Scouting Sodwana Bay for the next Retreat
When our diving friends asked us to join them for a trip to Sodwana, we didn’t hesitate! Living in KZN almost all my life, I’ve only ever visited the North Coast as a child. The little that I do remember, is that there are crocodiles, pineapples and stray dogs on the beach. Not much has changed, except now I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing this dive town as a diver. I’ve also learned that the stray dogs actually belong to the locals, they only roam free during the day!
Foundation Lodge
The accommodation is off the beaten track on a sandy road as you approach the one horse town. This quaint little holiday house with a French countryside character was perfect for our break away from the city. Foundation Lodge is part of a UK Charity called CoCo’s, which is an initiative that sees your money going back to the community to build homes for orphaned children. This concept sits close to my heart as the ethos behind each SALT Escape is to “give back”. By choosing to stay here, we make a difference to this community.
The lodge is fully furnished for self catering, with air conditioning in the bedrooms. For the retreat, we have two tented options available for the more adventurous. The tents will have access to a shared bathroom that is built onto the main house and come with camper mattresses!
Diving into the blue
Using this as an opportunity to meet the local dive crew, we booked a scuba dive and a dolphin experience with two different operators. Although the retreat will be catered for all levels with no experience needed, if you are a qualified diver then we highly recommend booking a dive in your free time!
Being an Aliwal veteran, I was blown away by the variety of coral life. There were giant fan corals, soft and hard corals and sea anemones everywhere you looked. Never mind the marine life that resides on the reef! There were huge shoals of fish casting shadows on the sand as they hovered overhead. Wrasse were very busy with cleaning stations scattered over the reef. Life on Sodwana Bay is something magical!
Swimming with Dolphins
On the morning of our last day, we met up with Digger and the crew from Da Blu Juice for a dolphin encounter. Before I get carried away with details, it’s important to remember that with all wild animal interactions, nothing is a guarantee. We rolled out of bed with the sunrise to be the first boat on the water. After a few minutes of scanning the horizon, we found fins breaking the surface. The art of diving with dolphins is to understand their natural behavior. We have a special guest planned for the retreat who will be sharing her insights into the mind of a dolphin so that you can have a special experience.
It takes a few drops into the water before they open up and trust you. Once this connection happens, it’s almost as if you become a part of the pod. Dancing around you in a circle-swim, turning their bellies up to the sky in a playful way to tell you they are interested in who you are. This dance with dolphins is an experience you can’t describe.
Why should you join us for a Retreat
Our Retreats are designed to connect you to the sea and leave you feeling inspired to look deeper into yourself and what you are capable of. My mission is to create a safe and responsible space for anyone wanting to form a greater connection to the sea. To simultaneously push you out of your comfort zone while teaching you to be present in everything you do.
Being ‘everything ocean’, our long term goal is to nurture a community of ocean-enthusiasts and changemakers willing to work towards the care and preservation of our ocean. We also stand as a platform to support local brands, organisations and individuals who align with our values and promote a more conscious and empathetic relationship with the environment.
Plus, all of our retreat attendees receive a gift on arrival and who doesn’t love free stuff! Our welcome gifts are handpicked, local brands that align with SALT’s ethos.
Join us in May, email info@saltescape.co.za to book your place.
