8-Day Yoga and Detox Retreat on Koh Phangan, Thailand

Ananda Yoga & Detox Center is a purpose-built retreat venue on Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani province. The property is directly on the water, with rooms, a yoga shala and eating areas all within a short walk of each other. You do not need a scooter or a taxi to get between your room, your class and your meals. Koh Phangan itself is quieter than neighbouring Samui — the retreat is not in the middle of the Full Moon Party area, so nights are genuinely quiet.

The daily shape of the week is consistent: yoga in the morning, breakfast, free time, yoga again in the late afternoon, dinner, then early nights. The yoga is taught to a mixed group, so the teacher offers variations for people who cannot touch their toes and for people who can hold a handstand. Sessions are typically 90 minutes. The detox element is mainly dietary — no alcohol, no fried food, plenty of fresh fruit, juices and light cooked meals — and there is no compulsory fasting or colon cleanse unless you ask for one.

This is not a silent retreat. People talk, eat together, and often organise trips to the beach or the night market in the afternoons. That said, it is also not a party week. The atmosphere is calm and the schedule is early. If you want to be left alone, that is completely fine too; nobody will chase you into a group activity.

Rooms are simple but comfortable and all have air conditioning, which matters in Thailand. The private garden rooms are at ground level with a small terrace. The elevated bungalows sit higher up the property and tend to catch more breeze. The shared yogi dorm is the cheapest option and is meant for solo travellers who do not mind sharing. Couples can book a double garden room or a double bungalow.

Compared with other yoga retreats on Koh Phangan, this one is priced at the affordable end while still including accommodation, meals and two classes a day. It is run by a centre that has been hosting retreats on the island for years, and the same team handles the yoga, the kitchen and the rooms — so there is no gap between what is promised and what is delivered.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at Ananda Yoga & Detox Center - Daily yoga sessions (typically twice daily) - 3 vegetarian meals per day - Drinking water, herbal teas and detox juices - Yoga mats and props - Opening and closing circles - Access to the beach and property facilities

What's not included

- International flights - Domestic flights or ferries to Koh Phangan - Airport or pier transfers (can be arranged for an extra fee) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Optional massages, spa treatments and excursions - Alcohol