About this Retreat
Your Retreat Kayak Guide: Kay Lynn brings 20+ years of expertise in eco-tourism and outdoor adventure, having guided thousands through the biodiverse waterways of Southeastern North Carolina and Florida. As a certified ACA Kayak Instructor and Wilderness First Aid provider, Kay Lynn ensures both an adventurous and safe experience for all guests.
Before launching Wilmington Outdoor Adventures in 2021, Kay Lynn worked in the Florida Keys for The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Department of Environmental Protection. She then managed three nature parks on a small Caribbean island, overseeing a marine park, a national park, and a botanical garden. She transitioned to southern Louisiana, where she worked as a Biologist/Project Manager for a leading consulting firm. Kay Lynn spent over a decade directing environmental education programs for a nonprofit in southern North Carolina. She also served as Preserve Manager for The Nature Conservancy at Palmyra Atoll, the second largest Marine Protected Area on the planet.
Your Wellness Coach: As a Certified Integrative Health Coach, Jen received extensive training at Duke Integrative Medicine and has since immersed herself in all things mindfulness. With her previous career as a pediatric physical therapist, Jen is deeply interested in the neuroscience of behavior change. She combines this scientific background with mindfulness methodology, insightful questioning, and practical strategies to guide clients in creating sustainable transformative change.
Laura is a Jivamukti Yoga 800-hour certified Yoga Guide who has shared her practice for over 25 years through classes, workshops, and retreats around the world. Skilled in Vinyasa Flow, Gentle, Yin, Restorative, and Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, she creates inclusive spaces where all levels feel supported. Passionate about yoga philosophy and inspired by nature, Laura’s nurturing presence invites participants to slow down, connect inward, and move with mindful intention.
Details of this retreat
Escape the lingering chill of winter with a rejuvenating 8-day multi-destination women's retreat. Immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of outdoor adventures, yoga, and mindfulness practices as you embark on a transformative journey through sunny Florida. Enjoy kayaking in handpicked scenic spots, restorative daily yoga sessions, personalized wellness coaching, and luxurious accommodations designed to nourish both body and spirit. No experience necessary! Limited to 6 women.
This women’s retreat—spanning multiple destinations—goes far beyond a typical vacation to offer a deeply transformative experience rooted in yoga, kayaking, and holistic wellness practices.
We will set out from Wilmington, North Carolina on the morning of February 7th, traveling together in a comfortable passenger van while towing our kayaks. Throughout the journey, we’ll connect with nature, nurture our bodies through daily movement and mindfulness practices, and share meaningful moments with one another.
If you prefer to skip the drive from North Carolina, you can fly into Tampa on February 7th and fly out of Orlando on February 14th, joining the group in Florida. You’ll still travel between our destinations in the comfortable passenger van, enjoying the same shared road-trip experience and laughter with your fellow participants.
We’ll enjoy a 2-night stay in a riverfront residence nestled at the peaceful joining of the Halls and Homosassa Rivers in Homosassa, Florida. With 75 feet of private waterfront, mornings greet us with quiet, open-water views and the gentle sounds of nature, inviting a deep sense of calm. From the private floating dock, we’ll launch our kayaks under the guidance of Kay Lynn, exploring hidden tributaries and keeping a lookout for wild manatees—February falls within the prime season for sightings, so you can anticipate encountering these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
The River House offers plenty of indoor and outdoor common areas for our mindful gatherings with Jen, making it an ideal spot to connect with nature and with each other. As the sun sets, we may gather by the cozy fire, letting the soft river breeze and gentle sounds of the water inspire reflection, relaxation, and connection.
The Florida Keys hold a special place in your kayak guide’s heart. While living there, she focused on natural resource management, conducted the Breeding Bird Survey for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and spent countless hours on and in the water.
For the next leg of our journey, we’ll retreat to a private villa estate for three unforgettable nights. The grand Southern-style home offers spacious elegance and a deep sense of serenity, featuring a private pool surrounded by swaying palms. We may gather beneath the Tiki hut for conversation and connection, or unwind by the outdoor bar as warm island breezes drift through. Every corner of this lush property invites relaxation, renewal, and the nurturing spirit of sisterhood.
There is a small beach within a few minutes where we will launch our kayaks and share the shallow, crystal clear waters with tropical fish, rays and other marine wildlife.
Our last stop is Cocoa Beach, Florida, where we will have 2 nights in a beachfront luxury dream home, which offers private access to the gorgeous, white sandy beach. Relax under the comforting shade of the huge pergola in our lush, palm-filled backyard. The property offers plenty of inviting gathering spaces—perfect for connecting, reflecting, or simply unwinding together. Inside and out, you’ll find elegant modern amenities designed to make your stay both comfortable and rejuvenating.
Our house is a few blocks from our launch site, where we'll set out on a kayaking expedition into the Thousand Islands Conservation Area. Here, we'll venture through enchanting mangrove tunnels, keeping a keen eye out for native wildlife such as dolphins and manatees.