Ha'apai, Tonga · September 16–23, 2027
A retreat of a lifetime
Join us in the sacred waters of Ha'apai, Tonga, where time dissolves and presence becomes prayer. On five acres of uninhabited beach, lagoon and forest, we gather.
This retreat is an invitation to quiet your mind and open your heart to the living mystery. The rush of life falls away, and something deeper begins to speak.
In the gentle rhythms of the sea and the majesty of the whales, you will be guided to move slowly, breathe deeply and simply be, and to remember what it means to be alive: to feel awe, connection and belonging.
This is a journey back to quiet wonder, a chance to soften, listen, and feel the magic of life unfolding around you.
Dates
September 16–23, 2027
Length
8 days, 7 nights
With the whales
5 full swim days
Place
Ha'apai, Tonga
It was the most powerful encounter I have ever had with a humpback. Being able to sense the singing in every part of my body, and feeling intense vibrations in my stomach, chest, arms and throat, was a euphoric and meditative experience.
Alegra Ally · Founder, Tonga Whale Sanctuary
The song of the humpback is the most intricate and hauntingly beautiful of all the great whales, but exactly what purpose it serves is still largely a mystery.
The Retreat
Yes, the whales are central to this experience. But I looked for a place that also held an atmosphere of retreat, so that the noise of the world can quiet and we can turn toward the deeper, truest part of ourselves.
This retreat is anchored in daily meditation, yoga nidra, gentle movement, hypnosis and sound healing.
Our first day is one of grounding and deeply restful practices, to restore body and mind after the long journey.
The days that follow weave together meditation, whale encounters, movement and sound, and evenings under the starry sky by a communal fire.
There is space to walk the beach, journal, snorkel, connect with one another, laugh, move, dance, or simply rest and enjoy, as you wish.
These dates cannot come soon enough. I am filled with excitement for the experience to come!
— Shawni
Practices with Shawni
An Acoustic Island
An extremely low-noise environment, where whale song is heard and felt in the water and on land. Sound, vibration and presence shape the rhythm here.
Whale encounters here are often profoundly immersive and transformative. Being in the water with humpbacks is not only visual; it is three-dimensional and sensory. Sound moves through the body, and vibrations travel through the chest and bones.
The encounters are reciprocal. Sometimes the whales initiate them; sometimes they unfold through eye contact, play, stillness or shared presence. People often come out of the water in tears, deep joy, awe, or a quiet kind of catharsis.
Alongside time in the water, the sanctuary offers bioacoustic listening and sonic immersion: birds, fruit bats at dusk, wind through the trees, insects, tidal movement, reef sounds, and the subtle acoustics revealed at low tide.
During whale season, hydrophones on the boats let you hear underwater soundscapes in real time, as sound you hear and vibration you feel. On land, a developing bioacoustics lab supports quiet listening, recording and gentle sonic exploration.
Where you'll stay
Gathering
On the island
What's included
Not included: your international flight to Tongatapu (TBU).
Join us in Tonga
Space on the island is limited. If you feel a deep desire to be part of this experience, reach out as soon as you can, by email, text or the short form here. I read every message personally.
Investment
Early bird
$5,000
before midnight PST, January 29, 2027
After January 29
$5,500
until the retreat is full
A $1,000 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot.
To sign up, schedule a call with me or text me at 310-890-4512.
Or email support@theradiantbeing.com
Private sessions with Shawni, in Los Angeles and online.
