We arrive by boat to Kandooma, an idyllic island with a peeling right-hander. We were no sooner off the boat, and we checked into our beach villa and the warm water of the Maldives within minutes. It’s a dream setup and a rarity to have a break right out the front of your room. It was made for our family.
Perfect Wave Kandooma is run up by Steve – he’s Aussie and ex-Bondi local, affable – warm, generous with his time, and knows his stuff about where to surf and when. You are quickly added to a WhatsApp group for surf sessions off the island – most within a 15-minute boat ride. You want a left, that with some swell barrels – they’ve got one “Tuckey Joes”, you want a mellow easy take off, right – got that too, “Quarters” and I had the surf of my life here. Our boys, 13 and 10 went on multiple trips a day – some with us, others on their own. The Perfect Wave crew are all time, encouraging, knowledgeable, and people you want to be in the surf with.
While everyone hunts waves off the island the Kandooma right is consistent, works most days and if you pick your times, (from your beach villa) you can be in the lineup with only a couple of other surfers. It’s Kandooma’s best-kept secret and we all loved this wave. My kids and husbands are pros, I am not – but we surfed this wave together a lot. I sat out the back, they sat on the inside where it’s a little faster and challenging – the family stoke was high.
There are multiple restaurants – we loved the kitchen (Asian inspired) we’re spoilt with dinner on the beach by candlelight and a floating breakfast in the pool. If you love a buffet this place is for you, they are plentiful and every cuisine is covered.
There’s a spa run by Como Shambala – I highly recommend anything they do, just for the smell and dedication to touch and relaxation. They are the leaders in this field – and if you’re not a surfer you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to island life and taking it slow.
As Spikey (10 years old) said – there’s a real vibe at Kandooma. You can dip in and out, but you will meet new people – it’s a family’s dream setup and you won’t see your kids from sunrise to sunset.
The second part of our trip was a 5-minute boat ride away at COMO Cocoa. If you have experienced any of the COMO properties, you will know the moment you arrive there is a smell that wafts through the air and transports you to heaven. This island is small, boutique, and all about the details. The food is something else – I would say the best I’ve had in the Maldives and the surfing is run by Perfect Wave, you remain on the same surf chat, and have access to all the same breaks – but if luxury is mandatory for you, then this is where you stay.
There’s a reformer – the spa is what dreams are made of and the main pool and dining/bar is perfection. The rooms are all water villas and are contemporary, luxurious, and made for relaxation. Swimming off your villa is another dream-like situation and of all our jaunts in the Maldives, this was the best swimming location. Bluest, clearest, and calmest waters we’ve basked in.
We loved our combo of Kandooma – with the vibe and the COMO Cocoa for sheer luxury, quiet, and tranquillity. Perfect Wave was exceptional – the team, the surf program – you can’t fault them. They made our trip one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had as a family. Will we be back – you betcha we will.
Book Kandooma and COMO Cocoa directly through Perfect Wave.
