Discover the Natural Tropics and Beauty of COMO Maalifushi

10 January, 2022

Surf breaks, swimming with whale sharks, and its signature massage, COMO Maalifushi brings together the island’s tropical beauty and holistic experiences to revitalise your health and well-being.

Synonymous with tropical beauty and water-based adventure, COMO Maalifushi is the first luxury resort in the Maldives to open in the pristine Thaa Atoll region. The destination, a beautiful ring-shaped reef, is one of the largest in the world and is well-regarded for its diving and surf breaks.

From a breathtaking 60-minute seaplane ride from Malé, be welcomed by abundant greenery and a cobalt lagoon with a pearl-like sand bed. For a travelling couple or a family, the resort offers an extensive and diverse list of facilities.

True to COMO’s philosophy, the sanctuary offers internationally renowned wellness therapy, exhilarating outdoor adventure, nourishing cuisine, and unparalleled service catering to your every need. 

All Around Wellness

COMO Shambhala Retreat goes hand-in-hand with the private island castaway experience. Every aspect of this resort caters to your wellness journey. Combining Asian-based therapies, nutrition, and fitness with a results-driven goal, the wellness centre hosts a stable of experts in holistic health to guide the way.

Upon arrival, be greeted with the freshest coconut and Dr Sanket Yadahalli, an intuitive and empathetic wellness expert in musculoskeletal conditions, immunity support, and palliative care. His expertise ranges from Ayurveda to acupuncture and naturopathy to physiotherapy and yoga. 

Putting his guests’ interests at heart, he customises a holistic treatment and itinerary plan which integrates modalities and activities to achieve quicker and longer-lasting results. 

In Dr Sanket’s experience, most guests “come without a wellness plan,” but they are always glad they did something for themselves. 

“Unknowingly, they come with accumulated stress and fatigue or prior trauma or injury to resolve. Our curated treatments can range from a few days to a week, depending on their stay,” he adds.

A fitness centre offers daily classes in mind and body disciplines, including expert instruction in meditation, Pilates and core connection. You can look forward to steam, sauna and Jacuzzi areas, as well as a large pool and open-air yoga pavilion overlooking the Maldivian sunrise and expansive views of the Indian Ocean. 

In treatment pavilions set over crystalline waters, relax on a massage bed or in the oversized bathtubs and be enthralled by the hypnotising sound of the waves and ocean breeze. 

Indulge in nurturing treatments that employ long, soothing strokes, from the signature massage, dead sea mud therapy, foot reflexology, and marine algae therapy. The retreat also offers traditional beauty treatments, including rejuvenating Sundari and Guinot facials. 

“Guests are investing more in metabolic issues, healthy ageing and better healthspan,” Dr Sanket observes. “Unlike clinical practitioners they may consult with at home, guests are seeking a holistic approach in complementary therapies by addressing the root cause of their concerns.”

Sunnyside of Life

Start the day with low-impact exercises, running or cycling around the big island, guided by mesmerising flora and fauna. Embark on stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking or pick up some snorkelling gear for a turtle expedition. 

For the more adventurous, zip around the lagoon and experience the rush of wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing. Play by COMO Space inspires purposeful and creative child-centric fun to discover new territories. 

Offering one of the most notable underwater regions on the planet, the sheer abundance of marine life and pristine water is a paradise for divers of all levels. 

That’s not all. Experience deep-sea fishing on a luxury yacht through the archipelago’s wildest reaches, embark on a splash-net dolphin pod migration cruise, and complete the day with a soul-stirring night swim with whale sharks.

“With the abundance of outdoor activities, guests walk barefoot and naturally experience a digital detox,” Dr Sanket shares. “Their internal body clock loses sense of their 9-to-9 schedule. With our approach and guidance to their health, they soon realise wellness is a lifestyle they can incorporate anytime, anywhere.”

Maalifushi's Freshest Cuisine

From healthy breakfasts to island picnics, COMO Shambhala Cuisine satisfies your appetite while nourishing your body. Catering to discerning palates full of expectation, COMO Maalifushi offers three restaurants that bring together the island’s fresh local seafood and organic produce for nourishing flavoursome cuisine. 

Tai ranks among the finest Japanese restaurants in the Maldives. With stunning views of the Maldivian sunset, the sushi bar serves cocktails and sustainably caught seafood. 

Thila, named after the native rock formations covered in marine life, is a family-friendly restaurant with wood-fired pizzas and salads. Relax and sink into laidback island life with pool tables and an open-air bar with vast ocean views. 

In the local Dhivehi language, Madi (meaning Manta Ray) boasts a range of regional and Mediterranean dishes. Showcasing themed nights each week, take a culinary journey beneath the stars to the sound of live local music. 

Home Away from Home

Referencing indigenous architecture while reflecting the island’s unpretentious elegance, 65 sprawling villas and suites are fronted by billowing white muslin, opening out to perfect-white sands, sparkling turquoise waters or lush tropical vegetation. 

Japanese architect Koichiro Ikebuchi’s sensitive approach to nature and cultural authenticity is reflected in the seductively clean design. Built with New Zealand pine, Kajan thatched roofs and teak floors, floor-to-ceiling windows open to substantial decks bringing in the sea, sand and sky into the heart of every room. 

At COMO Shambhala, there is no better time to focus on your health and well-being than during a vacation. More than a resort, the natural healing wonders of the island are surrounded by tropical beauty and holistic experiences that come together for your purpose and delight.