Layback Surf Camp & Yoga Retreat Sri Lanka

I had an incredible experience with all the lovely folks at Layback Hostel and Surf Camp in Weligama. I started the week a complete beginner and ended feeling comfortable in the water and confident catching waves on my own thanks to the team's teaching and guidance. The accommodations were very nice and the meals provided as part of the surf camp were authentic and SO delicious! By the end of the week I felt like a small but close community had been created with the surf instructors, the hostel staff, and the other camp participants. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn how to surf in Sri Lanka!!

Arrived for one night, stayed for 15! Made the best friends, have the best memories and enjoyed every single moment staying at Layback. Linda and Thilina are the best hosts around - I can't wait to stay again in the future

I found this place couple of days before I fly back home. And this place was amazing! Rooms were nice and cool with beautiful decor, surf lessons were great, the place felt so cosy and staff was super nice. Would definitely go again! I had a great time in Weligama

Layback gave me a super comfortable and nice stay. Linda was always there to help out anywhere were needed. They create fun family dinners and the rooms have aircon - which is a nice luxury. The atmosphere is good and would love to go back when i get there.

There are so many reasons why I love Layback. The hot water in the shower was so great and the kitchen is equipped with everything you need to make a smoothie or cook dinner. They even have free drinking water for the guests. The yoga sessions with Reneé on the balcony were wonderful and the staff all very friendly and helpful. Would recommend Layback for anyone who wants a quiet and homey environment during their stay in Weligama.

Good place with potential to be great. Good size and facilities, a little away from the main area but only 7/10min walk. Dorms are big and have a locker each. Was clean and had good beds. I was in the hostel and as they are mainly a surf camp, I felt rather on the outside and not included within their vibe. For example they had a welcome meal on my first night which I wasn’t aware of/invited to and when I returned to the hostel it was completely deserted. Main thing there was no security - like the Marie Celeste of hostels. Same again on Christmas Day - it would have been nice to have been included or at least made aware of their surf camp but not hostel wide meal Manager Lynda was lovely but the owner who checked me in didn’t provide any details about the place which would have made my stay much better - I thought he was the porter. The price point of $12 per night I felt was high in comparison to others in the market, especially as no breakfast was included. If you are on the camp, you’ll have a great time. Not sure I’d recommend as a stand-alone hostel

Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value After a month of R&D me n my husband came across Layback. Our major concern was to have a lifetime experience with surfing and we were glad that we chose Layback. Linda was the person we first interacted with. She is a beautiful person in and out, She answered all my queries so positively n effectively and her response time was real quick. We came for surfing session in the month of February'19. Me and my husband had an extremely incredible n memorable time at Layback. This place is beautiful, room n washroom were very clean n tidy, the stay was super comfortable. access to kitchen was also very comfortable, it was equipped with almost all the necessary things. The entire staff is very good n nice, you'll always see them smiling n welcoming. Thilina was our instructor for the surfing sessions. Extremely polite, sensible, calm and a very gentle person. All thanks to him and his team for making our surf lessons memorable n worth. Me n my husband were able to surf within 2 days only😁 Overall, we had a wonderful time and I still recall the wonderful days that we spent in Layback. Linda I have found a wonderful friend in you❤️ and looking forward to see you soon. They also offer photo/video shoot while surf lessons, which again was very exciting. We are yet to receive our surf photos, excited to see them, eagerly waiting!☺️

We‘ve spent two nights in the 8-bed dorm of Layback Hostel and were positively surprised about how big and neat the room was. The beds are super-comfortable and there is a little terrace just above the room which I found very nice. Linda from the hostel was very helpful in every situation and always made great effort to make sure we had everything we needed. It was lovely! I would definitely book it again.

My girlfriend and I stayed here in a private room for 6 nights and did surf lessons through the hostel each day. We had an awesome time at layback. The hostel is very relaxed and surf instructors were great. The location is perfect as it is tucked away but still close to everything you need. Definitely recommend.

Definitely, one of the best places in Sri Lanka. It was our first surf camp in a life and now I am sure that it was not the last one. Thilina and his guys gave us very productive lessons, they made us love surfing and it's cool. Thilina is also very charming and positive man, who will make you forget all your troubles and start being more happy and relaxed. Our private room was spacious enough and comfortable, it is very basic, despite the fact that it is very basic. I will give just a few recommendations to the owners: 1. It would be better to clean up the room and mop a floor in a common area more often. 2. Make room lights brighter 🔆, it was dim light.

Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value My boyfriend and I had planned to stay one week at Layback and then travel around the island. But then something happened: we loved the place so much and specially the people, that we didn't want to leave! So one week became two... And it would have been three if they weren't fully booked. The atmosphere was great. Hostel owners Thilina and Linda are amazing people who spared no effort to make everyone feel home. They are very welcoming, friendly, and communicative (in the right measure, so one never feels overwhelmed). We cherished the interaction with both of them and the other guests very much! It felt like being part of a family. Thilina's father would sometimes cook dinner for the hostel guests. We joined about 4 or 5 dinners. We liked so much that we wanted to learn how to cook some traditional Sri Lankan food, so Thilina organized a cooking class for us with his mom. We don't have words to describe how tasty it was! And how fun was to cook with her! We took surf lessons with Thilina who is a great surf instructor. We had a blast every time we were in the water with him! Chuti and Sameer (two kids who are being sponsored by Layback) would sometimes join to either help Thilina with the lessons or just surf and hang out with us. These little two are extremely talented surfers and great kids! The hostel and our room were very clean, neat and comfortable. We have no complaints whatsoever. On top of that: the boys who help with the cleaning and hostel errands were always ready to help and with a smile on their faces. The hostel has a shared kitchen with enough amenities and gadgets one needs to cook. Also organized and clean. Of course you have to mark your food, or it will be eaten by others ;) We recommend Layback without any reservations. And we are definitely coming back next season!