The island is small and flat — 15 acres, no vehicles — and the reef starts a few strokes off the beach. Coral and brightly coloured fish are right there, so you can snorkel without a boat if you want. The retreat centre sits on the beach itself, with verandas placed to catch the trade winds and to see both sunrise and sunset. Hammocks and lounge chairs are scattered across the property, on the porches and along the sand.

Yoga and meditation run daily on the Heavenly Bliss deck with Hawah Kasat. He co-founded the non-profit One Common Unity in 2000, has written four books, produced three documentary films and two music CDs, and edited "The Poetry of Yoga" anthology. He's travelled to more than 42 countries running workshops and teaching. Two guest teachers join him: Sarah Block, an anthropologist and yoga/mindfulness teacher who works on legal advocacy and community organising for displaced people, and Emanuel 'Manny' Salazar, a 24-year military veteran and social worker who teaches trauma-informed practice and found yoga while transitioning to civilian life.

What separates this from a standard yoga week is the setting and the freedom. The schedule is yours to build. You can do two classes a day and a boat trip, or one class and six hours in a hammock. The package covers a half-day guided boat snorkel side trip to various sites within the marine reserve, plus the marine reserve fee, kayak and paddleboard use, and snorkel gear. Scuba diving and island-hopping boat tours can be arranged on the island.

Food is generous portions of local dishes on the outdoor deck. Light snacks and fruit juices are always available, and fresh baked homemade cookies come round mid-morning. Coffee, assorted teas, juice and water are out from 6am to close. The bartender keeps local beer, wine and a full stocked bar.

Getting there is part of the package: round-trip vehicle transfer from Belize International airport to Pelican Beach in Dangriga, then a round-trip boat transfer out to South Water Caye. Round-trip airfare is not included. The trip is timed so New Year's Eve falls mid-stay, and the whole point of the week, in the operator's words, is to play, laugh, connect and head into the year rested.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation at Pelican's Island Paradise, South Water Caye - Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily - Coffee, assorted teas, juice and water from 6am to close - Mid-morning snack of fresh baked homemade cookies - Round-trip vehicle transfer between Belize International airport and Pelican Beach, Dangriga - Round-trip boat transfer between Pelican Beach, Dangriga and South Water Caye - Half-day guided boat snorkel side trip to sites within the marine reserve - Marine reserve fee - Daily yoga classes on the Heavenly Bliss yoga deck with HawaH - Kayak and paddleboard use - Snorkel gear use - Applicable taxes and service charges

What's not included

- Round-trip airfare - Scuba diving - Island-hopping boat tours - Guided night snorkel - Drinks from the bar beyond the included juice, tea, coffee and water - Travel insurance - Personal expenses