellness is at the heart of Lotus’ ethos. With over thirty years in the wellness world, Helen has made sure the in-house spa is rooted in genuine care and assembled a team of highly qualified therapists. It offers what you need after long surf sessions: proper massages, hands-on healing, Ayurvedic therapies and beauty rituals. Each session aims to help you reach Santosha, that elusive state of inner peace. The open-air jungle yoga shala stays shaded and cool throughout the day. It hosts daily classes and workshops for all levels—whether you’re exploring the foundations or building on an existing practice. Wellness at Lotus is not a performance, it is a soft return to yourself. Whether you’re floating in the palm-lined pool or finding stillness on the mat, every detail is designed to help you reset.
Wellness is at the heart of Lotus’ ethos. With over thirty years in the wellness world, Helen has made sure the in-house spa is rooted in genuine care and assembled a team of highly qualified therapists. It offers what you need after long surf sessions: proper massages, hands-on healing, Ayurvedic therapies and beauty rituals. Each session aims to help you reach Santosha, that elusive state of inner peace. The open-air jungle yoga shala stays shaded and cool throughout the day. It hosts daily classes and workshops for all levels—whether you’re exploring the foundations or building on an existing practice. Wellness at Lotus is not a performance, it is a soft return to yourself. Whether you’re floating in the palm-lined pool or finding stillness on the mat, every detail is designed to help you reset.
Surfing
The yellow tuk-tuk leaves before dawn. Liam at the wheel, boards stacked. The dawn breeze wakes you up and the playlist sets the mood as you head towards the most promising break. With over twenty surf spots nearby and deep local knowledge, you’re always in the right place for your level and objectives.
Groups are kept intentionally small, giving you the space, support, and individual attention to truly progress. Add to that a drive-by iced coconut on the way back, and you’ve got a coaching experience that feels good, long before you realise how much you improved.
Liam, brings over a decade of experience and an uncanny ability to read both the ocean and his students. Expect to be nudged out of your comfort zone, for your own good.
The magic is in the video analysis. Every session filmed, every wave dissected back at the villa. You see exactly why that bottom turn failed, and precisely when to shift your weight. It’s technical without being overwhelming, honest without being harsh.
Whether you’re learning to pop up or linking turns, you leave Lotus surfing better. Not just feeling better; actually, measurably better.
The People Behind
Liam started teaching surf at just twelve, already dreaming of running his own camp; a place where he and his friends could share the best job in the world. Little did he know it would one day come true… with his mum.
Helen brings decades of experience in health, wellness, nutrition, and hospitality. After her first stay in Sri Lanka, she made the move permanent in 2016. Liam joined a year later, surfing every corner of the south coast (and beyond) until each wave became muscle memory. Together they shaped Lotus around a simple idea: surf and wellbeing can transform the way we move through life.
Their bond sets the tone: familial, supportive, gently transformative. That spirit extends well beyond the villa. Lotus helps reduce plastic in local rivers, provides meals to communities in need, and supports the next generation of Sri Lankan surfers.
Liam and Helen foster a culture of care that feels both rare and real. It’s no surprise so many guests leave feeling like part of the family, and return for the welcome home.
Liam started teaching surf at just twelve, already dreaming of running his own camp; a place where he and his friends could share the best job in the world. Little did he know it would one day come true… with his mum.
Helen brings decades of experience in health, wellness, nutrition, and hospitality. After her first stay in Sri Lanka, she made the move permanent in 2016. Liam joined a year later, surfing every corner of the south coast (and beyond) until each wave became muscle memory. Together they shaped Lotus around a simple idea: surf and wellbeing can transform the way we move through life.
Their bond sets the tone: familial, supportive, gently transformative. That spirit extends well beyond the villa. Lotus helps reduce plastic in local rivers, provides meals to communities in need, and supports the next generation of Sri Lankan surfers.
Liam and Helen foster a culture of care that feels both rare and real. It’s no surprise so many guests leave feeling like part of the family, and return for the welcome home.
Booking
Contact
You can check out their availability here, and contact them directly to book.
email: Book@lotussurfandwellness.com
phone: +94 77 556 5614
Contact
You can check out their availability here, and contact them directly to book.
email: Book@lotussurfandwellness.com
phone: +94 77 556 5614