The Wonder Path
Spark
Two-hour group experiences designed for creative, playful exploration.
Flow
Four-week programs that blend gentle learning and group-based creative activities.
Deep
Self-guided solo retreats providing extended time for rest, reflection, and focus.
About Harbour Retreat
Harbour Retreat is located in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia and only 4 minutes away from the world-renown Martinique Beach.
The property and its amenities were designed for quiet, self-guided retreats in nature for individuals seeking rest, reflection, and intentional time alone in Nova Scotia. Perfect for those who value privacy, simplicity, and calm, our retreats offer freedom from group schedules, social pressure, or rigid agendas—allowing each guest to shape their days according to their own rhythm.
The Wonder Path is the guiding framework behind all Harbour Retreat experiences, helping guests and participants connect with nature, creativity, and themselves. It offers three pathways with varying levels of engagement:
Spark — short, two-hour group experiences designed for small groups to spark curiosity and playful exploration.
Flow — seasonal, four-week group programs that blend gentle learning and group-based creative activities.
Deep — immersive solo retreats providing extended time for rest, reflection, and focused work in private, natural surroundings.
Whether you are seeking group inspiration through the Spark or Flow pathways, or extended solo time through the Deep Retreat pathway, Harbour Retreat provides supportive environments that meet you where you are. Each path is rooted in simplicity, quiet, and the freedom to engage at your own pace.
Harbour Retreat
Meet Wendy Hanlan
Hello retreat seekers!
I’m a creator, instructor, and former corporate professional who left the structured world of business to design spaces for rest, reflection, and personal growth.
My experience as an adult educator and curriculum designer shaped the way Harbour Retreat is built: each retreat, path, and experience is thoughtfully structured to support learning, creativity, and self-discovery, while leaving room for freedom and solitude.
I’ve also long been drawn to spiritual growth and mindful living, and I wanted to create a place where these values could be experienced in nature—without pressure, schedules, or group dynamics.
Harbour Retreat combines my love of teaching, my respect for personal rhythm, and my connection to the land and sea of Nova Scotia, to offer retreats for solo reflection, creative exploration, and intentional time alone.
The space
Retreat Zones
Harbour Retreat offers seven distinct spaces designed to support rest, creativity, and mindful engagement with nature:
Walking Labyrinth – A meditative path for solo reflection or small group mindfulness sessions, encouraging focus and gentle movement.
Creative Corner – A flexible space for artistic expression, journaling, or collaborative group creativity.
Yoga Perch – A little nook offers a private spot for self-guided yoga, meditation, stretching.
Star Gazing Platform – Our location offers dark skies illuminating wondrous twinkling stars, the moon, and constellations.
Forest Bathing Trail – A private path with five sensory stops, designed for grounding, nature immersion, and mindful walking.
Fire Pit – A cozy gathering space for reflection, small group storytelling, or quiet fireside contemplation.
Seating Areas – Relax under a sheltered porch or sunny patio with calm views for writing, sketching, or just sitting with your morning coffee.
Tackle Box Cottage
Tackle Box Cottage is the private “tiny” home base for your Harbour Retreat experience.
Nestled in a peaceful coastal setting in Nova Scotia, the tiny cottage offers a cozy, well-appointed space for rest, reflection, and creative work. Designed for privacy and comfort, it features a welcoming living area, comfortable areas for journaling or reading, and easy access to the surrounding nature paths and retreat spaces.
Whether you’re spending a few hours in reflection or enjoying a multi-day solo retreat, Tackle Box Cottage provides a warm, safe, and inspiring environment. Guests appreciate the combination of seclusion and convenience, with all the amenities needed to fully focus on rest, personal growth, or creative projects.
From the cottage, you can step directly into the walking labyrinth, relax on the yoga perch, or enjoy the forest bathing trail—making Tackle Box Cottage both a sanctuary and a gateway to the broader Harbour Retreat experience.
Explore the Wonder Path
