5-Day Disconnect to Reconnect Silent Retreat on Bowen

This five-day silent meditation retreat at Nectar Yoga on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island), British Columbia, offers four nights of noble silence, simplicity and unhurried time in the forest. Devices are set aside, the schedule is deliberately sparse, and the days are shaped around meditation, gentle movement and rest. It suits anyone who wants a real pause from screens and noise, including those new to meditation. Nectar co-founder Andrea Clark is available for private conversations during the stay.

What to Expect

The retreat is timed with the quiet of the December season, and the invitation is to slow down on purpose. Arrival day begins with check-in, a property tour and a welcome snack in the lodge. After an orientation, with the option to surrender your digital devices, the group gathers in the Dome for a welcome circle. It includes an introduction to meditation, some gentle movement, and the start of noble silence. Dinner follows.

On the full retreat days, the rhythm is steady and simple:

- 8:00am morning silent meditation with gentle movement
- 9:45am breakfast
- 12:00 midday meditation
- 1:00pm lunch
- Afternoons left unscheduled for self-guided exploration, time in nature, journaling and rest
- 4:30pm gentle movement
- 5:00pm evening contemplation and sharing circle
- 6:00pm dinner

Each evening includes one optional hour of digital connection, from 7:00 to 8:00pm, so the intention to unplug stays gentle rather than rigid. An optional self-guided evening meditation in the Dome follows at 8:00pm.

On the closing morning there is a silent meditation circle, then breakfast. Noble silence closes with a final sharing circle at 10:00am, and check-out is at 11:00am.

Working with Andrea Clark

Andrea Clark is the co-founder of Nectar. For those who want more guidance, pre-scheduled one-to-one sessions with her are offered in the afternoons, a space for personal growth and self-discovery alongside the self-guided days. These sessions are optional.

The Setting

Nectar Yoga sits among the forest on Bowen Island, and the grounds themselves are part of the retreat. You stay in private accommodation for four nights. The Dome and Onyx Lodge are open through the day for meditation, journaling, reading or simply sitting quietly.

Meals are plant-based. Breakfast and lunch are self-serve, and each day ends with a shared, family-style dinner. Getting to Bowen Island is up to each guest.

Before You Go

This is a beginner-friendly silent retreat. It opens with an introduction to meditation and includes only gentle movement. The long stretches of unstructured time and extended silence are best suited to people comfortable spending time alone with their own attention. The retreat is held in English.

Included are four nights of private accommodation, the morning and evening sessions, access to the Dome and Onyx Lodge, all meals, and the daily optional digital hour. Private conversations with Andrea Clark can be booked. Massage, tarot and breathwork are available as optional add-ons at extra cost. Travel to and from the island and personal expenses are not included.

Nectar offers this retreat on a sliding scale to keep it as accessible as realistically possible, and contributions at or above the full retail value help widen access for others. Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.