Nectar Yoga

After our dog passed away, we were looking for a quiet retreat to get away from the city. I had my eye on Nectar Yoga Bed & Breakfast on Bowen Island for a while, so when the province started reopening for local travel, we decided to book a weekend stay. We were a bit wary about traveling during COVID times, but after emailing with the owner, Andrea, we were reassured that all the necessary precautions would be taken. Prior to arrival, we were emailed an itinerary, a suggested packing list and instructions about COVID. Keep reading for more details on our stay! For restaurant and hiking recommendations on Bowen Island, click here.

GETTING THERE

On our arrival day, we took the ferry from Horseshoe Bay and arrived on Bowen Island twenty minutes later. The round-trip ferry ride cost us about $50 CAD. Fares for foot passengers are cheaper at around $11-$12, but I would recommend driving a car onto the ferry to get around the island. Nectar Yoga was about a five-minute drive from the terminal. The other option of getting around the island is with public transit operated by Translink. Buses run from the Snug Cove ferry terminal area to the West side of the island.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Nectar Yoga is nestled among the trees on 20-acres of untouched land. Though it’s just off a main road, the private property is very quiet and secluded. On our check-in day, we had orientation in the Onyx Lodge and became acquainted with the other guests. Due to COVID, masks were required during orientation and social distancing protocols were in place. Nectar Yoga has reduced their maximum booking capacity, so there were maybe 6 other guests whose stays overlapped with ours.

The common areas included hammocks, a fire pit, an outdoor dining space, as well as the Onyx Lodge. We spent our down time in the Onyx Lodge to read on their comfy couches. There are no TVs or computers at Nectar Yoga, so we really took the time to unplug and unwind. However there was a small collection of jigsaw puzzles in the lodge for guests. I took a crack at a 1,000 piece puzzle one night but didn’t get very far 😊. In the mornings, breakfast is typically served in the Onyx Lodge. We were very impressed by their vegetarian breakfasts, which were always delicious and quite filling too. One morning my boyfriend was especially hungry and our hosts generously made him another bowl of yogurt.

We stayed in the Opal A-Frame Cabin in July, which was about $300 per night (including yoga and breakfast). The cabin is quite cozy, with just enough space to get changed and sleep. We figured we would be spending most of our time outdoors or in the common areas, so we didn’t mind the smaller space. Typically when you stay in the A-frame cabins, you’d have to share bathroom with other guests. Because we were staying there during COVID, all of the guests had access to their own bathrooms. We were given keys to one of the shared bathrooms for private access.

YOGA

The geodesic dome at Nectar is one of the coolest places I’ve ever practiced yoga in. The window lets in just enough light to illuminate the space, while providing views of flowers and trees. The way the dome is built allows sound to carry every corner of the structure. On the evening of our first yoga session, it was raining lightly. Hearing the sound of raindrops on the roof of the dome while meditating made the experience even more calming.   

For our weekend stay, the booking cost included three sessions of yoga: one hour of yoga on the evening of our arrival, plus one hour each morning that we were there. The yoga sessions always began with a 30-minute guided meditation, usually led by the owner, Andrea. One morning we were there, the guided meditation was a guided walk through the woods. I found the style of yoga to be quite challenging, which I loved. Even though the yoga was challenging, Andrea or Catherine (another instructor) always made everyone feel welcome. Modifications were offered for difficult poses and there was absolutely no judgment. There were people of all levels of yoga participating, which made for a non-intimidating space.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If I had to describe our stay in just one word, I would say it was magical. Being at Nectar Yoga was so calming and exactly what we needed. Walking around, you can hear sounds of nature and the stream trickling. The experience of unplugging and getting away from the city felt healing. At night when we were relaxing in the Onyx Lodge, we saw several deer snacking on the clover plants growing on the property.

For anyone who is thinking of staying at Nectar Yoga, I would highly recommend it. Even if you aren’t a yogi, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature. The main piece of advice I have is to be present while you’re there and soak up every part of the experience. It’s not a place to go and be glued to your phone or other electronics. Yoga sessions start at 8am in the morning, so be prepared to wake up early too. Overall, we loved our time at Nectar Bed and Breakfast and will definitely return.