Cocoa Island

As you fly into the Maldives Islands, you can see Cocoa Island among South Male’s coral atolls, white sand melting into turquoise, indigo and deep cerulean blue.

Cocoa Island’s x-factor is nature’s bequest, benign, pristine and undisturbed. The sea life bristles with colour. Centuries of tides have sifted its porcelain-fine sand into a dazzling of white cushion. On Cocoa Island's fringe grow wild sea grapes, hibiscus and palms. The diving, too, is among the regions best.

But for its natural graces, Cocoa Island also knows how to indulge its guests, a chic, barefoot style. Rooms are inspired by local dhoni boats, but refashioned in bleached wood, with ylang-ylang roofs. They are reached via planked walkways, which stretch into the lagoon.

Cocoa Island is uncluttered; there are only 17 suites in addition to 10 loft villas, 2 two bedroom villas and 4 one bedroom villas. The interiors are simple, light and airy with their inspiration drawn from South Indian and colonial furniture, fabrics and traditional colours.

Cocoa Island has a Shambhala Retreat, a point of stillness dedicated to renewing the body’s energies, overseen by master therapists and visiting yoga teachers..

You can dine, feet in the sand, at the main restaurant beneath an ylang-ylang pavilion and huge Maldivian sky, on the best of natures larder, lobster, tuna, organic vegetables.

Location
35 minutes speedboat transfer from Male

Dhoni Suites
The eight, split-level bedrooms have king-sized or twin beds. The spacious living area leads onto a chic private sundeck with two chaise lounges, a dining table and direct access to the lagoon. A highlight is the sitting area with an outsize Balinese-style day bed. The bathroom is large with a double-ended tub backed by a mirrored wall.

Dhoni Loft Suites
These suites are distinguished by bedrooms on a mezzanine level beneath the rafters. Enjoy breath-taking views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the ocean light softened by sheer white drapes. They are among the most popular rooms because of the expansive living areas. A staircase leads to the loft, fitted with a king-sized bed and ensuite WC. There’s a bathroom on the lower level as well as sundeck with direct lagoon access.

Loft Villas
With full-length windows overlooking the Indian Ocean, these villas with expansive sundecks bring the outside in. The loft area is fitted with a king-sized bed and ensuite WC. The main bathroom features a double vanity unit, bathtub and shower stall as well as a secluded outdoor shower with steps into the lagoon.

One Bedroom Villas
A private entrance deck leads into a calming, light-filled space. The bedroom features a comfortable king-sized bed and an ensuite bathroom with an island bath, separate walk-in and outdoor showers. The spacious living room leads to the private sundeck with direct access to the lagoon, the interior style including chic whites, teaks, and contemporary, hand-finished furniture inspired by the colonial traditions of Southern India.

COMO (Two Bedroom) Villas
In the COMO villas, both the king-size and twin-bedded rooms each have an ensuite bathroom with a bath, indoor and outdoor shower and private sundeck.They also have a pantry with microwave, stove and fridge. The spacious living room offers striking views of the turquoise lagoon through full-length windows. Four decks overhang the lagoon. Personal butlers attend to every request, making this the ideal family house for those with older children. The COMO Sunset Villa is further distinguished by its own jetty, allowing private access to and from Cocoa Island.