The only resort in remote Thaa Atoll: 59 villas by a Japanese architect, uncrowded surf breaks with Tropicsurf, and plenty of room for families.
COMO Maalifushi was the first and is still the only resort in Thaa Atoll, an hour's seaplane flight south of Malé, surrounded by uninhabited islands, surf breaks and reefs. It's the larger of COMO's two Maldives resorts, and its 59 suites and villas were designed by the Japanese architect Koichiro Ikebuchi, with high rafters, teak floors and thatched roofs.
One-bedroom options range from the 101 m² Beach Suites, each with a garden, a small pool and direct beach access, to the 120 m² Water Villas with a private pool and steps into the ocean. Families have a wide choice of two-bedroom Beach Suites, Beach Villas and Beach Houses, plus the larger Maalifushi Beach and Water Villas, the 408 m² overwater COMO Villa and the four-bedroom COMO Residence for up to 12.
Madi serves seafood-led dishes all day by the beach, with three themed nights a week; Tai is a Japanese restaurant for sushi and sashimi at lunch and dinner; and Thila is a sand-floored, open-air bar by the pool. Surfers go out with Tropicsurf to 'Farms', about 25 minutes away by speedboat, and further to breaks in Laamu and Dhaalu. There's diving at 33 charted sites in Thaa, freediving, whale shark night snorkels, fishing, a night alone on the uninhabited island of Lavadhoo, the COMO Shambhala Retreat, daily yoga, and Play by COMO for children.
It's remote: the seaplane alone costs $1,100 per adult return, and you need to land in Malé by about 3.15pm. The best surf, from June to September, comes with the southwest monsoon, when rain and wind are more likely.
A one-bedroom suite with its own lush garden, direct beach access and a private pool (4.7 by 3.6 m), French doors onto the sundeck with a cabana and dining area, a living area, a freestanding bathtub and an outdoor shower. Up to four guests, including up to three children.
King bed
The largest one-bedroom accommodation, on the west of the island facing the sunset, with direct beach access, a sundeck, a private pool off the bedroom, separate living and dining areas and a bathroom that opens to the outdoors. Up to four guests, including up to three children.
King bed
A one-bedroom overwater suite on its own jetty, with a large living space and sunrise views over the Indian Ocean. Up to four guests, including up to three children.
King bed
Overwater, with a private pool (6.6 by 2.5 m), a sundeck with direct ocean access, full-length windows, a dressing area, a sunken bath and an outdoor shower; the sitting area can double as a bedroom for children. Up to four guests, including up to three children.
King bed
A master bedroom and a twin room with a smaller shower room, in a shaded, cooler spot facing the sunrise; made for families. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
King bed and two twins
A master bedroom and a twin room joined by a living room, with its own beach access and a private pool, facing the sunset. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
King bed and two twins
A duplex beach house leading onto its own lawn, a large pool (11.7 by 3.3 m) and sundeck, with direct beach access and ocean views. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
King bed and two twins
Two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a spacious living room, a private lawn, a pool (11.6 by 3.6 m) with a large sundeck, sunrise views, a freestanding bathtub and butler service. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
Two king beds
A two-bedroom overwater bungalow alone at the end of its own jetty, with large indoor living and dining areas and a sundeck with a pool (12.9 by 4.1 m), loungers, a dining table and a cabana. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
King bed and two twins
The biggest villa at the resort: two bedrooms over the water, with a private pool, sunset views and its own butler. Up to six guests, including up to four children.
King bed and two twins
A four-bedroom duplex with sea views, a contemporary living area, a media room, a full kitchen and a pool (13.8 by 5.1 m). Up to 12 guests, including up to eight children.
Two king beds and four twins
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
Request a free quoteAll-day dining built on the region's seafood, fruit and vegetables, with beach barbecues, COMO Shambhala Kitchen dishes and three themed nights a week
Japanese: sushi and sashimi from local seafood, for lunch and dinner, and sunset cocktails
An open-air bar serving Madi's menu, with a games room
Eight double treatment rooms, a yoga pavilion, steam rooms, a sauna, a gym and a pool, with daily yoga included
Creative, cultural and nature play for children aged 4 to 11, 9am to 6pm
Guiding and coaching for all levels at 'Farms' in Thaa, about 25 minutes away by speedboat, and further afield at Laamu's 'Machine' and Dhaalu's 'Kasabu'
PADI courses and guided dives at 33 charted sites in Thaa Atoll, plus freediving and whale shark night snorkels
Light-tackle, fly and game fishing, dolphin cruises, turtle snorkels with a marine biologist, a night on the uninhabited island of Lavadhoo and the Atoll Adventurer yacht
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A 60-minute seaplane flight from Malé to the resort's seaplane platform, then five minutes by speedboat. A return seaplane transfer costs $1,100 per adult and $550 per child aged 2 to 11 from 6 January 2027, taxes included. Seaplanes stop flying in the afternoon, so arrivals in Malé after 3.15pm need a night elsewhere.
Dates, budget, who is coming. We will come back with three resorts that fit, and why.
All-inclusive