Oceanfront Raw Detox & Weight Loss Retreat on Denman Island

The programme is built around a raw liquid cleanse: six smoothies a day made from organic fruit, vegetables, roasted nuts and dried fruit, plus fresh produce available all day. There is no solid food during the cleanse. Guests make their own smoothies and salads from a shared kitchen, which sounds like work but past guests consistently say it helped them keep up the habit at home. An optional 11-page PDF guide (£ included) gives you the full 7-day schedule, ingredient quantities, and a plan for Days 8–13 if you are staying longer.

Accommodation is in one of three suites, each named and each with its own private outdoor space. Ocean Spray, Sunrise and Eagle View all have a kitchenette, a private garden, a hot tub, a cold plunge, a hammock and a fire pit. The suites are part of a converted house, so you have neighbours nearby but your garden and tub are yours alone. Eagle View and Sunrise have ocean views; Ocean Spray is the entry-level unit. Because the units are private and the property is small, solo travellers — particularly women travelling alone — tend to feel safe here.

The spa circuit is included and is a big part of the week. Each day you get an infrared sauna session, and each week you get three oceanfront wood-fired sauna sessions and three massage therapy sessions. The oceanfront sauna sits right on the beach and you can cool off in the sea or a cold rain shower. There are also shared ofuro soaking tubs and a fire pit by the water. Massage options include deep tissue, raindrop therapy, acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu, reflexology and reiki.

Denman Island is a quiet, rural island in the Strait of Georgia, reached by a short ferry from Vancouver Island. The retreat is a two-minute walk from the beach. There are marked trails across the island, and guests regularly see eagles, otters and shorebirds. Day trips to Hornby Island and to Forbidden Plateau in Strathcona Provincial Park can be arranged. Trail bikes, a canoe and a kayak are available for guest use, and boat charters can be booked.

This is not a boot camp. The programme specifically asks you to avoid strenuous exercise during the cleanse, and instead to stick to gentle walking, stretching, tai chi, yoga or meditation. The focus is on rest, hydration, heat and cold exposure, and letting your digestion have a break. If you are looking for daily HIIT classes and a group atmosphere, this is the wrong retreat. If you want to be left alone in a beautiful place to reset your eating habits, it is a good fit.

What's included

- 7 to 14 nights accommodation in a private suite - Private kitchenette and bathroom - Private garden with hot tub, cold plunge, hammock and fire pit - Raw liquid nutrient programme with 30+ organic ingredients - Six smoothies per day plus fresh produce - Daily infrared sauna session - Three oceanfront wood-fired sauna sessions per week - Three massage therapy sessions per week - Shared ofuro soaking hot tubs - Beach fire pit and private beach access - Shared kitchen and cooking area - Canoe, kayak and trail bikes for guest use - Orientation on arrival with the host

What's not included

- Flights and travel to Denman Island - Ferry fares - 8% tax - Additional massage therapy and sauna sessions - Counselling and guided meditation sessions - Vedic birth chart astrology sessions - Chef-prepared healthy meals (add-on) - Meditation course with Mitra (50 per step) - Travel insurance - Personal expenses