Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

A visit to Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu begins with a (possibly lengthy) wait at the Male Airport to catch a seaplane or domestic air transfer. The 30-minute flight is incredibly scenic, if you can stay awake for the final leg of the journey.

The 98-room island is medium-sized, as far as resort islands in the Maldives go, stretching just under half a mile from tip to tip. Guests can walk between the two restaurants, spa, and sports courts using shady pathways that wind through a lush jungle interior.

The 84 land-based villas are set back slightly from the beach, each with a private path that leads to lounge chairs and an umbrella. The northeastern side of the island is unfortunately suffering from erosion -- a problem so severe that a handful of beach villas have unsightly sandbags and ocean water right outside. Concerned guests should book a Sunset Beach Villa on the west side of the island (where the beach is actually growing) or upgrade to one of 14 water villas.

Most structures on the island feature high, palm-thatched ceilings and wooden furniture, which was crafted by carpenters who work on the island. The bulk of guests are couples from Europe and China. Though families are welcome here, and babysitting services are available, the lack of kid-oriented features such as a kids' club and kiddy pool make this a better pick for couples. 

Coco Palm is located on its own private island, Dhuni Kolhu, about 124 kilometers northwest of Male in Baa Atoll. Guests have the option of taking a 30-minute seaplane flight to the island, or catching a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport, which requires an additional transfer by speedboat (taking another 35 minutes). Recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll has some of the richest marine life in the Maldives. Time on the island is one hour ahead of Male time -- an artificial time zone difference that many resorts use to make the days feel longer.

The bulk of Coco Palm’s rooms are located on land, next to the beach. Design-wise, the rooms are plain and spacious (936 square feet) with thatched roofs, terra-cotta tile floors, canopy beds, white walls, and large outdoor bathrooms. Amenities include minibars, bathrobes, bottled water, and electric teakettles with tea. Deluxe Villas also have plunge pools. The most upscale rooms are Lagoon Villas, which are built over the water and include free Wi-Fi, stereos, iPod docks, jetted tubs, and large decks with plunge pools. The only rooms with TVs are the Sunset Lagoon Villas, which are the largest (and priciest) rooms on the island.

Coco Palm has a solid range of amenities. Highlights include a modest fitness center, tennis and badminton courts, gift shop, dive center, and a spa that offers everything from couples massages to facials. A water sports center also rents kayaks, windsurf boards, catamarans, floats, and free snorkeling gear. Other perks include beach volleyball, table tennis, a snooker table, board games, and a multilingual library in the lobby. In short, there is plenty to help guests stay active -- but a pool is noticeably absent. 

The food at Coco Palm is hit or miss, but above-average overall. The main restaurant, Cowrie, serves international buffet cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfasts are included, and guests can upgrade to half-board (dinner) or full-board (lunch and dinner) packages, which are only applicable at Cowrie. All-inclusive packages with alcohol are also available. Guests can pay out of pocket for a la carte dinners at Cornus Restaurant, which specializes in Maldivian, Indian, and Thai dishes (though it’s not very authentic -- our waiter had never heard of Thai iced tea). A beach bar and open-air Conch Bar serve drinks, snacks, and shisha.

The island is experiencing significant erosion -- so much so that the beach bar was an overwater bar just a few years ago. To combat the problem, lots of unsightly sandbags were placed on the on the northeast side of island, where the beach is shrinking. Still, there are plenty of picturesque stretches of beach at Coco Palm. The water is crystal clear and the temperature during our stay was perfect -- cool enough to feel refreshing, yet warm enough to slip into without a chill. Wooden loungers with cushions are provided for guests, and drinks are available from a beach bar. We couldn’t find a speck of trash anywhere.

For those willing to pay extra, the resort offers plenty of special services. Dolphin safaris, manta ray dives, fishing trips, scuba lessons, and tours of local islands are just some of the excursions available. Staff can also arrange private candlelit dinners on the beach or in rooms. A nearby deserted island is available for picnics, overnight excursions, and events. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and main bar, but it’s slow. In-room spa treatments can be arranged upon request. There are also a gift shop and multilingual library in the lobby, and babysitting services are available at reasonable rates with 24 hours notice.