A team offsite in Varkala works best with a simple shape: surf together in the morning, work through the middle of the day, and give the evening back to the team. Fly everyone into Trivandrum, drive an hour north, and plan for two to five days. Nobody needs to have surfed before, and that turns out to be the point.
Most offsites happen in a hotel conference room that looks like every other conference room. This one happens on a beach, and it changes what people talk about. Here is how to plan it.
Why surfing works for a team
It is not really about the surfing. It is that everyone is equally bad at it on day one. The head of the company and the newest hire fall off the same board in the same whitewater, and by the second morning the org chart has quietly stopped mattering.
A beginner surf lesson is also well suited to a group: a short briefing and warm-up on the sand, then about seventy minutes in chest-deep water over a sandy bottom, with instructors beside everyone. People cheer each other's first wave. That shared, slightly ridiculous experience does more for a team than any exercise involving a blindfold.
Getting the team there
- Fly into Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, TRV), Kerala's capital, which has domestic and international connections (Wikipedia).
- Drive about an hour north to Edava. Airport transfers can be arranged for the whole group.
- Or take the train to Varkala Sivagiri, on the main line between Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam, with around 54 trains stopping daily (Wikipedia).
Our guide on how to reach Varkala covers every option, including the last few kilometres.
When to go
Plan the offsite between October and April. Kerala Tourism's guide to surfing in Varkala puts the surfing season there and calls June to September a high-risk period because of the monsoon. For a team, October and March are good choices: settled weather, fewer tourists, and easier availability than the December and January peak.
A day plan that works
| Time | What |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Surf lesson, timed to the tide (between 06:30 and 09:30) |
| Mid-morning | Kerala breakfast on the rooftop |
| Late morning to afternoon | Work sessions, in the shade, with Wi-Fi |
| Late afternoon | Recovery: an ice bath, a swim, or a walk |
| Sunset | The cliff, or the backwater at Kappil |
| Evening | Dinner together; no laptops |
The morning surf is the anchor. It gets everyone up, outside and laughing before the first meeting, and it means the work sessions start with energy rather than coffee alone.
How long, and how many
Two to five days is the right range. Two days is enough for one proper surf and a strategy session; five gives the team time to improve in the water and to have the slower conversations that offsites are really for.
Group size: our house sleeps fourteen across five private rooms and a four-bed dorm. A team that fills it gets the whole place, rooftop included. For larger groups, we find beds within a few minutes' walk and run the days from the house.
Working while you are there
The offsite still has to produce something, so plan the work part properly:
- Wi-Fi reaches the whole house, rooms included.
- Air-conditioning in every room, which matters by mid-afternoon.
- Shaded tables for working in groups, and the rooftop for anything that needs everyone together.
- Daily housekeeping, so nobody spends the week tidying.
Keep the heavy work to the middle of the day. That is when it is hottest outside anyway, and when the team has already had its morning in the sea.
Food
Breakfast is a Kerala breakfast on the rooftop. For the rest, agree in advance what the house provides and what the team will eat out. Kerala is easy for vegetarians and manageable for most other diets, but tell the kitchen early. One long dinner together, at the house or somewhere with a view on the cliff, is often the evening people remember most. Our food guide lists the places we would take a group.
Safety and wellbeing
- Surf lessons run with an accredited school. The Surfing Federation of India accredits schools on safety, equipment and instructor ratios, and renews it annually.
- Non-swimmers are fine, but should tell the instructors before the lesson.
- Nobody has to surf. Offer yoga, a walk, or a morning off to anyone who would rather not.
- Respect the sea off the lesson. Currents at Edava and Kappil can be strong; nobody swims alone.
Budgeting
Offsite costs here depend on the number of people, the nights, how many surf sessions you include, and how much food the house provides. Rather than a package price, we build each one around the team, so the quote reflects what you actually want. The corporate wellness page explains how it works, and the lessons page shows the published price of a surf session per person, ₹1,500 for a group lesson.
What to tell the team to pack
- Swimwear that stays on in the waves, and a rash vest if they own one (lessons provide them).
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Light, breathable clothes, plus one modest outfit for temple visits.
- A laptop and charger, and an adapter for Indian sockets.
- Any medication, and a note of allergies for the kitchen.
- A light layer for evenings on the rooftop.
Planning checklist
- Fix the dates and headcount.
- Confirm the house and the room allocation.
- Book flights into Trivandrum and arrange transfers.
- Agree the day plan, including how many surf sessions.
- Collect dietary needs.
- Brief the team: what to pack, what is provided, and that nobody has to be good at surfing.
If you are organising a group of friends rather than a company, planning a group surf retreat in Kerala covers the same ground from that angle.
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone on the team have to surf?
No. Surfing is the highlight for most teams, but anyone who would rather not can take a yoga session, a walk along the cliff, or a quiet morning. The point is the shared experience, not a performance review in the water.
What if someone cannot swim?
Beginner lessons happen in water you can stand in, with an instructor beside you and a soft, floating board attached to your ankle. Non-swimmers often take part, but they should tell the instructors before the lesson so they can be placed and watched accordingly.
Can we hold a proper meeting at the house?
Yes. The rooftop and the shaded tables work for group sessions, and Wi-Fi reaches the whole house. For a presentation, bring a laptop and screen-share on a large display if you need one; tell us in advance what you will need.
How far is the nearest airport, and can transfers be arranged?
Trivandrum is the nearest airport, about an hour by road. Airport transfers can be arranged for the whole group, and the train to Varkala Sivagiri is a good alternative for anyone travelling from elsewhere in India.
What is the best length for a team offsite here?
Three nights is a sweet spot: two full days of surf and work, with a relaxed arrival and departure. Two nights works for a short strategy session; four or five gives the team time to improve in the water and switch off properly.