Caribbean Island Yoga Retreat at Thatch Caye, Belize

A typical day starts early, before the heat builds. There is usually a yoga class in the overwater shala — vinyasa or hatha depending on the instructor — followed by breakfast. Mornings might include a second session, a workshop on alignment or breath, or a guided meditation. After lunch, the schedule opens up. You can snorkel the reef just off the dock, take a kayak or paddleboard out, or go with a guide to spot manatees and rays. Some afternoons have a second, gentler yoga class; others are free until dinner.

Evenings are quiet. Dinner is served family-style, often with fresh-caught fish, rice and beans, plantains and salads from the island's garden. After that, people sit on the dock, look at the stars, or turn in early. There is no nightlife beyond conversation and the sound of the water.

The retreats are led by visiting instructors who change through the year, so the style of yoga varies. Some weeks are more dynamic, others more restorative. All of them use the same overwater shala, which is the standout feature — it sits on pilings above the sea, open on all sides, with mats on a wooden floor. Practising there at sunrise, with the water moving underneath, is the thing people remember.

Thatch Caye itself is a 12-acre private island about 20 minutes by boat from Dangriga, on the Belize Barrier Reef. The resort has a handful of cabanas, a bar and restaurant, and a dock that stretches out over the water. It is not a large property, so the feel is intimate. You will know the other guests and the staff by name within a day.

Food is a big part of the week. The kitchen uses produce from its own garden and from local farms, and the menu changes with what is available. There are cold-pressed juices in the morning and cocktails in the evening if you want them. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets are catered for with advance notice.

This is not a bootcamp or a detox programme. It is a yoga holiday with good food, warm water and a lot of time outdoors. If you want to come alone, you will be comfortable — many guests do. If you come with a partner or a friend, there is space for that too.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in a private island cabana - 3 meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily yoga and meditation sessions - Use of kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear - Boat transfer from Dangriga to Thatch Caye - Welcome drink and orientation

What's not included

- International flights - Domestic flights to Dangriga - Travel insurance - Alcoholic drinks - Spa treatments and massage - Optional excursions (fishing, manatee watching) - Personal expenses - Gratuities