Wellness · Retreat

Yoga Retreat on Thoddoo Island, Maldives: December 19th to 26th 2026

From our partner studio, The Yoga Nest

Imagine stepping off the boat onto Thoddoo, a quiet local island in the Maldives, and letting the week take you in. Each day is thoughtfully shaped, so you can put everything else down and simply be part of it. And this year, you get to spend Christmas by the ocean, on your mat, among people who share your love of practice.

A day here could look like

Sunrise
Your day begins as the sun rises over the ocean. You settle into meditation and pranayama, then step into your Ashtanga practice, either in the shala or with your feet in the sand on the beach. Some mornings are Mysore style, where you move at your own breath and rhythm with individual guidance. Other mornings are a led class, where you flow together as a group, carried by the count.

Morning swim
Still glowing from your practice, you slip into the water and snorkel alongside sea turtles in the lagoon.

Breakfast
Back at the guesthouse, a nourishing breakfast is waiting for you.

Workshop
With body and mind awake, you join a workshop to explore your practice more deeply, with time to ask questions and discover something new.

Lunch and island time
After lunch, the afternoon is yours. Rest, read, swim, or take your bike around the island and soak up local life.

Sunset
As the light turns golden, you paddle out for a gentle SUP yoga session on the water. You finish the day lying on your board in yoga nidra, rocked by the ocean as the sun goes down.

Evening
Dinner, conversation, and a deep, well-earned sleep.

Your practice, your way

With two teachers on the retreat, you'll have options every morning. If you have an established Ashtanga practice, Mysore mornings give you space to deepen your own sequence with hands-on support. If you're new to Ashtanga or simply new to yoga, you'll be guided step by step with modifications that meet you where you are. Whatever your experience, you get the attention that helps your practice grow.

In experienced hands

You're guided by Claire and Asbjorn, who both hold E-RYT 500, the highest teaching credential from Yoga Alliance. Both are lead trainers who run The Yoga Nest's 200 and 300 hour Teacher Training programs, so you learn from people who teach teachers.

Asbjorn is also a PCC certified professional coach. You'll find support in connecting what happens on your mat with how you live and move through your days.

With a small group and two teachers, every morning gives you the personal attention that helps your practice grow.

For yoga teachers and trainees

This week counts on your path as a teacher.

If you already teach: You earn 50 hours of Continuing Education, accredited by Yoga Alliance.
If you're in our teacher training, or thinking of joining: The retreat hours count toward our 200 or 300 hour Teacher Training. Our programs are hybrid and flexible, so the week fits right into your journey.

Before you arrive, a short self-study module prepares you for the week. At the end of the retreat, your hours are signed off, so you leave with a deeper practice and real progress toward your goals.

A small, intimate group

The retreat has room for just nine participants and two teachers. You get personal attention on your mat, space to ask questions and the chance to really connect with everyone around you. It feels less like a group and more like a circle of friends.

Your home for the week

You'll stay at Kingsway Thoddoo, a welcoming guesthouse where you can rest well between practices. Choose the room that suits you:

• Shared room: Travel with your partner and share a double bed, or come with a friend and choose twin beds.
• Private room: A spacious room all to yourself.

Nourishing meals, every day

Three meals a day are included, so you can let go of planning and simply enjoy. After your morning practice, breakfast is waiting, and lunch and dinner follow the gentle rhythm of island life. You'll enjoy a varied menu, with vegan and vegetarian options for anyone who prefers them.

An island to explore

Thoddoo has a rare kind of calm. Life moves slowly here, and you get to be part of it, cycling past fruit farms, greeting locals and watching the island go about its day. Rent a bike, the easiest and most enjoyable way to get around, and let your curiosity lead you.

Between practices, the island is yours to explore:

• Turtle discovery, snorkeling alongside sea turtles in clear turquoise water
• Sandbank tour to a stretch of white sand surrounded by nothing but ocean
• Sunset cruise, watching the sky turn gold as you glide across the water
• Snorkeling and diving on reefs full of life
• Whale shark safari, a chance to swim alongside the gentle giants of the ocean
• Stand up paddleboarding and other watersports on calm lagoon water
• Dinner on the beach in a private setting under the stars
• Dining on a sea raft, floating above the ocean
• A yoga photoshoot, spending a few hours with a photographer to capture your practice against the island backdrop
• Drone flying, where the view of the reef and lagoon from above is pure magic

And so much more. Do as much or as little as you like. Some days you might fill with adventure, and others you might simply rest with the sound of the waves.

Getting there

Your retreat starts the moment you land in Malé. From the airport, a speedboat takes you across the open ocean to Thoddoo in about 70 minutes. Feel the sea breeze and watch the islands drift past as you leave everyday life behind. Your transfer to and from the island is included.

If you'd like an extra memorable arrival, you can also travel by seaplane and see the atolls from above. Seaplanes fly to Thoddoo two days a week, so this option works best if you plan your flights around them. Contact us and we'll gladly help you find the best timing.

Good to know

Thoddoo is a local island, which is part of what makes it so special. You'll be welcomed into a living Maldivian community. The Maldives is a Muslim country, so out of respect for local customs, the island is alcohol free, and light clothes that cover shoulders and knees are appreciated in the village. On the island's two tourist beaches, you're free to enjoy your swimwear and the sun.

What's included

• Seven nights at Kingsway Thoddoo, in a shared or private room
• Speedboat transfer from Malé airport to the island and back
• Three nourishing meals a day, with vegan and vegetarian options available on request
• A full yoga program every day, guided by two E-RYT 500 teachers
• Workshops to deepen your practice
• 50 hours of Yoga Alliance Continuing Education for teachers, and hours toward our 200 and 300 hour Teacher Training

Not included: International flights to Malé, seaplane transfer, and optional island activities such as diving, the whale shark safari, private dining, bike rental and photoshoots.

Your investment

Shared room: $2,250 USD per person
Private room: $2,500 USD

With only nine places, three private and six shared, spaces fill quickly. Reserve early to secure the room that suits you best.

Reserve Your Spot by sending us a message here.

Questions you may have

Is this retreat right for me?
Yes. All levels are welcome, from your very first sun salutation to years on the mat. Every practice offers options, and with two teachers you get the guidance that suits you.

When is the retreat?
December 19th to 26th 2026, a full week on Thoddoo Island.

How do I get there?
Fly to Malé International Airport. From there, your speedboat transfer to Thoddoo is included.

I am a yoga teacher or trainee. Does this week count?
Yes. As a teacher, you earn 50 hours of Continuing Education, accredited by Yoga Alliance. If you're in our 200 or 300 hour Teacher Training, or thinking of joining, the retreat hours count toward your training. A short self-study module before the retreat prepares you, and your hours are signed off at the end of the week.

How do I book?
Send us a message and we'll reserve your place. We'd love to share this week with you.