Orcas Island

Doe Bay is a “rustic seaside resort in the San Juan Islands in Washington State with 30 cabins, 10 yurts and domes, and 29 campsites. Located on Orcas Island with 35 acres of partially forested property, our community serves as the cultural and social hub of the Eastern side of the island. The resort features a third of a mile of waterfront with two pebbly beaches. Our waterfront looks out across Rosario Strait to many of the other islands of the San Juan Archipelago and has easy access to Moran State Park just about a mile from our entrance.”

YOGA SPACE:

Depending on the size of our group, we will either have a living room vista with perfect hardwood floors for yoga practice and views of the Salish Sea, the private use of Doe Bay’s gorgeous yoga studio with “postcard-worthy views” of the ocean and other neighboring islands. We’ll have beginner-friendly daily practices including but not limited to asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, yoga nidra “sleep of the yogi” and nada yoga “the yoga of sound.” We will also practice self inquiry svadhyaya via optional group sharing and creative writing practice.

SPA + SOAKING TUBS:

There are gorgeous, clothing-optional soaking tubs overlooking the Salish Sea/Puget Sound which we will rent privately for our group one evening, and you can access for an additional fee at other communal open-soak times.

There is also a massage provider on-site at the spa. Reserve here!

DINING:

We will have the vast pleasure of private catering using local, fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients and will be creating exclusively unique vegan/plant-based meals for us. This private dining experience is top-notch and will be so special and delicious. Much gratitude to the chef, cooks, gardeners, farmers, and the beautiful land.

We’ll have one opportunity to dine at Doe Bay Cafe as well:

“We offer some of the finest “Seed-to-Table” dining in the region. The fact that we grow most of what we serve in the Doe Bay Organic Garden is only part of the formula. We also work with the best purveyors in the area. Everyone in the cafe is a “foodie” and we try to indulge their passion for great dining experiences to bring you the same. Our team is always delighted when guests come in expecting “end of the road on an island” cafe food, only to finish their meal in awe saying, “That was the best meal I have ever had” Due to the nature of seed-to-table dining, our menu changes often based on season and supply.”

Itinerary subject to change ~ and don’t forget, everything is optional! Consider this a brief outline for our time together. Details for workshops will be added as it gets closer and also in alignment with the season and the moon/astrology cycles.

Thursday, Oct 10th

3pm Check in, settle in, explore …

5:00pm Meet + Greet

Opening & Welcome Ceremony ~ introductions, details, gentle movement

6pm Dinner

7:00-8:30pm Open Mic & hanging at Doe Bay Cafe (Dessert, tea, wine?)

8:30pm Intention Setting & Yoga Nidra

Friday, October 11

Light breakfast on your own

10am Practice ~ Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Writing

12:30pm Lunch

2pm Optional Silent Hike in Moran State Park

4:30pm Workshop

6:00pm Dinner

Private soak in the hot tubs!

Saturday, October 12th

9am Practice ~ Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Writing

10:30 brunch

Whale Watching!

3:30-5 Public soak in hot tubs (not incl, but do it if you want!)

6:oopm Dinner

7:30pm Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Sonic Blessings

Sunday, October 13th

9am Closing Ceremony & Fond Farewells

11am Check out OR Stay an additional night for free!

For those who stay, there will be additional yoga practices and hangs TBA)

RETREAT PACKAGE INVESTMENT

What is included:

Whale Watching excursion

5 meals with private chef (2 brunch/lunches, 3 dinners)

Daily yoga practices

Hiking excursion in Moran State Park

1 private soak in the hot tubs

Investment for retreat package with lodging:

DEPOSIT (non-refundable) $300 - this is included in total price

SINGLE ~ $1199

SHARED ~ $899

WITHOUT LODGING (programming/meals) ~ $499 ~ non-refundable deposit of $200 (incl. in total price). With this package, you would book your own yurt, campsite, private cabin, or stay off-site

*If you are open to sharing a bed with your partner or close friend, $100 off for each of you!

DEPOSIT HERE

Please note that preferred payment options after the deposit are check, Apple Pay, or Zelle. A small fee will be added for PayPal or Venmo due to their admin charges.

Half payment due by July 31st 2024 // Full payment is due by September 15th 2024

What is not included in the retreat package:

Ferry Ticket (approx $64 in 2023)
Flights/transportation to Doe Bay
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages

Depending on group size, we may ask that a few guests drive separately/caravan to Whale Watching & Hiking (less than 20 miles)

If booking your own lodging, book online or email/call Shandra at Events@doebay.com and be sure to request your 4th night free if you can stay longer!

ONCE REGISTERED

As the retreat approaches, you will receive an informational email with more information about Orcas Island, getting there, what to pack, and more about our time together. You’ll also receive a waiver of liability to sign, knowing that you choosing to participate in this experience at your own risk.

REFUND POLICY

Full refund (minus deposit) before July 31st, 2024

50% refund (minus deposit) between July 31st to August 31st 2024*

No refunds after August 31st, 2024*

*If the retreat is canceled by the host, you will receive a refund in full.

* In case of extreme personal circumstances, we will consider full refunds less small administration fee on a case-by-case basis if your spot can be filled.

* If you cannot attend, you are welcome to sell your retreat package to another guest with the approval of the host. It is not the responsibility of the host to fill your place.

Cozy, clean, comfortable, quirky and a bit rustic, you’ll enjoy a quiet, warm, and relaxing place to retire. A few single rooms available, with shared rooms cabin-style with a few bunks, futons, and sleeper sofas.

We have reserved a few beautiful buildings very close to the water. Four single rooms are available, first come first serve (there is ONE single room with en suite bath - first taker gets it!).

All other restrooms in our cabins/houses are shared (and there are many additional community restrooms and bathing facilities throughout the resort).

Each house has a fully equipped kitchen so you can prepare your own breakfasts, snacks, etc.

SINGLE ROOM w/ en suite (1)

SINGLE ROOM (3)

SHARED / CABIN STYLE (5)

If you are traveling with your partner and would like to share a bed, we are happy to offer a $100 discount off each of your retreat package prices.

If you would prefer to book your own lodging, the retreat package price for all activities, excursions, and catering can be paid for separately (with lodging fee discounted). You would then book your own via Doe Bay Resort’s website with the interactive resort map to find the campsite, yurt, or cabin of your choice! You will book this separately online or over the phone. Make sure to let them know you are attending our retreat and if you would like that additional 4th night! Email Shandra at events@doebay.com to reserve!

MARY BUE

Mary Bue is a registered yoga teacher (e-RYT 500), an indie musician, and a teacher in the Viniyoga tradition, a breath-centered, flowing practice that believes in adapting postures to fit the whole person (not forcing a person to fit into a posture!). Mary received her certification at Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, WA by Tracy Weber, (student of Gary Kraftsow, student of T.K.V. Desikachar) and her 300-hour from Yoga Center Retreat (formerly Yoga Center of Minneapolis). In 2020, Mary received an additional 200-hour certificate in Nada Yoga (the Yoga of Sound) from Nada Yoga School in Rishikesh India.

Mary has pursued continuing yoga education in prenatal yoga, yoga for anxiety & depression, pranayama, and 30 hour-certification in Trauma-informed Yoga with Firefly Yoga International. Mary was a teaching assistant for Whole Life Yoga’s ten month long, 200-hour teacher training in 2010 and has also assisted in WLY’s “Yoga for Healthy Backs” Series. She has her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with an emphasis on Transpersonal Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Mary has also received volunteer training in sexual assault victim advocacy from PAVSA and domestic violence victim support from DAIP. She founded and ran Imbue Yoga Studio in S. Mpls for nearly 3 years (closing Jan. 2019).

As a wanderer-luster and experience junkie, she has worked in many types of jobs: as a clinical research assistant in a prison & hospital, an AIDS prevention outreach worker on the streets and harm reduction work in needle exchanges, as well as many hundreds of hours as a server, bartender and barista.

In her life as a musician Mary has toured in 40+ states, released 7 albums, been awarded four artist grants, enjoyed three Artist in Residence awards, and has served on the board and steering committee of the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival.

All of these experiences culminate in the guiding of Creativity and Yoga Retreats. Mary has led and co-led retreats in Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Bali, Malta, Ireland, and Italy.

Mary is an avid runner (10 half marathons and two full marathons), nature lover and vegan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music, cooking, writing blogs, poetry and in journals, painting cow portraits, reading non-fiction and traveling.

DOE BAY RESORT & RETREAT

Address: Doe Bay Resort & Retreat 107 Doe Bay Rd Olga, WA 98279

Front Desk: 360-376-2291

Cafe: 360-376-8059

Doe Bay is located on Orcas, Island in the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. From Seattle, it is approximately a 3.5-4 hour commute to Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, depending on traffic and ferry times. It is a bit of a journey to get here and I (Mary) am happy to assist in figuring it out, Doe Bay is a good resource to call as well (probably better)!

If anyone is interested in carpooling, we will do our best to connect you!

If coming from out of state, you could fly into Seattle Tacoma International Airport (RT from Minneapolis currently around $300) or Bellingham, WA. From there, rent a car or take a shuttle to the ferry in Anacortes.

Information to reach Anacortes Ferry Terminal

You will need to reserve your space on the ferry, especially if driving. If the ferry spaces are full, please note that more are released 2 weeks ahead of the ferry time, and then again 2 days before. You WILL get on! Round trip on the ferry costs $64 (not included in pacakge price)

By Car from Sea-Tac Airport or Seattle

Rent a car and drive to the Anacortes ferry landing in 2.5 to 3 hours to catch a Washington State Ferry. Ferry reservations should be made in advance.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO DOE BAY VIA THE ANACORTES FERRY TERMINAL FROM SEATTLE

Allow a comfortable 1-1/2 to 2 hours to enjoy the drive and the scenery from Seattle, or Vancouver B.C., to the Anacortes ferry terminal.

Once arriving on Orcas Island by WA State Ferry (directions via TheDyrt.com)

For the most convenience, drive your car onto the boat. Alternatively, you can arrange ahead for a Doe Bay Shuttle to pick you up (charge is $20/person one-way, when available). For early-morning or later-evening pick-ups, there is taxi service on the island to take you to and from Doe Bay – (360)-376-TAXI. It is also possible to rent cars on the island, with free drop-off and pick-ups at the ferry dock if arranged in advance – (360)-376-RIDE.

Once you arrive on Orcas Island, just follow everyone off the ferry to the left onto Orcas Road.

You will drive about 10 miles, and then the speed limit slows to 25 and a right-hand turn lane opens up. There is a bank with a clock tower on this corner. Turn right to drive through the town of Eastsound. This is a great chance to stock up on groceries, gasoline, or other shopping needs.

Orcas Road will become Main Street, and then Main Street will become Crescent Beach Drive. Proceed along Crescent Beach Drive, and take a right at the T (last gas station is on your left) onto Olga Road.

After about seven more miles, you will drive through Moran State Park (please drive slowly through the park!). Three more miles of driving and you will see the Olga Café, here turn left to stay on the main road, called Point Lawrence Road.

After approximately three more miles you will see a Doe Bay sign on the right with two deer on it.

By Private Charter

Also from Anacortes, splurge with Island Express Charters – the most enchanting way to arrive on Doe Bay’s shore! Boat can drop you right on the Doe Bay Beach, depending on tides. Recommended for special events groups. For more information and to reserve, call: (877)-473-9777 or (360)-299-2875

CAN I FLY TO ORCAS ISLAND?

Yes. Fly Kenmore Air or San Juan Airlines and take a taxi to the Fest. Priciest but most glamorous way to travel, especially if you are not a regular on seaplanes. There are a few Orcas Island taxi services to help transport you to Doe Bay: (360) 376-TAXI or (360) 298-1639

Parking is ample and available at Doe Bay, including some drive-up camping, yurts, and cabin options.