A private island of 33 overwater villas — 17 of them dhoni-shaped — across three house reefs in South Malé Atoll, forty minutes from the airport by speedboat.
COMO Cocoa Island occupies the small private island of Makunufushi, where all 33 villas are built overwater in six categories, several shaped like traditional Maldivian dhoni fishing boats. Three house reefs ring the island, backing a full snorkelling programme alongside the COMO Shambhala Retreat's earth-and-ocean wellness therapies. There is no seaplane leg — the resort is reached by a single 40-minute speedboat transfer from Malé.
The original shape of Cocoa Island's villas — split across two levels like the hull of a dhoni fishing boat, with a private staircase running from the terrace straight into the lagoon.
Bedroom configuration not specified on the factsheet — confirm at resort · No private pool · Overwater
A taller version of the dhoni silhouette, with a mezzanine master bedroom set above an expansive lower living level — the factsheet calls it 'great for families,' and the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the ocean make the case.
1 master bedroom (mezzanine level), plus a lower-level living area · No private pool · Overwater
The largest of the dhoni-roofed villas, with a king-sized master bedroom on the upper level and a lower sitting area that doubles as a second sleeping space for families; a secluded outdoor rain shower steps straight into the ocean.
1 king-sized master bedroom, plus a lower-deck sitting area that sleeps additional guests · No private pool · Overwater
The first category to carry its own plunge pool, reached down a secluded private jetty and entrance deck — the balcony daybed and floor-to-ceiling windows face open water, not the walkway.
1 bedroom · Private pool · Overwater
One of a kind on the island — two separate wings, each with its own en-suite bedroom and ocean-facing terrace, joined by shared living and dining space and a secluded pool deck that almost touches the edge of the ocean.
2 en-suite bedrooms, in separate wings · Private pool, set at the edge of the ocean · Overwater
The island's largest villa, in fact two villas joined by a closable wooden walkway — a one-bedroom wing with its own 10-metre pool, gym and study, and a two-bedroom wing with a private infinity pool, run as one residence or separated for privacy.
3 bedrooms across two joined villas, plus a nanny's room with its own en-suite bathroom · 10m private pool on the one-bedroom side; a private infinity pool on the two-bedroom side · Overwater
Ufaa
The island's single restaurant, doing duty as breakfast room, lunch spot and dinner venue, with a COMO Shambhala Kitchen menu of raw and largely vegetarian dishes running alongside the main card.
Faru Bar
Open from mid-morning with easy beats at sunset — inventive cocktails and mocktails alongside fine wines, classic cigars, and a short menu of light snacks.
Coral Adoption & Restoration
Morning · all ages, restorative
Hands-on reef and marine conservation guests can join directly — adopting or planting coral frames, mangrove planting, and turtle-rescue visits with a hatchling release.
Destination Private Dining
Evening · for two
A private meal on the beach, in a villa, a garden or an overwater deck, arranged by a private chef and butler outside the resort's own restaurants.
Kayak, SUP & Sailing
Afternoon · for two, all ages, restorative
Kayak, stand-up paddleboard, sailing dinghy, windsurfing and kitesurfing — the wind- and paddle-powered end of the watersports centre, bundled as one booking.
Dolphin Cruise
Evening · for two, all ages, restorative
A dhoni or speedboat trip, usually timed to sunset, built around spotting wild dolphins — the most widely offered named excursion in the Maldives.
The factsheet
Every fact we hold on COMO Cocoa Island (villas, dining, transfers) in one document.
COMO Cocoa Island reads as a couples' island first — three of its six villa categories carry a private pool, the spa's double massage pavilions are built for two, and a private picnic on the resort's own sandbank runs as a stand-alone outing.
The Dhoni Loft and Loft Water Villas are both flagged as family-suited, each with a mezzanine or lower-deck space built to sleep more than a couple, and the Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa adds its own nanny's room; babysitting is arranged through guest services rather than a dedicated kids' club.
Three house reefs ring a single small island, and the activity list runs from guided turtle snorkels to night and UV night snorkelling and a shark-adventure trip — a deeper reef programme than the one-reef norm, backed by a resident marine biologist talk and a coral propagation programme.
Malé · speedboat, 40 minutes · Makunufushi Island
COMO Cocoa Island · South Malé Atoll · 10 photographs
How do you get to COMO Cocoa Island?
By speedboat only — the resort is roughly 40 minutes south of Malé International Airport, with no seaplane or domestic-flight option offered. IMJ arranges the transfer as part of your booking, so the boat is waiting when you land.
Is COMO Cocoa Island good for families, or is it couples-only?
It isn't adults-only. The Dhoni Loft Water Villa and Loft Water Villa are both flagged as suited to families, with a mezzanine or lower-deck space built to sleep more than a couple, and the Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa adds a dedicated nanny's room with its own en-suite bathroom. Babysitting can be arranged through the resort's guest services.
What meal plans are available?
The resort has one restaurant, Ufaa, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a COMO Shambhala Kitchen menu of raw and largely vegetarian dishes available at Ufaa and through in-room dining, which runs from 7am to 10pm. IMJ confirms which meal plan suits your dates when we build the itinerary.
How good is the house reef at COMO Cocoa Island?
The resort sits on three house reefs around a single small island, and the activity list runs to complimentary snorkelling, guided turtle snorkels, and both night and UV night snorkelling — a wider spread of reef programming than a typical one-reef island. A private Marine Sports Centre also gives access to nearby dive sites, though operator and PADI details are confirmed directly at the resort.
What's included in the villa rate?
Every villa carries handmade Italian linen, a private bar, tea and coffee facilities with a Nespresso machine, a 55-inch IPTV with a Bluetooth Bose sound bar, a private safe, Wi-Fi, and COMO Shambhala bathroom amenities as standard. Butler service is included from the One-Bedroom Water Villa with Pool category upward.
Are all the villas overwater?
Yes — all 33 villas across the resort's six categories are overwater, from the dhoni-shaped Dhoni Water Villa to the two-villa Three-Bedroom COMO Sunset Villa. There is no beach villa category at COMO Cocoa Island.
Thirty minutes on dates, occasion and which island actually suits you. No obligation, no scripted pitch.
A few ways into the resorts, by the kind of trip you have in mind.
