Surf & yoga retreats for working professionals designed to make you feel fully alive
Book retreatOur philosophy
At Sukacita, we believe life is meant to be experienced, not just lived.
In a world that often moves fast, we create experiences that invite you to slow down, reconnect and remember what makes you feel fully vibrant and alive. Through surfing, yoga, nature and meaningful connection, we help people step away from the everyday and return home with more energy, joy and a renewed sense of possibility.
The weeks that we design are rooted in the belief that a fulfilling life is built from moments of presence, connection, curiosity and courage.
And yes, it needs to be fun too!
Think salty hair, sandy feet, surfing waves you never thought you'd catch, morning yoga overlooking the ocean, long delicious (and healthy) dinners, meaningful chats and humorous moments. The kind of week that fills your heart.
What makes us unique?
We are a boutique retreat provider, offering a balanced blend of downtime, nature immersion and personal growth for down-to-earth professionals. We highly value a personal approach and create a safe space for each personal story.
What makes Sukacita different is the way we bring everything together.
Alongside daily yoga, surfing and breathwork, you'll be guided through meaningful moments of reflection that help you turn inward and gain fresh perspective. Every retreat includes guided reflection sessions and journaling, space for one-on-one conversations and simple practices that invite you to check in with yourself. Your journey starts before each retreat with a call to meet the group and ponder on your first reflection questions, and it ends with an integration call after the retreat, to integrate your intentions in daily life.
All with the intention to for you to feel more connected to yourself, and with insights that stay after you've returned home.
01Surf
For us, surfing is about so much more than learning to ride a wave. It's an invitation to immerse yourself in nature and be more present. Saltwater and the focus of surfing naturally quiet the mind and reconnect you with your body. It's a chance to step outside your comfort zone, build confidence and discover just how much fun learning something new can be. We collaborate with experienced local surf coaches who tailor every lesson to your level, allowing you to learn at your own pace while enjoying every moment in the water.
02Yoga and breathwork
Yoga is at the heart of every Sukacita retreat. Not because it's about becoming more flexible or mastering poses, but because it offers a way to reconnect with yourself. Through movement, breath and awareness, you learn to listen to your body, quiet the constant chatter of the mind and feel more at home in your own skin. Guided breathwork sessions throughout the week invite you to move through energetic and emotional blockages, to feel more free. Our retreats are inspired by yogic philosophy, a way of living that invites us to move through life with greater awareness. It's not about striving for perfection, but about getting to know yourself a little better every day.
03Guided reflection
Between surfing, yoga and time in nature, we'll create space to pause and reflect. Through gentle guided exercises and meaningful conversations, you'll reconnect with yourself and gain fresh insights. You'll return home feeling clearer, lighter and more connected to the intentional life you want to live.
04Care
Every detail of your week is thoughtfully taken care of, so you can fully relax and enjoy the experience. We carefully choose beautiful, small-scale accommodations close to the ocean, where warm hospitality, nourishing food and a great vibe make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. With everything thoughtfully arranged for you, all that's left to do is chill, relax and enjoy the week.
Ruby and Thijs are the best retreat facilitators/team you could wish for. They have a unique ability to build a program that combines yoga, surf, breath work and inner reflection that truly makes sense. The combination of them working together as yoga and breath work teachers is great and their joyous and kind energy is contagious. Before booking, I was worried the retreat might be a bit too short to have a real impact. I was wrong. Having been away just under a week, I feel like I've had a three week reset filled with so much joy and a renewed sense of things I want to focus on in the upcoming time. Thank you Ruby and Thijs, I will be back!
I had the best time at Sukacita! Ruby and Thijs are truly special people who create a unique and welcoming experience. The balance between surfing, yoga, reflection and having time for yourself in between was perfect. It gave me the space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with myself. From the very beginning, they created a safe and supportive environment where everyone felt comfortable being themselves, even if you didn't know the group very well at first. I met an amazing group of people, and the whole week was filled with nothing but positive energy and good vibes. A truly unforgettable experience. So thank you! <3
Ruby and Thijs are two special human beings who created an amazing week! Good food, good vibes, good people. The combination of surfing, yoga, and introspection worked very well. Beautiful and relaxing location. Would definitely recommend to anyone who needs a bit of a break and reflect. Thank you again for being able to take part in this <3
The retreat with Ruby and Thijs was just perfect! There was a nice balance between having a lot of fun with the group, either during dinner or in the water, and taking time to reflect on yourself or having meaningful conversations with each other. For me personally, this retreat was a great time to look back on the past year, reflect on my decisions, and look ahead, all while eating amazing, healthy food and spending a lot of time in the water! Thanks a lot!!!
I had such a great experience at Sukacita. What I especially loved was the balance between activity and relaxation, with yoga, surfing and enough free time in between. It gave me the space to slow down, reflect and really think about what is important to me and what I want to focus on. It was the perfect combination of being active, having fun and taking time for yourself. I came away feeling refreshed, inspired and with a clearer sense of what matters to me. I would sign up again in a heartbeat!
It was the second time I attended Ruby and Thijs’s retreat, and for good reason: they are so genuine, lighthearted, cool, and relaxed that you can’t help but adopt that same energy. They make you feel completely at ease simply by being themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed the perfect mix of surfing, yoga, great food, lovely conversations, and free time. They make it easy to be vulnerable, even if you don’t know the group very well yet. Truly a safe environment. Thank you! <3
Man, what a super interesting and inspiring experience. Even as an amateur, I felt at ease and was able to learn a lot and very quickly. Respect for all teachers, their lessons and their personal attention. The location and facilities have been tremendous. Staff are super friendly and great, healthy food with a lot of variety. Would definitely come back.
This retreat exceeded expectations. Wonderful blend of opposites: quiet and loud, active and restful, being introverted and extraverted. Beautiful location, exceptional food and lovely people. Would highly recommend it! Ruby and Thijs have created a magical experience.
I found this to be such a unique and beautiful experience and it was more than I ever hoped for. Lovely people, a lot of love and fun. Thank you for everything. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for an experience to do by yourself, but also together with others!
This was amazing. I felt renewed and reenergized. Yoga and meditation brings you in touch with your body and soul. The surfing brings playfulness and brings you in touch with nature. The self reflection questions bring you in touch with yourself again. I need this every year! The perfect week for reflection, clarity, calmness and inspiration.
A full week of beautiful people, AMAZING food, great breathwork, yoga and surf sessions at a beautiful place with great staff and created full of love by Thijs & Ruby. Almost too good to be true ;).
Ruby and Thijs created a beautiful retreat. It was a wonderful balance between physical, mental and emotional connection. They are so calm, kind and welcoming which created a great vibe. I would definitely come back again.
What a beautiful, fun, intense week full of love, light and growth. The workshops were very special to me. I enjoyed all of them and loved that we went deeper all the time, exploring the layers. Thank you Ruby and Thijs for holding space and creating such a thoughtful journey. Till next year!
It was an absolutely amazing experience. I would not miss any of Sukacita's retreats, given the personal benefits I gained and the amazing people and connections I made. A week felt like a lifetime; I reconnected with myself, enjoyed personal time, stayed active, and pushed myself to try new things. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone who resonates with these experiences. I can't wait to return.
Our vision
We are Ruby and Thijs, a Dutch couple with a love for adventure, the ocean, nature, bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. Sukacita was born from our greatest passions.
We believe that life is meant to be fully experienced. We know first-hand how powerful it is to spend time in nature, move your body, challenge yourself, slow down and connect with others. It has brought us a life full of energy, freedom and joy, and this is exactly what we hope to share with you.
We envision a world where people prioritise joy, connection and wellbeing, and make space for what truly makes them feel alive. A world where people feel deeply connected to themselves, each other, to nature and the ocean.
FAQ
Do I need to be able to surf?
No. Most of our guests are beginners surfers. We always work with local surf schools that know the area and local breaks and know how to safely guide beginners in the ocean. You just need an open mind, a willingness to learn and be ready to get out of your comfort zone! For the intermediate or more advanced surfers; we group students based on level so you get to work on your personal goals with one of the coaches.
Do I need experience in yoga?
Nope :) all levels are welcome. Just let us know if you are working with specific injuries or learning goals.
Do most people come alone, or with a friend?
It varies, but many of our guests join the retreat on their own and we absolutely encourage it. There's something truly special about stepping into a new environment, meeting like-minded people, and forming genuine connections.
In fact, some of the friendships that started on our very first retreats are still going strong today.
What are silent hours?
Every other morning, we enjoy breakfast in silence, a gentle invitation to start the day slowly and intentionally. You’re free to enjoy your breakfast wherever you like around the villa. These mornings often become a favourite part of the retreat.
What type of people join these retreats?
Our retreats tend to attract working professionals between the ages of 25 and 60 who lead full, busy lives. People who have built careers, juggle busy schedules and social lives, and who, somewhere along the way, have started to feel there's more to life than simply keeping up.
They're looking for space to slow down, reconnect with themselves, spend time in nature, and rediscover what makes them feel truly alive.
They're also the people we relate to most.
Do I have to join the whole program?
For us, the most important thing is that you take what you need. This is your holiday. We encourage you to do what feels good, whether that means going out for an extra surf session or taking a nap, reading a book or taking a massage. Surf lessons can therefore be booked separately.