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Diving, Dining & Divining: 7 Things We Love About Coco Bodu Hithi, Maldives
Written by Rebecca Ellwood
Intimate and authentic in the way only a boutique resort can be, Coco Bodu Hithi sprinkles added magic on the Maldivian experience.
Coco Bodu Hithi is one of those rare Maldives resorts that marries a feeling of complete remoteness with convenient proximity to Malé (it’s a swift 35-minute speedboat ride from the airport). Pristine powdery sands, lush jungle and a lagoon of manta rays and hawksbill turtles awaits in this paradisiacal bubble, where every day’s a dream and romance reigns supreme. It is little wonder this all-villa (and all with private pools) retreat was recognised by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 as one of the top resorts in the Indian Ocean.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about Coco Bodu Hithi.
1. Its romance is award winning
The Maldives was made for lovers, but some resorts are particularly adept at crafting those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Coco Bodu Hithi was crowned the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort for 2024 in the World Travels Awards and One of the Top 50 Honeymoon Resorts in the World by Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine. With its sandbank picnics, sunset cruises, candlelit dinners in a private pergola and starlit movie nights, it’s easy to see why.
2. It has a dedicated ‘wine loft’ and sets the stage for world-class dining
They say variety is the spice of life, and this resort comes in hot with no fewer than 200 global labels to choose from in its Wine Loft. Vintage, rare, fortified, sparkling, organic, biodynamic: you’ll find it here. Allow the in-house sommelier to pair you with the perfect bottle, whether you’re dining on sashimi and tempura at Tsuki, Black Onyx Angus with Thai green curry dipping sauce at Aqua or Chinese fish congee at Air. Perfectly paired with its wine offerings is the resort’s dining clout. Michelin-starred chefs make frequent visits to the resort’s kitchen, collaborating on exclusive, one-of-a-kind culinary experiences with fellow Michelin star-awarded Chef Martin Cahill.
3. Wellness includes sunset yoga
At Coco Bodu Hithi, enhancing your personal wellbeing is all part of the rejuvenation of a holiday. Yoga classes are held from sunrise to sunset, with particular focus on the gentle stretching and breathing practices that are deeply restorative (like hatha and yoga nidra). Get moving at the overwater fitness centre and hop between the jacuzzi and cold plunge pool, before submitting to complete bliss at the Coco Spa, where the ancient techniques of Indonesia, Thailand and India are used for treatments that smell as incredible as they feel.
4. The spa offers a ‘seashell massage’
Bet you’ve never tried one of these before. One of the signature treatments offered at the Coco Spa, the Island Seashell Massage, uses an unusual technique to deliver absolute serenity. The contours of the body are massaged using seashells sourced from the island, drizzled in fragrant Maldivian coconut oil, for a uniquely sensorial, tension-easing experience. A delight for all the senses, it’s well worth shelling out on.
5. It’s environmentally conscious
Coco Bodu Hithi understands that treading gently is significant to preserve the delicate eco-system of the Maldivian islands. Think wooden toothbrushes, minimal single-use plastic and onsite herb gardens providing organic fruit and vegetables to the resort’s five restaurants – eliminating the need for importation. Coral replanting is also a focus, undertaken by the in-house marine biology team to keep the house reef thriving.
6. The villas all have private pools & outdoor showers
Nestled among the palms or over the lagoon, these traditional thatched villas offer that quintessential Maldivian luxury. A day of barefoot bliss can begin with breakfast in your private infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean, followed by an outdoor shower and a sun-lounging session with a good book in the love chair. For the ultimate in luxury, the butler-serviced Coco Residences offer bespoke artwork, floor-to-ceiling windows and four-poster daybeds.
7. You can explore the house reef at the PADI dive school
It may be hard to believe, but Boduhithi island is even more spectacular beneath the water than above it. From the Bodu Hithi caves to the Hembadhoo Wreck, this magnificent marine world is alive with reef sharks, turtles and schools of Eagle rays. Coco Bodu Hithi’s certified onsite dive school caters for everyone; beginners can try a complimentary introductory session in the lagoon while experts can venture out independently.
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