Makunufushi, Cocoa Island, Maldives | (888) 240-0568
Large water bungalows with private decks and direct
ocean access
Stunning white-sand beaches and clear, turquoise
water
Small private island is easy to navigate on foot
All rooms include soaking tubs and two showers (indoor
and outdoor)
iPod stereos, Nespresso machines, minibars, free
Wi-Fi, and water in rooms
Luxurious spa with a large hydrotherapy pool, and
free daily yoga classes
Water sports center provides free snorkels, kayaks, and windsurfing boards
Beachfront infinity pool with bar service
Excellent a la carte restaurant with a large menu and
plenty of healthy options
Nice reef is a quick swim from the beach and water
villas
All rooms feature sunset views over the ocean
Peaceful, romantic atmosphere with few children
Fitness center
Excursions available (including sunset fishing, snorkeling trips, and parasailing)
Free gourmet breakfast included; half-board and full-board dining packages available
Steep prices for food, drinks, and spa (plus service
charges and tourism taxes)
Pricey airport transfers by speedboat
No tennis court
No 24-hour room service
No kids' club, playground, or children’s pool (pro for some)
No all-inclusive alcohol packages available
Restaurant and bar charge for water
Located on a small island 35 minutes from Male, this luxury resort
has 33 high-end water bungalows and a peaceful, all-natural vibe. Cocoa Island
is primarily geared towards couples, and children’s facilities are sparse.
Property highlights include gorgeous beaches, an infinity pool, on-site reef,
excellent a la carte restaurant, and a pricey spa with a hydrotherapy pool and
free daily yoga classes. Rooms come at a fair price for this caliber of property, but food and extras can
add up fast. Still, it's a popular and less expensive alternative to Gili Lankanfushi.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Low-key island resort with an eco-chic atmosphere
Built in the '80s, Cocoa Island by COMO is one of the quieter
resorts in the Maldives, with just 33 water bungalows. The tiny island felt nearly empty
during our visit, despite being at 70-percent capacity. Upon arrival, we were served coconut water (out of a real
coconut) and escorted to a small lobby to complete check-in paperwork. Decorated in an eco-chic style, the
lobby has a stone reception desk and a traditional palm leaf roof that’s propped up by pillars of raw wood. The sleek-yet-rustic island aesthetic continues in the
spa, bar, and restaurant, which are constructed almost entirely of hardwood and
palm leaves. The atmosphere is romantic and upscale, with an underlying
theme of holistic wellness. Many guests pamper themselves with expensive spatreatments during the day and dress up for gourmet dinners at night. The
majority of guests are honeymooners and couples.
Location
On its own private island, 35 minutes from Male International Airport
One of the more accessible resorts in the Maldives, Cocoa
Island is situated on its own private island in Kaafu Atoll, only 35 minutes
from the airport by speedboat. It takes less than 10 minutes to walk across the
small island at its widest point. Some guests have complained that views of
nearby islands are less than idyllic, but we hardly noticed them during our
visit. A staff of 150 live and work on the island year-round.
Rooms
Large water bungalows with decks, modern amenities, and sunset views
Cocoa Island has five
types of water bungalows: Loft Villas, One Bedroom Villas, Dhoni Suites, Dhoni
Loft Suites, and giant Como Villas with two bedrooms. The Dhoni rooms are
built in the shape of dhoni boats -- the traditional vessels used by local
fishermen. Every unit features a private deck with direct ocean access, a
soaking tub, two showers (indoor and outdoor), iPod stereo, Nespresso machine, fully
stocked minibar, and sunset
views over the ocean.
Freebies include Wi-Fi, bottled water,
and tea. Design-wise, the rooms are tastefully simple with high ceilings,
hardwood floors, white walls, colorful throw pillows, and minimal artwork.
Features
A pricey spa, fitness center, and infinity pool with drink service
Cocoa Island may be small, but it still offers a solid
range of amenities. Highlights include a pricey spa, impressive hydrotherapy
pool, fitness center, and a beachside infinity pool with drink service. The pool is long and narrow, and there are plenty of wood loungers nearby under palapas or umbrellas. An
on-site reef (wading distance from the beach) is also a main attraction for
snorkelers and divers. For those who don’t like to get wet, a daily fish
feeding show provides ample opportunity to view aquatic life up close. Other
features include a gift shop, dive center, volleyball court, badminton court,
and small library with multilingual books.
Services
Off-site excursions, private dinners, room service, free yoga classes, and water sports rentals
Plenty of perks are available for those willing to pay
extra. Guests can arrange private beach dinners, in-room spa treatments, or
choose from a number of excursions (such as parasailing, snorkeling tours, or
culinary trips to a local island). Freebies include twice-daily yoga classes
and unlimited access to non-motorized water sports gear like snorkels, kayaks,
and windsurf boards. Room service is available, but it’s not 24 hours.
Spa
Small, high-end spa with an impressive hydrotherapy pool
It may only
have four treatment rooms, but the spa at Cocoa Island still has a big
wow factor thanks to a huge hydrotherapy pool, which is free for all guests.
Each treatment room is located in its own hut, offering plenty of privacy. The
pricey treatments are inspired by Ayurvedic Indian therapies, and guests can order
everything from couple’s massages to facials.
Free yoga classes are offered twice daily in an open pavilion.
All-Inclusive / Food
Excellent a la carte restaurant with a varied menu and poolside bar
The resort has one gourmet restaurant with optional outdoor seating overlooking the infinity pool and
beach. Free breakfast is included
for all guests, and upgrades to half-board (dinner) or full-board (lunch and
dinner) packages are available. The restaurant has an expensive and varied menu that
changes daily, and plenty of organic and vegetarian options are available. A
cozy bar offers food and drink service poolside or on the beach.
Beach
White-sand beaches, comfy lounge chairs, and an off-shore reef
Soft white
sand, a shallow lagoon, and clear turquoise water make Cocoa Island’s beaches
especially beautiful -- even for the Maldives. Guests can take their
pick from a number of cushioned lounge chairs, and staff will keep the food and
drinks flowing (for those who stay on the recliners near the pool bar). An
on-site reef is a quick swim from the beach. The water temperature was perfect
during our November visit -- cool enough to feel refreshing, yet warm enough to
slip into without a chill. We couldn’t find a speck of trash anywhere.
