Ocean & ArtRetreat in Glencairn, Cape Town, South Africa

The Unwinding is a 2-night ocean and art retreat in Glencairn, Cape Town, designed to help you slow down, reconnect with yourself and enjoy time in nature. The retreat combines meditation, gentle breathwork, creative art experiences, ocean swimming and tidal pool hopping with nourishing meals and time to simply be.

The retreat takes place in Glencairn on the False Bay coastline in the Western Cape, South Africa. The guest house is nestled on the slopes of the Simon’s Town mountains and has uninterrupted views across False Bay. Glencairn is approximately 35 km from Cape Town city centre, 45 km from Cape Town International Airport and close to Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach and Kalk Bay.

The Ocean & Art Retreat takes place from 19 to 21 February 2027 and includes 2 nights of accommodation.

The retreat costs R6,860 shared with one other person with an ensuite bathroom for two nights. Private room costs R8,560 with an ensuite bathroom for 2 nights. A 60% deposit is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance due 1 month before the start of the retreat. You can also choose to pay the full amount when booking.

Your retreat fee includes two nights of accommodation, three meals a day with vegetarian and non-vegetarian meal options, coffee, tea and refreshments, dinner at Dixies Restaurant, guided breathwork and meditation, art supplies and creative materials, a 2 hour guided Kayaking tour/experience in Simonstown and surrounding areas, and Wi-Fi.

Transport to and from the retreat venue, including airport transfers, is not included in the retreat price. Transport to the Kayaking in Simonstown, after checking out, is not included either.

Yes. The Unwinding is a nature-based wellness retreat in Cape Town that creates space to slow down, breathe, reconnect and step away from the demands of everyday life. Rather than following a rigid program, this retreat combines gentle practices, connection to yourself, artistic creativity, mild meditation and breathwork, ocean experiences, good food and plenty of FUN.

Meditation is part of The Unwinding experience. Sessions are gentle and accessible, with no particular meditation experience required. Meditation is usually practised outdoors when possible and may be guided or held in silence. You do not need to be experienced in meditation to attend.

No. The retreat includes a slow, guided breathwork session designed to give you a steady space to reconnect with your breath. You set your own pace and can stop whenever you need to.

The art and making sessions are guided by an experienced Artist and are an opportunity to explore creativity without pressure to produce a finished artwork. Depending on the session, you may work with Botanicals, charcoal, paint, clay, ink or natural materials inspired by the surrounding landscape. You do not need to consider yourself an artist to participate, and nothing needs to be shown or judged.

It’s a two-hour guided adventure in Simon's Town ocean offering a scenic 7 km round trip from the Simon's Town Jetty to the Boulders Beach African penguin colony. You can encounter African penguins swimming right past or under the kayaks, Cape fur seals, seabirds, and seasonal dolphins or whales. Perfect for absolute beginners. Stable two-seater double kayaks and basic safety briefings are provided.

Yes and no. Ocean time is an important part of The Unwinding but not compulsory. The retreat includes optional ocean dips, optional beach walk and a guided 2 hour Kayaking experience in Simonstown (you will get wet from the waist down).

Alongside meditation, breathwork, art and ocean experiences, the retreat includes shared meals, free time and opportunities to simply relax and enjoy the surroundings.

A typical day might begin with a spectacular sunrise coffee, followed by gentle stretching, breathwork and meditation. After breakfast, there may be an art immersion, time to explore or relax, an ocean dip or beach walk, followed with a shared dinner overlooking the ocean. The final day includes a sunrise coffee, breakfast and a 2 hour Kayaking experience before saying goodbye. The schedule can change depending on the weather and the needs of the group.

Yes. Free time is an important part of The Unwinding. There is space in the programme to rest, explore, read, swim, walk, enjoy the views or simply do nothing. The retreat is not designed to keep you busy every minute of the day.

Accommodation is provided in a 4 star guest house in Glencairn. Rooms have either twin beds or queen beds, and each room has its own en-suite bathroom.

The accommodation includes rooms with twin or queen beds. Room arrangements can depend on your booking and availability. If you have a particular rooming preference, please let the retreat team know when booking.

Yes. Three meals a day are included, along with snacks and refreshments throughout the retreat. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available.

Absolutely. You do not need to come with a friend or partner. The retreat is designed for a small group of people who want to slow down, connect, experience nature and enjoy a shared but spacious retreat environment. You are also most welcome to come with a friend or partner.

The group is limited to 9 people, keeping the experience intimate and personal.

Yes. You do not need previous experience with meditation, breathwork or art. The retreat is designed to be accessible and relaxed, with guidance provided where needed. The most important thing is to arrive with a willingness to slow down and experience the weekend and unwind.

We recommend bringing a hat and shoes suitable for wearing in the sea (not necessary but optional), a yoga mat, comfortable clothes which will get wet from the waist down when Kayaking, a beach towel, comfortable clothing for walking and relaxing, and personal essentials and toiletries.

Glencairn is approximately 35 km from Cape Town city centre and around 45 km from Cape Town International Airport. The area is easily accessible by car. Airport and other transport to the venue are not included in the retreat price. The exact address is provided in your joining notes once your place has been confirmed.

Glencairn is situated along the False Bay coastline and is surrounded by beaches, mountains, tidal pools and coastal walking routes. Simon’s Town is approximately 3 km away, while Kalk Bay is around 5 km away. The area is also known for opportunities to see marine life, including dolphins, seals and, at certain times of year, whales.

Yes. Glencairn is approximately 3 km from the historic coastal town of Simon’s Town. Boulders Beach and its famous African penguin colony are also nearby, making the area a wonderful base for exploring the Cape Peninsula.

Yes. Trendy Kalk Bay is approximately 5 km from Glencairn, making it easy to explore the nearby coastal villages and attractions before or after your retreat.

Yes. The retreat location offers relatively easy access to the Cape Winelands, with Stellenbosch approximately a 45-minute drive away in suitable traffic conditions. The retreat itself, however, is focused on ocean, nature, creativity and unwinding rather than wine tourism.

Yoga is not the central focus of this retreat. There is gentle morning stretching and meditation, along with breathwork, art, walking and ocean experiences. If you are looking specifically for an intensive yoga retreat, this may not be the right retreat for you.

No. The Unwinding is not a traditional silent retreat. There is plenty of opportunity for conversation, connection, shared meals, creativity and fun, as well as quiet moments for yourself.

Yes. The small group size makes the retreat particularly suitable for solo travellers who want to meet like-minded people while still having plenty of personal space and downtime.

The Unwinding is about creating space to reconnect with yourself. Meditation, breathwork and creativity are combined with ocean experiences, nature, nourishing food and loads of fun. Weather and the energy of the group can shape the days, allowing the retreat to feel natural rather than overly programmed.

February can be a beautiful time to experience the Cape Town coastline. This retreat is particularly suited to people who want to spend time outdoors, swim in the ocean and enjoy the South African summer while taking a break.

The retreat is for people who want to slow down, reconnect with themselves, spend time in nature and enjoy a small-group experience by the ocean. It may be especially appealing if you are looking for a wellness retreat in Cape Town, meditation retreat, creative retreat, nature retreat, ocean retreat or a relaxing weekend retreat in South Africa.

Ask us. We would rather talk you out of the retreat than have you arrive and discover that it is not the right experience for you. The Unwinding is intentionally personal and small, so finding the right fit matters.

A 60% deposit secures your place on this retreat. With only 9 places available, early booking is recommended.