Salt and Cedar Sapphic Retreat

Queer and sapphic folks deserve spaces where we can be fully ourselves, where we can connect deeper with each other and feel a real sense of community and belonging.

Salt and Cedar is a three day retreat on a local BC island, a quick ferry ride from Vancouver, with a small circle of sapphic women.

This retreat is a 30+ weekend, open to lesbians, bi, non-binary, and trans folks who relate to the sapphic community.

If you're craving deeper friendships, not just more acquaintances, this weekend is for you.

An intentional weekend built around movement, food and celebration

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Three days, held with intention

Nothing here is mandatory. Come and go from anything as you please.

THE WEEKEND

One gorgeous property surrounded by cedars, ten women, the whole weekend

We rent a single house on the island, wood-heated, close to the water, with a deck for morning movement (weather dependant), an interior movement space, hot tub and a fire pit for late night chats.

Accommodations are mostly shared. There is an option to book a private room for an extra cost. Let us know your preference in your application, and we'll match you thoughtfully.

We keep it to 10 people max, so the whole weekend stays intimate, connected, and easy to actually get to know each other.

WHERE WE'LL STAY

Reserve Your Spot

Only 10 spots, held for a small circle rather than a crowd, including
3 sliding scale spots.
Once they're gone, we'll open a waitlist for the next one.
Early bird pricing ends October 10th.

JOIN US

About the host

Hi, I am Monica.

I am an instinctive host and entertainer, a traveller and a gatherer of humans. My heart sings when I get to bring people together for shared experiences.

I've been hosting long table dinners and gatherings for the last 8 years, and running retreats for the last 3. Earlier this year, I started hosting Sapphic Wine Nights. I noticed that there is not a lot of queer spaces for Sapphics over 30 to really connect and meet people. I was inspired to do this out of a need and desire to have more queer friends and create a queer community. The feedback I have received from these events has been amazing.

Offering a sapphic retreat felt like the most natural next step there is. A chance to take everything I know about long tables, full houses, and deep conversation, and offer it to my own community. A space where we get to connect further, with intention, in a different environment, and deepen the relationships that already mean so much to us.

Salt and Cedar is my invitation for us to have exactly that, together.

This weekend isn't about doing more. It's about being together and held in community.

Movement by Pascale Yensen

Pascale Yensen has been teaching in the boutique fitness industry for 10 years, from spin, to boxing to Pilates. She is a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor with a degree in contemporary dance choreography. She now brings what she has learned over years of movement training to create classes to make the body move more efficiently, create strength and make the one beautiful body we have, feel great.

She has founded Pace Movement Co., where she teaches Pilates, Yoga and stretch/relaxation classes rooted in a simple ethos: strength that comes from support, not force, and movement that meets you where you are, in the body you have today.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this for?

Salt and Cedar is for sapphic women, 30+, however you relate to the community: queer, bi, lesbian, non-binary, or trans. This space is for the ones craving deeper friendships, not just more acquaintances, and who want real connection over small talk.

Do I need to prepare anything before coming?

Once you've secured your spot, you'll get a full packing and travel guide in the lead-up to the retreat, along with an invite to our group WhatsApp to connect with everyone beforehand and coordinate carpooling.

What's included in the price?

Your 3 days, 2 nights in a shared house, all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch, every activity (hikes, morning movement, fireside circles, dancing), goodie bags, and the space held with intention for all of it.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

We've got you. Share your dietary needs when you book, and we'll plan the shared meals around the whole group.

What's not included?

Ferry transport to the island, personal purchases, and alcohol beyond the wine we'll have with dinner. Everything else is on us.

What is the cancellation policy?

100% deposit refund for cancellations 30+ days before the retreat start date. 50% deposit refund for cancellations 15 to 29 days before. No deposit refund for cancellations within 0 to 14 days, though spot transfers are welcome.

Where is the retreat held?

A house on a small island, a quick ferry ride from Vancouver. We'll share the exact location in our communication once you send your retreat interest application.

What if I'm not experienced with hiking or movement practices?

That's completely okay. Everything here is designed to welcome all bodies and abilities. The Saturday hike is paced for the group with an easier turnaround point always available, and morning movement is gentle, with modifications offered throughout so you can move at whatever level feels right for you. This weekend is about reconnecting with your body and being together outdoors, not performing or pushing anyone's limits.

When is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is Friday 4pm, check-out is Sunday 1pm, with an optional island adventure once we check out, or you can choose to depart on the ferry right after.

Can I come alone? What if I don't know anyone going?

You are most welcome to join alone. We send an intro before the trip so faces and names feel familiar before you arrive, but the rest happens naturally once you're there. You'll leave knowing everyone in the house, not just the friend you came with. Don't worry, we'll match you appropriately for accommodations too.

How do I get there?

We'll ferry over together from Horseshoe Bay as a group. If you don't have a car, carpooling gets arranged in the WhatsApp group beforehand.

Get in touch

When you’re ready to step into that alignment with confidence, ease, and joy, I’m here to walk beside you.