Where is Nectar located?
Nectar Yoga Retreat is located at 720 Gardner Lane on Nexwlélexwm (Bowen Island), just a short 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. 

Getting to Horseshoe Bay
Public transportation:
The West Vancouver Blue Bus numbers 250, 257, 257 Express and 259 leave from Downtown Vancouver and West Vancouver at regular intervals to Horseshoe Bay. If you’re coming from the Vancouver airport, you’ll need to take the SkyTrain Canada Line to City Centre before hopping on the 257 Express to Horseshoe Bay.

Vehicle:
Follow Highway 1 West (Trans-Canada Highway). You can drive your car onto the ferry or park in the secure parking garage at Horseshoe Bay and walk on the ferry. We recommend bringing a car.

Crossing the ocean:
The Queen of Capilano ferry leaves Horseshoe Bay between 5:50 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The crossing time is 20 minutes.

If you’re travelling by BC Ferries, your ticket is a return trip. When you head back to real life, just line up for the ferry and drive or walk on the ferry when the light turns green.

Click here for the ferry schedule

Getting to Nectar
Vehicle:
Once off the ferry, drive up Bowen Island Truck Road, which changes name to Grafton Road, for about 7 minutes. Once you reach Gardner Lane, turn right and follow the signs to Nectar.

Public transportation:
When you arrive on Bowen Island, find the Bus Stop close to the Red Library. You will get on the 280 (Snug Cove to Bluewater) bus. Tell the driver you are getting off at 720 Gardner Lane. You can pay for your fare with a Compass Card, credit card or cash. Any transfer you receive from the Vancouver buses will work on Bowen Island with no extra charge.

Foot/hitchhiking:
For a real taste of the Bowen Island lifestyle, hitch a ride with a local. Either wait on the road or at any of the designated "LIFT" spots and stick out your thumb. You should get a ride—and a new friend—in no time.

Bike:
If you are planning to bring your bike, please be aware that Bowen Island is very hilly and not an easy ride. But if that’s your thing—more power to you. Just follow the on-foot directions above. You can also rent eBikes from Bowen eBikes in the summer months.

Do you have parking on site?
Yes, we have parking on-site, please pick any spot but try to park tightly so we can accommodate everyone.

Should I bring a vehicle?
Yes, if you have the option to bring a vehicle, we do recommend having a car on the island. You will be able to see so much more that the island has to offer.

Do you offer transportation services?
No. If you’d like to offer transportation for your guests we suggest booking a third-party shuttle bus from downtown Vancouver.

Where can I find the BC Ferries schedule for Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) - Snug Cove (Bowen Island)?

Click here for the ferry schedule

The schedule changes from season to season, so make sure to select your arrival date for the most up-to-date sailing information.

Can I reserve a spot for a specific sailing?
No. The Bowen Island sailing is first-come-first-served.

How much does the ferry cost?
Prices are determined by BC Ferries, and can fluctuate from season to season, and whether you are walking on or driving a vehicle. To use the BC Ferries fare calculator, click HERE. It’s a one-time payment for the return fare from Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) to Snug Cove (Bowen Island). 

If our group is coming from out of town, how can we all easily get to the property together? 

• Nectar does not have an official transportation partner, but we can recommend a few companies for private transport. We can provide a list of companies to contact, but you would need to reach out to them directly to arrange your booking.

• Shuttle or limo pricing is estimated at around $1,500 CAD each way. Pricing may vary depending on fuel costs and vehicle selection.

• Depending on the company a limo bus could pick up your group from YVR or a downtown location.

What is the difference between your cottages/rooms?
Please review all details about each room through the Rental Link here.(password: NectarRetreat2025)

What is the total capacity at Nectar?
Pricing is for 15 total guests, including meals. Should you want to welcome more than 15 guests, additional costs apply. Please email us in advance to inquire.

Do you provide additional accommodations for extra staff or caterers my group includes?
The 15-guest limit must include all facilitators, hosts, assistants, and other support personnel. We recommend the Amber Room or Turquoise Room which are single occupancy.

Two hosts can also share a room; the Emerald Room can be set up with two twin beds. Ultimately, it’s up to the hosts to choose their accommodation.

Can I have guests camp on the property, in tents or RVs?
No, our policy is all guests stay in our cottages. 

What does the group orientation include?
On check-in day, our Nectar Staff will guide your group through an orientation in the Onyx Lodge at 3:45pm. The group orientation will last 20 minutes and will include grounding breaths, a land acknowledgment, essential housekeeping information, details about the property and the island, and an introduction to you as the retreat host. Following the group orientation, we'll hand over the programming to you to begin your welcome circle or any other way you'd like to initiate your offering.

Do you have a sound system for the Onyx Lodge? For the Dome?
Yes, we offer a Bluetooth sound system for your music needs. Please keep in mind that there is no Wi-Fi in the dome, so download any music you plan to use beforehand.

Do you provide a projector or screen in the Onyx Lodge for presentations?No, we do not have a projector or screen available onsite. You are welcome to bring your own. The lodge has natural daylight and our windows are not dressed with blinds or curtains, so, projector presentations are best scheduled after dusk to ensure it displays properly.

How many students fit in the Dome?The dome accommodates up to 18 yoga mats with ample room for movement.

Props:
Your rental includes use of all props.
• Blocks (foam and cork)
• Bolsters
• Blankets
• Straps
• Mats
• Eye pillows
• 8 Folding chairs
• 4 BackJack floor chairs
Guests are welcome to bring their own mats and props, if they prefer.

Add movement or meditation:
If you would like to book a yoga or meditation class through Nectar, please email for pricing.

Dome Heat:
The dome is heated with a wood-burning fireplace during the cooler months. The host is responsible for lighting the fire and ensuring the dome is a comfortable temperature. Guests are advised to dress in layers to maintain their preferred body temperatures.

Candles:
Candles are not permitted in the geodesic dome. We provide rechargeable LED tea lights for your use.

MINDFULNESSWe require that props are put away neatly, and that the space is left as you found it.

Enhance your retreat with the Mist Thermal Sanctuary—a 90-minute hot-cold contrast circuit. This add-on offers your retreat group access to Mist’s forested thermal experience in private 3-person units, booked at times that suit your retreat schedule.

The Experience:
Each unit (3 total) at Mist accommodates up to 3 guests. Retreat hosts will receive a private booking link to schedule multiple 90-minute time slots, for a maximum of 18 guests total.

While the entire space is not reserved exclusively for your group, each booking takes place in a private unit, ensuring a quiet and personal experience.

• Capacity: Up to 18 guests (3 per time slot)

• Price: Each 90-minute session is $199 for up to 3 guests (33% discount from standard pricing)

• Duration: 90 minutes per session

• Please do not book timeslots during mealtimes, check-in or check-out

Booking Process:
Once your retreat rental agreement and deposit are confirmed, email rentals@nectaryoga.ca to confirm the Mist Experience. We’ll send a private booking link for you to reserve preferred time slots for your guests (3 guests per time slot).

Early booking is encouraged, as time slots are limited and subject to availability.

Mist Circuit Includes:

• Facilities: Outdoor hot/cold shower, wood-fired sauna, cold plunge, fire-warmed rest area

• Amenities: Robes, towels, slippers, Mist botanical body care, herbal tea

• Guidance: Gentle chimes every 15 minutes support intuitive transitions

Guest Pricing Suggestions:

If you'd like to offer Mist as an optional add-on, we suggest charging $70–$75 per guest.

If you're including Mist in your retreat pricing for all guests, consider building in $65–$75 per person to your total rate.

Cancellation Policy:

Mist bookings follow our standard guest cancellation policy and are non-refundable within 48 hours of the scheduled time slot. Changes may be accommodated with at least 48 hours’ notice, pending availability.

As a part of your retreat rental, we offer nourishing plant-based meals inspired by Ayurveda. Lovingly created by our talented in-house catering team.

Catering is included in the price of your retreat rental.

Are kitchen facilities included in the rental? 
Kindly note that guests are not permitted in the kitchen for safety and insurance purposes. 

Can allergies be accommodated?
All meals can be adapted to guest allergies; however, we do not cater to special diets such as “smoothies only, sugar-free, keto, no-carb etc.” Should any of your guests have an extreme allergy or food sensitivities, please email us the details to confirm we can accommodate them.

All menu items are gluten free and vegan adaptable. We are a meat and fish free facility.

When are meals served?
Mealtimes are set and listed below, please plan your itinerary around these times:

9:00am OR 9:45am | breakfast

1pm | lunch

6:15pm | dinner

We are strictly a meat-free kitchen.

We do use gluten and nuts in the kitchen on a consistent basis, so if you or your guests are Celiac or have a nut allergy, please notify us in advance.

Do you provide beverages?
Yes. Your caterer will reach out to you 14 days before your retreat start-date with the menu.

Can we bring alcohol?
Yes.

Can we bring extra snacks?
Yes.

Can we change the meal times?
Meal service is 1.5 hours total. For example if dinner starts at 6:15pm, service is included until 7:45pm. All dishes will be cleared by 7:45pm. Should you need more time or you are running late to dinner, an additional cost of $75 per 1-30 minutes will be billed to your credit card on file. Please be very mindful of the meal start times, so your guests eat warm, fresh food.

Can I bring kids?
We are an adult-centric space, however, we do allow children to join, at the hosts discretion. We do not have child-minding services on site.

Please consider how a child will fit into your programming and how your paying guests will respond to having a child at your offering.

Things to consider:

Who is watching your/guest’s child while classes are in session/teaching/hosting?

If you do not have someone providing childcare, and the child is attending your classes, how will this impact the paying guest experience? Are the other guests aware, in advance, that there will be a child attending the sessions? We do encourage you to notify guests in advance, as some people are booking a retreat to be in an adult-orientated environment.

Meals are adult-orientated, please consider this in advance of bringing your child

Can I bring my pet?
No, we do not welcome pets into our guest rooms, due to allergies. You can book overnight boarding through Wagsville, The Bowen Island Dog Ranch, or The Cat’s Pajamas. 

There is also an animal farm next door where you can meet donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, and dogs.

Are your massage practitioners RMTs?
No, they are specially trained body workers we have carefully selected.

How are additional services booked?
You will receive an email from us 20-days before your arrival with links to the practitioners booking calendars. Please share these links with your guests.
*As private contractors, we cannot guarantee availability for their services.

Is there a sauna for guests to use at Nectar?
No. Mist Thermal Sanctuary, which is adjacent to Nectar, can be booked individually by guests or as an add-on to your retreat.

What to bring:
• yoga mat + accessories for your practice (i.e. props) if you prefer to use your own. We also have sanitized mats and props available to use.

• pack light/a small bag

• warm clothing and socks for the yoga dome

• natural mosquito repellent

• sunscreen

• sun glasses

• swim suit

• beach towel (Nectar does not provide towels for off-site use)

• walking shoes

• a flashlight

• warm clothes for the evening & dome

• books (we have a book exchange, take a book/leave a book) should they want to leave a book behind for another guest to use

• water bottle (we have a filtration system on all taps)

• waterproof outdoor gear (all rooms have umbrellas as well)

What not to bring:
• soap/shampoo/conditioner (unless they use a specific kind). Our premises require toiletries that are septic safe.

• tampons (they are not flushable and must be put in the bins next to the toilets if the guests use them)

We are proud to use all-natural, septic-safe cleaning products, soaps, shampoos, conditioners.

Are their trails around Nectar?

There is a trail located at the back of the property that connects to the Mid-Island trail which brings you to Grafton Lake (minimum 1 hour), but it is not maintained or marked, some hosts have walked this hike and we strongly recommend using the AllTrails app, which can provide a satellite map to follow. However, please note that cell service is spotty along this hike, so it’s best to download the map in advance.

We have a standard 240v power outlet in the parking area outside our Nectar Goods boutique, in addition to an extension cord if needed.

Make sure you notify one of our team prior to arrival so we can reserve this space for you.  

If you need an EV charging station, there is one in Snug Cove, located at the public library.

BOOKING TERMS
As per your signed rental agreement, all payments and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable for overnight whole-property retreat rentals.

In the case of cancellation please contact rentals@nectaryoga.ca as soon as possible.

Please Note:
You are engaging with Nectar Yoga to provide the general space, meals, and accommodations for your group. We are not responsible for guest management. Please ensure that you have clear cancellation policies when taking your guest bookings; all guest changes or cancellations are managed by the retreat host.