Spring Equinox 6-Day Meditation Retreat on Quarantine Island
Saturday the 19th to Thursday the 24th of September 2026
With Kovido Maddick and Eric Chagnon, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teachers
At Quarantine Island in the Otago Harbour (Dunedin)
“Honestly the best week of my life. My journey has just begun.”
— Hannah S., Dunedin
A stunning island in a wildlife-rich harbour. A unique and non-religious retreat format with times for mindful silence and times for activities. A deep connection with nature. A high-value retreat at a low cost.
A quiet call to return to yourself.
Quarantine Island (St Martin Island) sits quietly in the Otago Harbour — a place layered with history, resilience and natural beauty. It’s not just a setting for this retreat. It’s part of the experience.
This is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and pay attention — not in a forced way, but in a way that brings you home to yourself.
Over six days, you’ll explore mindfulness through meditation, movement and shared moments. Each morning begins with a quiet walk up the hill to meet the sunrise — not as a performance, but as a gentle ritual of arrival.
We’ll also spend time in mindful mahi, contributing to the island with small, purposeful tasks — a way of honouring the land that holds us. Nourishing kai, good company, space to be — it’s all part of what makes this retreat different.
Past participants have told us this was one of the most quietly powerful things they’ve done. Come see why.
Previous Partipants Have Said
What is so unique about our retreat?
Distinctive Location
Experience mindfulness on the secluded Quarantine Island, accessible only by boat, offering unparalleled tranquility amidst native wildlife
Balanced Structure of Activity
Our retreat uniquely combines periods of reflective silence with engaging group activities, fostering both inner peace and communal connection
Experienced Facilitators
Led by seasoned mindfulness teachers Kovido Maddick and Eric Chagnon, whose combined 60+ years of experience ensure a supportive and enriching environment
When you join our 6-day retreat, you experience
Deep sense of calm
In a beautiful, quiet natural setting, with times for silence, relaxation and reflection.
Learning
Guided by experienced teachers, learning meditation and mindfulness techniques
Connection
Reconnecting with your true self, and creating meaningful connections with others through discovery activities
Our instructors
Kovido Maddick
Kovido has over 40 years experience in mindfulness and meditation and spent 10 years training as a Buddhist Monk, in the Thai Forest Tradition, under Ajahn Sumedho.
He has been teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programmes since 1996. He is a certified teacher and coach with Mindfulness Works. He was also a co-facilitator of the Dunedin Men’s group and a Hakomi Graduate.
Although his training is primarily Buddhist he is very eclectic, drawing on the wisdom of many different traditions and contemporary teachers including Rumi, Osho, Ajahn Chah, Ram Dass, Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Jeff Foster and Thich Naht Hanh. Probably his greatest teachers have been his two foster children, Mason and Savannah, who could take him from love, joy, delight to rage and frustration and despair on a daily basis.
For many many years, Kovido tried to get enlightened, improve himself, get better at meditation but constantly failed. Gradually his focus has changed to more self-acceptance, trusting his own intuition and being with life as it is on this wonder-full and mysterious journey as a human being.
Recently he walked the 800km Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route in Northern Spain, which has greatly affected his attitude to meditation practice and life.
"It fulfilled my needs. Kovido's approach was calming, informative and made people feel safe."
Heinke, Dunedin
"It was an exceptionally valuable experience. The pace of the morning was just right and Kovido's teaching was excellent. It was a very peaceful morning and a very gentle way to feeling good about yourself and your place in the world."
Liz O. Dunedin
Eric Chagnon
Eric’s exploration of meditation and mysticism formally began more than 20 years ago when he joined the Rosicrucian Order AMORC. He has kept an ongoing meditation practice through co-raising a family and having a corporate career. His discovery and immersion into mindfulness meditation culminated in obtaining a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certificate from renowned instructors Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield.
Eric brings his whole self into his teachings. Drawing from his public speaking and leadership experiences, and from his learnings from Tara and Jack, he connects with his students at their levels. His simple, calm and patient delivery is effective and instills a sense of safety and trust among students.
Eric, the instructor, was superb. His own calmness, presence, and focus were inspiring. His tone of voice was calm and very inviting, making each session a pleasure to attend. I learned so much from him and always looked forward to each session. I am keen to continue taking more courses with him in the future. -Marcia B., course participant
Eric, you are a star. Your manner, your knowledge and your whole approach adds value to the experience. -Ken D., Nature Walk and Meditation participant
What you do on the retreat
Meditate
Under the guidance of certified teachers, practice guided mindfulness meditations 3 to 5 times a day. This practice helps you become more aware of each moment’s experience and fully live the life that is here, now.
One-on-One Interviews with the teachers
Each participant will be offered an optional 30-minute one-on-one meeting with a teacher of their choice.
Group Activities
Every day, you spend time in Group Dialogues, sharing about experiences, making sense of things, connecting with other people, remembering what makes us human. There are also various movement activities.
Time outside
Every day, weather permitting, we will be spending time outdoors. Sunrise and sunset rituals, mindful movements, meditation, we tune in to nature and receive its regulating benefits. And come back inside to a hot cup of tea in a warm and cozy lounge.
Mahi
Feel purpose and connection with the land and the facilities through daily service, as part of the programme.
Free time
Rest, nap, walk around the island or sit by the sea, journal, draw, this is an important time, daily, for processing and recovery.
Timetable
Sunrise Ritual, Yoga Nidra meditation
7 am
Hearty vegetarian breakfast, free time
8am
Island stewardship, Guided meditation, walking meditation, meditation Q&A
10:30 am
Delicious vegetarian lunch, free time
12:30 pm
Dialogue meditations and discussions, group activities
4 pm
Sunset Ritual
6 pm
Light Meal
Evening talk, Discussion
7 pm
8 pm
Sleeping
A big part of the Quarantine Island Equinox retreat experience is the communal sleeping in dormitories. There is one dormitory for female participants and one for men. There are a couple of single rooms available at a premium. A few previous participants confided they were hesitant to sleep in the dormitory at first, but the deep sense of safety generated by the retreat’s format makes for a quick adaptation and a rich experience.
Eating
Food is a central part of the retreat experience on Quarantine Island. Our cooks live on the island for the full week and are part of the retreat community, preparing meals with care and intention. Participants are welcome to join them in the kitchen — cooking becomes a shared, communal rhythm rather than something happening in the background. We consistently receive 5‑star feedback for the food at our retreats. All meals are vegetarian, prepared on-site, and we can accommodate a range of dietary needs.
One bed in a shared dormitory, at a discounted price for people who are unwaged.
Costs for the 5 nights, 6-day retreat
A $375 non-refundable deposit is required upon registration. Early Bird rates end on 30 June 2026. Full payment due on 31 July 2026. All prices in NZD
What is included
Accommodation for 5 nights in serene island setting
All food and meals - nourishing vegetarian cuisine
Daily guided meditations and mindfulness sessions
Trauma-informed talks and teachings
One-on-one teacher consultations
Personal journal and materials
Post-retreat community support
Past participant Erin G., Christchurch
“I could never have imagined that within a mere 48 hours I would have formed strong connections with the people I was blessed to be on the retreat with, feel so emotionally regulated and secure, and leave with the knowledge that the path to my future lay in trusting myself.
Eric, Kovido and Sally created such a wonderful environment of trust and respect that I was very sad to leave and wished I had signed up for the whole 5 days.
The meditation and mindfulness sessions were really accessible, particularly for someone like me who did not have a lot of practice.
The cooking was AMAZING, my full compliments to Sally for her incredibly nourishing food which felt like being loved on a whole new level, and the location was simply perfect.
I can't wait for the next one!”
FAQ
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Absolutely. Many retreats have endless sitting meditation, and little talking, and that can be very hard for beginners. However we will have a mixture of sitting and walking, silence and talking which makes it easier. There will also be regular instructions and question times.
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Definitely . Because we will have a mix of silence and talking, sitting meditation and active meditations it is really appropriate for bringing balance in our daily lives and to enhance the factors of skillful speech, action and livelihood.
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Quarantine Island is only accessible by boat. It is a short ferry ride from Port Chalmers (15 minutes from Dunedin) or Portobello on the Otago Peninsula. Ferry costs are included in the cost for the retreat. Registered participants receive all required details about boarding time and location.
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Yoga Nidra is an ancient meditation, done lying down, passing mindfulness through the body in a gentle and curious way, which leads to deep relaxation and /or sleep.
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Everybody has to pay a deposit of $250 which is not refundable. The balance is to be paid by 1st September 2025. If you would like to pay the balance, in two or three installments, please contact Kovido.
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These are beautiful meditations that have gentle movement with rhythmical music leading into silence and stillness
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Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the Island. For other kind of disabilities, please contact the organizers to discuss.
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The meals will be delicious vegetarian, with vegan/gluten free options, prepared by our amazing local chef.
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You will need to bring:- clothes and shoes/ boots for outdoors and indoors. Torch. Toiletries Yoga or sleeping mat, blanket. Cushion or kneeling rest for meditation( there will be chairs available too.) Also bring something of significance to you to put on the shrine ie a picture, statue,
Any Questions?
We would love to help. Please fill in the required information and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are real people! We would also be more than happy if you called us to have a chat about the retreat: Kovido - 027 357 2884.