Nature Bliss retreat, Castara eco lodges, Tobago, 3rd-10th October 2025

Nature bliss yoga retreat, inspired by the Caribbean Sea, has been curated for you to connect with the rhythms of nature and create spaciousness in your body and mind, restoring a sense of balance and calm. Curated by yoga teacher, Professor of Education and Environment and marine scientist, Leanne Hepburn, alongside Travel Editor of Women’s Health magazine and yogi, Amanda Statham. This retreat offers sunrise and sunset yoga on a lush hillside above Castara Bay, delicious, nourishing food, nature writing and a marine adventure along Tobago’s stunning coastline, recently named a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

VENUE

A unique eco hideaway set in lush hillside above the golden sands of Castara Bay on the northwest coast of Tobago, a stay at Castara Retreats is your chance to step out the stresses and strains of modern life and truly relax. From the moment you arrive a feeling of peace and contentment settles. It’s a no news, no shoes kind of place, where hens wander freely, hammocks are slung above terraces and you can go to breakfast barefoot. For more detail visit their website here: https://castararetreats.com/

YOGA

Vinyasa inspired yoga will take place twice-daily on an open-sided wooden deck built high on a hillside at the top of the hotel’s two-acre gardens. Its vast view spans the village, sea and sky and gives the feeling you’re a part of the forest canopy along with the hummingbirds and lizards. Led by Leanne Hepburn, classes are inspired by the ocean and nature. Castara’s tranquil surroundings provide a unique sense of place and Leanne’s yoga is deeply nourishing with an emphasis on creating space in your body and in your mind through yoga, pranayama and meditation.

“Leanne is an incredible teacher, she is authentic and embodied in her practice. She combines technical expertise on how to understand the benefits of yoga, the adjustments for your body and she also brings a deep spiritual understanding and knowledge of Sanskrit language to create completely unique classes which are truly from the heart.”

There will also be an additional workshop with Castara’s well-being manager, Judha, and a local Kundalini yoga expert.

ACCOMMODATION

Castara Retreat’s 16 rustic treehouse-esque cottages melt into the landscape, are crafted from local timber and come with verandas, lounges and dinky open-air kitchens. Interiors are simple, with just a few local artworks, four-poster beds draped with white mosquito nets, lamps, coffee tables, books and comfortable rattan furniture - no TVs, no phones, no worries.

“Some views you can never tire of and the one from my veranda overlooking Castara Bay, is among them. At sunrise, giant frigatebirds swoop over the azure calm of the Caribbean sea, while yellow-breasted bananaquits hustle for space on the hanging bamboo birdtable; in the hazy afternoon heat, fishermen reel nets onto the pretty curve of golden sand, selling their catch straight from the boats; by night, fireflies glow, distant lights twinkle, the moon sparkles on the water. And all around the cloak of rainforest tumbles down the hillside to the coast, hugging the village, buzzing with the sounds of nature.”
Jane Dunford, The Guardian

YOUR HOSTS

Leanne and Amanda met some years ago whilst doing their original yoga teacher training and have run successful retreats together in Greece and Morrocco. Our philosophy for retreats is all about balance, community, nature!

FOOD

Modern Caribbean cuisine ticks all the current nutrition buzz words: fresh, local, seasonal, sustainable and beautifully presented. We’ll eat breakfast and dinner communally at the hotel’s open-sided Caribbean Kitchen restaurant, with panoramic views of the ocean and rainforest. Expect menus to include delicious dishes like breakfast fruit chia bowls and handmade Tobagan chocolate desserts. There are also local restaurants within walking distance, such as The Boat House at Little Bay.

NEED TO KNOW

The average temperature in Tobago in October is around 27˚C.

British Airways flies from Gatwick to Tobago (via a short stop at St Lucia) every Friday. Virgin Atlantic operates flights from London Heathrow to Tobago via Barbados, where you’ll have a stopover before changing to a Caribbean Airlines flight to Tobago (or why not extend your holiday and stay for a few days!). For more choice, book a flight to the neighbouring island of Trinidad - British Airways runs direct flights from London Gatwick to Piarco International Airport in the Port of Spain. From there, it’s just a 25-minute flight to Tobago with Caribbean Airlines, or a ferry ride away.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE

Everything optional – this is YOUR retreat!

7 x nights’ accommodation in a shared treehouse cottage

7 x breakfasts

7 x evening meals

6 x morning yoga

6 x afternoon yoga

2 x nature writing sessions

1 x Full-day Boat trip, snorkelling, BBQ

1 x Group waterfall hike and bathing

Airport transfers

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Return flights

Lunches (the cottages have kitchenettes and there is a small supermarket in the village where you can buy lunch items, plus there is also the hotel restaurant and local dining spots.

Travel Insurance (please ensure you have your own travel insurance)