SISTERHOOD, SURF & SANTA CATALINA MAGIC
Women’s Surf RETREAT with the Surf Sisters IN PANAMA
Join Our 5th Annual Women’s Surf Retreat with the Surf Sisters of Tofino Canada
NOVEMBER 21 - 28, 2025 & JANUARY 10 - 17, 2026
We’re celebrating 5 incredible years of riding waves and building connections with the amazing Surf Sisters from Tofino, Canada. This retreat is all about supportive surf sessions, warm-water waves, and a rad group of women who lift each other up—no pressure, no competition.
Your days will flow with progressive surf coaching from the Surf Sisters, supported by our Waluaa coaches, restorative yoga sessions, and epic island adventures. Think a snorkeling day trip to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Coiba National Park, a SUP journey to secluded Santa Catalina Island, and plenty of time to relax, connect, and recharge.
This all-inclusive experience covers your arrival night accommodation in Panama City, round-trip shuttle to and from Santa Catalina, delicious meals, and every detail in between—so all you need to do is show up and dive in.
“What I loved most was being able to stay in one place; no rushing around to see every sight, no packing and unpacking, no pressures. It was a week of just surfing, yoga, beach, and being still. It’s really rare I get vacations like this and realized how important they are. ”
Meet Your Coaches, Surf Sister’s
Founded in 1999 in Tofino, Canada, Surf Sister began with a simple yet powerful vision: to empower women in surfing and create a welcoming, inclusive space in the water. What started with a truck, a few boards, and a passion for the ocean has grown into a vibrant community that inspires surfers of all levels.
Today, Surf Sister remains dedicated to inclusion, connection, and the pure joy of riding waves. Their team proudly reflects the diversity and spirit of Tofino, and their influence extends beyond local beaches—they pioneered progressive surf camps, launched international retreats, and founded Queen of the Peak, a celebrated all-women’s surf competition showcasing female talent on Canada’s west coast.
For Surf Sister, teaching surfing isn’t just a job—it’s a lifelong mission to share stoke, build confidence, and create a surf family that lasts well beyond the shore.
As part of your coaching, the Surf Sisters Coaches will be teamed up with a local Waluaa Coach providing local knowledge and extra support in and out of the water.
Playa Estero, Our Beginner-Friendly Beach Break
Our surf lessons take place in the warm, inviting waters of Playa Estero—one of Central America’s premier beach breaks for beginner surfers.
This relaxed and uncrowded beach features a soft sand bottom, free from hazardous reefs, rocks, and dangerous rips. With its consistent swell, Playa Estero provides the perfect environment for building confidence and honing your skills.
Stretching about 700 meters, the beach offers a variety of sandbars that create waves suited to all levels, depending on the tide and swell size. The best conditions are typically between high and mid-tide.
Your 7 Night All-Inclusive Panama Women’s Surf Retreat brings you:
DAILY PROGRESSIVE Surf COACHING WITH SURF SISTERS
Geared for absolute beginners to advanced beginners surfers, with daily coaching at our safe and uncrowded beach break, Playa Estero. Each daily surf session is around 90min with the coaches, plus you have an optional second surf each day. Your board, leash, wax, long-sleeved rash guard and shuttle transport to and from the beach (3min away) is included. Your sessions will be supported by our Waluaa ISA certified instructors to deliver a safe, professional and effective surfing experience.
SURF THEORY WORKSHOPS WITH SURF SISTERS
Learn surfing fundamentals including technique, etiquette, reading and understanding surf forecasts, ocean safety and more.
RESTORATIVE Yoga Classes with waluaa instructors
Designed to compliment your daily surf sessions with restorative classes to stretch, unwind and find balance. You’ll receive your own premium Manduka PRO yoga mat for the week, with cork blocks, straps and blankets stocked in our oceanfront studio. Meet your Waluaa instructors.
6 Nights Accommodation IN SANTA CATALINA (Nights 2 - 6)
Each of our rooms feature private bathroom with hot water shower, complimentary BPA free toiletries, powerful Air Conditioning, fan, safe, fridge, wardrobe, memory foam mattresses, plush pillows, garden view patio with hammock, sun deck chairs & table. Large infinity pool and sun loungers. Properties also feature an on-site restaurant and bar.
GREAT WiFi
Fibre Optic High Speed Broadband is available throughout the property including in room. While service outages are uncommon, please be aware that occasional interruptions may occur due to our rural location.
EPIC ISLAND AdventureS
Day trip to UNESCO Heritage Listed Coiba National Park for Snorkeling and Island exploring. Plus a half-day experience to Santa Catalina Island for SUP boards and a delicious island lunch!
ALL YOUR GOURMET Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, also including your arrival evening dinner and departure morning breakfast. All our meals are lovingly prepared by our local chefs using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. We’ll also visit a local restaurant or two during your week to enjoy their incredible cuisine, included with your retreat. Natural fruit smoothies served daily with breakfast plus locally sourced coffee from Boquette. All dietary requests can be catered too.
GROUP Transfers to and from Panama City & arrival night accommodation in panama city (NIGHT 1)
Your hotel accommodation on your arrival night in Panama City is included where you’ll meet the Surf Sisters crew and your retreat group! The next morning our shuttle will bring you all down to Santa Catalina. Our shuttle will have you back in Santa Catalina around 3pm on your final retreat day (DAY 8). The shuttle can return you to the airport if you have an evening flight home or to your hotel in Panama City. See our FAQ page for our recommended hotels in Panama City, or download our FREE Panama Retreat Guide from our homepage.
EXTRAS - Massages, horse-riding, guided nature walks
PRIVATE KING ROOM - USD $3,800
SHARED DOUBLE ROOM - USD $3,100
Savour Local Flavors
At a Waluaa retreat, all your meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included and lovingly crafted by our talented chefs using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
Dinner: Our signature dinners are a celebration of Panama’s rich flavors, featuring local wild-caught fish, seafood, and Panamanian specialties, with options for meat and pork lovers. Every meal is served with a hearty, fresh salad and sides of local vegetables or rice.
Lunch: A balanced and satisfying meal that combines a savory protein, wholesome carbs, and a crisp salad, perfectly complemented by a fresh tropical juice.
Breakfast: Our offerings change daily and include fresh tropical fruits, locally sourced coffee, juice, and a hot meal—think eggs prepared in various ways, banana pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, and granola.
Pre-Surf Fuel: For early starts, coffee and tea are available for self-serve in the restaurant. We also provide a fruit bowl for early morning starts.
With over 10 years of retreat experience, we take pride in accommodating all dietary needs—whether vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or tailored for specific allergies. Simply let us know your preferences, and we’ll take care of the rest!
An Oceanfront Paradise
This classic surf hotel for our Women’s Surf Retreat is located oceanfront of the world famous point break, La Punta in Santa Catalina. It’s our Original (OG) property.
Highlights:
Ocean front property on Panama’s famous La Punta surf break. Enjoy breathtaking views from the restaurant, bar, pool and yoga studio.
2-minute shuttle to Playa Estero (750 meters away), where we have our surf coaching, or an 10-minute walk. Oceanfront to La Punta surf break for intermediate to advanced surfers. A 14-minute walk to the village center of Santa Catalina.
Unbelievable sunsets with an oceanfront infinity pool.
Fully stocked oceanfront yoga studio with Manduka PRO mats and equipment.
Complimentary bikes, SUP boards and Kayaks.
Expect all the mod cons in your cozy garden-view room with AC, fan, memory foam mattresses, plush pillows, safe, ensuite with BPA free bath products, fridge. And your very own hammock, table and sun deck chairs on every garden view patio.
