Cocoa Island Resort, Maldives

The superb Cocoa Island resort in Maldives is located very close to one of the most desired diving spots in the world, the Kandooma Channel. The getaway is actually a small, private island that functions as a hotel, specially built to satisfy the needs of those who enjoy long walks over sandy beaches. The area is absolutely stunning due to the presence of towering bountiful coral, fine, warm turquoise waters, packed with all sorts of marine wildlife, from fish to sea-snails, plus the possibility of diving, snorkeling and sun-bathing. The horizon is the only thing that makes you feel enclosed, the superb water-bungalows met here being way more inviting than any other city experiences. Besides the nature-related activities, you may as well try the local treatments at the spa, enjoying yoga classes, therapies and massage techniques found no-where else. You might as well enjoy new sorts of meals, specific to marine regions, if this is your first experience in the middle of the ocean, at the local restaurant.

 

Maldives

The Maldives an archipelago of 26 major coral atolls, situated SW of Sri Lanka. A small percentage of the islands are inhabited and 87 are exclusively resorts, boasting tropical landscapes hugged by picture-perfect beaches and palm trees. The picture perfect islands are surrounded by coral reefs enclosing shallow lagoons.
The accommodation varies from large international-standard 5-star complexes to small holiday villages built of coral-stone, wood and thatch. Many islands now have spas offering massages, beauty treatments, aromatherapy and even Ayurvedic treatments. A destination mainly for couples and particularly honeymooners. All resorts now have hot water and air-conditioned guest rooms. A local innovation is the "garden bathroom": usually just a walled, roofless shower section. Another local speciality is the "water bungalow". Built on stilts over the lagoon these usually provide high-quality accommodation but increase the ratio of guests to island size. The beaches area generally good but varying from tiny narrow strips to huge expanses of fine white sand and crushed coral. Most islands suffer from erosion so many have to protect beaches with sea walls or groynes. These can greatly affect the visual impact of the island. Lagoons around the islands are tidal and can vary from huge to tiny, too shallow to steeply shelving.