Women's Surf & Yoga Retreat on a Private Indonesian Island

The Mentawai Islands sit about 150 kilometres off the coast of Sumatra, reachable by an overnight ferry from Padang followed by a speedboat ride. The isolation is the point: no crowds, no traffic, just a handful of surf camps scattered across a chain of jungle-covered islands. Awera Resort is one of those camps — a small cluster of design-forward villas on a private beach, with a pool, a yoga deck, and boat access to dozens of breaks.

Surfing here works for genuine beginners and experienced surfers alike. The local guides know which breaks are forgiving and which are not, and they'll take the boat wherever conditions suit the group. Beginners get daily one-on-one coaching; everyone else can join the guided sessions or free-surf the second session of the day. Boards and all equipment are provided.

The yoga and movement sessions are led by Rena, the retreat host. She grew up around yoga — her mother was a teacher — and came back to the practice after a long break, eventually completing her 200-hour certification. The style is Hatha, with somatic movement, breathwork, and meditation woven through the week. Sessions happen on a shala overlooking the water, usually in the late morning or afternoon after the first surf.

Food is handled by the resort's international chefs. Three meals a day, served à la carte rather than buffet-style, with options for vegan, gluten-free, keto, paleo, and most other dietary needs. Fresh coconuts show up daily. Two spa treatments — either two massages or one massage and one facial — are included in the price.

The group is intentionally small, between seven and ten women, and Rena reviews applications to make sure the mix works. Most participants are solo travellers in their twenties and thirties, though all ages are welcome. The vibe is active but not intense — there's plenty of downtime built in, and the schedule flexes around tides and energy levels.

Logistically, everything between Padang and the island is arranged and paid for: airport pickup, a hotel night in Padang, the ferry, the speedboat, and the same in reverse on the way out. You just need to book flights into and out of Padang (PDG), typically via Jakarta.

What's included

- 9 nights accommodation in shared villas (2 women per room, private bathroom between them) - 2 hotel nights in Padang (one on arrival, one on departure) - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) by international chefs - Daily yoga and somatic movement classes - Daily meditation and breathwork sessions - 2–3 surf sessions daily by luxury boat - One-on-one surf instruction (2 hours daily) - Surfboard rental - Stand-up paddleboard equipment - Snorkel gear - 2 spa treatments (massage or facial) - Airport pickup and drop-off in Padang - Private taxi transfers to/from harbour - Ferry tickets to/from Mentawai Islands - Speedboat transfers to/from resort - Mentawai surf tax - Professional photo and video package - Daily fresh coconuts - Private beach access - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team - Curated sponsor gifts

What's not included

- International and domestic flights - Travel insurance - Visa fee (approximately $35 USD for Visa on Arrival) - Additional spa treatments beyond the two included - Personal expenses