YOGA

Vinyasa inspired yoga will take place in the mornings on an open-sided wooden deck built high on a hillside at the top of the hotel’s two-acre gardens. In the afternoons we will soften into stillness with gentle yoga, meditation and pranayama, drawing inspiration from the rainforest and the Ocean. The yoga deck has a vast view which 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 a local Kundalini yoga expert.

ACCOMMODATION

Castara Retreat’s 17 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, Morocco and Tobago. Our philosophy for retreats is all about balance, community, nature!

Leanne is marine biologist, yoga teacher, and founder of Blue Alchemy Academy. She blends over two decades of ocean science and education with embodied wellbeing practices. Her retreats are immersive journeys of reconnection - bridging yoga, breathwork, and ecology to help people feel well and act kindly for the planet.

“My intention is simple: to help you remember that you are nature and everything you need is already within you.”

TYPICAL DAY

07:00 – 09.00 Ocean view open air pavilion - Yoga asana, pranayama, meditation

09:15 - 10:30 Ocean view breakfast

10:30- 16.30 Rest, hammock naps, nature walks, beach life, sea swimming or a massage with one of the on-site therapists, nutrition. Caribbean Kitchen is open for lunch every day from 12pm to 3pm

17:00 – 18.00 Pranayama, gentle yoga, meditation           

18:30  Table will be ready for dinner, come and enjoy a drink and watch the sunset

19:00  Two course delicious Caribbean cuisine

20:30 – friendship on the beach, free time

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/pranayama/meditation

1 x Ocean advocacy training

2 x Nature writing sessions

1x Regenerative tourism workshop

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)

ACTIVITIES (booked through the hotel)

Rainforest tours

Horseriding

Chocolate estate tour

Massages at Castara Retreats

Birdwatching with guide Newton George

Scuba diving

Island tour

Paddleboarding

INVESTMENT

Shared room (twin): EARLY BIRD: £1795 FULL INVESTMENT FROM 2026: £2195

Single occupancy room: available on request at additional cost

Payment plan available: Deposit to secure place: £250

Deposit: £250 (non-refundable) to secure your place - Paypal link below.

Limited spaces available

Testimonials from Tobago 2025

‘Honestly, the yoga and experience has been life changing. I’ve been on previous retreats and have enjoyed some classes, and found others too fast and alienating. Leanne, you are a wonderful teacher and you have helped me to not just ‘get’ yoga, but also love it, and feel the difference and has made and hopefully, will continue to make to me. You communicate so clearly, but also so beautifully, with such carefully chosen words, and natural warmth and empathy. Thank you.’ Catherine.

‘The yoga was beautiful! Extremely special to be practising on that deck, looking across the rainforest/beach/ocean, whilst listening to the ocean breath classes which were brilliantly linked to the sea. Felt like I could really feel the ocean.’ Cara

‘Outstanding. What a programme you provided us with. There was so much thought and preparation that had gone into it. Thank you so much for that. I do think that my practice has improved as the week has gone on. I feel stronger in some ways and definitely felt more connected to my practice. I really felt that this morning on the last session. I felt very emotional and grateful to you both.’ Bev

‘Very appreciative of the excellent yoga. Feel very privileged to be have such thoughtfully and well planned yoga. I feel my practice has improved greatly because of this. Could not ask for a better teacher or venue.’ Sharon

Castara Retreats as a venue for our retreat

‘I have travelled quite a lot and I have never been anywhere quite like this. I loved everything about it. I appreciated the space in our accommodation. It was fabulous to have a variety of areas to relax in. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen facilities, excellent. We liked having the ability to make a pot of tea and sit overlooking the view and watching the birds. The shower didn’t have a lot of power but I realise that there is a reason behind this (we stayed in River Breeze, one of the designated areas in case of electrical blackout). All of the staff were delightful, helpful and cheery. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.’

‘Perfection! Beautiful building, with character and comfort. Had everything I needed while retaining the local aesthetic and charm. Bed and bedding helped with good sleep; also A/C and fan. Felt very privileged to have been allocated such a premium space. 💚 Outside of Rainforest, Castara Retreats is heavenly. I love the elevation and the views of the sea, rainforest and sky it gives. Beautiful gardens, plants, wildlife and most importantly, people. Loved the regenerative workshop and felt even more connected to the landscape and people afterwards.’

Food

‘Again, perfect! Healthy, fresh, local, provided by lovely people. Dining space and bar beautifully designed and created. Love the menu and the details about locally and seasonally sourced food. Breakfast granola was delicious every day, and the array of dishes that followed were great too. Evening meals were maybe slightly ‘heartier’ than I always wanted - feel like UL autumn food compared to the more summery lunchtime menu options - but all were delicious and I ate everything, every time! Special mention for the virgin margaritas.’

‘The food has been spectacular. It’s like nourishing hug. Beautiful to look at and delicious. Fabulous to eat local cuisine with a modern twist.’

Highlights

‘Everything! But I’d single out the connection to nature which has run through everything we’ve done here. From my first morning being amazed by a flock of bright blue birds in the tree by my balcony, to my final swim watching the frigate birds circling for fish, I’ve loved feeling part of this beautiful landscape.’

‘Yoga deck and views. - The myriad of wildlife in and around our accommodation. - The teachers! And the fabulous variety of pace/different classes/workshops/activities meant that everything was always exciting and something to be looked forward to.’

‘Leanne’s Wednesday morning session touched a cord with me. I loved Troy’s session. Being a previous ballet student, I loved the slowness and grace of his teaching. The African drumming! Energy and enthusiasm in abundance. The boat trip will always be a special memory for me, partly for providing me with the chance to properly snorkel for the first time ever and secondly for the time spent on the beach, gelling as a group and just loving each others company. Seeing the tracks where a turtle had been was again, a most special memory. Finally, the group has made it for me. I don’t think you could get a nicer mix of individuals if you tried. I have enjoyed spending time with each and every one here.’

‘Being in a such a beautiful unspoilt location. Sounds of the ocean. Being nourished not just by the yoga and food but by the group too. Laughter, so much laughter The boat trip , the drumming.’

The ocean is calling you home.
Join us next October for a week of yoga, nature and ocean connection, stillness, laughter, and connection.

👉 Reserve Your Place → leanne@bluealchemyacademy.com