Yoga and Wellness Holiday on an Off-Grid Filipino Island

DRYFT Camp is on Darocotan Island, a small island off the northern tip of Palawan, reachable by boat from the mainland. There is no road, no town, no shops; just jungle, beach, and a cluster of bamboo huts. The camp runs on solar power and uses water from the island's well, so you won't find air conditioning or hot showers, but you will find comfortable beds, fans, and views of the sea from every room.

The yoga shala is built in the trees, with open sides and a roof, looking out over the jungle canopy and the ocean. Classes are scheduled most mornings and some evenings, and they are suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. The style is a mix of vinyasa and hatha, with some restorative and yin sessions. Classes are taught by resident and visiting instructors, and each class is adjusted to whoever shows up that day.

This is a flexible yoga holiday rather than a fixed retreat: you choose your dates (minimum three nights) and your departure day. That means you can stay a week or a month and your schedule is up to you. Some weeks, DRYFT hosts themed retreats, such as the Ritual + Renewal Yoga Holiday, which adds Filipino rituals and traditional healing practices to the usual yoga and relaxation. If you are on the island during one of those weeks, you can join those activities as well.

Afternoon activities depend on what you want to do. You can hike through the jungle, snorkel the reef, kayak around the island, or simply read in a hammock on the deck of The Mothership. The camp also has a bar, and in the evenings people gather there or on the upper deck for sunset. The vibe is social but laid-back, with no pressure to do anything except relax.

The Mothership, the main building, was designed by Nuno Finez, a Palawan-based architect, and it is the social heart of the camp. The ground floor holds the restaurant and bar; the second floor has hammocks and benches facing both sunrise and sunset; and there is a small top-level space called the eagle's nest that guests can discover for themselves. Meals are served here, and the kitchen team, led by Filipino chefs, prepares a daily changing menu using local ingredients, with vegetarian, vegan, fish, and meat options.

All rooms are built from natural materials: bamboo, coco-fibre, beeswax, and woven palm. They range from beachfront glamping tents to the Lux Tipi, which has its own private bathroom. Most have queen beds, electric fans, and ocean views. Bathrooms are shared for most room types, and they are kept clean. The camp is not for you if you need air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi, or a party scene, but if you want to disconnect and spend your days doing yoga and swimming in clear water, it is hard to beat.

What's included

- Accommodation in your chosen bamboo beach home (Glamping Tent, Puno Pod, KUBO, Puno Hut, Datu, Hive Hut, or Lux Tipi) - Daily yoga classes (one or two per day, all levels) - All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at The Mothership restaurant - Use of yoga mats and props - Solar power and well water - Access to all common areas (The Mothership, beach, jungle trails) - Optional daily activities such as snorkelling, kayaking, and island walks (some may be at extra cost)

What's not included

- Flights to and from Palawan - Boat transfers to and from Darocotan Island (can be arranged at an additional cost) - Travel insurance - Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks (available for purchase at the bar) - Spa treatments and massages - Specialised workshops or excursions (e.g., diving, island hopping) unless specified - Personal expenses - Tips and gratuities