For many wellness wanderlusters, a retreat is all about getting outdoors, and often that means wiling away your days by big, beautiful bodies of water. Luckily, a wealth of luxury wellness resorts offer everything from surfing to jet skiing. We’ve put together a list of the best luxury wellness retreats for watersports around the world, from the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives to places to hang ten in Hawaii.
BodyHoliday
On the stunning Caribbean island of St Lucia, BodyHoliday offers ocean and garden-front rooms and suites for guests looking for a quiet haven. Complete with a pillow menu and smart-device directories to fulfil your every need, the rooms mark the perfect place to unwind after a day well spent outdoors. Eight-day custom wellness retreats are inclusive of accommodation, sunrise and sunset yoga, meditation and a daily nutrition or wellness workshop. You can also choose to participate in a wide range of sporting activities from water aerobics to sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.
Prices start from US$4,830 | Book now on Compare Retreats
Jumeirah Vittavelli
Just 20-minutes from the capital of the Maldives, Male, Jumeirah Vittavelli lies on Bolifushi island. It offers the best of both worlds, from outdoor excursions scuba diving through shipwrecks and reefs to guaranteed rest and relaxation at the Talise Spa. If you’re looking to push past your comfort limits, try an adrenaline-seeking sport like flyboarding, banana tubing, jet skiing and kite surfing, among others, while family-friendly options include a semi-submarine adventure getting you up close and personal with the Indian Ocean’s stunning ecosystem.
Price available on request | jumeirah.com
Lumeria Maui
Designed more than a century ago, the main house at Lumeria Maui is the island’s oldest wooden structure which boasts a diverse history from a military home to a women’s college and now, a tranquil wellness resort. The boutique property has just 24 rooms and seven-night custom yoga retreats are inclusive of accommodation, guided yoga and meditation sessions along with access to the wide range of scheduled fitness and wellness activities. Optional activities at the resort include surfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving and sea kayaking.
Prices start from US$1,820 | Book now on Compare Retreats
Rosewood Phuket
Asaya, Rosewood’s Thai-inspired health retreat, offers guests a holistic treatment that combines new and old-world healing philosophies. Asaya Wellness Getaways range from two to six nights in length and are inclusive of daily breakfast and three-course lunches, a 60-minute massage, and a one-to-one fitness or wellness session. At sea, activities range from snorkelling and scuba diving to sailing and kayaking, while guests have access to the hotel’s fitness facilities (including a beachfront infinity pool, HIIT and Pilates classes) at their leisure.
Prices start from US$1,493 | Book now on Compare Retreats
COMO Uma Canggu
In Bali’s trendy surfer neighbourhood, COMO Uma Canggu is on one of the Island’s best beach fronts for watersport lovers. Echo Beach is renowned for its excellent surfing waves, particularly for beginners, and the luxury wellness retreat’s collaboration with Tropic Surf ensures guests of all abilities receive top-notch tuition. The seven-night surf programme includes daily surfing lessons, a daily complimentary group activity, and one massage per stay, and the resort’s newest retreat programme, launched in summer 2019 and reviewed by Compare Retreats expert Natalie Söderström, is a women-only surf camp led by world champion surfer Sally Fitzgibbons that bridges mindfulness, yoga and surfing.
Prices start from US$2,981 | Book now on Compare Retreats
Six Senses Zighy Bay
Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the best of both worlds: the resort lies at the front of azure waters and a pristine beach, while behind it lies a rugged mountainous terrain. Guests can choose to arrive by speedboat, private car or even by paragliding. Watersport-enthusiasts can take part in a wide range of activities, including scuba diving and snorkelling, kayaking or a private yacht charter, for those looking for a more laid back approach to their adventures on sea. There are also opportunities to take part in beach and underwater clean-ups, helping you do your part to preserve the surrounding scenery.
Price available on request | sixsenses.com
Amanzoe
Two and a half hours by car from Athens’ main airport (or a 25-minute helicopter ride), Amanzoe is a stunning seaside resort perched on a hilltop overlooking the bay and the latest of the Aman resorts to offer bespoke wellness immersions. The resort boasts a 2,850-metre spa offering Asian and Greek-inspired healing rituals, a private beach club and access to the nearby Hydra and Spetses islands. Engage in a wide range of water sports, from windsurfing to kayaking and paddleboarding, or head offshore and delve into the underwater world with a day spent scuba diving or snorkelling in the Mediterranean waters.
Price available on request | aman.com