COMO COCOA

With only 33 rooms and no bikes, buggies or motorised water sports, there is a warm intimate homely feeling to this beautiful small island. The accommodation draws inspiration from the Maldivian culture - iconic ‘dhoni’ villas floating above the crystal blue waters below. If you’ve stayed in a COMO hotel or resort before, you’ll be familiar with the aesthetic, minimalistic in design using the natural materials and colour palate that COMO is known for, creating a sense of calm and relaxation from the minute you step inside.

With only one restaurant on the island, the head chef and his team have the time to put a whole lot of love into the daily changing menus that celebrate only the best of locally sourced ingredients. The Shambhala menu also offers healthy and delicious alternatives for the wellness conscious guests. With a no reservations policy, you can enjoy the last light of the day without feeling the need to rush to make your dinner reservations.

If you aren’t very good at sitting still, there is a weekly schedule of activities offering everything from yoga to guided snorkelling trips, cooking classes to sunrise breakfasts and sunset dinners at the island’s private sandbank (which is one of the best in the Maldives!).

Cocoa’s recent partnership with Perfect Wave means that surfers now have access to the local breaks, including the neighbouring island of Kandooma and it’s famous right-hander (which is exclusive to Kandooma guests).

For those that prefer their aquatic action under the waves instead of on them, there is a famous shark dive spot only 5 minutes from the resort where I’m told it’s like watching a movie on the big screen from your clipped in vantage point along the edge of the screen. For a change of pace and marine life that’s no less mesmerising, a stone’s throw from the resort is some of the best coral garden snorkelling in the South Male Atoll. The small brightly coloured wrasses are so friendly and will quickly become your guide, beckoning you to follow them as they take you on a guided tour of their magical underwater world.

Beautiful in it’s simplicity, COMO Cocoa has a way of getting under your skin that makes it very hard to say goodbye.