Meditation Island is a working Buddhist monastery on Koh Phaluai, a remote island off Surat Thani. This isn’t a retreat resort. For seven days you follow the same routine as the resident nuns, from pre-dawn chanting to the village alms round, with recorded Dhamma talks by the monastery’s founder, Ajahn Prasert.
- Duration: 7 days, 6 nights, check-in noon, check-out 10am
- Practice: mindfulness of breathing, sitting and walking meditation, Vipassana
- Routine: pre-dawn chanting and meditation, the village alms round, evening chanting
- Meals: one buffet-style meal a day, after the alms round
- Room: simple private hut or room with its own bathroom
A day at the monastery
The day starts before sunrise with chanting and seated meditation. Then you walk the alms round through the village with the nuns, and the day’s only meal follows, eaten in silence. The rest of the day mixes guided sitting and walking meditation, mindful monastery duties, a recorded Dhamma talk and long stretches of personal practice and rest. Evenings close with chanting, and on selected dates, when Ajahn Prasert is on the island, he teaches in person.
Guests are expected to follow the full schedule and not skip sessions without a real reason, because here the routine itself is the practice. Keep phone use to the essentials.
Food and rooms
The meal is cooked by the local community from what’s offered each day, so it may include meat and seafood alongside rice, vegetables and fruit. Vegetarian options are usually available, but the kitchen can’t promise to meet every diet or allergy. Huts are basic, with a private bathroom that uses a non-flushing, water-based eco system, and there’s no air conditioning.
Watch out: this is a hard routine for most first-timers: one meal a day, a start before sunrise, no air conditioning, no flushing toilet and limited Wi-Fi.
Who it’s for
Beginners are welcome, and you don’t need to be Buddhist, but you do need to want monastic simplicity. Teenagers can join with a parent, and children under 12 generally can’t.
Insider Tip: if none of the scheduled 7-day dates fit, the Year-Round Monastic Stay takes guests any day of the year for 3 to 14 nights, with the same daily routine.
Getting there
Fly to Surat Thani (URT), then take a taxi or shuttle for 1 to 1.5 hours to Donsak Raja Ferry Pier. A local ferry runs to Koh Phaluai, followed by a short transfer to the monastery. Ferry times shift with the weather and sea, so leave slack in your plans. Full directions come after booking, and airport transfers aren’t arranged. The small deposit is refunded in full for any cancellation made by the day before, and the balance is settled at the monastery in cash or by bank transfer, since cards aren’t taken.
Meals & Dietary Options
Meals Included
Included
- 6 nights accommodation in a simple private hut or basic room with private bathroom (basic eco-style facilities)
- One simple buffet-style meal per day, with local dishes such as vegetables, rice, meat and seafood
- Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
- Daily guided and self-practice meditation sessions
- Access to Meditation Island retreat facilities
- Dhamma talk video sessions
- Support and guidance from resident nuns during the retreat
- Morning and evening chanting
- Luggage storage
Not Included
- Flights costs
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee
- Additional treatments
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Snacks and additional beverages
- Laundry service
- Air conditioning
- Toiletries and personal items
- Wi-Fi (limited availability)
- Airport transfer
Highlights
- Practise alongside resident nuns in a functioning monastery
- Small and personal, with private accommodation and one daily meal
