The best beach clubs in the world for summer 2022

The most stylishly mellow toes-in-the-sand beach clubs to spend your summer in 2022

Cocomaya, British Virgin Islands

Beach bars around here are generally dozy and ramshackle, but Cocomaya has poise and grace. It's a pretty place with plenty of polished concrete, stone and natural wood, glass and mirrors, and it sits on a beautiful stretch of sand with views of nearby Camanoe, Scrub and Dog islands. The food, like the atmosphere, is barefoot-elegant with a Latin-Asian fusion menu of sharing plates (corn tacos, scallop ceviche, seared coriander tuna) eaten at tables hidden among Virgin Gorda's famous volcanic boulders. It's ideal for a quiet lunch or dinner, although for most folk this place is more about gravitating from sunbed to bar and back. Try the Champagne Cocktail with ginger and lychees, which adds just the right amount of bite and tropical freshness to the fizz.

CNN Traveler, 23 March 2022

Coco Maya | The Epitome Of Relaxed Beach Chic

Nestled between giant granite boulders and palms in the sandy bay of Spanish Town, is the chic restaurant, Coco Maya. Minutes from the iconic “Baths” of Virgin Gorda, the inviting lounge ambiance is perfect for relaxing at sunset. Coco Maya serves up an undeniably delectable fusion of Southeast Asian street food & Latin American cuisine with a touch of Caribbean flavor, and I couldn’t possibly be a bigger fan. April 13, 2022

COCOMAYA, VIRGIN GORDA – A LOOK AROUND MY ‘LOCAL’

It’s where I get my happy hour on, a quiet date night favourite and a great girls’ lunch spot! It’s where they show sporting events, throw lavish brunch buffets and host some of the hottest parties of the year. We’ve celebrated birthdays, attended weddings, New Year’s Eve celebrations, baby showers, fancy dress events, and wine tasting dinners. I’ve dined among the boulders and danced the night away on the sand. In short, it plays a prominent part in my social life.

Virgin Islands Property & Yacht | January/February 2021 | BVILOVE Special Edition
Published on Dec 14, 2020  

Destination wedding, CocoMaya. A beautiful beachside location on Virgin Gorda makes CocoMaya a spectacular place to say “I do”.

Virgin Islands Property & Yacht

Best Places to Eat on Virgin Gorda. Foodies Guide to the BVI Part II

CocoMaya is a must stop when visiting Virgin Gorda. This Asian Fusion inspired restaurant is located in the Valley. Their cuisine is complemented with an insane view looking out to the ocean and the islands beyond. The vibe of the restaurant resembles that of a trendy Miami Beach restaurant with light chill house music playing in the background with loud chatter from surrounding guests.

— FRANKLEY FRANKIEE 2020

THe 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean 2020

CocoMaya, Virgin Gorda, BVI Some restaurants just get it. And this longtime Virgin Gorda hub just plain fires on all cylinders, with a fun, energetic, breezy vibe, beautiful decor, and a truly remarkable Asian-fusion tapas-focused menu. 

— CARIBBEAN JOURNAL, JAN 2020

MY TOP FIVE VIRGIN ISLANDS COCKTAILS

So you visited the British Virgin Islands and you partook in all the local drink specialties, but now you’re back home and wondering how to recreate that holiday magic – never fear, I’m here to help!! Keep reading for the recipes to my top 5 Virgin Islands cocktail recipes.

This Dark n’ Stormy was consumed at CocoMaya, Virgin Gorda

Originating in Bermuda – the Dark n’ Stormy has been adopted elsewhere in the Caribbean, including the BVI. We love it so much we even named a sailing regatta after it (a three day race event from Trellis Bay to Anegada and back to Nanny Cay). I think that my favourite Dark n’ Stormy’s can be found on the Willy-T, but they are a staple on the menu in bars Territory-wide.

2 oz Dark Rum (Gosling’s Black Seal)
Angostura Bitters
4 oz Ginger Beer
Ice
Lime to garnish

Fill glass with ice and combine the rum, ginger beer and angostura bitters. Garnish with a generous wedge of lime to squeeze in.

— THE BAREFOOT ANGEL, Jan 21, 2019

“Bethany Rawlings and Oliver Sears have really outdone themselves with their latest venture, The Artesia Hotel. Everything about the space is curated, comfortable, and quite simply, lovely. I felt so taken care of there. I never wanted to leave.”

CocoMaya: Atop a Wondrous History

"From sea, CocoMaya exudes a dominating presence within Virgin Gorda’s dramatic boulder-laden beachfront. Three tall, thatched roofs supported by wooden pillars thick as tree trunks open into a sophisticated, open-air interior.

Its modern design and chic ambiance attract residents and visitors with a preference for beachside lounging and dining the way it’s meant to be done. Few, however, may be aware that the recently renovated property was at one time a likely refuge for either Dutch or Spanish settlers and rogue pirates looking for a place to stash their booty.

During my last visit to the beachside restaurant, I sat with owners Aaron Seddon and Kim Takeuchi over lunch to discuss the property’s storied past. I sipped on a refreshing blonde Maredsous beer out of a frosty chalice as we enjoyed a steady breeze underneath the covered dining area. I looked over the white sand beach and island-speckled seascape and thought to myself that the only thing I may have in common with the pirates and early settlers of Virgin Gorda, is the unchanging view and the style of my beer craft.

During the excavation phase of CocoMaya’s construction, Aaron explained that he quickly learned that the foundation they were laying would sit on the same grounds occupied by some of the Virgin Islands first residents. He has since collected a small treasure trove of old artifacts, including smoking pipes, some pots and cups, and a cannon ball.”

— VIP PROPERTY YACHT, MAY 7, 2013

CocoMaya Restaurant & Bar

Toasting the evening at CocoMaya, a beautiful restaurant and bar in Virgin Gorda…

Although we love re-visiting some of our favorite places in the islands, we also love to find and experience new ones – and then share them with you!

We’d read just a little bit about a new restaurant/bar on Virgin Gorda and during our last BVI visit, we were able to stop and experience CocoMaya.Established in 2011 and not far from Spanish Town, we found CocoMaya to be a real treat. We were able to spend one evening there and enjoyed relaxing in the outdoor lounge with our toes in the sand around the fire pit.CocoMaya’s outdoor lounge is an excellent place to meet up with friends or just cozy up on a lounge chair for two around the fire.CocoMaya’s decor is appealing and relaxing and blends right in with the tropical surroundings.Wonderful aromas were wafting from the dining area and if we didn’t already have dinner planned upon our return to the boat, we would have enjoyed one of their menu offerings in the open air dining room with a beautiful view of the beach and sunset.

— RUM THERAPY, MAY 16, 2014

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles at CocoMaya

Harry and Taylor are warming up in the Virgin Islands after they spent New Year’s Eve in chilly New York City — fans spotted them on island Gorda on January 3rd! Keep reading to see the new pics!

Harry Styles and Taylor Swift kissed in front of millions after she performed in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and after a sexy sleepover at the Greenwich hotel, the duo headed south to heat things up! Do YOU think they are moving too fast?

Their Romantic Getaway

After they left NYC, the couple jetted south to Virgin Gorda, the third largest of the British Virgin Islands. Fans caught up with them at the restaurant CocoMaya.

According to their website, “CocoMaya is Virgin Gorda’s newest restaurant and cocktail lounge fusing elegance with relaxation on a white sand beach. Sip signature cocktails by the sea in our open air bar and enjoy an exotic blend of Asian and Latin cuisines with creative twists such as hoisin duck taquitos and our fire & ice ceviche plus hand-rolled sushi, great steaks, lobster and much more…”

HOLLYWOOD LIFE Jan. 7, 2013

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Virgin Gorda visit

The couple arrived at Virgin Gorda — the third largest of the British Virgin Islands known for its "yacht clubs, quiet coves, safe anchorages and luxury resorts and villas"— on Tuesday, Jan. 1, and even posed for photos with fans at the local CocoMaya restaurant:

BUSINESS INSIDER, Jan 2013

The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean – 2021

CocoMaya, Virgin Gorda Going to this Spanish Town eatery always manages to feel like an event, with a playful, outstanding menu focused on tapas and a hard-to-beat view of BVI water.

CocoMaya Says “It’s Time to Have Some Fun and Relax from the Hard Work of Rebuilding VG!”

CocoMaya is Virgin Gorda’s newest restaurant, bar and cocktail lounge – fusing elegance on a white sand beach… They like to call it beach chic!

— BVI TRAVELLER. NOVEMBER 15th, 2017

The Memories and New Reality of CocoMaya Restaurant on Virgin Gorda

Like all of you, RumShopRyan and I are still heartbroken over the destruction that Hurricane Irma and Maria have inflicted on our beloved Caribbean Islands. It’s overwhelming to see how many people need help out there. I wish we could help them all. I wish we could do more than just get the word out and send a few donations. It doesn’t seem like enough, but for right now, it’s the best we can do. For the past six years CocoMaya has been a favorite for locals and visitors alike…”

— RUM SHOP RYAN, CARIBBEAN BLOG, OCTOBER 8, 2017

5 Restaurants You Shouldn't Miss When Visiting The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, a collection of 60 lush islands in the Northeastern Caribbean, has firmly remained one of the world’s top travel destinations for decades. Surrounded by crystal clear, aquamarine waters, tourists flock here to indulge in sun-drenched days, balmy nights, and oceanic pleasures. Sailing, by far and away, is the most popular activity, as the views are breathtaking and there are ample bays with mooring buoys. But other water activities, including snorkeling, fishing, and kiteboarding are top-notch, too. And if relaxing is more your speed, there’s plenty of powdery beaches where you can kick back, soak in the rays, and chill out.

Cocomaya

This beachfront restaurant in Virgin Gorda by owners Aaron Seddon and Kim Takeuchi sizzles with a chic design – think basket pendant lighting, customized stone bar, and bamboo accents everywhere – and flavorful Asian-inspired menu of shared plates. Sushi fans will flip for the creative rolls. (Seddon personally recommends the signature, deep-fried CocoMaya roll with tempura shrimp, avocado, and spicy mayo.) If you’re in the mood for something heartier, you can’t go wrong with the grilled skirt steak with onion rings and chimichurri or the popular Korean rice cakes glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce, kimchi, and sausage. The wine list is extensive, and the cocktail program is fun, too, with the best seller being the Cojito, a playful twist on the classic mojito that features coconut water and a coconut rum.

— FORBES, JULY 26, 2017

“Few eateries in the British Virgin Islands rival those found on Virgin Gorda and CocoMaya is probably my number one pick of them all. But that's not to say that there aren't others that are thoroughly delightful as well. This is actually my personal favorite of all the beach bars and restaurants in the islands. I can highly recommend it!”

— BAREBOATS BVI, 2017

Richard Branson’s BVI hangouts

"Another must for food is CocoMaya, which was set up years ago on Virgin Gorda by a fantastic pair called Kim and Aaron; they did such a good job there that I convinced Kim to come and help run Moskito Island for me. While they have a really delicious Latin-Asian fusion menu – you should order lots of small dishes and share them; my favorite is their incredible truffle fries – CocoMaya really shines as a spot to watch the sun set, and I don’t think there’s any better bar in the BVIs to have a few after-dinner cocktails.”

— HOW TO SPEND IT, JULY 14, 2016

48 HRS on Virgin Gorda

No trip to the British Virgin Islands would be complete with a visit to the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda. Home to one of our most recognizable tourist attractions: The Baths.

But the sad reality is that so much of the rest of what Virgin Gorda has to offer gets overlooked in favour of a visit to our famous monolithic building-sized boulders and I want to show you what else you should be including on your tour… After this there will be enough time to maybe take a quick nap and hopefully a shower you’ll want to be ready before sunset though because we’re headed to CocoMaya for cocktails and sunset views by the fire pit before dinner!

Get to CocoMaya, grab a seat on the swings and a lychee champagne cocktail, maybe sample a snack or two at the bar – share the edamame. Then make your way into the restaurant and enjoy their delicious tapas style small plates and mains (also designed to be shared). I actually have too many recommendations for this place (I’ll obviously have to do a full post soon) but I will say this – get the churros for dessert… you won’t see them on the menu (they are hiding on the iPad) but they are seriously good… dunk them in the milk ice cream and espresso. By now you should be ready to roll your way back to bed! Read more

— THE BAREFOOT ANGEL, MAY 12, 2017

Cocomaya: the best rum punch in the BVIs?

A hip beachside restaurant and bar in Virgin Gorda"I walk in fear of grenadine syrup when in the Caribbean, that sticky red concoction and extreme sweetener. With a name like that you might think it originates in the area, but it is certainly not from the Grenadines. What it is, however, is the lazy bar-keeper’s default, liberally dashed into far too many drinks. But I am pleased to say that at Cocomaya (restaurant-bar-lounge-beach), you’d never find grenadine in a rum punch. Cocomaya sits on the leeward shore of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, its open-fronted decks giving onto a superb seascape of islands, where lines of stacked cumulus sail south-west like an armada. On my recent visit, we arrived just as the golden late-afternoon light was setting the island foliage aglow. We walked around the restaurant and mainlined the bar-lounge-beach, installing ourselves in the hanging-bench seat at the far end of the bar.”

— HOW TO SPEND IT, NOVEMBER 2, 2014

Consumed by CocoMaya

From the sea, CocoMaya appears to be an oversized beach hut with three tall, thatched roofs supported by wooden poles as big as tree trunks and few walls to obstruct the breeze or the view through the restaurant to the lush, boulder hillside. Architect Viviana Jenik created a seaside masterpiece that transforms at every turn—from beach bar to romantic restaurant to cocktail lounge. Guests with bare feet can comfortably mingle with those in high heels at this exquisite, multi-level locale that turns its patrons into chameleons, depending on which part of the property they may find themselves.

Owner Jen Bogdany’s exquisite eye for design created a combination of rustic and refined accents to complement the architecture and setting, but this should be no surprise since Jen is also the mastermind who perfected barefoot indulgence at nearby Baraka Point Estate.

The main dining room and its awe-inspiring view.

When I first arrived at CocoMaya, before the sun set, I felt like an explorer among the boulders beside the restaurant on the beach. Beer in hand, I followed a sandy path and discovered benches strategically built-in to the granite boulders—tucked-away spots for lounging in the shade not far from Fort George. The secret alcoves enticed me to hatch some schemes of my own. This is, after all, a place once ruled by pirates, according to HLSCC professor Dr Mitch Kent. Turtledoves cooed and gulls cried nearby, enticing me to head back to the beach where I sat on a sun lounger and enjoyed the view of Beef Island, Tortola and the Dog Islands while the waves wove patterns on the shore.

— BVI GUIDES, 2013