About Us
Born from a Vision of Holistic Healing
TALAY was born not as a business idea, but as a calling shaped by waves, wild places, and the desire to create something meaningful. Years ago while traveling in South Africa, Sammy caught a vision of a surf house where strangers became community—resting, playing, reflecting, and connecting in a space filled with love and purpose.
Tim’s journey unfolded in Thailand, where he built one of Phuket’s most-loved beach restaurants and later founded TALAY SURF SCHOOL, giving local youth opportunity, confidence, and belonging through the ocean.
After 15+ years of welcoming travelers seeking more than just a holiday, our vision grew into TALAY—a place where adventure meets meaning, and where locals and guests alike experience rest, renewal, and community.
Transforming Lives Through Holistic Retreat Experiences
We believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and loved. TALAY creates belonging and value for each guest, helping them reset to their optimal state while providing tools to thrive in their normal environment. Our goal is to help guests find healing, power & purpose.
Why "TALAY"?
In Thai, Talay means “sea.” But to us, it means more than that.
We started asking: What if the ocean wasn’t just a backdrop to vacation—but the therapy itself?
What if travel had purpose, and connection came as naturally as a deep breath beside the sea?
From this vision, TALAY was created—not just as a retreat, but as Thailand’s first dedicated Ocean Therapy Sanctuary. A place where surf, movement, nature and rest are all part of a bigger journey toward wellness.
TALAY is built on the belief that the ocean heals. “The ocean is our physio, our psychologist, and our playground.” It moves, shifts, softens, and reshapes—just like we do when given the right space and support. represents more than location—it embodies the flow, power, and renewal that water brings to all life. Like the ocean that shapes coastlines over time, TALAY was designed to gently reshape lives through intentional experiences.
This is much more than a health or surf retreat. It’s a place to pause, reconnect, and discover something deeper—through water, play, community, and intentional time away.
The retreat’s architectural design itself draws inspiration from the history of this coastline, inspired by the old timber pier that once stood here on Natai beach, connecting land and sea, past and future, people and purpose.
Thailand's Premier Ocean Therapy Retreat
While Thailand offers countless wellness retreats, TALAY stands apart with our specialized ocean and surf therapy programs and Thailand’s first comprehensive surf retreats—a niche offering that separates us from all others in Thailand. We combine adventure-based healing with traditional wellness practices, creating a truly transformative experience.
While many retreat programs tend to focus on just a few modalities or activities, TALAY is designed to provide a diverse array of experiences and wellness options—all in one place—giving you the freedom to explore as much or as little as you like.
Holistic Healing in Paradise
Our retreat program focuses on four core pillars.
Rest
Be still, sleep, nature immersion, digital detox.
Reset
Ocean & Nature-based nervous system reset.
Reconnect
Build authentic connection and belonging through shared experience.
Renew
Courage and joy through ocean play, movement, and exploration, Discover purpose, values, and vision through intentional experiences.