Women's Intermediate Surf Retreat in Barbados – 7 Nights, Daily Coaching & Catamaran Cruise

The retreat is eight days and seven nights, based at Sapphire Beach Resort in Dover Beach on the south coast of Barbados. Sapphire Beach has four units, each with two to three bedrooms, and the group takes the property. Rooms have AC and wifi, there's a full kitchen, a pool, and the beach is directly in front. Room assignments are made by the Summertime staff.

The surf programme runs on a morning schedule. You're out at Freights Bay — a long, gentle right-hand point break that suits intermediate surfers — or at whichever spot the coaches pick that day, with instruction from both the Mystic Gypsy team and Summertime Surf. Every morning session is followed by video analysis and feedback. In the afternoons there's an optional free surf if you want more water time, or you can do whatever else you like on the island.

Mystic Gypsy is a Barbados surf school run by husband-and-wife team Jason and Sarah, who live on the island and know the breaks, the tides and the conditions. Summertime Surf handles the trip logistics and brings their own coaching. Between the two, you get local knowledge plus the structure of an organised trip.

Included in the week: surfboard rental for the full duration, transport to and from all surf locations, group airport transfers on arrival and departure, a welcome dinner, a farewell group dinner at Oistins or Surfer's Bay, a catamaran cruise with snorkelling and swimming with turtles, and post-surf coffee and snacks at Donna & Joe's. Lunches and most dinners are on you — the team gives recommendations for where to eat through the week.

It's a small group — nine surfer slots — and it's women only, ages 18 and over. You need basic surf experience to get the most out of it: this isn't a beginner's learn-to-surf week. The trip costs $3,500 per surfer, with a 50% deposit to hold your spot. The listed departure is November 8–15, 2025.

What's included

- 7 nights at Sapphire Beach Resort, Dover Beach - Daily morning surf coaching at Freights Bay (or best location) - Expert instruction from Mystic Gypsy & Summertime Surf - Video analysis and feedback after each morning surf - Optional afternoon free surf session - Surfboard rental for the entire retreat - Transportation to and from surf locations - Group airport transfers (arrival & departure) - Transportation for all scheduled activities - Welcome dinner - Farewell group dinner at Oistins or Surfer's Bay - Post-surf coffee/snack gatherings at Donna & Joe's - Catamaran cruise with snorkelling and swimming with turtles - Recommendations for lunch and dinner spots - Curated recommendations for wellness, shopping, and sightseeing

What's not included

- Flights to and from Barbados - Lunches - Most dinners (except welcome, catamaran, and farewell dinner) - Optional excursions and activities outside the itinerary - Travel insurance - Personal expenses