DRIFT away

portugal 2027

Join us for a very special retreat in south west Portugal

In October 2025 we held our first Drift Away retreat at The Good Place in Arrifana, Portugal.

The triangle of Good Surf, Good Food and Good Yoga prevailed, and soon we’ll announce our 2027 dates (likely Spring 2027). Email us to join the waitlist and be first in the know.

Portugal mood board featuring beaches, surfers, surfing gear, traditional foods like custard tarts, colorful tiles, scenic coastal views, garden scenes, and local symbols.

Green smoothies in glass vases, sliced watermelon, and peaches on a table.

Collage of various dishes, including tacos with lettuce, onions, and sauce; roasted vegetables topped with seeds and sauce; skewers of meat with fruit salsa; fresh green salad; and roasted tomatoes with sauce and nuts.

About the retreat

We aim to surf every day and eat delicious food together. We’ll practice meditation and vinyase yoga to wake up every morning and have evening yin and yoga nidra sessions for deep relaxation and good sleeps. We’ll be exploring the Costa Vicentina National Park in SW Portugal; a haven for wildlife, picturesque sunset spots and of course, waves!

You’ll be joining Nat Fox as your local host, surfer and yoga instructor - who’s been in the area for years and is excited to guide you to all the best spots. The rugged coastline picks up plenty of Atlantic swell, but we’ll be next to one of the most sheltered spots on the West Coast - Praia da Arrifana - so there’ll be fun surf for all levels. During October, you can find some of the best waves and weather this area has to offer!

We’re also stoked to be working alongside Rachel Weir, retreat chef and mum to Nomi; our friend and culinary inspiration, who has been catering for surf retreats in the Algarve for over 6 years. Known for her “mindful, healthful mostly plant-based cuisine”.

Rach will be preparing fresh lunches and dinners as sharing platters so we can continue the community vibe, sharing waves and sustenance together. We cater to any dietary requirements - so just let us know yours.

Coloring page with tropical theme featuring a palm tree, sun, and ocean waves, with the words "DRIFT AWAY" in the center.

arrifana

Arrifana is a small parish and fishing village in the Faro District's Aljezur Municipality in the Barlavento Algarvio region of Portugal. Embraced by cliffs, this seductive crescent-shaped cove 10km southwest of Aljezur has a small harbour and an offshore pinnacle known as “Pedra da Agulha”.

accomodation

A backyard view of a house with a swimming pool, outdoor dining area, flowering shrub, and a surfboard leaning against stairs on a sunny day.

Yoga class setup in a bright, spacious room with mats, blocks, and bolsters, large windows with curtains, and decorative string lights.

A GOOD PLACE TO STAY

Our accommodation for Drift Portugal is our own personal surf villa - The Good Place. The villa is set up for communal living, with five bedrooms, a pool and a private yoga shala. We love the location of the villa - Vale de Telha - as we are 5 minutes walk from gorgeous clifftop views overlooking the Atlantic, and 20 minutes walk from a small complex of restaurants where you can find great coffee. The villa has everything you need to Drift Away and simply enjoy the specially curated activities and delicious food on offer.

We will have sole use of

Yoga shala
Communal areas including the breakfast and dining room with cosy fireplace, apero lounge and honesty bar
The sunlit veranda
The full garden space, which has plenty of corners to explore
Swimming pool
Fire pit area / BBQ area

The retreat is limited to 10 spaces.

the rooms

Bedroom with two single beds, each with gray bedspreads and gray pillows. Rolled towels with pink flowers on top are on each bed. A small wooden table with a potted plant is between the beds. There is a wall hanging above the beds and a wooden closet with mirror doors on the left. A door to another room is open in the background.

There is one Deluxe room on the first floor which has its own ensuite bathroom.

A cozy bedroom with two single beds, each with white sheets and gray pillows, neatly rolled towels on top, and positioned near a window with green curtains, a wooden desk, a black chair, a wall-mounted shelf with framed pictures, and a radiator.

There are two Nice room on the first floor with a shared bathroom between them.

A minimalist bedroom with two low beds, each with gray bedding and towels decorated with pink flowers. A small wooden table is placed between the beds, and a vase with dried flowers along with some decorative objects are on the headboard. The room has white and light blue walls, a white refrigerator on the right, and a small area rug on the floor.

There are two Standard rooms on the ground floor with a shared bathroom.

Outdoor patio with a long dining table, chairs, and flowers overlooking a swimming pool and lush greenery.

People sitting at a wooden outdoor table enjoying a meal of soup, bread, and salads, with glasses of water and decorative items on the table.

A scenic view of a sandy beach with ocean waves and rocky formations, under a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.

A woman surfing on a small wave in the ocean while wearing a black wetsuit.

Photo: João Serafim - Nat in Arrifana Bay

What we will be doing

Depending on the tides and conditions, we’ll either start the day with an early morning meditation and vinyasa flow practice or head straight for the surf. A light breakfast will be available for when it suits you (before or after yoga/surf).

We’ll be looking for mellow, longboarding waves and have a few options in the local area. Drift surf sessions are all about having fun and connecting with the Ocean, and you’ll be supported by local, qualified and experienced coaches, whatever level you are.

After surfing, we’ll head back to the villa for a delicious, nutritious buffet lunch prepared by our lovely chef Rachel.

In the afternoons, we’ll have optional activities such as a hike through the National Park to a secret beach, an Ocean Literacy workshop, learning about ecosystem restoration with Mossy Earth or simply free time to take a massage or read a book.

Dinner is the main event in the evening, followed by a special screening of “Point of Change” one night. We’ll wrap up our days with a yoga nidra to prioritise sleep and restoration, ready for another day of Drifting!

our theme is: connection

Each Drift retreat is specially curated and delivered with intention, and Drift Away Portugal is more than just a holiday—it’s a chance to reconnect.

Whether you’re riding the Atlantic waves, finding balance on the mat, or sharing nourishing meals, every moment is designed to deepen your connection with yourself, nature, and a like-minded community.

During Drift Away Portugal, connection will be at the heart of everything we do—because we believe that when we connect with the ocean, the earth, and each other, we cultivate a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond the retreat. Join us for an unforgettable week of movement, mindfulness, and meaningful moments.

Let’s drift together.

"Every wave, every breeze, every sunset is a love letter from the universe."

Sunset over the ocean with colorful sky, crescent moon, and distant horizon, with silhouetted bushes in the foreground.

Two women in wetsuits walk barefoot on a wooden boardwalk toward the beach, carrying surfboards, with a river, sandy shoreline, and hills in the background.

A baby octopus on the sandy shore near rocks and shallow water.

A metal and black device from Ocean Diagnostics is placed on a desk with scattered small ceramic or stone fragments in various colors and shapes. There are two sheets of paper with some writing and more fragments, along with a yellow and black measurement tool and a container in the background.

our activities

Group of people standing in a forest clearing, listening to a woman giving a presentation or explanation, with dense greenery and trees around.

Group of people standing on sandy coastal cliff overlooking the ocean on a partly cloudy day.

A group of seven women sitting in a circle on a sandy beach, listening to a woman leading a discussion or giving instructions, with a surfboard partially visible in the foreground and cliffs in the background.

Along with surfing, we’ll be learning about ocean literacy, and what it means to be a “marine citizen”. There’ll be workshops on reading the forecast, understanding the conditions and the swell, collecting data in marine ecosystems and even looking for species to connect with local marine biodiversity. We’re also including elements of social justice through our film screening of “Point of Change” (directed by Rebecca Coley). It’s a great way to deepen your knowledge of ocean sustainability whilst surfing Mother Nature’s waves!

Someone wearing blue gloves filling a syringe with a clear liquid, with a blue cushioned seat and a cardboard box in the background.

Colorful poster for the film "Point of Change" featuring a young person with curly hair looking at waves, with images of a soldier and a surfer woman, and various awards and reviews.

Join our retreat

Includes

Airport transfers for Faro airport (if you fly into Lisbon we can help arrange transfers)
6 nights accommodation (check in from 3pm)
3 meals per day (except one dinner out)
x5 Surf lessons (2 hours including equipment and transport to beach) with local surf school
Daily meditation / vinyasa yoga / restorative yoga / yoga nidra in private yoga shala (all equipment included)
Ocean literacy workshop with Nat Fox
Film screening of “Point of Change” and discussion with Director Rebecca Coley
Afternoon with Mossy Earth learning about ecosystem restoration
Pre-trip group call and debrief call for connection

Doesn't include:

Flights/travel to Portugal
Alcohol
1 dinner out
Massages

PriceS:

Starting at £1200 for a shared room.

Deposit of £400 required to book - contact us for BACS details or pay through PayPal on our bookings page.

Cancellation policy: 50% deposit refundable up to 60 days before, after that it is non-refundable. A payment plan is available if required. Final payment is required by 25 September 2025.

We will always try to postpone or offer an alternative date or a voucher wherever possible.
Please make sure you have your own flights and travel insurance.

Reach out if you have any questions or would like to see the brochure with more information.

email us

INTERESTED?

Fill in the form below to register your interest for Drift Away in Portugal and we’ll respond within 24 hours. Don’t forget to check your spam folder for our reply!