Opened 2002 Renovated 2020

COMO Cocoa Island is a wellness island with a small hotel attached — Shambhala fills a third of it; the other two-thirds carry 33 dhoni-shaped villas and one restaurant. Drop-off snorkelling from every deck. Forty minutes by speedboat — no seaplane, no all-inclusive. For wellness travellers and honeymooners, not big-resort crowds.

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DecJanFebMarAprMay

Lux Pulse™Updated Jun 19, 2026
Excellent & Consistent
97 new reviews in the past 6 months across Google, TripAdvisor & Booking.com. Average rating 4.7 / 5 from 1,240 total reviews.
+2% review volume vs. prior 6 months
How we score
4
Awards
since 2022
#9 Resorts for Families in the Maldives
Travel + Leisure World's Best '25
#19 Best Resorts in the World — Indian Ocean
Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice '24
EarthCheck Silver Certified
EarthCheck Sustainability '24
Travellers' Choice Award
TripAdvisor '24
How It Compares

COMO Cocoa Island vs. Other Resorts

Where this resort sits across the dimensions that matter most when choosing a Maldives property.

BudgetUltra-Luxury
Adaaran Club
Niyama
Soneva Fushi
COMO Cocoa Island
LivelySecluded
Kurumba
Niyama
Soneva Jani
COMO Cocoa Island
Easy AccessRemote
Kurumba
Niyama
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
COMO Cocoa Island
CouplesFamily
Komandoo
LUX* South Ari
Siyam World
COMO Cocoa Island
BoutiqueLarge Resort
Makunudu (36)
Coco Bodu Hithi (100)
Meeru Island (286)
COMO Cocoa Island (33)
Poor ReefExceptional
Finolhu
Vilamendhoo
COMO Cocoa Island
COMO Cocoa Island
Reference resorts
Accommodation

Choose Your Villa

Thirty-three villas, all overwater, all shaped like Maldivian dhoni fishing boats. The Water Villa tier (75–125 sqm) runs from the south boardwalk (villas 801–830, no pools) to the eastern jetty (the One-Bedroom variants with plunge pools, 1001–1004); the 2020 Lekker Architects refresh added the 300 sqm Two-Bedroom Sunrise Villa on the same eastern jetty (1005) and the 590 sqm Three-Bedroom Sunset Villa — the resort's flagship — on the western private jetty (831–833).

Overwater 1 of 4
Water Villas
From
$1,061
75–125 sqm · 19% smaller than avg
Dhoni Water Villas — dhoni-boat silhouettes along the south boardwalk Dhoni Loft Water Villa interior — mezzanine sleeping above the open living area Loft Water Villa interior — floor-to-ceiling lagoon view from the open lounge One-Bedroom Water Villa with plunge pool on the eastern jetty
Dhoni Water Villa75 sqmNo pool$1,061
Dhoni Loft Water Villa110 sqmNo pool$1,
Loft Water Villa123 sqmNo pool$1,
One-Bedroom Water Villa with Pool125 sqmNo pool$2,
Family All pool
Two-Bedroom COMO Sunrise Villa
From
$7,
300 sqm · 2.3× larger than avg
Two-Bedroom COMO Sunrise Villa — infinity pool deck overlooking the lagoon
Two-Bedroom COMO Sunrise Villa300 sqmPool$7,
Signature All pool
Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa
From
$11,
590 sqm · 4.4× larger than avg
Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa — dusk aerial showing both pool wings
Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa590 sqmPool$11,

Not sure which villa is right? We'll match you based on your group size, budget and priorities.

Prices shown are indicative low-season per night. See the season guide in the sidebar for how rates vary by time of year. We'll confirm exact pricing for your dates.

Dining

1 Restaurant & 1 Bar

Cocoa Island is deliberately small on dining venues — Ufaa carries breakfast through dinner with a modern Indian-Mediterranean menu under Chef Federico Tidu (appointed 2024). Faru Bar handles poolside lunches and evening cocktails. COMO Shambhala Cuisine — the wellness-led nutrient-rich menu found across COMO properties — is available within Ufaa and via in-villa dining. Themed Indian and Thai nights run several evenings each week. Specialty experiences: Sandbank Picnic on the eastern sandbank (three-course, prosecco), Villa Yakiniku Dinner (in-villa grill, sake pairing), and customised private dining at locations across the island.

Ufaa restaurant
Ufaa
Indian / Mediterranean
Open wooden pavilion overlooking the lagoon. Modern Indian and Mediterranean menus with an emphasis on local produce and sustainable seafood. Chef Federico Tidu (appointed 2024) runs the kitchen. Themed Indian and Thai menu nights rotate several evenings per week. COMO Shambhala Cuisine — the brand's nutrient-rich wellness menu — is woven through the regular offering.
SettingBeachfront pavilion · All meals
Our tipAsk about the Thai theme nights — typically Tuesday and Friday — for the best of Ufaa's range
Faru Bar restaurant
Faru Bar
Pool Bar
Poolside bar with direct beach access. Cocktails, wines, cigars, light snacks and casual lunches through the day. Transitions to the cocktail venue in the evening with sunset views across the lagoon. The default first-and-last-day venue for most guests.
SettingPoolside · Open-air · All day
Our tipOrder the rum-and-tonic at sunset — Faru is angled west, so you get the colour change off the deck
Meal Plans

Dining Inclusions

Three meal plan tiers — bed-and-breakfast (included in room rate), Half Board, and Full Board. COMO Cocoa Island does NOT offer an all-inclusive plan; the wellness positioning leans against the buffet-and-tap-everything model. Children under 6 eat free.

PlanRestaurantsAlcoholMinibar~pp/day
Bed & BreakfastUfaa (breakfast)Included
Half BoardUfaa (B+D)+$95
Full BoardUfaa (B+L+D)+$150
Bed & BreakfastIncluded
Ufaa (breakfast)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Half Board+$95 pp/day
Ufaa (B+D)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Full Board+$150 pp/day
Ufaa (B+L+D)
Alcohol —Minibar —
Experiences & Activities

Your Days on the Island

COMO Cocoa Island is a wellness-led, reef-led resort. COMO Shambhala — one of the Maldives' most credentialed spa programmes — anchors the wellness side; the house reef sits a few metres off every villa deck and rivals the best in the country. Cocoa Thila, one of South Malé's signature dive sites, is just behind the resort. No surf programme here (that's COMO Maalifushi).

Water Sports & Diving
PADI dive centre · Cocoa Thila · UV night snorkel · Reefscapers coral conservation
PADI dive centre on-siteResident marine biologist · Cocoa Thila just behind the resort
House reef snorkelingDrop-off metres from every overwater villa deck
UV night snorkelFluorescent coral tours with reef torches
Reefscapers coral sponsorship106 planted frames + 245 honeycomb structures on the resort reef
Resident hawksbill turtlesID database maintained at Turtle Point
Reef sharks & eagle raysRegular sightings on house reef and Cocoa Thila
Kayaking & stand-up paddleboardingComplimentary, non-motorised
Catamaran sailing
Glass-bottom kayaks
House Reef + Cocoa Thila. The drop-off sits metres from the deck of every overwater villa — among the easiest shore-snorkel access in the Maldives. Cocoa Thila, just behind the resort, is a regional signature dive site (reef sharks, eagle rays, large schooling fish). On-site PADI dive centre with a resident marine biologist; specialty experiences include the UV night snorkel (fluorescent corals) and the Reefscapers coral-frame sponsorship programme.
Excursions & Cruises
Sandbank picnics · dolphin cruises · sunset fishing
Sandbank picnicEastern sandbank · 3-course menu · prosecco · castaway setup
Dolphin watching cruiseSpinner dolphins · South Malé channels
Sunset cruiseTraditional dhoni · drinks and canapés on board
Local island visitSouth Malé inhabited islands · fishing communities
Sunset fishingTraditional Maldivian handline · cook your catch at Ufaa
Big game fishingYellowfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish, GT — half and full-day charters
Spa & Wellness
COMO Shambhala over a third of the island · 4 treatment pavilions · hydrotherapy
COMO Shambhala Retreat4 treatment pavilions · 3 couple-configured · outdoor showers and tubs
Hydrotherapy poolHigh-pressure jets — rare in the Maldives
Fully equipped Pilates studioReformer · cadillac · ladder barrel · combo chair
Open-air yoga pavilionDaily group sessions on upper level
Two-floor gymFully equipped with ocean views
Steam room
Multi-day cleanse programmes4-day / 3-night reset · COMO Shambhala practitioner-led
Asian-based healing therapiesHolistic, energy-led modalities
COMO Shambhala Cocoa Island. COMO Shambhala occupies roughly a third of the island — four treatment pavilions (three designed for couples) with outdoor garden showers and tubs, a hydrotherapy pool with high-pressure jets (one of very few in the Maldives), steam room, two-floor gym, open-air yoga pavilion, and a fully equipped Pilates studio (reformer, cadillac, ladder barrel, combo chair). Daily group yoga; Asian-based healing therapies; 4-day/3-night cleanse programmes. Hours 9am–9pm.
Sports & Recreation
Pool · library · in-villa dining · sandbank trips
Beach club poolMain pool · adjacent to Faru Bar
LibraryQuiet daytime reading and games
Sandbank tripsEastern sandbank · privacy on request
Bicycle pathsComplimentary bicycle use across the island
Yoga and Pilates classesSee Spa & Wellness for class schedule
Kids & Family
Marine biologist programme · 4-guest lofts · no kids' club
Young Marine Explorers with the resident biologistGuided reef session pitched at curious kids
Sponsor a Reefscapers coral frame3-hour plant with the biologist · photo updates every 6 months
Turtle Point photo-ID snorkelHawksbills feed the Olive Ridley Project database
Marine Talks at Faru BarWeekly biologist session · open to all guests
Cinema Under the Stars on the beachDaily from 7pm · bean bags and warm popcorn
Sandbank picnic for the familyShort dhoni to the eastern sandbank · three-course lunch
Wellness-Led, Quietly Family-Capable. Cocoa Island runs no kids' club, but the resident marine biologist hosts a programme of family-friendly experiences — Young Marine Explorers reef sessions, weekly Marine Talks at Faru Bar, sponsor-a-coral-frame planting with Reefscapers, and turtle photo-ID snorkels at Turtle Point. The Dhoni Loft Water Villa (110 sqm) sleeps families of four — king mezzanine above, downstairs living that converts for kids. Best for older curious kids and multi-generational trips; Travel + Leisure ranked the resort #9 Maldives Resorts for Families 2025.
Family & Kids

Family-Friendly Features

Cocoa Island runs no kids' club, but the resident marine biologist makes it work for families with older, curious kids: Young Marine Explorers reef sessions, weekly Marine Talks at Faru Bar, and a sponsor-a-coral-frame Reefscapers programme that ships photo updates every six months. Turtle Point sits a short snorkel from every deck. Dhoni Loft Water Villas (110 sqm) put a king-bed mezzanine above a downstairs living room that converts for kids. The 33-villa scale means a small peer group — best for multi-generational trips or self-directed older kids.

Under 12 on existing bedding Stay Free
Under 6 eat free
Babysitting
$30/hr
Shallow Lagoon
Calm, shallow water safe for young children
Highlights for Kids
Young Marine Explorers with the resident biologistSponsor a Reefscapers coral frameTurtle Point photo-ID snorkelCinema Under the Stars on the beach
Family Villa Options
Dhoni Loft Water Villa (4-guest, mezzanine)Loft Water Villa (4-guest, mezzanine)
Snorkeling & Marine Life

House Reef & Underwater

8.6
Excellent House Reef
Lux Atolls Reef Score · top 10% of Maldives resorts

Shore entry · drop-off metres from every overwater villa deck

Hawksbill turtles · Reef sharks · Eagle rays · Cocoa Thila dive site · UV night snorkel

One of the best house reefs in the Maldives — the drop-off sits metres from the deck of every overwater villa, making shore-entry snorkelling immediate and reliable. Cocoa Thila, a regional signature dive site, is just behind the resort with reef sharks, eagle rays, and large schooling fish. The resort runs a Reefscapers coral sponsorship programme (106 planted frames + 245 honeycomb structures) and maintains a turtle ID database via Turtle Point — hawksbill turtles are present year-round.

Regularly spotted here (+7)
Sea Turtles
Hawksbill turtles resident year-round on house reef — Turtle Point ID database feeds the Olive Ridley Project
Reef Sharks
Blacktip and whitetip reef sharks on house reef and Cocoa Thila
Eagle Rays
Spotted eagle rays cruising outer reef edges — frequent sightings
Tropical Reef Fish
200+ species on house reef — butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, bumphead parrotfish on the channel side
Octopus
Common on house reef coral formations — guides often spot one per snorkel session
Stingrays
Resident on the sandy flats around the island and lagoon edges
Dolphins
Spinner dolphins on sunset cruises and channel crossings — frequent sightings
Not typical at this reef (−2)
Manta Rays
Seasonal South Malé cleaning stations require a boat trip — not on the house reef
Whale Sharks
South Ari Atoll is the hotspot — reachable by full-day boat charter from Cocoa Island, but not local

PADI dive center on-site. Night snorkeling available. Marine life observations sourced from dive logs and guest reports.

Getting There

Transfer from Malé

Forty minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport to Makunufushi, the small island that hosts COMO Cocoa Island in South Malé Atoll. The 40-min run is one of the easier Maldives transfers — no seaplane scheduling, no domestic-flight connections, no overnight required for late arrivals. Return transfer is approximately USD 350 per person; children 2–11 are USD 175; infants free. Private boat charters are available — USD 900 (1–4 pax) or USD 1,600 (5–8 pax) one-way.

MaleKaafu AtollCOMO Cocoa IslandSouth Malé AtollDISTANCE~40 km · 25 mi
Speedboat
Resort in-house speedboat
Velana Airport → Cocoa Island (40 min)
~$350 pp roundtrip
Speedboats operate 24 hours — late arrivals do not require an airport hotel. Children 2-11 are charged half rate; infants travel free.
COMO Cocoa Island map
Resort island map — COMO Cocoa Island
Our Take

Who This Resort is For

COMO Cocoa Island's proposition is small-island serenity at a speedboat-easy distance. Thirty-three dhoni-shaped overwater villas, an exceptional house reef with shore-entry drop-off, a wellness operation that occupies a third of the island, and Ufaa as the single dining anchor. It's the COMO portfolio's couples-leaning Maldives property — Maalifushi is the surf-and-wellness pick in remote Thaa, Cocoa Island is the wellness-and-honeymoon pick in easy South Malé. Repeat COMO loyalists choose it for the wellness depth and the no-seaplane simplicity; first-timers choose it for the dhoni-villa visual and the romantic scale.

Ideal for

  • Honeymooners and couples seeking stillness — 33 villas, no club scene, sunset Faru Bar, in-villa dining tailored to private celebrations
  • Wellness travellers wanting a serious COMO Shambhala stay — four treatment pavilions, hydrotherapy pool, fully equipped Pilates studio, multi-day cleanse programmes
  • Snorkellers and divers who want immediate house-reef access — the drop-off is metres from every overwater villa deck; Cocoa Thila signature dive site just behind the resort
  • Travellers who prefer speedboat over seaplane — 40-min boat from Velana, no scheduling around seaplane daylight, no overnight required for late arrivals

Consider elsewhere if

  • Guests wanting dining variety — one restaurant plus a poolside bar is intimate but limiting for a week-long stay
  • Families with multiple young children needing a dedicated kids' club — no kids' club here; the positioning is couples/wellness-led
  • Travellers who want all-inclusive — Cocoa Island offers BB, HB, FB only; no AI plan
  • Surfers — no surf programme (that's COMO Maalifushi in Thaa Atoll, the sister property)
Season & Pricing Guide
Dec 20 – Jan 10Peak · Highest rates
Jan – AprHigh · +25–40%
May – JunShoulder · +10–15%
Jul – NovLow · Best value
Peak season fills 4+ months ahead. Shoulder season offers the best balance of weather, price and availability.
Why Book Through Lux Atolls

More Than Just a Booking

What you get with us vs. booking direct or through a generic OTA
Book with Lux Atolls
Best rate guarantee on partner resorts — we match or beat what you find elsewhere
Exclusive package inclusions negotiated through our direct resort relationships
Transparent pricing — transfers, taxes, and meal plans quoted upfront, no hidden fees
Personal trip advisor — villa matching, meal plan guidance, and honest recommendations
Maldives-only expertise — we know every reef, transfer route, and seasonal sweet spot
Direct resort contact — if something needs fixing, we call the GM, not a call centre
No booking fees, no hidden charges — the price we quote is the price you pay
Book Through Others
Published rack rate — no negotiated extras
No package inclusions beyond the standard rate
Transfer costs and taxes added at checkout
Generic customer support with no local knowledge
One-size-fits-all recommendations across dozens of destinations
Issues routed through a ticketing system, not a person
Hidden fees and service charges added late in the process
Frequently Asked Questions

COMO Cocoa Island — FAQ

How do you get to COMO Cocoa Island?
By speedboat from Velana International Airport — approximately 40 minutes. No seaplane required. Transfer costs ~USD 350 per person return; children 2–11 are half rate, infants free. Speedboats operate 24 hours, so late arrivals do not need an airport hotel. Private boat charters are available (USD 900 for 1–4 pax, USD 1,600 for 5–8 pax one-way).
Is COMO Cocoa Island all-inclusive?
No. Three meal plans are offered: Bed & Breakfast (included in room rate), Half Board (+$95 pp/day) and Full Board (+$150 pp/day). COMO Cocoa Island's wellness positioning leans against the buffet-and-tap-everything model — there is no AI plan here. Ufaa is the single restaurant; Faru Bar handles cocktails and casual lunches separately.
What's the difference between COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi?
Two distinct properties in different atolls. Cocoa Island (this property) is in South Malé, 40-min by speedboat, 33 dhoni-shaped overwater villas, couples and wellness-led, no surf programme. Maalifushi is in Thaa Atoll, 60-min by seaplane (~$950 RT), 65 villas with three restaurants including Tai (overwater Japanese), Tropicsurf partnership, and the only resort in Thaa. Many guests assume the names are interchangeable — they're not.
Are the dhoni-shaped villas actual boats?
No — they're stilted overwater structures designed to resemble the silhouette of traditional Maldivian dhoni fishing boats. Original architecture by Cheong Yew Kuan (who also designed COMO Uma Ubud and Uma Paro). The 2020 renovation by Singapore's Lekker Architects added pools to several categories, a Pilates studio, and a two-floor gym/yoga building — the dhoni silhouette was preserved.
Is COMO Cocoa Island family-friendly?
Yes for older children and family groups travelling without expectations of a kids' club. Travel + Leisure ranked Cocoa Island #9 Resorts for Families in the Maldives 2025, but there is no dedicated kids' programming on-island — activities lean toward island exploration, snorkelling, and marine education. The Dhoni Loft Water Villa (110 sqm, mezzanine) sleeps families of 4. Children under 6 eat free; under 12 stay free on existing bedding. For multi-child trips with structured kids' programming, COMO Maalifushi's Play by COMO is the better fit.
What is COMO Shambhala at Cocoa Island?
COMO's signature wellness brand, occupying roughly a third of the island. Four treatment pavilions (three couple-configured) with outdoor garden showers and tubs, a hydrotherapy pool with high-pressure jets (one of very few in the Maldives), a steam room, two-floor gym, open-air yoga pavilion, and a fully equipped Pilates studio (reformer, cadillac, ladder barrel, combo chair). Multi-day cleanse programmes (4-day/3-night) are bookable with COMO Shambhala practitioners. Daily group yoga; Asian-based healing therapies. Hours 9am–9pm.