2025 Kooddoo Island Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

We truly cherished our experience at the Mercure Maldives Kooddoo this September. Surprisingly, we enjoyed five lovely days without rain, which let us indulge in both relaxing and exhilarating activities. Everything was incredible, from spa massages and snorkeling to shark diving, a memorable dolphin encounter, and exciting jet skiing! Our accommodation was a Sunset Ocean View Overwater Bungalow, nearly flawless—our sole wish was that we'd chosen one with a private pool. The resort provides a simple value proposition: a boutique ambiance offering tailored experiences for a limited number of couples. This translates to no kids, no noisy pool events, and no nightclubs. However, like any amazing destination, it's the people who truly make it remarkable. Concierge Khan and Chef de cuisine Anun surpassed expectations, ensuring an unforgettable experience that truly elevated our stay.

#maldiveshotel You don’t come to Mercure Kooddoo for chandeliers or overwater infinity pools. You come for the stillness**, the reef at your doorstep**, and the kind of peace that only exists when children, crowds, and chaos are miles away. Tucked in the remote **Gaafu Alifu Atoll**, this adults-only island is a masterclass in *effortless elegance*. No flash, no noise — just you, turquoise water, and a rhythm that feels like it was made for breathing. Here’s what makes it unforgettable: ✅ **A house reef so close, you snorkel from the beach** — no boat needed. We saw triggerfish, parrotfish, blacktip sharks, and coral gardens bursting with color. The visibility? Crystal. The vibe? Wild and untouched. ✅ Overwater villas with soul**: redesigned with modern Maldivian style — sleek furniture, warm wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, private decks… and **no wave breakers**. Just open sea and uninterrupted views. ✅ Refillable minibar included in “All Inclusive”** — beer, soft drinks, snacks — restocked daily. Yes, really. ✅ Food that doesn’t bore**: buffet breakfasts with tropical fruit, fresh omelettes, and local curries. By day — burgers, salads, sandwiches by the pool. By night — authentic Italian at Vista Restaurant** (à la carte, all-included). ✅ Free dolphin cruise** — sunset sail on a traditional dhoni, champagne in hand, as dolphins leap beside the boat. One of the most magical hours of our trip. ✅ Lush greenery & quiet sand** — the island is small, but every corner feels private. Hammocks between palms, swings over water, shaded paths — perfect for slow walks at dawn. ✅ **Staff who remember you** — not just your name, but how you take your coffee. They greet you barefoot, smile like old friends, help without hovering. And yes — there’s a beautiful pool, spa treatments, yoga, bikes. But honestly? You’ll spend most of your time in the water or lying in a hammock, watching the light shift on the lagoon. This isn’t a 5-star showpiece. It’s something better: a **real, raw, romantic escape** where luxury means freedom, not frills. 📍 Gaafu Alifu Atoll | Adults Only 18+ | From $490/night (AI included) #MercureKooddoo #AdultsOnlyMaldives #RealMaldives #SnorkelingParadise

Where do I begin…? The location was idyllic， the snorkeling excellent， our room was ideal， the food was incredibly tasty， and the drinks were outstanding with generous portions of everything. Each staff member was friendly， helpful， and welcoming. Highlights were Poppy， Arif， Madina， Biman， and Joanne. My husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary there with another couple of close friends. We LOVED our time at Kooddoo and hope to return soon.

We had a fantastic stay at the Mercure Kooddoo. Your vacation begins the moment you arrive at Kooddoo airport. We were greeted by Ali， who took care of us and escorted us directly to our overwater villa with a private pool. There was no long lobby wait to check in; it was done in our room， which was a nice touch. Ali also assisted us throughout our stay whenever we needed anything. The room was spotless， thanks to Jamileeh (I might have spelled his name wrong)， who created stunning handmade decorations on the bed. The food was delicious and fresh， with chefs who are both talented and friendly—they truly aim to please and succeeded! Special thanks to Sameera， our waiter at Vista， who made our stay unforgettable with his smile and jokes! At the bar， we enjoyed tasty mocktails and cocktails from the excellent bartenders. Overall， the hotel feels like paradise， boasts a stunning view， and is impeccably clean. If you're a certified diver， Marty at the dive center can show you the area's underwater wonders， and it's worth it! Don't miss snorkeling by the reef in front of the bungalows. It is in excellent condition， teeming with colorful fish， reef sharks， large nurse sharks， turtles， and sometimes you can spot spotted eagle rays. If you get the chance to stay at this hotel， don't hesitate because it’s truly amazing!

From the moment we arrived， we were warmly welcomed and lovingly cared for by the entire team. The staff was incredibly friendly， attentive， and always smiling; you can really tell they love their work. A special thank you to Kylie， who took exceptional care of us. Her warm personality and dedication made our stay even more delightful! Everyone—from the restaurant and housekeeping to the activities team—deserves praise. Each team member made us feel like we were in paradise. One particularly touching moment was when Kylie learned we had just married; she surprised us with a bottle of wine sent to our villa �， and the next day， our bed was beautifully decorated. This thoughtful gesture meant a great deal to us and truly made us feel special. Thank you， Kylie， for this lovely surprise! We stayed in an overwater villa with a private pool， and it was absolutely dreamy. From our deck， we could watch colorful fish and even small， harmless reef sharks swim by daily. The underwater world was like a fairytale—full of life， color， and beauty. �� The food was another highlight—absolutely delicious， fresh， and varied. There was something for every taste， and we were impressed by the high quality and creativity of the meals. Our villa was cleaned several times a day， always spotless and beautifully maintained. It's clear that cleanliness， comfort， and attention to detail are top priorities at the resort. We’re so grateful for the wonderful memories and can wholeheartedly recommend this resort. A big thank you to the entire team—you are amazing! We hope to return someday. ���

Getting There - Maldivian Air from Male airport USD400 return Attractions - clear water reef snorkeling, sharks & turtles and colourful marine life under overwater villa, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skis, fishing trips Hotels - Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Food & Restaurants - 3 restaurants on site Shopping - small shop within the resort Best way to enjoy this amazing resort is to purchase an inclusive package that covers all dining and drinks for the duration of your stay. Highly recommend 5 nights to truly enjoy and relax in this amazing location. Staff was amazing and very accommodating. Over water Villa was very clean, absolutely gorgeous and luxurious and no where else can beat the views and easy access to crystal clear water and amazing reef snorkeling.

Looking for a quiet wellness place.. visit Maldives where it brings you close to nature.. overlooking the fishes, sea turtles, stingrays swimming by the shore. Everyday is bright blue & sunny! #beachlife#Nature