COMO Cocoa Island

The dive trips are convenient for jet lagged guests, with departures at 8.30, 10.30 and 14.30. There’s a great house reef for snorkelling, and some excellent sites about 15 minutes away by boat. Most are channel dives with strong currents, suited to more experienced divers, and lots of pelagic fauna. This is a quiet, private resort with around 30 water villas, reached by a 40 minute boat ride from Male airport. I like that better than the water plane airport, where there can be a lot of waiting. Service is very capable, from the mixologist and sommelier to the waiters, and staff turnover seems very low. There’s one restaurant and one bar, both excellent. The bar is the best I’ve come across in the Maldives, after visiting around 15 resorts over the years. The villas are a little small by the resort’s otherwise top notch standards, though 60+ sqm works easily for us. They open directly onto the reef, which is in very good shape. I’d recommend it to anyone after high end personal service and a peaceful, private holiday. I would consider moving to another resort after 5 or 6 days, though, since both the food and diving can start to feel repetitive.

The people made our stay at COMO Cocoa Island feel personal from start to finish. Arta, the Resort Manager, introduced herself and checked in with us during the trip. She was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and professional every time we spoke. The staff across the marine center, spa, housekeeping and grounds all seemed to care about making our time there meaningful. Nothing felt transactional. Muru, our butler, remembered what we needed before we asked and handled every detail with real care. He made us feel special without making anything stiff or formal. Shimi brought a lot of humor and energy as our windsurf instructor and adventure guide. He knows nurse sharks well, helped us have some unforgettable encounters, and took us night fishing under the stars. The resort chefs prepared our catch for the next day. Ali made snorkelling feel safe and exciting, always knowing where to find something amazing on the reef. Dileep led a fun cooking class in the restaurant, where we learned about South Indian curry and got to enjoy what we made. Every meal was fantastic, with fresh, quality ingredients and a focus on health. Hindra and Yuka made evenings at the bar lively and fun, with great cocktails and warm, funny personalities. The island itself looked almost unreal. The water was incredibly clear, the villas seemed dreamlike, and the sea life we’d seen in books and photos was right there. Everywhere felt serene and intimate. This was not just a beautiful holiday, it was the kind of experience that stays with you and leaves you feeling reset. Five stars doesn’t seem enough. We’ll treasure these memories. Thank you!!!

It was such a calm, beautiful place for a holiday, and the food was delicious. The staff were lovely, always friendly, and kept our room clean. Their service was excellent too. We had a great time and I’d recommend staying here. Thank you ✨🌸🥰🌺💐

We came back for a second visit, and COMO Cocoa Island has that quiet, personal feel that stays with you. With just over 30 villas it never feels crowded. The lagoon is beautiful, especially in the evening, and the overwater villas are understated, many taking inspiration from traditional dhoni boats. Getting there is easy too, with a short speedboat ride from Malé. The house reef remains a highlight. You can get into the water right from your villa, and the marine life is incredible. We saw octopus mating twice. Coral regeneration seems to be helping the reef improve, and the complimentary talks with the marine biologist add to the experience. The outdoor showers are private, warm and open to the air, and we used ours almost all the time. Make sure to book a villa type with one if that matters to you. Food is consistently excellent, with a varied menu that works especially well for plant based meals. Federico, the Italian head chef, has a warm personal touch. COMO Shambhala wellness is flexible, not overbooked, and genuinely restorative. The staff were happy and welcoming. Binoy remembered details from our visit more than a year ago, and Ismael, the older gentleman, kept our room so tidy. Thanks again to Aarta, Wisam Hinta, Federico, Binoy, Ismael and everyone else. There’s a reason people return. It’s about finding a rhythm in and out of the water and settling into it. On our first visit, about 14 months earlier, COMO Cocoa Island already exceeded our expectations. The boat ride from Malé airport was short and scenic, and everything from the villa onward felt serene and well looked after. The luxury was quiet, never showy. We loved the food, from health focused Shambhala dishes such as açai bowls and plant based meals to tasting menus that felt Michelin worthy. Meals under the stars and at sunset in the covered outdoor dining area were especially lovely. The house reef was vibrant and full of life. We’ve stayed at many luxury resorts, and this was the best snorkel gear we’d used. The linens, towels, spa, yoga, hydrotherapy pool and transfers all felt top tier. Our butler Binoy was warm, professional and intuitive. The resort had both privacy and a sense of community. Many guests return; we even saw an international group celebrating a birthday. We were also grateful to the on site medical team, who helped us with care and grace. We’re already planning another visit.