Sail, Freedive & Flow
Retreat in Sicily

8th-14th SEPTEMBER, 2024

we are FULLY BOOKED!

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Come and join us in the Aeolian islands of Sicily this September (8th-14th) for a transformative sailing, yoga and freediving adventure, living on the water.

the details

• Book now

Ahoy!
We're Alex and Lars and after 3 years of living and travelling on a sailboat, we've created a unique experience combining everything we love most about life on the water that we can't wait to share with you.During our week together, you'll have the opportunity to find and expand your limits, connect deeper with yourself & the water and have plenty of time to relax and recharge.This experience is open to all levels and all water lovers!This is an opportunity to dive deeper in your practice (and the water), to cultivate a sense of presence and to connect with other like-minded humans who share a love for inner and outer exploration. You'll have the opportunity to complete a freediving certification (Lars is an AIDA instructor), training a new skill that opens up a whole other dimension to being in the water, that also invites a deeper connection to self that's hard to access elsewhere.Our home for the week will be Purpose, a beautiful 50ft catamaran (Saba 50), the perfect platform for adventuring in comfort.

Dive in with us for a truly transformative week that will leave you feeling alive, connected and re-energised.

Who is this for?

Calling all water lovers

This is the perfect trip for you if:• you want a break from the distractions and hustle and bustle of everyday life
• you're looking for a unique experience off the beaten track and away from the tourist routes
• you want your time off to be active, valuable and transformative
• you appreciate the value of being close to nature and are looking for genuine, unfiltered access
• you're excited about learning new skills that can support your mental and physical well-being
• you want to experience sailing and life on the water but don't know where to start
• you want to travel in a sustainable way (wind power!)
• you're open to meeting like-minded people, and leaving with new friends
• you can swim! (you do not need to be able to freedive or be particularly fit, but you must be able to swim)

• Sign me up!

What's the plan?

8th-14th September 2024
Sicily | Italy

Our week together will be a combination of sailing adventure, yoga & meditation retreat and freediving training. This is a journey of outer and inner adventure, all in fully catered comfort.Each day will bring a new adventure as we navigate the Sicilian waters, explore the coastline as well as the underwater world. We'll drop the hook in a new bay every night, anchored under the stars, enjoying a full nature fix.Our onboard chef, Michael, will be cooking up a storm in the galley - using fresh, local ingredients. Tasting the flavours of Sicily as we dine al fresco in the cockpit.

The philosophy behind this retreat is a fusion of sailing adventure and wellness retreat, as each day will offer a traditional practice element (yoga, meditation, breathwork). We will then combine all these practices, by bringing freediving into the mix. We're offering you the option to work up to a freediving certification if you like (AIDA 2 or 3 included in the package).You'll be among a small group of up to 8 guests. We'll be departing from Northern Sicily for 6 days of adventure around the Aeolian islands. With nature at our door step, you can jump in the sea whenever you like and get a real feel for what it's like to live on the water.

• I'm Coming!

A day in the life...

7:30am: Sunrise. Morning dip in the sea. Coffee or tea.
8am: Morning Yoga on the beach
8:30am: Guided Meditation
9:00am: Breakfast
10am: Sail to new anchorage
12pm: Lunch on anchor
2pm: Freediving session OR free time for snorkelling, relaxing or water activities
5pm: Walk to explore the local surroundings
7:30pm: Sundowners on deck
8pm: Dinner
9pm: Stargazing

Please note that everything is optional. This is your time and we want you to do as much or as little as you feel.(Sample itinerary is subject to change due to weather, water conditions, interest in activities and other improbabilities. Welcome to life on the water!)

What's included?

• 6 Nights accommodation
• Skipper
• Chef
• x3 Delicious and nutritious meals per day
• Tea, coffee, drinks, snacks
• 1 Daily yoga class
• 1 Daily meditation class
• All freediving lessons & AIDA certification (Value: 350€)
• Opportunity to learn an introduction to sailing
• Water toys (snorkelling gear, x2 SUP boards, subwing, kneeboard)
• Yoga mats
• Freediving gear (masks, belts, weights, wetsuits)
• Bed sheets & towels
• All boat related costs (park permits, fuel, marinas, etc.)

What's not included?
• Flights (we recommend opting for flexible/refundable tickets if you can)
• Taxi/transfer/train between the airport and boat (though we can help you organise this)
• Restaurant meals (We will have 1 dinner and 1 lunch where we eat off the boat in order to give our chef a little break!)
• Any activities done off the boat
• Optional tip for the chef

• I want to come!

Where will we sail?

We'll be sailing around the volcanic Aeolian islands just North of Sicily. While we can't predict the exact itinerary due to ever changing winds and weather, there are plenty of great anchorages and islands we can visit. Let's pray to the Sea Gods for good weather!Setting sail from our homeport of Marina Capo d’Orlando, we'll take our course North towards the stunning Aeolian islands.

Once in the Aeolian archipelago, we will island hop, anchoring off islands like Lipari, Vulcano, Salina and the infamous island of Stromboli, home to the active volcano. We'll explore everything the cluster of islands has to offer on both land and sea, making sure to visit Mount Stromboli which has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 2,000-5,000 years.We'll be diving in crystal-clear waters and enjoying great underwater visibility. We have tried to craft up a perfect balance between anchoring in remote, natural anchorages with the opportunity to witness clear night skies (and maybe bioluminescence!), as well as the ability to step foot into the local villages and get a taste for true Sicilian life and culture.

• Book now

Your floating home for the week

'Purpose' is a beautiful Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 catamaran and will be our home for the week. It's a modern sailboat with a huge amount of space, natural light and plenty of areas to relax together and privately.The open plan layout of the saloon and cockpit creates a sense of openness, and being a catamaran, everything is on the same level making it easy to move from the interior to the exterior. Most of our dining onboard will take place outside in the cockpit.One of the greatest advantages of sailing on a catamaran, compared to a monohull, is the added stability it offers. Say goodbye to worries about seasickness or discomfort in rolly anchorages. This makes it an ideal choice, particularly if you're newer to sailing.Purpose features 4 guest cabins, each with full-sized queen beds and ensuite bathrooms.

Pricing

The boat has 8 berths, in 4 double cabins, each with a queen-size bed and its own ensuite bathroom with a shower. You'll be sharing a cabin with another guest, unless you bring a plus one. Alternatively, you can opt for single occupancy and book an entire cabin for yourself (price adjusted for the decrease in variable costs, e.g. food).We prioritise your comfort and will ensure that cabin allocations are made in a way that everyone feels happy with.For more details on sleeping arrangements, check out our FAQ section. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to reach out to us.

*Currently offering an early bird discount of 100€ per person until the 31st May 2024!**An additional 100€ discount per person when you bring a friend or partner

• *2490€ 2390€ - Shared occupancy (One berth in double cabin)
• **2390€ 2290€ - Shared occupancy (When booking with a friend/partner)
• *4250€ 4150€ - Single occupancy (Double cabin to yourself)

We accept EUR, USD, GBP and BTC!

• book here!

This is an all-inclusive experience. Virtually all meals, travel, accommodation, activities and experiences are covered. Once onboard you can expect to spend very little except for the 2 meals off the boat and the odd souvenir or gelato ashore!Upon booking you'll pay a 25% non-refundable deposit. The balance is due 30 days before we set off. See the terms below for more details.

Testimonials

"Alex & Lars have created something incredibly unique, an opportunity to experience and celebrate life on the water, bringing together practices of breathwork, meditation and yoga, and tying it all together through the discipline off freediving - an incredible sport that has never felt accessible to me before and now feels like something I was always meant to do.Most importantly, it’s shown me the real tangible positive outcomes of meditation, allowing me to challenge myself mentally and physically in a safe way. They’re both incredible humans and amazing teachers on the mat and in the water and I’m so grateful for the safe space they’ve created for us to move and breathe through a week of incredible moments together in total flow - joy, challenge, connection.This was truly one of the most fun & transformational experiences of my life and I’m so inspired to deepen my practice in many ways using all the new tools I’ve acquired. And of course, I must mention the amazing food A La Mike, our awesome Skipper Florian and our home for the week “Purpose”, and all the fun we had exploring rocky paths and remote islands. Thank you!"Laura | 29 | German living in London

Wow a truly magical week in so many ways!! Wonderful people, beautiful yoga practices, powerful meditations, stunning scenery, delicious food and the most amazing adventures above and below the water.Weaving a new theme into each day, Alex and Lars expertly guided us through the week. Although the days were action packed they never felt rushed as we sailed from anchorage to anchorage, stopping off at deserted islands for hiking, swimming and yogaing. I’ll never forget the sunset yoga on top of the abandoned tower!Another theme of the week was freediving - something that wasn’t on my radar going into the week but added so much more to the experience than I anticipated. Through diving the benefits of each mediation became much more tangible, and I really felt the power of relaxation and a far deeper connection to my breath.. all while riding the exhilaration of overcoming real fear! Taking 8 freediving noobs from zero down to 12m and beyond is a great testament to A+L’s patience and coaching style and I can’t thank them enough for the wonderful introduction to the sport!Without doubt one of the best weeks of my life - I gained free diving as a new passion and the Sardinia crew as a new family. Everything about the week completely exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait for next the one!! :)Leo | 28 | British living in London

"The Navika Retreat was truly an amazing experience. I loved the combination of yoga, meditation, and freediving. These activities complement each other in a way I hadn't expected. Alex and Lars made me feel incredibly welcome and included, so I definitely also recommend the experience for solo travelers. I feel like every guest was met at their level especially when it came to freediving. All activities were optional and there was no pressure to join in on anything. However, Alex and Lars' passion for what they do is contagious, so you might find it hard to skip anything. I loved that the experience was based off of a sailboat.We were in a new location every day and each one was more stunning than the one that came before. We did yoga on what felt like private beaches and dove in crystal clear water. The schedule was flexible and catered to the overall vibe of all the guests. I loved that each day had its own theme. The food was absolutely delicious and there were always options to choose from. The sailboat was incredibly clean and well taken care of. I initially thought it might feel a bit crowded on the boat, but there were moments where I wondered where everyone had disappeared to. I'm incredibly grateful that I got to take part in this trip and would 10/10 recommend it."Serafina | 32 | German/Danish living in Munich

"I went from not being comfortable in open/deep water to swimming down to 12m, holding my breath for 2 minutes, jumping off cliffs, and swimming in the sea at night while gazing up at the stars!Over the course of one week aboard a 15m long catamaran called "Purpose," a group of 8 strangers embarked on a memorable experience—sailing from Olbia to Bonifacio, stopping along the way at the Maddalena Islands. Little did we know that by the end of it, we would all have completed our AIDA 2.What was initially an optional activity on this yoga and meditation sailing retreat (aka "sea-treat") became the foundational underpinning of our trip. My aim wasn't necessarily to obtain any certification; I just wanted to try something new, understand the concept, explore my horizons, and see things from a different perspective.My intention going into it was this: if I could achieve a state of relaxation, control, and poise in an environment that is not only unfamiliar but also under immense pressure (quite literally) and potentially dangerous, I could transform those skills and mindset to navigate the challenges of my everyday life, facing uncertainties and pressures with the same calm determination, be it on the open sea or amidst the complexities of daily existence.As I explored the depth of the waters, something incredible happened - I discovered my own depth, one that may have been there all along but I hadn’t trusted to carry me forward. When I came back, I was at peace thanks to my newfound, or re-discovered resilience. Bonus, and all the incredible friendships made on the boat!"Luana | 31 | Swiss living in London

Meet the crew

We've teamed up with our friends Florian (Skipper and Owner) and Michael (Chef) to provide the best possible experience onboard.Florian will be our Captain sailing us from place to place. Alex will be guiding our Yoga & Breathwork sessions for the week and is our Freediving Assistant Instructor when in the water. Lars is our Freediving Instructor and will be guiding us through daily meditations. Michael will be our Chef, feeding our bellies and our souls with his delicious food.

The logistics

We will welcome you onboard on Sunday afternoon on the 8th September 2024. You can either fly into Palermo or Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy. From there, you can take a train (approx. 2 hours / between 12-20€) to the marina where the boat will be (which will most likely be Marina Capo d'Orlando). A good option could be to arrive on the Saturday 7th and spend a night in either Palermo or Catania, exploring the historic towns and local culture before making your way to the marina the following day. Reminder that flights and transfers to the marina are not included.From there we'll set sail North for the Aeolian islands for a full week of adventure, activities, good food and raw nature.After a final breakfast aboard on Saturday 14th September, we'll say our goodbyes at the same marina we started at. Again, you can take the train back or we can help arrange transport to the airport or your ongoing destination.

Food

Our onboard chef Michael will be cooking us up some delicious meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients. The menu will be vegetarian & pescatarian friendly but if you have any dietary requirements let us know in the booking form. We always try and use local, organic and sustainable ingredients as much as possible, and our meals will be inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.

Freediving

What is freediving?Freediving is the activity of diving underwater on a single breath, without the use of external breathing apparatus like scuba tanks. It is a deeply immersive sport that requires mental focus, relaxation and breath control.Why freedive?It offers a unique opportunity to connect with marine life and the underwater environment. It shares many similarities with yogic practices: training the body, focusing on the breath, and calming the mind.Freediving requires mental discipline, concentration and relaxation techniques. These skills will not only help improve your performance in the water but can then be applied to daily life, reducing our response to stress and fostering mindfulness.Freediving challenges us to find our limits, overcome any fears and develop a deep sense of self-awareness. It can be a transformative experience and a powerful tool for our mental wellbeing, helping boost self-confidence, resilience and personal growth.

Why get certified?There are safety protocols & techniques that are important to know when getting into the sport. Through a certification course, you will cover the risks associated with freediving, how to dive safely, understand the physiology of the body as well as techniques & equalisation methods. By the end you'll be able to freedive safely and confidently, giving you direct access to the underwater world!Lars and Alex are both trained with AIDA (International Association for the Development of Apnea), a globally recognised freediving body. As an instructor, Lars is able to teach and certify you in an AIDA 2 or AIDA 3 freediving course. Alex is an Assistant Instructor and will be supporting teaching and on call for any questions you might have.If you are already certified and are a competent freediver, let us know in the booking form and we will plan our itinerary accordingly (to find some depth!)Learn more here about the different AIDA certification levels.

F.A.Q.

• I have a question

Can't join?

If you would like to join but can't make it this season, we are looking into planning some retreats next year in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. If this is something you want to hear more about, drop your email below and we'll keep you in the loop:

The boring (but necessary) stuff

1. Booking policy:After filling out the booking form you will receive an invoice for the 25% deposit. Your booking is confirmed upon our receipt of the deposit. The remaining balance is due 1 month prior to departure (ie. 8th August 2024).If the balance of the price of your retreat is not paid within 14 days of sending our invoice, we reserve the right to cancel your place and retain your deposit.
For bookings made after 8th of August 2024 the full payment will become due immediately upon confirmation of the booking.2. Cancellation policy
Cancellation by you:
You can cancel at any point by informing us in writing that you will no longer attend. If you cancel more than a month before the retreat we will refund the payment, minus the 25% deposit. Cancellations made less than one month before the start will not be refunded. We recommend some travel insurance to cover this eventuality.Cancellation by us:
We reserve the right to cancel the trip due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. major issues with the boat that need repair, unseasonal storm forecast, etc.). The trip will only go ahead with a minimum of five guests. Therefore we again recommend that you book changeable or refundable flights, or have travel insurance that covers cancellation.3. Travel requirements and insuranceYou are responsible for ensuring that you have a valid passport and any necessary visas and any necessary or required inoculations or other health requirements.You are responsible for arranging your own travel insurance which should cover you for the activities you plan to undertake and have adequate cover for travel delay, cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses and your personal belongings. We recommend you take out travel insurance within 15 days of booking your retreat and that your insurance covers your costs if your retreat is cancelled or postponed4. Group conduct
Guests who are deemed to be acting in a way that is inappropriate towards our crew, other guests or people in the local environment may be asked to leave.Inappropriate conduct includes verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour and violence, repeatedly disruptive behaviour, consuming excessive alcohol or drugs, sexual harassment, including sexual comments and unwanted touching. It also includes unwelcome behaviour that intimidates, offends or humiliates a person because of a particular personal characteristic such as age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexuality.No refund will be given in this circumstance and all costs for early departure must be met by the guest.