WISDOM OF WHALE SHARKS
YOGA RETREAT
A RETREAT OF PEACE, BALANCE & GENTLE EXPANSION
4 - 11 December 2026
Mafia Island, Tanzania
JOIN US FOR AN 8 DAY WHALE SHARK RETREAT
Awaken your inner peace and flow with the ocean
This is a rare opportunity to connect with nature, your inner self and one of the world's largest gentle giants.
Reconnect with your body, breath and deepest wisdom through daily yoga, meditation and serene encounters with these ancient beings.
Breathe deeply, move softly and allow the ocean to guide you home.
Limited spaces for an intimate experience
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You feel overstimulated and need space & clarity
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You long for meaningful connection, not just a holiday
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You seek both adventure and depth
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You're ready to be transformed by the gentle giants of the ocean
THIS RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF...
MAFIA ISLAND - TANZANIA
Earthy & Ancestral Grounding
Mafia Island blends earthy grounding with oceanic serenity and deep spiritual calm. Rooted in the soul of traditional Swahili life, its gentle rhythms invite you to reconnect with what truly matters - to slow your pace, soften your mind and reconnect with the elements.
Turquoise Seas & Ocean Embrace
Fringed by warm turquoise waters, vibrant coral gardens and soft tides, the island carries a soothing, feminine energy that encourages slow living and inner stillness. Here the ocean feels like an embrace - calming your nervous system and guiding you gently back to your centre.
Stillness, Clarity & Gentle Transformation
With very little energetic "noise", this quiet, remote island creates space for inner clarity, emotional release and intuitive reconnection. Its energy can be described as cleansing, clarifying and transformative - a peaceful sanctuary where you naturally return to your centre.
CONNECT TO THE WISDOM & ENERGY OF WHALE SHARKS
Whale sharks carry a gentle, ancient energy, one that softens the heart, calms the mind and deepens your sense of sacred presence. Often called the “peaceful giants” of the ocean, their slow, graceful rhythm naturally invites you to breathe more deeply, feel more fully and move through life with ease and openness.
Their energy is expansive yet grounding, encouraging your heart to open while keeping you rooted in your body. Swimming beside them feels like entering a temple of stillness, where time slows, your nervous system relaxes, and a quiet sense of awe begins to unfold within you.
Whale sharks are symbolic of inner wisdom, gentle strength, and intuitive flow. They move through the vast ocean with effortless trust, teaching you to surrender, let go of resistance, and follow your own natural rhythm. Many describe encounters with them as deeply healing, heart-opening and transformative, experiences that reconnect you with the peace that already lives within you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your days on Mafia Island, from yoga to ocean adventures
Daily Morning Yoga Practice
Begin each day with gentle yoga, mindful breathing and meditation, designed to awaken your body, calm your mind and open your heart in preparation to meet the Whale Sharks.
5 Unforgettable Days of Whale Shark Swimming
After our morning yoga session, enjoy a nourishing breakfast before heading out on our daily whale shark adventure. Travelling by boat across the turquoise waters of Mafia Island, we move with patience and reverence, entering the water only when it is ethically safe and conservation guidelines are met.
Mafia Island is one of the most magical places in the world to meet whale sharks. Between October and March, these graceful filter-feeders gather to enjoy the rich plankton blooms, creating the perfect opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Our experienced guides lead the way as you snorkel alongside these magnificent creatures - or, if you prefer, watch from the boat as their speckled backs glide beneath the surface.
Gentle Giants
Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet, yet completely harmless to humans. They move with extraordinary calmness, feeding only on plankton and small fish. Being in their presence is deeply grounding and humbling.
The Activity
On each excursion, you will snorkel beside these magnificent creatures, with the support of our trusted local guides. The boat stays nearby, allowing you to rest, observe from above or return to the water whenever you feel ready.
Code of Conduct
We follow strict ethical guidelines to ensure the safety and protection of the whale sharks. This includes maintaining a respectful distance, never touching the animals, and entering the water only when conditions are safe for both you and the sharks.
We honour nature and the wellbeing of all its magnificent beings.
Duration
Timing may vary depending on weather, sightings and sea conditions. Each outing holds its own magic, some slow and meditative, others filled with multiple encounters. We always return to the lodge before lunch.
Ceremony, Breathwork, Heart Expansive Activations
Through intentional embodiment practices, you will connect more deeply with your body’s innate wisdom. Using breathwork, intuitive movement and the nourishing medicine of ceremonial Cacao and Baobab, you will awaken your inner light - inviting clarity, presence and the courage to live from the heart.
Breathwork supports the release of stored tension and emotional blockages, creating space for your true essence to bloom.
Our cacao ceremony gently opens the heart, helping you tap into intuition and inner guidance.
Baobab, considered the Tree of Life in Eastern Africa, invites you to drink from the heart of the land, soften into presence and reconnect with the wisdom your body has always carried. Rooted in Earth medicine and attuned to the rhythm of the ocean, this ceremony becomes a bridge between land and sea - preparing you to meet the whale sharks with reverence, clarity and an open heart.
Together, these practices open a doorway to deeper self-awareness and spiritual alignment, allowing wisdom to flow effortlessly from within.
OUR MAGIC SEASIDE STAY
Nestled along a quiet stretch of white-sand beach, your home away from home offers a serene and intimate sanctuary, where the ocean greets you each morning and sunsets feel painted just for you. Charming bungalows are thoughtfully designed with comfort and simplicity in mind, creating a cosy space to unwind and soften into island life. This peaceful seaside haven is the perfect environment for you to reset your nervous system, find stillness and absorb the island’s naturally calming energy. Surrounded by warm hospitality, fresh seasonal food and the untouched coastline, you’ll feel held, restored and completely at ease.
Both shared and single-occupancy rooms are available, each equipped with air-conditioning for your comfort.
INVESTMENT
Included
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7 nights accommodation in air-conditioned rooms
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Airport Transfers and all transport for scheduled activities
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Daily breakfast, light lunch and 3 course dinner; unlimited drinking water and tea
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Five Morning whale shark swims
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One full-day Mange Sandbank Trip, including snorkelling and lunch
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Conscious breath-work
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Transformational activations & workshops
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Daily yoga or movement Practices
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Cacao Ceremony
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Baobab Ceremony
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Complimentary use of kayaks
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Special goodie bag
Not Included
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Flights & visa
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Travel insurance and travel expenses
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Spa treatments
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Additional scuba diving & activities
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Optional staff tips
Pricing (per person):
€2950 Sea View - Single
€2700 Sea View - Sharing (sold out)
€2750 Garden View - Single (sold out)
€2500 Garden View - Sharing
Payment plans available.
Reserve your spot with a €500 deposit.
€100 discount per person if you book with a friend
NOT SURE YET?
If you have any questions, you're welcome to message me on WhatsApp or book a free discovery call.
HOW TO GET TO MAFIA ISLAND
1) Fly to Dar es Salaam (International Airport)
Most international visitors will arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
This is the main gateway to Mafia Island, with flights from Europe, the Middle East and various African countries.
2) Take a short domestic flight to Mafia Island
From Dar es Salaam, take a 30–40 minute domestic flight to
Mafia Island Airport, also known as Kilindoni Airport (MFA).
Airlines operating daily flights:
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Coastal Aviation
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Auric Air
These are small scenic flights that land directly on Mafia Island.
3. Transfer to your accommodation
After landing, you’ll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your accommodation.
Our location is approximately 15 minutes from the airport.
Optional route: via Zanzibar
You can also reach Mafia Island from Zanzibar (ZNZ), which is a great option if you'd like to combine your trip with another beach holiday or cultural stay. Flights from Zanzibar to Mafia take around 30–50 minutes.
YOUR HOSTS
Karin Schulte
Karin Schulte loves to co-create magic with fellow souls on the path. She facilitates events with elements of Yin Yoga, somatic and intuitive movement, Sound Journeys, and energy alignment. Karin is devoted to holding spaces where people can return to inner stillness, reconnect with their bodies, and experience the gentle power of deep presence. A lover of silence and going within, she finds as much fulfilment in quiet introspection as she does in connecting and sharing transformative experiences with others.
The ocean has been one of her greatest teachers. Time spent close by, in, and under the water is among her favourite meditative practices where she feels spacious and deeply attuned to life itself. In 2024 Karin hosted a yoga retreat in Zanzibar, which strengthened her love for facilitating retreats by the ocean. In 2025 she attended a Swimming with Dolphins retreat with Maja in Egypt, a transformative experience that touched her profoundly on many levels and ultimately led to co-hosting this Swimming with Whale Sharks retreat with Maja. Her reverence for the ocean and its magnificent beings forms a core part of the retreat she now helps to create.
Karin’s journey has been shaped by inner exploration, resilience, and a sincere longing to live in alignment with her truth. Through sound, stillness, and intuitive energy work, she offers nurturing environments where others can soften, reset, and rediscover their inner light.
Maja Mika
Maja Mika is a yoga teacher, breathwork facilitator, author, and retreat creator devoted to guiding others on their path of inner healing and spiritual awakening. She is an ocean baby and a true lover of all marine beings, Maja feels most at home in the water. She has swum with dolphins many times and has previously shared the ocean with the majestic whale sharks; experiences that have deepened her connection to the sea and shaped the heart-centred retreats she now leads.
Her own journey began in a place of deep struggle, moving through depression, anxiety, and self-doubt in her youth. Through the transformative practices of yoga, breathwork, and introspective healing, she rebuilt her inner landscape and learned to live in alignment with her truth.
Maja’s mission is to remind others that they are the creators of their own lives, capable of rewriting their stories, embracing both shadow and light, and stepping fully into who they are meant to be. Through her grounded, compassionate presence, she creates nurturing spaces where individuals can reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and awaken their inner wisdom. A mermaid at heart, Maja brings the gentle, fluid, intuitive energy of the ocean into all her teachings. She believes that when we trust ourselves and tune into our natural rhythm, we access a profound sense of clarity, purpose, and inner peace.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to have yoga experience? Not at all. This retreat is suitable for all levels. Daily sessions are gentle and adaptable, offering support whether you're new to yoga or have years of practice. Everyone moves at their own pace.
What if I come alone? Most participants join solo and leave with new friends. The small group size encourages connection, yet there's plenty of space for reflection and personal time.
Is swimming with whale sharks safe? Absolutely. We follow all local safety guidelines and are accompanied by experienced guides. Whale Sharks are gentle giants - they swim calmly and will not touch you. You'll be supported every step of the way.
How fit do I need to be? Moderate fitness is sufficient. Nothing strenuous is required. The focus is on connection, presence and experiencing the environment, not endurance.
What should I bring? We'll provide detailed guidance once you reserve your spot.
Is this retreat suitable for families or children? The retreat is designed for adults, but families with teenagers are welcome if they're mature enough to fully enjoy the experience. It remains a small, intimate group focused on personal growth and connection with the ocean.
Do I have to take part in every activity? Absolutely not. While we encourage participation in most experiences to get the full benefit of the retreat, you are always free to sit out or step back from any activity if you don't feel comfortable. You remain fully in charge of your experience and sovereign in your choices.
"My retreat with Karin in Zanzibar felt like a breath of fresh air, and it was the first retreat that helped me unwind and transform myself with gentleness and kindness instead of the forceful efforting so common with similar retreats.
Her seamless management of logistics in the background, her bright playful energy, her wide open heart and the general lightness of the atmosphere she created made my body exhale on much deeper levels than it normally does among strangers, and invited me to show my true self more freely.
Her presence holds a deep honesty that feels like it was built from a rich and loving relationship with her own self, and that realness helped me to explore my own depths in ways I was not able to do by myself.
The way her energy radiates authenticity by example showed me that this kind of presence is so much more valuable for inner transformation than endless verbal instruction or exercises. The way her energy guided me toward my own courage felt intuitive, gentle and natural, and had effects for me that lasted well beyond the retreat. I am deeply grateful for her gentle leadership and for our rich friendship that started on that retreat.”
Sybille, NA