Best Adults Only Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean (2023)

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: One of three overwater bungalow resorts near Cancun, Mexico – the others being the nearby Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Palafitos El Dorado resorts – Rosewood Mayakoba shares the same serene Caribbean coast setting along with high-quality accommodation, service, and facilities, in particular its award-winning spa. It is a sophisticated resort and though it attracts a very much high-end clientele, there is little in the way of snootiness. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly throughout. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The resort has 129 sleek and modern suites and villas, including overwater bungalows, of varying sizes from 780 sq. ft. to 1500 sq. ft., all of which come with an array of luxury facilities and the very finest interior design. They all have a sleek and classy modern design and a real sense of luxury. Features include private plunge pools, spacious open-plan bathrooms with bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, walk-in closets, and a separate lounge area with seating and dining space. Facilities include WiFi, Satellite TV, iPod docks, Bose music systems, personal butlers for the overwaters and some other villas, and 24-hour room service. Their overwater READ THE REVIEW

Sandals St. Vincent is the 5-star resort chain’s newest resort, due to open on March 27, 2024, and taking reservations right now! Among its broad accommodation choices are St Vincent & The Grenadines’ very first overwater bungalows! With the resort not having opened yet we of course can’t know too much about them, except that, judging by the details we’ve received, they are two-story units (so I guess we should call them villas not bungalows) with outdoor decks and overwater hammocks with access to the water below, a semi-open air upper floor for lounging and dining, and glass floor panels downstairs. They seem more modest than the incredibly lavish overwater bungalows at Sandals in Jamaica and St. Lucia. But with prices starting at about $3,400 per couple per night, they are in the same price range. They are relatively close to the shore and are not free-standing units – each seems to be attached to one other villa – which may limit privacy somewhat, and, with what space there is being divided over two floors they might also lack a sense of spaciousness. The resort in general promises to be READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: The Aruba Ocean Villas Resort, home to Aruba’s only overwater bungalows, occupies a slice of tropical paradise in the southwest of the island near Oranjestad and the international airport. This adults-only resort is a luxury oasis with a gorgeous location, good facilities, top-class food, drink and excellent service all round. It’s also small, intimate, and friendly, and has none of the anonymous, almost industrial atmosphere of many of the larger Caribbean resorts. They have only three overwater bungalows at Aruba Ocean Villas, and they are extremely popular, so you’d be advised to book your stay well in advance. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have some fantastic, individually designed choices at Ocean Villas, all except one being doubles. The three coveted over-the-water choices – listed on the booking page under various names such as LouLou, Isla Alistaire, and Dushi Sue are incredibly opulent and spacious. They are also very stylishly furnished. Minimalists may shudder at the interiors but we found them to be atmospheric and thoroughly romantic. If the overwater bungalows are booked out you will not be disappointed by the other beachfront choices READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: The adults-only St. George’s Caye is a scenic private island off the coast of Belize City near the Caribbean’s largest, and the world’s second-largest, barrier reef. It offers adventure and excitement on the one hand (it is a popular vacation spot for divers for eg.) and peace and tranquility on the other (honeymooners come here too). The food is generally highly praised, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in the room rate, the service is great and the atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and friendly. It sells itself as a luxury resort but if you are indeed expecting luxury the accommodation, though charming and very comfortable, may be underwhelming. Overall though the resort, the island, and the general atmosphere of the place make it a very enjoyable place to spend time in. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: You have a choice of broadly similar thatched roof cabanas, all doubles/twins in three different locations – Overwater, Beachfront & Garden, with the Oceanfront being the most expensive, the Garden cheapest, and the Overwater in the middle price range. In the vast majority of resorts, the overwater accommodation READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: One of only two resorts with overwater bungalows in Jamaica (the other being Sandals Royal Caribbean), Sandals South Coast is a 5-star luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive resort that offers Epicurean indulgence in a dreamy Caribbean beach setting. The resort is large and the amount, and quality, of facilities and activities on offer are very impressive. The food is a particular attraction – guests have nine gourmet restaurants to choose from with food that spans the globe. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have a wide range of luxury accommodations to choose from, between rooms, suites, and over-water bungalows/villas, all offering varying levels of space, luxury, and privacy. Their 1,100 square feet over water villas are suitably plush and luxurious and come with outdoor sun decks with soaking tubs and overwater hammocks, internal glass floor panels, particularly nice, spa-style bathrooms, personal butler service, and an exclusive in-room dining and room service menu. Prices & Availability: Check out all the details and compare prices at the resort’s own website (Sandals) here, on Expedia.com here and at Booking.com here. Note: Like all luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: The couples-only Sandals Royal Caribbean, near Montego Bay and just minutes from Sangster International Airport, was the very first overwater bungalow resort in Jamaica and indeed the first in the entire region. The concept was an immediate success and the Sandals company soon followed it with more bungalows at Sandals South Coast (also in Jamaica) and in their branch in St. Lucia. Sandals Royal Caribbean though was the groundbreaker, or well…water breaker, in this region, and its standards, have been extremely high from the beginning. It is a high-end luxury, all-inclusive paradise with a private island (where the overwater bungalows are to be found), top-of-the-range facilities, superb food and drink, and consistently excellent service. It also has a tremendous location: getting to most overwater bungalow resorts usually involves a fairly long journey from the nearest airport but here you are, tantalizingly, just minutes (via the resort’s private shuttle) away. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have a great range of accommodations to choose from – standard hotel rooms, suites, and overwater bungalows, which offer varying levels of space and luxury to suit most budgets. READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: Sandals Grande St. Lucian became the latest Sandals’ resort to open overwater bungalows after they achieved great success at their two Jamaican overwater bungalow resorts. Their overwater bungalows are a honeymoon favorite but with only nine of them, they get booked out well in advance. Make reservations as early as you possibly can. They come with glass floor panels that allow you to peer into the Caribbean just below your feet, tranquility soaking tubs, private patios, and over-water hammocks amongst other special features. They also have a 24-hour personal butler service and the service throughout the resort is top-notch – efficient and professional but also personable. Sandals Grande St. Lucian is, like all Sandals resorts, 5 Star, all-inclusive and strictly adults-only. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have an enormous range of accommodation at the resort, with the above-mentioned overwater accommodation being absolutely the most popular. These have a spacious, luxurious feel with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, king-size beds with soft linens and plush pillows, smart TVs, sun decks, outdoor showers, swish bathrooms, and 24-hour personal butler service. Many of the other choices will match, READ THE REVIEW

Why We Recommend These Overwater Bungalows: This adults-only, all-inclusive near Cancun is home to Palafitos, the very first overwater bungalows in Mexico (there are now still just three: the other two being the very nearby Rosewood Mayakoba & Banyan Tree Mayakoba) and consistently hits world-class standards for luxury all-inclusives in the Caribbean. It really is a tremendous resort – it has a fabulous location on Maroma Beach, Playa del Carmen – rated one of the Caribbean’s, and in fact, the world’s, best beaches – the accommodation is wonderful across the board and their gourmet food and drink are of the highest quality. Overwater Bungalows: As mentioned, the Palafitos’ bungalows were the very first in Mexico and come with all the features you would expect from such a pioneering resort – glass floor panels, hottubs, private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and direct access to the water below your feet. There are two basic types – the standard Palafitos, with nightly rates starting at about 1700 USD, are closer to the shore and have partial ocean and partial beach views. The ‘Elite Suite Bungalows’ on the other hand are farthest out, at READ THE REVIEW