Yoga & Surf Retreat
The Ocean
Within
Retreat
A small container for women to surf, move, breathe, connect and grow, with the ocean as our teacher.
A small container for women to surf, move, breathe, connect and grow, with the ocean as our teacher.
“Come for the ocean. Come for yourself. Come for the sisterhood.”
This retreat is a little invitation to step away from the everyday, come closer to yourself and spend a week surrounded by ocean, movement and women who are ready to grow together.
We’re keeping this container intentionally small — only 8 women — so there is space to really see each other, support each other and create a genuine sense of community.
You don’t need to be an experienced surfer. Beginners and intermediate surfers are both very welcome.
The Ocean Within is a week about building trust — in your body, in the ocean and in yourself.
Amila will guide the surf journey with the same care and expertise that helped Nadine personally grow so much in her own surfing. Together with daily yoga and breathwork, we’ll prepare the body and mind for the water, build confidence and gently move beyond our comfort zones.
Our intention is to create a safe space where every woman feels seen and supported — a place where we can celebrate small wins, laugh, challenge ourselves, open our hearts and leave with more trust in what we are capable of.
Professional surf coaching for beginner & intermediate surfers, surf equipment, technique and progression.
Practices to prepare the body and nervous system for the ocean, build awareness and integrate the day.
A cacao ceremony with Sri Lankan cacao, plus a special sunset / bonfire cacao experience.
Opening and closing circles, sharing spaces and plenty of time to simply be together.
A beautiful shared dinner at Amila’s mother’s home and time to experience the local culture.
The exact schedule will flow with the ocean, surf conditions and the energy of the group.
Maybe you come with your best friend. Maybe you come on your own and meet her here. The Ocean Within is a space for real connection — for friendships that feel safe, honest and easy, and for being able to show up exactly as you are without having to perform, impress or have it all together.
We’ll share slow mornings, salty skin, long breakfasts, big laughs and conversations that stay with you. We’ll cheer each other on in the waves, hold space when things feel tender and celebrate the little wins together. There is no pressure to be the best surfer, the most flexible in the room or the most adventurous one.
Come for the ocean
Come for yourself
Come for the sisterhood
And maybe leave with friendships that last far beyond these seven days.
A women-centered retreat welcoming all FLINTA* people.
A private beachfront villa in Weligama, South Sri Lanka with a pool, palm trees and the ocean right outside. One place to slow down, wake up barefoot and come home salty from the waves — plus a few of our favourite local spots, hidden corners and insider experiences along the way.
I met Amila in Sri Lanka, and he quickly became someone I really trusted in the water. He helped me progress so much in my own surfing, always encouraging me to try a little more, while making me feel safe and supported.
Amila, also known as Sudda, is a Top 10 competitive surfer in Sri Lanka and a proud member of the Sri Lankan National Team. He’s been surfing since he was 8, has over 7 years of teaching experience and is ISA certified.
But beyond all the titles, he’s someone who genuinely loves the ocean and loves sharing it with others. He knows these waves, this place and the local surf community like home — and I’m so excited for you to experience Sri Lanka through his eyes.
I’ve been surfing for many years, and Sri Lanka has become a place that feels a little like home to me. It’s also where I did my first yoga teacher training and where my two worlds really started to come together. My practice is rooted in Jivamukti Yoga, Vinyasa, breathwork, sound and cacao woven into the way I teach.
When I met Amila, I was still carrying a lot of fear around open water. He met me exactly where I was and helped me build confidence step by step until I was paddling out on my own and catching waves by the end of my trip.
We became friends along the way, and I ended up sending so many people his way because I was genuinely so happy with my experience. Apparently, I also made quite a few friends in the water — Amila once called me a social butterfly after a surf session.
And I think that says a lot about what surfing has become for me: not just overcoming fear, but sharing waves, cheering each other on and connecting. That’s what I want to share with you.
Please note: surf sessions and parts of the schedule may shift depending on ocean and weather conditions. The ocean leads the rhythm of the week.
All prices are in USD. Flights are not included. See Booking & Legal for the full terms.
Or write to us directly: N.hochwieser@icloud.com
By booking you accept our booking & cancellation terms.
If you feel a little yes in your body, send us a message. We’d love to hear from you and see if this retreat feels like the right space for you.
Once your spot is confirmed, we’ll add you to our Ocean Within WhatsApp group — so you can start connecting with the other women before we even land in Sri Lanka.
With love,
Nadine & Amila
No. Beginners and intermediate surfers are both very welcome — Amila coaches every level, and the whole week is built so you can progress at your own pace.
Yes, absolutely — many women do. That’s a big part of what this retreat is for. You’ll be one of only 8 women, so you’ll know everyone by day two.
A 500 USD deposit secures your spot when you book. The remaining balance is due 60 days before arrival. You can pay by bank transfer, PayPal or Wise.
More than 60 days before arrival, you lose your 500 USD deposit and get the rest back. Between 59 and 30 days, 50% of the total price is charged. Inside 30 days, or if you don’t show up, the full price applies. Full details in Booking & Legal below.
We run with a minimum of 5 women. If we don’t reach that, we’ll let you know by 60 days before arrival (the same point your balance would be due) and refund everything you’ve paid.
It’s not required, but we really recommend it — something covering surfing and water sports. Healthcare for visitors in Sri Lanka is paid out of pocket, so it’s worth the peace of mind.
Yes, you need to be 18 or older to join. This is a women-centered retreat welcoming all FLINTA* people.
Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you arrange yourself online before you fly. Check the current requirements for your nationality in good time before booking flights.
Your flights to Sri Lanka, travel insurance, personal expenses and any activities outside the retreat program. Everything else — stay, meals, surf, yoga, cacao and more — is covered. Full list under The Investment.
Your booking request is made via our booking form. Once we confirm your spot in writing by e-mail, the booking becomes binding for both sides.
Early Bird: 1,850 USD per person. Regular: 2,050 USD per person. Late Bird: 2,250 USD per person. All prices are in USD and cover everything listed under “Your Retreat Includes”.
| Deposit on booking | 500 USD |
| Remaining balance due | 60 days before arrival |
Payment by bank transfer, PayPal or Wise. Bank fees and currency conversion costs are borne by the participant.
You may cancel your participation at any time before the start of the retreat. Cancellation must be sent in writing to N.hochwieser@icloud.com. The date we receive your e-mail is the date that counts. The following cancellation fees apply:
| More than 60 days before arrival | 500 USD deposit retained, rest refunded |
| 59–30 days before arrival | 50% of total price |
| Less than 30 days / no-show | 100% of total price |
You are always free to prove that we incurred no loss, or a significantly lower loss, than the flat rate above.
You may pass your booking to another person who meets the conditions of participation, up to 14 days before arrival. Any additional costs arising from the transfer will be charged to you.
If you arrive late, leave early or do not use individual services, no refund can be given.
Travel cancellation insurance and travel health insurance (including coverage for surfing and water sports) are not required to join, but we warmly recommend taking them out as soon as you book.
The retreat takes place with a minimum of 5 participants. If this number is not reached, we may cancel up to 60 days before arrival (in line with our payment schedule, so no participant is left having paid a balance for a retreat that won’t happen). In that case you receive a full refund of all payments made. Further claims are excluded.
If the retreat cannot take place due to unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances beyond our control (for example natural disasters, epidemics, political unrest, official travel warnings), we may cancel. You receive a refund of all payments made, minus costs already unavoidably incurred by third parties, or the option of an alternative date where possible.
Weather, ocean and swell conditions decide what is safe. We reserve the right to adapt or replace the surf, yoga and excursion programme, and to change individual service providers, as long as the overall character and value of the retreat is preserved. Such changes are not grounds for a price reduction.
This is a women-centered retreat welcoming all FLINTA* people. Minimum age 18 years. You do not need previous surf or yoga experience, but you must be able to swim confidently in open water.
Surfing, yoga and ocean swimming carry inherent risks of injury. You take part at your own risk and are responsible for assessing your own physical and mental fitness. Please inform us before arrival of any illness, injury, pregnancy, medication or dietary requirement relevant to your participation.
Instructions given by our guides and instructors, especially in and around the water, must be followed. We may exclude participants from individual activities if safety requires it, without refund.
Travel health insurance covering water sports is not a condition of participation, but we strongly recommend it — surfing and open-water swimming carry real risks, and Sri Lankan healthcare for international visitors is typically paid out of pocket.
We are liable without limitation for damages caused intentionally or by gross negligence, and for injury to life, body or health. For all other cases of ordinary negligence — for example property or financial damage — our liability is excluded. We are not liable for the acts of independent third-party providers (for example airlines, taxi and excursion providers), for loss of personal belongings, or for damage caused by the participant’s own conduct.
Please treat the villa, its staff, the local community and the ocean with respect. Behaviour that seriously disturbs the group or endangers others may lead to exclusion from the retreat without refund.
We take photos and video during the retreat, including surf video analysis. Footage may be used for our own communication and social media. You can withdraw your consent for public use at any time, before, during or after the retreat, by telling us in writing — there is no disadvantage to you in doing so.
Please ask before posting photos or videos of other participants.
We process the personal data you give us in the booking form (name, contact details, date of birth, health and dietary information, emergency contact) only to organise and carry out the retreat, on the basis of Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR. Health information is processed on the basis of your explicit consent, Art. 9(2)(a) GDPR.
Your data is shared with the accommodation, the surf school and instructors only as far as necessary. It is kept for as long as required by law and then deleted.
You have the right to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, data portability and objection, and the right to complain to a supervisory authority.
The booking form is hosted by Google (Google Forms). Data submitted there is processed on Google’s servers, which may involve transfer outside the EU. [Check whether you want this, or use an EU-based form provider instead.]
Controller: Nadine Hochwieser, Schönstraße 25, 13086 Berlin, Germany — N.hochwieser@icloud.com
Responsible for content according to §5 DDG / §18 MStV:
Nadine Hochwieser
Schönstraße 25
13086 Berlin, Germany
E-mail: N.hochwieser@icloud.com
Phone: +49 174 218 9864
Tax number: 31/348/01983
German law applies. We don’t stipulate a place of jurisdiction — as a consumer, you can always bring a claim at your own place of residence.
We are not obliged and not willing to take part in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.