YOGA, MEDITATION & SAILING RETREAT
Sailing into presence
May — October · Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
If you find yourself in Dubrovnik or passing nearby, join us for a specially designed one-day retreat that weaves together sailing, movement, and meditation—activities that naturally flow into one another.
Experience the awakening of mindful awareness, and the quiet power of simply being present, held within a captivating Mediterranean setting that seamlessly draws you into the now—where you may find yourself wanting to dissolve into it and let the experience settle deeply within you.
Picture the scene...
It’s early morning. From the shore, you step onto the sailboat. From this moment on, the wind sets the pace. The boat glides silently across the surface of the sea. You hear the wind, passing boats, the cry of a seagull, the rhythm of your own heartbeat. The sun gently touches your skin, the winches turn.
You arrive at the island. You’re welcomed by an orchestra of cicadas and the scent of rosemary. You breathe among the pines. You dive into the pristine, deep blue sea. Your palate is met with grilled zucchini and tomatoes freshly picked from a nearby garden.
The flow of the day
In the morning hours we will sail away from the busy coastline out to the open sea.
As the boat silently cuts through the sea, we’ll surrender to everything that touches our senses.
Under the unfurled sails, we will settle into the relaxed tone of the day.
Upon arriving at the idyllic and serene island of Koločep, we will awaken the body with gentle stretching and yoga in a natural outdoor setting.
With our bodies prepared and energized, we move into the meditation part of the experience. We’ll start with a walking meditation under the shade of pine trees, gently challenge our capacity for presence within these scenic, calming surroundings, and close the session with a short seated meditation.
In a charming village of Gornje Čelo we’ll pause for lunch in a small family-run seaside tavern offering fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
Returning to the boat, time at sea stays open.
You may enjoy a swim in pristine clear waters, explore sea caves, or simply sail and gaze out into the deep blue vastness — clearing the mind of any clutter.
The return sail to Dubrovnik marks a quiet completion—a closing gesture, where everything softly integrates.
Adriatic Sea
Sailing the Adriatic Sea is an experience many are drawn to. Its maritime landscape carries an intriguing geomorphology and biodiversity.
Coastal landforms range from bare limestone cliffs to sheltered coves and mystical sea caves; from karst sinkholes to marine lakes; from whimsical sea arches to hidden pebble beaches; from dreamy sandy bays to spits courageously reaching far into the sea. These landforms, together with the life in the sea and on the shores, create a remarkably rich symbiosis that is difficult to resist.
Its waters are known for their astonishing clarity, cleanliness, and pleasant temperatures. Tame and gentle by nature, the Adriatic generally provides safe conditions for a wide range of activities.
Koločep Island
Croatia is often called the land of a thousand islands. Koločep, locally known as Kalamota, is one of the southernmost among them. It is part of the Elaphiti Islands archipelago stretching west of Dubrovnik. On this small car-free island, two bays cradle picturesque Dalmatian villages.
The island flourishes with pine forests, cypresses, olive groves, citrus trees, palms, cacti, almond and carob trees. Aromatic herbs such as rosemary, lavender, sage, and immortelle tease our senses with their fragrance.
Its landscapes are woven with scenic walking paths and sandy beaches inviting you to swim and unwind.
Sounds just right?
Ready to sail away?
Your Itinerary
Sails up - let the journey begin!
We meet at the operational pier for smaller boats at Lapadska Obala, where we board our sailboat and set off toward the open sea.
At sea
For the next hour and a half or so, we allow ourselves a gradual entry into today’s experience. We will enjoy sailing and being present, registering our surroundings and the sensations that arise within us.
Koločep island arrival and gentle movement session
We arrive on the island and, in its authentic, natural atmosphere, we gently awaken the body through slow movement, stretching, and morning yoga.
Meditation & mindfulness practice
We begin the second part of our practice among the pine trees with a walking meditation, continuing in a captivating scenic landscape by playing with our attention, and finally settling into a short seated meditation.
Lunch break at family run "konoba"
An optional part of the program is a planned lunch break. In a small family-run seaside tavern offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients, we will gently return to the body. Alternatively, you may choose to spend this time in any way you prefer.
Relaxed time on the boat
In this more leisurely part of the day, we will enjoy the boat and sea activities. We can sail, swim and snorkel, visit island sea caves, sunbathe and read, or continue our practice—whatever feels good in the moment.
Sailing back
Our sail back to Dubrovnik offers us a moment to gather our impressions and let them settle. In this closing phase, releasing the last traces of mental clutter, we allow a quiet integration to unfold.
What's included
- sailboat
- experienced skipper
- snorkeling gear
- water & soft drinks
- yoga & meditation class
- yoga mats
What's not included
- lunch (optional, extra fee)
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- personal medical, travel or other insurance
Is this one-day retreat for me?
Can you move freely, get on and off a boat, stretch a little, and generally trust your body to carry you through a day like this?
Yes. I’m not made of glass. I don’t have any fresh injuries, recent surgeries, or conditions that would make this a questionable life choice. I can move, adapt, and listen to my body when needed.
Do you secretly just want to sail, and you’ll tolerate a bit of yoga and meditation along the way?
Yes. The sea does it for me—I love the wind, the waves, and being on the boat…and I’m more than willing to stretch a little and sit still for a moment if that’s part of the experience.
Do you absolutely love movement and exercising, being in the body and calming the mind and don’t mind a bit of sailing along the way?
Yes. Give me space to move, breathe, and settle—and I’ll gladly take the sailing as part of it.
What would you call a day spent sailing, enjoying the island mood, doing yoga, leaving everything but the present experience just out of reach—immersed in scents, sounds, feeling your body, and enjoying good company?
I’d sing: “Oh, it’s such a perfect day…”
Are you open to new experiences—even if you’ve never seen a sailboat before or set foot on a mat?
Yes. I don’t need a backstory. I just want this somewhere among my life experiences.
Would you describe yourself as operating on autopilot, or do you like to pay attention to what’s going on inside and around you?
More and more, I live from a place of reflection, noticing where my body and mind are in each moment.
Do you enjoy Dubrovnik—but feel like there’s always a deeper layer to discover?
Absolutely. And anything that can enrich and deepen that experience… I’m all in.
Important to know
This experience is designed for small groups of up to 11 participants.A minimum of 4 participants is required. Participants must be at least 13 years old to take part in the activities. Lunch is not included, but a reservation at a local tavern can be arranged upon request. Vegetarian options are available; please inform us in advance if needed. The experience may be rescheduled in case of unfavorable weather conditions. If rescheduling is not possible, customers can opt for a full refund The pace is relaxed, away from tourist hot spots and crowds. Bring sun hat, swimwear, towel and sunscreen. To preserve the atmosphere and quality of the experience, the use of intoxicating or mind-altering substances is not permittedPlease note that pets cannot be accommodated, with the exception of assistance dogs. Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for movement activities, and bring weather-appropriate layers if needed.
Who is with you?
We will sail with Niko Kmetović or one of the skilled sailors from his team. Niko is a Dubrovnik-based sailor with extensive experience. As a captain, he has competed in numerous offshore regattas, achieving notable results in some of the region’s most demanding races. He is also the owner of Stravaganza — a distinctive sailboat known for its powerful performance and strong character at sea.
Beyond racing, he is deeply devoted to the craft of boat building. Over the years, he has built and adapted his own fleet of sailboats according to his personal visions and ideals — reflecting both his passion for boats and his lifelong connection to the sea.
The mindful and yoga part of this experience is guided by Nives Franičević — founder of Retreat Croatia and a meditation practitioner inspired by the Chan tradition. Her Buddhist teacher, Žarko Andričević, is a direct Dharma heir of the renowned Chan master Sheng Yen.
This has rooted her in values she integrates into a different vision of travel — one where presence in body and mind deepens and enriches the experience of both the destination and ourselves.