Deśa Retreat

Desa Retreat is a magical getaway. A very well considered space in a peaceful setting with so much more than accommodation. Do try the yoga, surfing, food ;-)

A wonderful 4 days of regeneration. Exceeded all expectations.
The quality of the room and amenities is outstanding. All facilitators were accomplished, confident, open and engaged, leading us through some amazing new experiences. (Nidra Yoga, Soundscape Yoga, Hula dancing to name a few). Special mention to Viv the chef. We were treated to an abundance of delicious food, prepared on-site, with all meals including fresh harvest from the garden. Thanks, Emma, for your care and intention in creating a beautiful, recuperative retreat.

Havenly retreat, I met a lot of genuine artists and amazing people who make me feel even more appriciate in life.
Keep up Emma you are the best

The Yoga & Surf Retreat was beautiful. How wonderful to be surrounded by and immersed in nature, learning gentle ways to integrate it all into modern day living. The accommodation was perfect, the people were perfect, the activities were perfect, the food was perfect. I am so grateful. The space you hold, Em, is like a cocoon. It is nurturing, loving, raw, real, enlightening, and grounding. For me, it has felt like a transitional space - as I begin to emerge from the chrysalis, feeling like I am taking a breath for the first time in this life. Thank you for sharing your experience, love, compassion & knowledge with me.

Beautiful nourishing space in nature. Lovely accommodation well equiped with everything I needed including lush toiletries from ‘The Herbalist’.
Em is so welcoming and I enjoyed a fab class with Em in her on-site yoga studio.
5 mins from walking tracks and the beach. Can’t wait to return!

Wonderful place of restoration and healing. Emma is a beautiful host that made all so welcome.

The vegan food was delicious. Swiv and Harvey were fun Surf coaches and got us all standing!

The yoga was different to any I had practiced before and gave an overall sense of calm and peacefulness.

The hula dance class and African drumming were so much fun and I felt a childlike sense of freedom.

The beautiful native and veggie garden gave the sense we were hidden away but we’re actually so close to the beach and shops. Great coffee at the local too.

I would love to go back and also share this beautiful place with loved ones.

Emma and Swiv were the most welcoming and amazing hosts for the retreat. The variety of classes we did were informative and fun and the food was delicious

Emma was a wonderful guide and teacher and my wife and I had a fabulous yoga and sound healing experience
Can’t recommend it enough

One of the best yoga classes I ve been in my life. The combination of the space, with the beautiful sun coming through the windows, the warmth from the heater, the aroma and of course the wonderful guidance from Emma. It was over an hour of pure pleasure for the senses. I left Desa invigorated and with a sense of well-being and tranquility.

A beautiful place to stay by the sea, our little place was surrounded by beautiful garden with a great view and was lovely inside. Kitchen was great to use as well.

I had a great time at Desa Retreat. The location is walking distance to the beach and walking tracks, and the room was modern, with the most amazing toiletries supplied. The vegan meals were all so delicious and opened my eyes to vegan meal options. Host Emma is an amazing yoga instructor, and you walk away feeling fantastic after one of her sessions. I was blessed with beginner surfing conditions, but my teacher Brendan was full of encouragement and patience, which saw me up on my feet! I was a solo traveller and the retreat catered to my needs and had a personalised feel to the stay

My friend and I stayed at Deśa retreat, and it’s safe to say it ticked all of our boxes and more. Emma and her team made us feel right at home and we had the most magical experience. Emma went above and beyond and we can’t thank her enough, as we left feeling deeply connected to ourselves and nature and felt like we really tuned in to our higher selves. The whole experience exceeded our expectations, the villa was outstanding and the retreat itself is a slice of heaven that we really did not want to leave. Thank you so much Emma, and special thanks to Brendan “Swiv” for patiently teaching us to surf and making us feel at home! We will definitely be back

Since first visiting in early February, I have continued to return to Deśa for yoga, but I treated myself this weekend and stayed over again. Being in the Deśa environment, doing multiple yoga classes, surfing and eating Emma's beautiful food is the ultimate form of self care. Coming here is not a one-off for me, it's a new way of life.

Wow what a wonderful place Deśa Retreat is! I stayed at Deśa for two nights, doing the Surf & Yoga Retreat which was awesome. Upon arrival, Emma gave my sister and I, a warm welcome showing us around the beautiful garden and the villas. The room was not only cosy and comfortable but also very practical with all the kitchen necesseties you need. I really enjoyed the yoga class in the morning, it was a great way to reconnect & realign my thoughts and goals for the day. I could also tell Em is a very experienced teacher, she was great! I had the Abhyanga Massage on the final day with Hannah which was on another level.by far the best massage I have ever had oh my goodness. The warm oil felt so healing and Hannah's energy is contagious, she was wonderful. The food was definitley one of my highlights, the home grown and plant-based meals were so fresh and delicious. Deśa Retreat truly is a hidden gem.and I already can't wait to get back!

Had such a beautiful stay here! Emma is so warm, welcoming and inspiring. She cooked us some delicious meals using fresh produce from her garden, and the accommodation itself is clean, spacious and well-equipped with kitchen utensils, lovely tea and bathroom essentials. The surfing, yoga and meditation we did were very enjoyable, safe to say we will be back!

Just a few days at Desa has increased my energy. The yoga is wonderful and plant based food delicious. Emma is an experienced and generous teacher.

Such a beautiful location, beautiful healthy plant based food, stunning gardens and a short stroll to the beach. Highly recommend!

Beautifully situated in amongst the bustle metropolis of Jan Jac, Desa is a home away from home.

You're instantly greeted by the lush gardens and smiles of Emma and Brendan. The villa's were neat and cosy. The hammocks were my personal favourite. Ok, maybe it was the outdoor shower (heated).

Actually all of it, the fire pit, yoga studio and the food. Oh My Universe.the food.

Thank you!
I will be back

We needed a break from the city and Desa Retreat was just the perfect spot. The Tiny House is delightfully small (obviously), yet perfectly furnished. (Special nod goes to the gorgeous The Herbalist products). The grounds of the retreat are beyond beautiful, planted with natives and fruit and veg in equal measure, the walk to the beach is a mere 5 minutes, and host, Emma, is welcoming and generous.
We look forward to visiting again.

I used Desa Retreat as a venue for Light Of The Soul Yoga Retreat. I’d highly recommend. The studio was gorgeous, the food was so good, the accommodation lovely and Emma is a helpful, kind and all round lovely human.