With June 21st marking both International Surf Day and International Yoga Day, five luxury resorts are pioneering the perfect marriage of wave-riding adventure and mindful movement. From Amanera's "Surfer's Yoga" sessions on the Dominican Republic's dramatic north coast to Octant Furnas' innovative "Woga" (Water Yoga) in naturally heated volcanic springs in the Azores, these properties offer curated experiences that go far beyond typical beach resort activities. Destinations include Costa Rica's Andaz Peninsula Papagayo with access to legendary breaks like Witch's Rock, California's Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay near the world-famous Mavericks surf spot, and Turks & Caicos' Amanyara with its protected reef breaks and waterside yoga sessions.
What sets these properties apart is their holistic approach recognizing surfing and yoga as complementary practices, both rooted in breath, balance and connection to natural elements. These are carefully crafted experiences featuring everything from volcanic spring water therapy to partnerships with world-class local surf instructors, representing the perfect combination of adventure, mindfulness, and authentic destination culture for today's experiential luxury travelers.
Amanera, Dominican Republic
Overlooking Playa Grande beach, Amanera is framed by dramatic mountains on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Offering multiple dining venues, an Aman Spa, Beach Club and private Aman Villas to own, the 25-casita resort also provides exclusive access to the neighbouring fairways of Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club. Offering breathtaking ocean views, the property’s name combines the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ with era, the word for ‘water’ in Taíno. An idyllic base for discovering the north coast, Amanera offers kite surfing, surf lessons and surf & yoga experiences. The “Surf & Yoga” experience features a two and a half-hour private surf session to kick off the day, led by a surf expert. Surfers will enjoy a surf cooler made of healthy energy drinks before heading off to a private Beach Cabana for a guided meditation session and a session of surfer’s Yoga. Surfer’s Yoga features a restorative experience for all-levels of surfers to restore the body and bring stillness to the mind. Learning how to breathe properly will be the biggest benefit surfers will gain from this yoga practice. The class focuses mainly on the lower back, latissimus dorsi, deltoid and trapezius muscle stretching, core and leg strengthening, as well as balance. A brief closing meditation soothes the soul to inspire mental agility and build focus for taking on the waves once again.
Octant Furnas, Azores, Portugal
At Octant Furnas, located in São Miguel Island's volcanic Furnas Valley, guests are invited to experience the renowned “Quente das Quenturas” thermal spring waters, a source of healing for centuries. The iron-rich waters of the hotel's indoor and outdoor pools reach temperatures as high as 40°C naturally from the volcanic land. Indoors, guests can enjoy the hydrotherapy circuit, explore the sauna, laconium, turkish bath, aromatic showers and the heated and cold plunge pools. In 2025, Octant Furnas introduced a menu of Warm Water Therapies available for guests to book throughout the year, including Water Yoga (a term they coined woga). For those seeking more high intensity adventures, Octant Furnas can organize surfing lessons for guests with top tier instructors. If surfing between the months of April and October, travelers might even spot some whales and dolphins during their lessons.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Costa Rica
Located within a 1,400-acre secluded resort community, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo invites guests to immerse themselves in the magic of Costa Rica’s pristine natural beauty, seamlessly blending luxury with the country’s rich culture and lush natural surroundings. Guests can unleash their inner strength and vitality at the resort’s state of the art fitness spaces. Andaz offers two dynamic gyms, an open-air functional training space, where guests can train amongst the beautiful natural surroundings, and a fully equipped indoor gym for a complete, high-intensity or strength-focused workout. Private and group sessions are available for daily outdoor classes like Vibe and Flow Vinyasa Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Breathwork and Meditation, Breath and Cold Plunge, and Flex & Stretch.The resort also has a partnership with SurfX, offering curated surf experiences led by Costa Rica’s number one female longboarder, Lia Diaz. With SurfX, Andaz provides a unique opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in the local surf culture, whether they’re total beginners or seasoned surfers looking to ride Costa Rica’s legendary breaks like Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point. Through private and group lessons, kids’ surf camps, and immersive excursions to Tamarindo’s vibrant surf scene, guests can learn to surf while also discovering the artistry behind surfboard shaping, the importance of ocean conservation, and the empowering rise of female surfers like Diaz.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay California
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay – the premier Northern California beach resort – invites guests to learn the art of surfing. Almost every year, Half Moon Bay is home to the world-renowned Titans of Mavericks, a surf competition bringing big wave surfers and surf enthusiasts to California to witness some of the largest waves in the world. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay sits high atop the southernmost part of Half Moon Bay overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Whether a seasoned veteran or eager to learn the basics of surfing, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay concierge can create a memorable surf experience for guests.
Amanyara, Turks & Caicos
Basking on the secluded shores of an 18,000-acre nature reserve, Amanyara takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, catering both to those seeking to relax and restore body and mind, and guests wanting to enhance physical fitness. Amanyara offers a variety of yoga experiences, including complimentary morning yoga classes, private yoga sessions, and the option to participate in yoga as part of wellness immersions. The resort also offers yoga classes specifically designed for children and young people, focusing on breathing techniques and meditation to promote relaxation and focus. These yoga sessions, often held in Amanyara’s waterside yoga sala, incorporate asana (poses and flow), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation practices. They are designed to promote a holistic journey toward better health and balance.
