Idyllic, Beachfront, Tropical Haven (Coco Palm Resort in Baa Atoll, Maldives)

We’re not exactly the type to “just chill on the beach” for days on end, so the idea of spending a full 10 days at a single resort felt like it might get a bit monotonous. We were eager to explore different facets of the Maldives, so we planned four nights in South Ari, a night in Male, and then four nights in Baa. However, after our sleepless first night in Male, and with the seaplane transfers being quite efficient, we ultimately decided to skip the second night in Male and arrive at Baa a day ahead of schedule. We traveled to the Maldives for one reason: to snorkel with manta rays (even though it wasn’t exactly the right season).

Travelling from Centara Grand in South Ari requires a seaplane back to Male and then another seaplane from Male to Coco Palm in Baa Atoll. Unlike our arrival on a rainy day, this time around, Mother Nature graced us with perfect weather, allowing us to soak in the iconic atoll views from above.

The 30-ish minute flight back to Male passed quickly, and before we knew it we were back at the Male seaplane terminal.

We checked in with Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).

And were shown to the main waiting lounge.

The covered balcony had a great view of the seaplane traffic.

Where to Stay in Baa Atoll

Coco Palm is in the South Part of Baa Atoll, and the flight from Male took about 30 minutes.

The view of the atolls from the seaplane window is nothing short of breathtaking. The Maldives is so unique geographically, with its coral reefs, tiny islands, crystal clear turquoise lagoons, and white sand beaches.

Fun fact The highest point in the Maldives is only about 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) above sea level.

Similar to Centara in South Ari, we selected Coco Palm primarily because of the overwater bungalows with direct access to the water. Also similar to Centara, the resort occupies the entire island. The similarities end here. While Centara was sleek and modern, Coco Palm felt more lush and rustic.

We first spotted the bungalows from the seaplane.

From reception, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the overwater bungalows. The lush vegetation along the way provides ample shade, and the soft, powdery white sand underfoot makes wearing shoes unnecessary. Sidenote: you can walk around the entire island on the beach in about 35 minutes.

The water colour is absolutely unreal.

The contrast between the lush green path and the turquoise lagoon was consistently photo worthy.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu boasts 14 overwater bungalows. When viewed from above, the arrangement beautifully resembles—you guessed it—a graceful coco palm tree. Those cute little pots lining the walkway serve a handy purpose—they’re filled with water so you can easily rinse off the sand from your feet before stepping into your bungalow. Plus, they double as a clever way to protect your feet from the scorching wood when walking barefoot on the boardwalk.

The bungalows are freestanding, so there are no shared walls.

The bungalow was the perfect blend of modern comfort and rustic Maldivian charm.

The plunge pool was always refreshing, and we had direct access to the lagoon. The snorkelling wasn’t great, but there was a resident turtle and some black tip sharks.

Where to Eat at Coco Palm

The resort occupies the entire island, so the dining options are limited. There are two restaurants and one bar, with different meal plans to suit your tastes. We went with breakfast and dinner, because the thought of three buffet meals a day was not appealing. The only problem was that the only non-buffet lunch was the bar, which was hot, had a limited menu, and was filled with smokers.

The main restaurant serves three buffet meals a day and had an unusual moat in front of it.

The buffet was pretty expansive and a different theme each night.

You could also order lobster for an additional cost, which we did twice when the theme cuisine wasn’t our favourite. The grilled lobster and lobster fried rice did not disappoint and were worth the additional charge.

Each night, we noticed that some tables were decorated with a multi-colour rice turtle. I assumed it indicated a special occasion, and it turned out to be in celebration of guests’ last night.

In addition to the buffet, there was a Thai restaurant which had an amazing atmosphere and fantastic food. The Thai restaurant was an additional charge and required booking in advance.

The beach bar was perfection – bean bags on the sand and perfect views of the sunset.

Snorkelling in Baa Atoll

The whole reason we ventured to Baa Atoll during our travel to the Maldives was the thrilling opportunity to snorkel with manta rays at Coco Palm Resort. Since it wasn’t peak season, the manta snorkelling excursions didn’t run every day, adding a bit of suspense to our adventure. We lined up a few different snorkelling trips, fully aware that the windy conditions might thwart our plans. Miraculously, only one trip came to fruition—the very one we had our hearts set on: snorkelling with the manta rays. I kept my expectations low, wondering if we’d even spot one and if they’d be just a shadow in the deep blue. But fortune smiled on us—sunny skies, clear waters, and a remarkably chill manta ray that hung out with us for almost an hour. It was an unforgettable experience that embodied the magic of our travel to the Maldives.