Raw Food Detox and Nordic Spa Retreat on Denman Island, British Columbia

Day one starts when you arrive any time after 3:30pm, ideally before 5:30pm. Your host gives you an orientation, and you can settle into your retreat meal, private garden, chlorine-free hot tub, cold tub, hammock and firepit. If you are coming from Vancouver Island, the last ferry to Denman Island leaves at 9:30pm most of the year and 11:00pm in summer, so a late arrival is workable. The first day of a cleanse is often the hardest — headaches, fatigue or nausea can show up as your body adjusts. The advice is to drink plenty of water, take a hot bath or shower for tension headaches, book a sauna or a massage, rest as much as possible, and skip strenuous exercise.

From day two onward, the rhythm is yours. Suggested activities include waking with the sunrise, a positive-mindset habit such as sun salutation, yoga, Tai Chi or meditation in the first and last 30 minutes of the day, and light physical activity only — gentle walking, perhaps at sunset on the beach. You can repeat the hydrotherapy spa circuit in your private garden: hot, then cold, then relax. One infrared sauna session a day is included, and it is worth doing it at roughly the same time each day so you get the maximum gap between sessions. An ocean foot soak or swim is suggested for the mineral salts, along with breathing exercises, a daytime nap and an early night before 10:00pm. Journalling takes 30–40 minutes: write down the day's events before bed, and in the morning, before you open your eyes or move, try to recall your dreams and write them down before doing anything else.

What separates this from a standard detox retreat is the spa setup. There is an oceanfront wood-fired Scandinavian sauna on the beach, a medical infrared sauna, and each unit has its own private cedar hot tub and cold plunge. The property has two private beaches, a firepit and beach garden, and a shared kitchen. You can also borrow a canoe, kayak or trail bikes, or book a boat charter. The food is organic and raw, and you assemble your own smoothies and salads from prepared ingredients — guests repeatedly mention this as a highlight and say it taught them how to keep going at home.

Mark Prior is the proprietor and host. Reviews describe him as attentive and quick to respond, checking in by text while respecting privacy. Mitra Ghaffari leads meditation, yoga and breathwork, and offers a 20-minute free consultation before you book. Massage is delivered by in-house therapists and visiting practitioners, including Erin, named in one review as giving the best massage that guest had ever had. The property sits on the east side of Denman Island facing Hornby Island, surrounded by fir forest, with eagles, otters and shore birds along the beach. The cross-Denman trail and provincial parks are nearby for walks.

After the cleanse, there is a structured coming-off plan. The day after, eat mainly raw or lightly steamed vegetables, fruit or nuts in small portions, keeping to organic or non-GMO food and avoiding sugar, coffee, wheat, gluten, processed foods and mass-produced dairy. The next day, add more plant foods such as beans and basmati rice. On the third day, resume regular meals, and if you eat meat, have it at lunch only and avoid red meat if possible. You can also use the days after a cleanse to identify food sensitivities by reintroducing foods one at a time — gluten and dairy are common ones to test — and noting changes in energy, digestion, cravings or other symptoms over 24 to 48 hours. The retreat suggests a frequency guideline for cleanses: one day once a week, three days once a month, four to six days every two to three months, and seven to fourteen days every four to six months.

What's included

- Accommodation in a private ensuite unit with ocean views - Private garden with cedar hot tub and cold plunge - Organic raw food and liquid nutrient extractions - Daily organic smoothies - Fresh salads with mixed greens, sprouts, raw vegetables, fruit, berries, nuts and seeds - Daily infrared sauna session - Oceanfront Scandinavian sauna sessions (up to 3 per week) - Hydrotherapy spa circuit (hot, cold, relax) - Access to two private beaches - Firepit and beach garden - Shared kitchen - Canoe, kayak and trail bikes - Organic toiletries and natural amenities - Herbal teas and alkaline spring water - Free 20-minute consultation

What's not included

- Massage therapy - Personal retreat coaching - Oceanfront sauna sessions beyond 3 per week - Meditation course add-on (50 per step) - Tax (8%) - Travel to Denman Island - Ferry fares - Travel insurance - Personal expenses