1. The swamis at Mulki in Karnataka, in southern India, are offering a heady combination of tropical sea, fun surfable waves, a warm welcome and the chance of a detox at their ashram surf retreat. The fusion of surfing and yoga (so, vegetarian food and no smoking or drinking) has lured me to visit more than once and befriend many of the disciples. It has six bedrooms, and operates like a normal ashram.
So taken was I by their way of life and their generous hospitality that this winter I'm attempting my own version down in Kerala, near Varkala, in the form of the Soul & Surf House (soulandsurf.com; £200pp per week; yoga £5 per class; surf boards £7.50 per day), which we're due to open in mid-October. We'll offer homestay-style accommodation in our own home, surfing, beach bonfires and sunset yoga.