COMO Cocoa Island, a luxury private island resort located in South Male Atoll, Maldives recently hosted an Island Astronaut Camp offering guests an exclusive opportunity to discover pristine dive sites and explore the magical underwater world all in the company of NASA astronaut and aquanaut, Nicole Stott.
The event featured guided reef dives at the PADI Cocoa Island Diving Centre, where Stott, who is also a PADI certified diver, joined guests in underwater exploration. Guests also had the opportunity to dine with Nicole during an exclusive evening dinner under the stars.
The House Reef dives conducted for the COMO Journey of Universe Under the Ocean were led by PADI Instructors. Guests explored Shambhala Reef and Bay Reef and witnessed a spectacular array of rich marine life including blacktip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, hawksbill and green sea turtles, moray eels, oriental sweetlips, giant clams, clark anemone fishes, cleaner shrimps, banner fishes, lionfishes, butterfly and Maldivian anemone fishes.
The Shambhala Reef featuring stunning coral standing on the sloping reef top is located between the arrival jetty and a sandbankwhile the Bay Reef features a thriving coral garden within a 12-metre-deep lagoon, where a number of coral propagation frames are currently thriving. Both reefs offered stunning backdrops for divers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned explorers.
During a captivating COMO Conversation event, Stott, a veteran NASA astronaut, shared fascinating insights from her 104 days working in space across two NASA missions and tales about the rigorous training astronauts undergo to prepare them for space. She also talked about the connection between the deepest oceans and the farthest reaches of space – two realms that are more alike than imagined.
Nicole recounted her experiences aboard the ISS and her time living underwater on the Aquarius habitat, further deepening the guests’ appreciation for the connections between space and sea.
A 40-minute speedboat ride away from the capital Male, with 33 luxurious overwater villas, the PADI Cocoa Island Dive Centre and holistic wellness at the COMO Shambhala Retreat, the resort is the ultimate destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure in the Maldives. Whether diving into the deep with PADI experts or discovering wellness at the retreat, COMO Cocoa Island offers an unforgettable blend of exploration and serenity.
