How I Built One of the World’s First Women-Only Luxury Surf & Yoga Retreats in Bali
Editor’s note: In 2003, long before “wellness retreats” was a buzzword, Chelsea Ross founded one of the world’s first women-only luxury surf and yoga retreats that has since welcomed 18,000+ guests across Ubud and Seminyak (Bali). Her lens reframes luxury as intimacy and care: small groups, solo-female safety, and expert-led surf, yoga, and healing that slow the breath and steady the mind.
In the early 2000s, solo travel for women was almost unheard of. The internet was still relatively new, Airbnb didn’t exist, and retreats were not mainstream; they were reserved for spiritual seekers and yogis, usually at very rustic locations.
If you were a woman who wanted to travel alone, your options were limited and uninspiring.
You could either stay in backpacker-filled hostels or check into hotels that catered to couples and families, where solo travellers often felt conspicuously out of place.
The activities were no better. They revolved around lying by the pool, sipping cocktails, and following the same tourist trails that did little to nourish the spirit.
Surf camps were another story altogether. If you wanted to learn to surf, the options were rough and basic, clearly designed with men in mind.
No air-conditioning, cold showers, fried rice for dinner, and a cold Bintang beer, if you were lucky. As a professional woman who valued both adventure and a certain level of comfort, none of these options spoke to me.
At the time, I was living in Bali, surfing daily, while travelling frequently to Singapore to run a successful corporate coaching and training company.
I had transitioned from personal life coaching and workshops into corporate development, working with companies like HP and Oracle, delivering workshops on sales strategy, leadership, and a favorite topic for corporate training weekends, ‘work/life balance’.
While I loved aspects of my work, I felt a growing disconnect. I would spend my days immersed in the salt air and ocean, then find myself wrapping my overly tanned legs in stockings and a corporate outfit to present workshops in windowless, air-conditioned conference rooms.
I realised it wasn’t my message that was wrong. It was the audience.
The ‘Aha’ Moment
Meanwhile, surfing was becoming something far deeper for me. It was not just a sport; it was a powerful teacher of presence, trust, surrender, and resilience.
However, back then, you rarely saw women in the surf lineup. Surfing was an oral tradition, and unless you had a brother, boyfriend, or husband to teach you, the door to that world remained firmly closed.
I was not content to try to fit myself into a box that wasn’t made for me, obviously didn’t fit me, and I knew other women felt the same.
There was an undeniable gap. I also knew women like me did not want another mass-produced, cookie-cutter holiday like the popular group 19-25 year old ‘adventure tours’ available at that time.
We had outgrown staying at hostels, yet felt invisible at resorts. We wanted and needed to have a fun holiday, but we also longed for genuine connection, meaningful experiences, and activities that nourished us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I wanted to create something entirely new: a retreat that combined surf, yoga, spa, wellness, adventure, and personal development.
A place where women could gather, grow, and be seen. A place that was luxurious in its intention, not just its amenities.
I remembered the famous line from Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” That was my call to action.
The Birth of Goddess Retreats
So I built it, launching Surf Goddess Retreats, the world’s first luxury women-only surf and yoga retreat, in 2003.
I started with one guest, then two. Slowly, organically, Goddess Retreats grew, not because of aggressive marketing, but because the need was real and the experience resonated.
Over time, we welcomed more women who, like myself, were searching for something deeper than just a typical getaway. They wanted a meaningful vacation, one that was not only fun and rejuvenating but that also offered practical ways to enrich their lives.
Goddess Retreats was designed to truly honor women authentically, providing experiences that were not just beautiful and healthy, but good for the soul.
It combines luscious inclusions, personal growth, and connection in a way that allows women to feel both pampered and genuinely empowered, leaving with more than memories, but with lasting tools for a richer, more grounded life.
Today, more than two decades later, Goddess Retreats has welcomed over 18,000 women from around the world. It has evolved into a thriving, solely women-focused company, offering a range of personalised retreats across Ubud and Seminyak, including healing, wellness, surf, Pilates, and fitness.
More Than Just a Getaway
Goddess Retreats offers an unparalleled experience: boutique luxury seamlessly combined with authentic Balinese culture, all centred on a transformative journey of self-discovery.
We’ve created a space where guests can step away from distractions and into deep self-reflection, healing, and renewal.
We embrace a ‘soulful luxury’ concept. Not luxury in the traditional, five-star sense – though our settings are undeniably beautiful – but luxury as deep care, presence, and personal attention.
From the beginning, our retreat experiences have been intentionally intimate. We welcome small groups, with a dedicated team that offers warm, thoughtful support every step of the way.
Sessions and activities are designed to feel spacious and personal, most often shared between one or two guests and a guide, so that every woman feels seen, supported, and free to go at her own pace.
Looking back, the journey of Goddess Retreats is a testament to the power of following your passions.
What began with a simple desire to share the joy of surfing and create a welcoming space for women has blossomed into a thriving sanctuary, proving that when you align your work with your heart, the possibilities are as boundless as the ocean itself.
And most importantly, at its core, it remains what it was from the very beginning: a deeply personal, heartfelt offering.
- About the Author
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Chelsea Ross is the founder of Goddess Retreats, an award-winning wellness sanctuary in Bali dedicated to empowering women through transformative experiences. A lifelong spiritual seeker, Chelsea weaves her deep understanding of yoga philosophy, meditation, and holistic practices into the very fabric of Goddess Retreats. With a global upbringing, a passion for creating meaningful spaces, and a keen ability to anticipate emerging trends, Chelsea pioneered the luxury women’s retreat model, launching one of the world’s first women-only surf and yoga retreats in 2003. Her retreats blend holistic wellness, cultural immersion, and sustainable practices, fostering a safe and supportive community for women seeking self-discovery and connection. Beyond Goddess Retreats, Chelsea has a proven track record as an entrepreneur, having successfully scaled other businesses while always prioritising her commitment to empowering women.