Ashram Surf Retreat - Mantra Surf Club - Surfing India, Mangaluru

Namaste! Welcome to India's original Ashram Surf Retreat.

Welcome to India's original Ashram Surf Retreat. Come and stay with us and experience Indian culture, food, surfing, and all types of adventure sports.

Accommodation Includes

During your stay with us, you will surf local breaks like Baba’s Left and Swami’s. Rides to and from a remote beach on our flat bottom aluminum boat. No crowds, fun waves, friendly people and tasty wholesome vegetarian food. Free wifi too!

If the waves are down, we have a jet ski for wakeboarding, stand up paddle boards ( SUP ) for the river or ocean, sea kayaking, bicycles to ride around the town, even a pontoon boat river ride! We can even take you snorkeling to our local Islands.

Situated in the coastal village of Mulki, Southern Karnataka [30 kilometers north of Mangalore/Mungaluru] at the mouth of the Shambhavi River and the Arabian Sea, the Ashram Surf Retreat offers you a comfortable stay in one of our non-AC or AC guest rooms with a clean [non-commercial] home-style atmosphere.

Also included in the above room rates for our guests (on a daily basis) are two tasty and wholesome Lacto-vegetarian (we use milk products) meals (brunch & dinner), 3 liters of mineral water, and snacks such as fruits and coconuts, tea, coffee, etc. As our guest, we also offer you the complimentary use of our river kayaks and stand up paddling lessons.

Rules of the Ashram

All guests of the Ashram Surf Retreat are requested to follow the rules of the Ashram during their visit —

No Alcoholic Beverages permitted
No Smoking allowed
No drugs of any kind are permitted
No Non-vegetarian food permitted on the premises

You probably have this cultural awareness already because you are visiting India, but something we would like to mention for clarity is that due to the cultural sensitivity in the surrounding town/area (including the Ashram), everyone is required to wear swimming shorts and rash-guard/tee shirt, and to generally dress in a way that respects the local culture.

We also ask our guests to dress moderately here in general. Some tips: Men should avoid heavily sagging boardshorts. Women should avoid miniskirts and ultra-tight or revealing clothes. We are not fanatical at all, just want to respect the culture, try not to stick out like sore thumbs, and keep the harmony here. It took us many years to gain the trust of the locals and we would like to keep it that way.

Also if you are looking for premium quality surf clothing, you will find it right here in Mantra. Rashguards, boardshorts, surf tees, and a lot more available right here at Mantra Surf Club. You can know more about it here

Guests are recommended to bring their personal supply of surf wax (if bringing their own board), sunscreen and other skin care products that they may normally use. These items are otherwise very difficult/impossible to purchase in India.
There are banks and ATM machines in town, about 5 minutes from the Ashram.
There are also Travel Agents located nearby the Ashram where you can make various travel arrangements via air, train, taxi, and bus.
Useful Things You Can Donate - Some surf wax, a leash you don't use, old rash guards that don't fit, or any other surf accessory. It will be greatly appreciated by our team towards helping the young people of our community to learn the art of surf.

Thank you and we hope to be seeing you soon at the Ashram Surf Retreat.

By air: The nearest airport is Mangalore (IXE) which is about 30kms away. We offer - drop and pick up services. Apart from domestic flights, International airlines like Jet Airways, Air India, Indigo, and SpiceJet offer daily flights to Mangalore.

By rail: Trains from Mumbai, Bangalore, Kochi, and Goa ply by Mulki Railway Station which is about 3kms from the surf club.

By road: Air Conditioned (Airavat) and private buses ply regularly from Bangalore, Mysore, Mumbai, Kochi, Chennai, and Hyderabad to Mulki on a daily basis.

Surfing India - Mantra Surf Club

4.8

Based on 372 reviews

Nived Kuriakose

05:05 06 Mar 21

One of the most... amazing places I have visited. The crew in Mantra are very welcoming and they will go out of the way to make sure you are having a great time. Had a lovely time doing the 3 day surfing course with Mantra. The crew are pro surfers and they teach you with almost dedication.read more

Navya Bharadwaj

17:46 01 Mar 21

Mantra Surf club is... one of its kind. The people there are very warm and professional. The crowd, trainers, instructors, Volunteers and guests are so so well spoken and are super friendly. I recommend this place for not just the people who wants to learn surfing and do other activities that they provide , but also to people like me who likes very quiet, peaceful, friendly, laid back vibes. They also offer great work from home friendly packages and have good WiFi. And special mention to the food they serve. Very wholesome, nutritious, healthy and extremely yummy. Definitely makes you want to go back again and again.read more

Raksha V G

17:36 01 Mar 21

Had a wonderful... time at Mantra. The place is brimming with great vibes. Right from kayaking in the backwaters to surfing and camping on the beach, the experience was second to none. The volunteers are super friendly, the instructors are extremely professional and well trained and the ashram itself is very well maintained. Also, special mention to the food they serve. Well balanced, healthy and delicious. Also, one hundred percent value for money! Would definitely love to go back.read more

Preeti Singh

06:10 09 Jan 21

This was my first... attempt at surfing and I must say it was much more than I imagined. I wasn't expecting to start surfing or even be able to get on the board on Day 1. But the trainers here are excellent, their technical skills and the confidence they bring in allowed me to feel fearless while also having fun. They make sure you are safe yet allow you to explore, learn and enjoy the experience. I am definitely going back. My stay was at the club which is clean and hygienic, the hospitality very humbling. Great food, great space and other activities to keep you occupied.read more

Hansraj Khubchandani

09:15 05 Jan 21

All the positive... reviews can be justified by visiting there. I stayed for 2 weeks there. The place has different vibe, I met so many awesome people and countless memories. Will definitely go there again n again. Surfing: - I booked for 10 days intermediate course. However, I felt 7 days was enough for me because I picked surfing quickly. I was catching my own waves in the last 3 days. So no instructors were required but the management made sure that I have one present all the times. - Private beach for surfing is a major plus. - The instructors are professional and a family at the same time. Kayaking n Paddling: - It's included in the accommodation cost for me but I couldn't do it daily. But whenever I wanted to, it was available. Only negatives I had were but that couldn't replace the positives I had at Mantra - Hidden charges for Photographs and cycling. I wasn't aware that It was chargeable. I accepted to pay but even the price wasn't justified. Management should include Cycling in the accommodation charges, just like Kayaking n paddling.read more

Sneha Patil

12:29 04 Jan 21

Mantra is an... amazing place to learn surfing! The people around are friendly and yet professional. I went there along with a few friends but this place is extremely safe and welcoming for solo travellers as well. They make you feel at home. The vibes are positive! Along with surfing lessons they also offer kayaking, stand up paddling and amazing massages. They do offer a bunch more but those are the things we opted for and had an amazing experience.read more

Aishwarya Ashoka

05:46 04 Jan 21

Loved the 7 days I... spent in Mantra, including New years. Learning stand up paddling, kayaking, surfing and slack lining were the highlights. What I was truly impressed with was the space, culture and the vibe this place has. It felt safe and a hell lot of fun. I highly recommend Mantra for anyone who is looking for a experience based vacation or workation. The management, volunteers and instructors work hard to make it all worth it.read more

Ajith Jagadish (Aj)

02:17 03 Jan 21

Perfect place to... learn surfing, the entire crew is professional, friendly and humble. For folks who aren't keen on surfing, this is a must visit place for some active vacation; kayaking, stand-up paddling and quite a few others. Vibes of Mantra attracts great people and hence an amazing place to meet like-minded travelers. Its an ideal place for family, friends and solo travelers.read more

Sagar Narasimha

11:42 25 Nov 20

Mantra surf club is... your place to go for everything peaceful and fun. The food and ambience is detoxifying... The sand and surf is playful and fun. The backwater/estuary is serene and relaxing... The mentors are aussome, friendly, humble and great company to be around. If you are looking to unwind and enjoy the simple life... This is the place to be. Be careful though, Their enthusiasm is contagious... You might come back dreaming of surf boards and SUP boards ☺️ Loved their volunteering program !! Will try and see if I can do that too ☺️☺️read more

Hariher Balasubramanian

12:25 16 Nov 20

Mantra surf club is... a great place for anyone wanting to learn surfing at beginner levels. The surfing experience organized by the team is safe with several well qualified trainers watching your every move while in the water. The team give sport its utmost importance in a manner rarely observed these days. The amenities are of high standard and blend itself into the picture perfect ambience. Boasting breathtaking views & folks high on a great vibe I totally recommend Mantra Surf Club for a good break.read more

Shareen Rodrigues

06:50 09 Nov 20

What an amazing... place to surf, relax and chill. Those four days at Mantra have been few of the best things happened in #2020. With the professional and friendly trainers who stop at nothing to get you on the board and learn surfing and the volunteers and the cute kids who are always smiling and helpful with everything and the homely food, it felt more like home than a vacation. With a bunch of activities to do at Mantra I sure did tick a lot of things off my bucket list. Would definitely want to go back there often and spend more time surfing and just chilling and create more surfing memories. Thank you Mantra :)read more

Sangeetha r.s

18:43 08 Nov 20

Good place to learn... to surf. It’s easier than you think and you can learn it quite fast. They have a lot of other activities like stand up paddling and kayaking etc. Also tried beach camping which was a really beautiful experience they had a campfire and everything. Was lucky enough to see bioluminescent algae in the river too. Would highly recommend. Good value for money etc. Very friendly and helpful staff and volunteers.read more

Golda Ponraj

06:39 07 Nov 20

It’s definitely the... best place to learn Surfing on the West coast with highly skilled and professional Trainers. The place has a very special vibe to it, the staff and volunteers always wear a smile and make you feel at home. The food is simply delicious and nutritious which revives you after a day’s play and learning by the water. Mantra Surf Club knows how to make one fall in love with the waves. Thank you!!read more

kislay pankaj

01:34 04 Nov 20

Mantra is run by a... few very enthusiastic and spiritual people. There is a Surf culture and the love for water in the air. I love that feeling. The staff and volunteers are very very friendly. i stayed there for 2 weeks and the calm atmosphere of the place just detoxed me from all the chaos of the city. The place is very scenic and beautifully placed on the river side with the sea just 5 min away via a boat when you cross the river or via walk to the Mulki beach. I think i have created a personal bond with Mantra and Mulki. (Many good or bad memories.) If you love the water, and love water sports like Surfing, SUP, Kayaking etc. this is the place to be.read more

Bhavana K L

11:05 03 Nov 20

A great place to... learn surfing. The place is tucked away from the main city. It’s beautiful n peaceful. The instructors are very kind, sweet, helpful and patient. This place will make you fall in love with surfing. A tough sport made easy by Mantra surf club. I am definitely going back to surf again!!read more

Jyothirmayi Dakkumalla

05:45 13 Oct 20

Started off from... Bangalore to Mantra surf club thinking that it would be a trip with friends and a new skill to learn but it turned out to be lot more than that. Met interesting people and made new friends. The place is built with passionate trainers and super enthusiastic crew members. Beyond that, it’s a magical place where a sport can be seen as a means to get spiritual and serve purpose to local communities. It’s a surreal experience when u ride one wave after falling hundreds. Camp night at private beach under the full moon is nothing like I have experienced before. Get ready to pushing the limits of ur physical strength n if you are done n dusted, then a beautiful spa experience. Totally Worth it. Cheers.read more

hemalatha kanneganti

05:35 13 Oct 20

Absolutely loved... the experience. The entire crew is passionate about surfing and they made sure that is passed on during the sessions. The other activities like kayaking and stand up paddling in the back waters during the sunset are memorable experiences. Added bonus is that the club is conscious towards the environment and it reflects in how they use the beach. Looking forward to go back soon.read more

Ranjith J N

05:17 13 Oct 20

Lovely place and an... amazing experience to cherish. Felt so close to the waters at the Mantra surfing club and never thought surfing is this easily accessible in India, thanks to the foundation and the ever energetic team members. Had a wonderful time surfing, kayaking, paddling and not to forget swimming in the backwater and the private beach. Thanks to the crew members for making it such a calm and cool experience.read more

srabani duttaroy

08:09 06 Oct 20

I stayed at Mantra... surf club for 9 days and took the 7 day surf lessons course. To have a facility like theirs and the extremely skilled and patient instructors right here in Namma Karnataka is such a blessing. Situated in the pristine western ghats, right on the banks of Shambhavi river makes this ashram (Yes, it's an ashram and not a general resort; such a delight) so full of positive vibes. As if not enough, all the coaches and inmates are extremely hospitable and warm people. I forgot that they were strangers to me at any point of time. Neat and well maintained property, gives a worship/ spiritual environment. The amount of involvement and dedication shown by the coaches (Jayraj & Sham) during the surf lessons was truly amazing. You can feel their passion towards the sport in every session. There are local kids all of 17 years and younger who are being mentored here to no less than perfection, that they also pass up as assistant coaches😀 (Selva, Praveen and Subbu to mention a few). Watch out for them; watching them on the waves is a learning in itself. Not surprising at all, they are International Surfing Association accredited surfers. Not only do they teach and make sure you progress day by day, they have such a beautiful feedback loop albeit being informal that there is no way that you can escape getting pulled into taking the sport to heart. What more, they have a truly private beach to teach ... Yes they are that serious and passionate. Wait, that's not it. They CLEAN and MAINTAIN their own beach. Like seriously, who goes this length. The surf lessons are conducted in the morning in the most professional way akin to only professional sports (think National cricket team coaching). A proper warm up session, briefing and debriefing of safety measures and theoritical nuances, surf stance practice on land are conducted in the most sincere way before you are 'allowed' to hit the waters. And all of these are preceded by right nutrition in form of a sumptuous dose of fruits. Post session get ready to treat your taste buds and obviously increased appetite with the most delicious sattvik food that you have probably ever tasted. Rest up, laze around, read a book or work if you must (wifi is pretty seamless, my WFH schedule went pretty smooth). The view of the river and the breezy coconut trees gives one the ultimate peaceful environment. The sunset is no less than dramatic. Enjoy the sunset right from the beach or go kayaking or stand-up paddling in the river. That's meditation right there. The calm is unfathomable. End of day is no less thoughtful. The variety of salads and juices on the table do make for the best recovery you need before you hit the comfortable neat bed and give your body the most needed goodnight's rest before you rough it out again in the ocean next morning. Watch out though! This place and its charm & calm can be quite addictive. Hit me up if you didn't tear up while leaving the place. My bags were really heavy when I started my return journey from Mantra Surf club (a.k.a home) with the enormous amount of memories, emotions, warmth that I carried back from the ashram. Peace!read more

Suyash Kumar Thakur

13:00 09 Sep 20

I had a really good... time at Mantra surf club, the hosts are just amazing and even if you don't find waves on somedays there are a lot of activities to do, SUP, Cycling, Kayaking, Night Camping, each one has very unique touch which is hard to find elsewhere. I saw that all guests were taken care of well and were treated as became a member of the small family. The food was brilliant and the evening arti was soothing. To top it all you will get to meet some amazing people and will have a great time. Looking forward to visiting again. Thank you for the hospitality.read more

Mitesh Jadav

06:45 09 Sep 20

Wat a wonderful... place... amazing experience... very cooperative people to explain about the sport...who enthusiastic about surfing must visit this place once...... perfect combination of spiritual and sports experience one can find here... true calmness of mind and rejuvenat one can get here.read more

Dhruva Vishwanath

17:43 07 Sep 20

Such a beautiful... place which is on the river front with beautiful views, their own private beach where they teach you how to surf! Evenings are amazing to kayak or stand up paddle on the river. The crew are certified surf trainers and so much fun! Overall amazing vibes! (Love that they are environmentally conscious as well)read more

Yash Chandalia

16:47 07 Sep 20

Mantra Surf Club is... a great place for a relaxed outing with a lot of fun activities packed in. The place is beautifully designed and maintained and makes you feel at home instantly. A big reason for this is also the folks running this place! Great food and overall vibe - would recommend everyone to take out some time and visit this place with your friends!read more

Satish Uttareshwar

16:24 07 Sep 20

Mantra club is... awesome place to cherish from your busy routine which offers variety of water sports.Surfing is popular water sport and Mantra club offers best coaching with guided safety and personal attention to learners which makes it awesome place.Coaches are very friendly & nice in nature and every member of Mantra club is a person to learn something. I visit 3-4 times a year for Surf session and what are you waiting for, go ahead and book the sessions🤗read more

vishal v

16:02 07 Sep 20

It is a most... beautiful place in India and has good vibes to have fun with your loved onesread more

datta hv

07:25 31 Aug 20

My first time... Surfing and it was an amazing experience. The location and the surfing spot is so pristine. In addition to that, the Surfing instructors are very patient, they clearly explain all aspects of Surfing and are considerate. I strongly recommend Mantra Surf Club for Surfing Experience, especially for beginners.read more

Vinayak Puthran

04:46 31 Aug 20

So 6 of us from... Bangalore drove down to Mangalore this last weekend. We were looking up stuff to do there and Mantra popped up. We decided to go surfing since none of us had tried it before. I must say that the experience was just fabulous. Beyond my expectations. First of all the sheer fun of surfing and add to that the professionalism, preparation, applicability and extremely friendly attitude of the instructors, made the experience unforgettable! We had initially planned to go surfing only Saturday morning but we ended up having so much fun that we went surfing on Sunday as well. A HUGE shout out to Mantra and all their staff. This is a MUST DO activity with them, whenever you visit Mangalore.read more

Sahana Arvind

04:39 31 Aug 20

It was a 2 day... affair for my friends and I. The instructors - Dhruv, Jay, Arjun - were really patient and simple with their teaching methods. We were able to ace surfing at an amateur level in just two days. Definitely going back to learn more from these amazing folk at Mantra.read more

Joffy Cyriac

06:18 29 Feb 20

Mantra surf club... was so much fun!!! And I'm definitely going again. I met some amazing people here who truly celebrated surfing and life. The entire experience was so rewarding for me and I spent so much time in the water that my body aches and my face got sunburned but I just kept going again and again to catch the next wave. For someone who's seen surfing in English movies and thought it was not something I would ever, it was truly a crazy experience. The food they serve is healthy and very tasty. And I kept going back for multiple sservings. You can also do Kayaking, stand up paddle. And the highlight of the trip for me was the Bioluminescence I saw there. One has to really see it to see the magnificent neon blue water! Pro tip- carry the right sunscreen or you can even purchase it thereread more

Dhanush Sharma

16:35 27 Feb 20

Mantra Surf Club -... The place that made me discover and fall in love with the surf culture in India. If you want to give surfing a shot whether as a bucket list item or as something that you want to put more effort into and get good at, Mantra surf club is the place to do it. Located on the banks of River Shambhavi, the surf lessons are held at a private beach that is 5 minutes away. The boat ride to the beach from the Ashram defintely amps up your excitement leading up to the surf lessons. The coaches are extremely friendly and competent and know how to guage your fitness and tailor your lessons from the selection of the board to the level of intensity of the feedback during the lessons. The Ashram also provides the most delicious Satvik food, twice a day that tastes incredible especially after the surf sessions. My go to spot for surfing!read more

Ashish Saini

14:26 27 Feb 20

I Went to this... place to learn surfing as a beginner in Feb 2020. My expectations of the place was to just learn basics of surfing and try my hands at it. However, the place exceeded my expectations and had much more to offer than just surfing. The coach and team are just phenomenal when it comes to teaching how to surf. Their ability to break down surfing strategically into paddling, popping up and balancing is just inpeccable and makes you learn very fast. Apart from surfing, they will make you feel homely and will feed you as if it is your own home. The trainers are super friendly and helpful. They also offer Kayaking and Standup paddle which is equally fun. They also took us to witness bio luminous micro-organisms in night which was purely magical. Evening cricket games with everyone was a great addition to the whole experience. Already planning when to visit the place next.read more

Shreyas Anchan

17:44 16 Feb 20

If you are looking... to spend a perfect holiday this is the place. This place provide great amount of activities like Surfing, Kayaking, SUP, Cycling, Yogi, Beach Camping, Jet ski, Boat Rides and many more to mention, They have a wonderful vibes in the place with great team who are always helpful and friendly. Coming to Food, it's the best food you will ever have, they serve Pure Veg food which is healthy and yummy, if you are a big fan of non- veg, you will definitely forget about it for the days you are staying here. I highly recommend this place because this guys are professional in what they do which is very important. I will give you full asurety that you will definitely enjoy staying and doing all the activities. Last thing to add on is (this place is safe for any kind of travelers, it maybe Solo, girls, kids , etc. This is the place to visit.read more

Jaimini Hegde

08:52 03 Jan 20

This place is... situated on the back waters and is magical in its own way. This place stands out for its location, people who manage it and the activities they offer and food. I learnt to ride waves here and this has been an awesome experience. The instructors are friendly and fun surfers. If you are looking for a getaway with an added adventure, do visit this place. I promise this would be an experience you would cherish your lifetime. I had a great time here and would visit this place very often. Many thanks to the lovely team, who made my experience so special!! KUDOS you guys :)read more

Srikanth Acharya

02:51 01 Jan 20

Mantra Surf Club is... truly magical place. We've tried our hand at s casual surfing at a few other places. We signed up for a 3 day course and we loved it. The instructors, the place, the beach, the backwaters, everything! We were able to ride reasonably well at the end of it. Even if you don't want to surf, we strongly recommend visiting this place for a kayak ride on the backwater and a walk on this almost-private beach. The beach is like a small island and the only way to get there is by boat/kayak. As a bonus, we got to camp overnight on the beach on new year's night! What a way to welcome the new year...read more

Mitesh palrecha

08:25 18 Oct 19

I stayed here for 6... days, it was my best birthday holiday, the volunteers here are very friendly always there to help you. The location is great, serene beach, best surfing school in India. Special mention the food here is the best, healthy pure vegetarian, it was totally worth it. I going back to this place for sure. Away from city, so close to nature, good vibes only all the time. The surf instructors are great I could catch the wave on my first itself. They have a nice surf wear collection at the ashram.read more

Next Reviews

Namaste! Welcome to India's original Ashram Surf Retreat.

Standard Room

Semi Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

Accommodation Includes

High-Speed Wifi

Meals

Hot water

Parking

Refreshments

Activities

We invite you all to come and stay with us and experience Indian culture, food, yoga, surfing, and all types of adventure sports.