Yoga & Wellness Retreats at Baan Talay, Koh Tao

Baan Talay is the kind of place where the schedule is light but the days fill up anyway. A typical morning starts with pranayama or Hatha yoga on the deck, then breakfast. The afternoon is yours — Aow Leuk beach is a short walk down the hill, and the snorkelling there is good because Shark Island sits just offshore. Some people swim, some nap, some join a workshop. In the evening there's often something on: Yin, Yoga Nidra, a sound bath, or the Friday sauna and cold plunge.

It's owned and run by Devrim Z., who also teaches. Devrim leads the full moon ceremonies, the sauna sessions, and the 300-hour yoga teacher training. Visiting teachers come in for specific programmes — Mickey Space from Australia teaches the 50-hour Yin training, and Nathalie and Sarah from Switzerland run the women's retreat. So the teaching isn't all from one person; it shifts depending on which week you book.

The property is right above Aow Leuk, which is a smaller, quieter bay than Sairee or Chalok. You're not in the middle of the party side of Koh Tao. That's either the point or it isn't — if you want bars and nightlife, this is a 15-minute ride away; if you want to hear waves and not much else, this is it.

The food is a real part of it, not an afterthought. Themed dinners and BBQ nights happen regularly, and there's fine dining with the ocean in front of you. Menus change, but it's not a retreat that gives you the same grain bowl seven days running.

Beyond yoga, Baan Talay runs ceremonies — New Moon and Full Moon gatherings, and Sweat Lodge Purification sessions. It also hosts weddings, birthdays and private parties, so on some weeks there will be an event happening alongside your programme. If you want total quiet, check what's scheduled for your dates before booking.

What's included

- Accommodation for the duration of your chosen programme - Daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions - Meals as specified per programme - Access to the pool and practice spaces - Mats and props provided - Weekly Yoga Nidra class (Saturdays) - Weekly sauna and cold plunge (Fridays) - Access to creative workshops where scheduled - Full moon ceremony where scheduled

(Note: exact inclusions vary by programme — confirm at booking.)

What's not included

- Flights - Ferry or transfer to Koh Tao - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Personal expenses - Optional treatments and off-site excursions - Alcohol and drinks outside of meals - Additional nights beyond the programme dates