Orcas Island
Earth and Sea Retreat
with Mary Bue & Tara Cindy Sherman
Orcas Island, Washington
Doe Bay Resort & Retreat ~ October 1-5th 2026
A mystical extended weekend adventure
at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat
Surround yourself with the breathtaking beauty of Orcas Island, where verdant green earth and the deep blue sea are the stars of the weekend, plus whale watching, forest walks, yoga, meditation, and sonic blessings with your guides Mary Bue & Tara Cindy Sherman.
This Pacific Northwest paradise of tall trees and aquamarine waters, habitat to strong, mysterious sea creatures and the freshest air, will imbue your senses with serenity and awe. Take a weekend to rejuvenate, have an adventure, and restore your energy with cool, interesting fellow travelers.
“The retreat at Doe Bay was filled with so much magic, beauty and song. I felt deeply nourished by Mary's loving facilitation and by the incredibly special venue. Yoga, soaking, whales, Northern Lights, rainbows, song. Yes please and thank you!” ~ Alex
Retreat Package Investment
whales | yoga | meals |music
Rereat package invesment
$999
DEPOSIT: $300 - (included in total price / non-refundable)
Join us for these earth + sea inclusions
3-4 hour whale watching excursion
6 local organic veg meals created from Chef Bev + Crew at Doe Bay Cafe
Silent Hike in Moran State Park
Daily Yoga Asana, pranayama, meditation Yoga Nidra Practices with Tara & Mary
Concert & sonic blessings from Mary
2 private soaks in the hot tubs overlooking the Salish Sea + optional community soaks for additional fee
Open mic night at Doe Bay Cafe (tentative)
No promises, but possible: Northern lights! Shooting Stars! Sea Otters!
Please note: Lodging + Transportation to Doe Bay Resort not included ~ many options for your preference + budget ~
Book your own yurt, campsite, or cabin solo or with friends/loves/family ~ 4th night free. LODGING IS MOVING FAST! Reserve at Doe Bay’s Front Desk ~ 360-376-2291
whales
singing at dawn
in the cold sea
~ Gyodai
Doe Bay Resort & Retreat sits on 35 acres of pristine waterfront land in the San Juan Islands, on the coast of Washington State. Orcas Island is accessed by a gorgeous ferry ride from Anacortes. Doe Bay Resort is reached with a drive through rolling green farmlands by the sea, clear across the island on the south-eastern shore. One can stay in cabins, yurts, campsites, or perhaps a treehouse!
Ferry across the Salish Sea from Anacortes (90 min drive from Seattle or Bellingham), passing by many of the beautiful forested Islands in the San Juan Island Archipelago - you may even see Orca whales as you travel across to our Island!
Upon arrival, expect a sweet opening ceremony, hiking, heated soaking tubs, yoga practices, meditation, music, and beautiful food will fill up our time together. The beauty and mystery of the land invites deep restoration & grounding. We will adventure by boat for a whale-watching excursion, experience a silence-optional hike along the pristine mountain lake trail in Moran State Park, and dine on local, organic meals created by Chef Bev and crew at Doe Bay Cafe (the food is amazing). Enjoy earth-centered practices, meditations and yoga nidra with Tara Cindy Sherman and flowing practices + sonic blessing serendates every day by your retreat host, award winning singer-songwriter Mary Bue.
The retreat package includes all activities, excursions, and catering. With this package, kindly note lodging is not included ~ book your own yurt, campsite, private cabin, or stay off-site. Book your lodging via Doe Bay Resort’s website with the interactive resort map to find the campsite, yurt, or cabin of your choice! Doe Bay's price list also here for easy reference. Kindly book your lodging online or over the phone ~ 360-376-2291. More lodging info and price ranges below.
This adventure is for … YOU!
Do you want to see whales?? In 2023, 2024, and 2025, we saw an adolescent Blue Whale and multiple pods of Orca Whales during our whale-watching excursions, and in 2025 we saw a humpback whale! In 2023 the Orcas swam right up to the rocky beach at Doe Bay Resort, right below the Orca Yurt! No guarantees, but almost!
Lovers of nature: wild forested islands, the ocean, and the Pacific Northwest
Music lovers ~ you’ll be serenaded with lots of “sonic blessings” during our yoga practices and potentially a community wide open mic night in the cafe
Spiritual seekers - silent practices, intention setting, guided visualization, free-writing, chakra exploration, enhancing intuition, embodiment practices, mantra/sacred sound …
Solo travelers seeking a safe space & adventure
Writers for practicing creative writing in community
Yoga lovers of all levels – beginners welcome
Vegatarian or plant-based curious. We will have a few family style meals and a few meals ordering off the dinner menu at Doe Bay Cafe ~ all are welcome. There are full community kitchens for camping and more rustic cabins + yurts as well full kitchens in private cabins if you should desire supplemental nourishment.
All genders welcome! Couples! Friends! Solo travelers!
About Your Hosts
Tara Cindy Sherman e-RYT 500 YACEP
My first introduction to the yogic path was in 1970 when at the age of 13 I read Siddartha by Hermann Hesse. The wisdom in that book made such an impression on me that I taught myself to meditate by gazing into the flame of a candle, many years later I learned that this technique is called trataka and is a valid tantric technique for meditation. Though I didn’t continue to practice for very long, being exposed to Eastern teachings at such a young age made a lasting impression on me. The inner knowing that there is more to life than the “seen” world is what drew me to, and keeps me on a yogic path, and is what I strive to bring to all of my classes.
In 1987 I returned to a regular practice of meditation and soon discovered the joy of hatha yoga. In 1993 I received my first 200 Yoga Teacher Certification at Expanding Light in Grass Valley, CA and have been teaching yoga ever since. That same year I was initiated into the tantric form of meditation known as Kriya Yoga as taught by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Since that time here are some of the certifications and trainings that I have taken: DansKinetics from Kirpalu Center in 1999, Atma Yoga from Christopher Baxter in 2001, Ashtanga with Doug Swenson in 2002, Yoga of the Heart Cardiac & Cancer with Nischala Devi in 2004, JAI Prenatal with Jennifer Gray in 2006, Yin yoga with Paulie Zink in 2007, Yogic Mystery School and trip to India with Russill Paul studying Nada yoga in 2008, Vini Yoga with Gary Kraftsow in 2012, and goddess philosophy and meditation with Sally Kempton at Mt. Madonna in 2014.
Over the years I’ve brought together all of my favorite teachings and experiences into what I’ve named Radiant Shakti Flow which incorporates the Hindu Goddesses, ritual, chanting, drumming yogic warms, creative movement and yoga nidra for a full experience of the sacred.
Mary Bue e-RYT 500 YACEP
A registered yoga teacher (e-RYT 500) in the Viniyoga tradition, Mary received her certification at Whole Life Yoga in Seattle, WA from 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 Nada Yoga (the Yoga of Sound) certificate from Nada Yoga School in Rishikesh India.
Mary has pursued continuing education in prenatal yoga, yoga for anxiety & depression, pranayama, and a 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 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.
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), a nature lover, and a vegan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing music, cooking, writing blogs, poetry, and in journals, painting cow portraits, reading non-fiction, and traveling.
Lodging + Policy Details
Check rates & book your yurt, campsite, or cabin here or click on the resort map to find your dream spot
Get your 4th night free with online code “EXTRA1”
Please note, sample lodging rates listed are from 2025
LODGING IS GOING FAST!
Please call Doe Bay Front Desk at 360-376-2291 to reserve.
Make sure to say you are attending Earth + Sea Retreat with Mary + Tara Oct 1-5th when you reserve 🙏
From a rustic studio Cabin to a 3-bedroom deluxe cabin, we have something to match everyone’s budget, group size, and amenities preference. Cabins sleep 2-7 people.
Price range for cabins: $288 to $1050+ tax for 4 nights (4th night free with code EXTRA1)
Yurts and Domes, each with their own unique location and view. While all Yurts and Domes are without water, we have recently upgraded a few Yurts that we are calling “On Grid” with electricity! Yurts + Domes sleep 2.
Price Range for Yurts + Domes: $288-$414+ tax for 4 nights (4th night free with code EXTRA1)
Campsites ~ Doe Bay is one of the prime spots on Orcas Island for camping! With your choice of: Drive-In Campsites, Walk-In Campsites & Family Campsites
Price Range for campsites: $198-237 for 4 nights (with code EXTRA1)
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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.”
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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
3pm Check in, settle in, explore …
6pm Opening Welcome ~ introductions, details, gentle movement
6:45 Dinner
Evening Open Mic (depending on season) & hanging at Doe Bay Cafe
Friday
Light breakfast on your own
9:30am Earth-themed Practice ~ Grounding Asana, Centering Pranayama, Earth Meditation
12:00pm Lunch
1pm Optional Silent Hike in Moran State Park
Private Soak in Hot Tubs
6:00pm Dinner
Saturday
9am Sea-themed Practice ~ Flowing like Water Asana, Soothing Pranayama, Sea Meditation
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
Light breakfast on your own
10:30am ~ Earth + Sea Practice
12:30pm lunch
Free Time ~ hike, go into town, book a massage, rest!
3:30-5 Public soak in hot tubs (not incl, but do it if you want!)
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Closing Ceremony ~ gentle movement, meditation, connecting
Monday
Fond Farewell
11am Check out
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What is included:
Whale Watching excursion
5 meals from Chef Bev + Crew at Doe Bay Cafe
Daily yoga, meditation, yoga nidra
Hiking excursion in Moran State Park
1 private soak in the hot tubs
Private mini concert + sonic blessings
DEPOSIT (non-refundable) $300 - this is included in total price
$999
~ non-refundable deposit of $300 incl. in total price
Please note there is a $10/day late fee for late payments.
With this package, guests book your own yurt, campsite, private cabin, or stay off-site.
To book your own lodging:
The retreat package price including all activities, excursions, and catering is paid for separately. Book your own via Doe Bay Resort’s website with the interactive resort map to find the campsite, yurt, or cabin of your choice! Doe Bay's 2026 price list also here for easy reference.
We will have a code for the 4th night free is EXTRA1
Kindly book this separately online or over the phone ~ 360-376-2291
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.
Full payment is due by August 15th 2026
What is not included in the retreat package:
Lodging
Ferry Ticket (approx $68 in 2025)
Flights/transportation to Doe Bay
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities for whale watching + housekeeping. Supplemental gratuities for restaurant staff are optional (included however if you loved, more always welcome!)
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 June 15th 2026
50% refund (minus deposit) between June 15th to August 15th 2026
No refunds after August 15th, 2026*
*If the retreat is canceled by the host, you will receive a refund in full.
Please note that we need a minimum of 8 guests by July 15th 2026 to host this retreat.
* 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 (and there is no wait list)
* If you cannot attend, you are welcome to sell your retreat package to another guest with the approval of the host (minus deposit) IF we do not have a waiting list. It is not the responsibility of the host to fill your place.
Regarding Behavior & Consent:
We strive to offer a safe container for all of our retreats, workshops, events, and trainings. The cliff notes version regarding behavior and consent is that consent for our retreats means enthusiastic or authentic consent and that the expectation is that all guests treat each other respectfully.
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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.
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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 in 2024 (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
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.
Are you ready to join us? Can’t wait to share time with you on Orcas Island!
“It was a joy to participate in Mary's Earth and Sea retreat on Orcas Island. It was filled with laughter, fun, good food, awe inspiring nature, her beautiful spirit singing and yoga practices, as well as some really fun excursions to an old growth forest and to see the whales. Thank you for a magical time.” ~ Krista
