You absolutely must…
Must eat:
Eat like a castaway! Freshly caught lobster cooked in the Keralan style, dining feet in the sand beneath an Alang-Alang pavilion and huge Maldivian sky
Must experience:
The Ocean; a team of PADI instructors are on-site with in-depth knowledge of local waters, the reefs, wrecks and seasonal highlights. Alternatively take to the sea by kayak, catamaran or windsurfer.
Must relax:
While in Cocoa Island, try a Yoga Session at sunset in the open-air Yoga Pavilion.
• Some of the best dive sites in the world.
• Heavenly location for a romantic getaway.
• Service so personal you forget anyone else is on the island.
The Whole Story
Cocoa Island is for people who want their paradise experience pure. No bling, no shopping, no underwater bars; just a great beach, great snorkelling and simple but delicious food. The beach, in fact, is better than great. It is possibly the whitest sand I’ve ever seen and it takes up more surface area than the island itself. It is, literally, brilliant, particularly when combined with the turquoise shade of the surrounding water.
The snorkelling is definitely pure – pure Nemo. Just swim from your terrace and you will soon be in a giant aquarium. Big turtles, fish of every colour and pattern, and the odd baby sharks just to keep it interesting.
Your luggage should hold nothing more than a swimsuit, flippers, a diving mask, books you’ve been meaning to read all year and some shorts and a t-shirt. That’s the spirit of the place, Cocoa is a proper desert island retreat, and it has been ever since the German photographer Eric Klemm decided to ditch his life and imitate Robinson Crusoe in the Maldives. The book that chronicles his struggle to turn a bit of shrub on a patch of sand into a place people would want to stay is hilarious and fascinating. To his credit he kept it small and authentic, and today it’s the charm of this genuine simplicity and authenticity that pulls paying guests. Admittedly it is now much larger, with most of the accommodation situated in the shallow lagoon on stilts, in the shape of traditional Maldivian fishing boats called dhonis.
There is only one restaurant – albeit a very good one – Faru is a quintessential pool bar serving up fruit cocktails and fine wines and a spa that takes up most of the actual surface of this tiny island. Explore the water, explore the beach, read all the books you thought you never would, and that is the closest you will get to an agenda on this island.
The Rooms
Dhoni Suite:
These split-level bedrooms have king-sized or twin beds. The spacious living area leads onto a private sundeck with two chaise lounges, a dining table and direct access to the lagoon.
Dhoni Loft Suites: Expansive living areas with vaulted ceilings and surrounded by full length glass windows on three sides. A staircase leads to the loft, fitted with a king-sized bed and ensuite WC. There is a larger bathroom on the lower level From the sundeck there is direct access to the lagoon.
Two Bedroom COMO Villas: Both the king-size and twin bedded room have an ensuite bathroom with separate walk-in shower, an outdoor shower and private sundeck. The spacious living room offers striking views of the turquoise lagoon through full-length windows. A private bale, ideal for dining or relaxing, is reached via a walkway.