Overview

A place of dreamy clich's, from white beaches to a turquoise lagoon where wild dolphins gather in the gin-clear waters. This is the essence of Cocoa Island, a retreat in the purest sense, serenity found.

Location

Cocoa Beach is a private island, locally known as Makunufushi, located in the less developed South Mal Atoll. It is 30km south of Mal International Airport. The island is reached by a 30 minute direct speedboat transfer provided by the resort.

Facilities

As well as the Owner's Beach House, four one-bedroom villas and two, two-bedroom Presidential villas, there are 30 dhoni boats, the same as the fishermen use, built from bleached wood that sit above the water. Reached via planked walkways, the view from their wide platform beds is directly out to the watery expanse, the veranda allows guests to slip into the sea, and even the bathrooms share horizon views. All rooms include a private sun deck, direct access to the lagoon from the terrace, flat screen TVs, CD players, IDD telephones and fully stocked mini bars. In this refuge guests can rely on a 24-hour concierge and eat like a castaway. There is also Shambhala Retreat, with open-air pavilions for massage and yoga.

A nirvana for divers

Fishing boats bob on the glassy sea. The beach is gently shelving, a perfect undulation, and there are sea grapes, hibiscus and palms. On the west side lies the Vadhoo Channel, considered to be one of the best dive sites in the Maldives; on the other is a quiet reef for snorkeling flanked by a curl of rockless beach which tapers into a spit of sand.