These Are the Best Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean in 2026
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Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean – A Great Alternative to the Maldives
From 5-star all-inclusive luxury in Jamaica and St. Lucia to secluded retreats in Panama and Belize, there are now overwater bungalows in several popular Caribbean destinations.
And while the Maldives and Bora Bora may still be the first places that spring to mind when you think of staying over the water, the Caribbean has one huge advantage: it’s considerably easier to get to from the United States and Canada.
Where can I find them?
Though a relatively recent addition to the Caribbean, there are now overwater bungalows in nine different countries, including Mexico and Central America:
Antigua
Aruba
Belize
Jamaica
Mexico
Panama
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Turks & Caicos
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Rosewood Mayakoba sits within one of the most refined stretches of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Alongside Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Palafitos El Dorado, it forms part of an exclusive trio of luxury resorts near Cancun that offer overwater bungalows. This resort’s overwater bungalows are part of a wider collection of 129 suites and villas. Ranging in size from around 780 to 1,500 square feet, they are contemporary and understated, with clean architectural lines and natural materials. We particularly like the sense… > Read More
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St. George’s Caye, Belize, is a scenic private island with overwater bungalows near the Caribbean’s largest, and the world’s second-largest, barrier reef. We think it offers adventure and excitement on the one hand (it is a popular vacation spot for divers for example) and peace and tranquility on the other (honeymooners come here too). The food is highly praised, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in the room rate, the service is great and the atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and friendly.
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Sandals South Coast is one of three resorts in Jamaica offering overwater bungalows, alongside Sandals Caribbean Cay and Princess Senses The Mangrove. Set within a vast 500-acre nature reserve on Jamaica’s quieter southwestern coast near Whitehouse, it feels more secluded, romantic and in touch with nature than the other two. The overwater bungalows here are arranged in a calm, dedicated section of the resort, slightly set back from the main village-style accommodation clusters. Each spans around 1,100 square feet and… > Read More
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The Aruba Ocean Villas Resort, home to Aruba’s only overwater bungalows, and still one of a handful of overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, occupies a slice of tropical paradise near Oranjestad and the international airport. It’s an adults-only resort with a gorgeous location, good facilities, top-class food, drink, and excellent service all around. 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… > Read More
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El Dorado Maroma is credited with introducing the first overwater bungalows in Mexico, and even now we think it still has the best ones in the country. The Palafitos overwater bungalows are divided into Standard and Elite categories, the difference between them mainly about positioning. Both include the expected hallmarks of the format: glass floor panels, outdoor showers, private infinity plunge pools, direct access to the sea and private butler service. We think the Elite units are the more compelling… > Read More
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Among the newest overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, those of Princess Senses The Mangrove sit offshore by Green Island, between Montego Bay and Negril. The design follows the familiar, romantic, semi-Polynesian approach, with timber-clad exteriors and thatch roofs. They also have direct sea access and uninterrupted ocean views, and they sensibly devote plenty of space to outdoor living, with spacious wrap-around terraces and private infinity pools. We especially liked that the overwater bungalow section is relatively peaceful and low key,… > Read More
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Amanyara sits on a dramatic rocky shore overlooking the coral reefs of Point Marine National Park in Turks & Caicos, fronted by the pristine sands of Malcolm’s Road Beach and surrounded by 100 acres of lush private estate. The resort combines ultra-luxury service with complete seclusion, yet remains just a convenient 20-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport. Accommodation features Indonesian-inspired pavilions and villas set over placid private ponds.. Overall, we think Amanyara represents one of the Caribbean’s premier ultra-luxury retreats,… > Read More
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Banyan Tree Mayakoba’s overwater bungalows take a more contemporary approach, blending sleek architecture with the mangroves, lagoons and tropical vegetation that surround. Spread across two levels and measuring an impressive 2,400 square feet, they are among the largest overwater accommodations in the Caribbean. It’s sleek, modern luxury here with natural woods, organic textures and abundant greenery to soften the lines. Private terraces with heated plunge pools overlook the lagoon, and spacious bathrooms feature luxury spa tubs. The wider resort of… > Read More
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Back in 2016, Sandals Caribbean Cay was the first to introduce modern luxury overwater bungalows to the Caribbean. They effectively set the template that later expanded to other Sandals resorts in Jamaica and St Lucia, but to our mind their Deluxe Category Bungalows, with private infinity pools, are still the best overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. All bungalows though are sleek luxury, with glass floor panels, outdoor soaking tubs and showers, spacious sun decks and direct access to the sea,… > Read More
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While many overwater resorts advertise seclusion, this tiny off-grid property on Isla Solarte has just two overwater bungalows, creating a level of intimacy increasingly difficult to find in overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. And it’s still only a five-minute water taxi ride from Bocas Town. The overwater bungalows themselves tick all the boxes and then some. Traditional thatched roofs, glass floor panels, overwater hammocks and outdoor showers provide the classic overwater experience, along with thoughtful extra touches like memory foam… > Read More
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What sets Punta Caracol apart is not the overwater bungalows themselves, lovely as they are, but the extraordinary sense of isolation that surrounds them. Hidden along a remote stretch of the Bocas del Toro archipelago and accessible only by boat, the resort sits within its own 100-acre rainforest reserve, most of which remains untouched. Few overwater bungalow resorts in the Caribbean feel quite so immersed in nature. The nine overwater bungalows have steep thatched roofs, natural wood finishes and open… > Read More
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Sandals Grande St. Lucian’s classic Caribbean overwater bungalows were first introduced to St Lucia back in 2017. They still remain the only overwater bungalows on the island, and with just nine in total, be prepared to book ahead. Set over the calm waters of Rodney Bay on the Pigeon Island peninsula, the overwater bungalows follow the familiar Sandals formula of adults-only, all-inclusive luxury. Each bungalow includes glass floor panels, outdoor soaking tubs, overwater hammocks, private sun decks and direct sea… > Read More
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The overwater bungalows at Akalki Hotel y Centro Holístico appeal for different reasons than most in Mexico or indeed the broader Caribbean area. If you’re expecting private butlers, glass floors and lavish resort excess, you’re looking in the wrong place. What makes these overwater bungalows special is their connection to the remarkable waters of Bacalar Lagoon and the slower, more thoughtful atmosphere that has made this corner of southern Mexico increasingly popular. Set directly over the famous Lagoon of Seven… > Read More
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Eclypse de Mar is one of those overwater bungalow resorts where the natural surroundings are more important than the accommodation itself. Tucked into a small private nature reserve on Isla Bastimentos in Bocas del Toro, it combines overwater bungalows, lush rainforest and easy access to the wider Bocas island archipelago. The seven overwater bungalows are thoughtfully designed, with timber interiors, glass floor panels and private terraces extending over the remarkably calm, clear water. We particularly like how they embrace the… > Read More
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Royalton CHIC Antigua introduced a small collection of overwater bungalows to Dickenson Bay when it opened in 2024, making it only the second resort on the island to offer them. Set on the site of the former Halycon Cove Hotel, it follows the familiar Royalton all-inclusive model, with the overwater suites forming a relatively quiet, private section. There are twelve overwater bungalows in total, divided into Junior, Presidential and Chairman categories. Even the entry-level Junior Suites are large at over… > Read More
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Sandals St. Vincent is the Caribbean resort chain’s newest resort, opened in March ’24, with among its broad accommodation choices St Vincent & The Grenadines’ very first Sandals overwater bungalows They are also among the very newest overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, and seem to offer good value compared to some of the more established alternatives. They come as two-story units with outdoor decks with access to the water below, overwater hammocks, a semi-open air upper floor for lounging and… > Read More
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Thatch Caye is a Belize private island overwater bungalow resort with a refreshing sense of scale. With a maximum of around thirty guests at any one time, it offers a balance between castaway escape and sociable, all-inclusive, island retreat. Set 25 minutes by boat from Dangriga on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef, it is also nicely accessible. The overwater bungalows embrace the island’s barefoot-chic philosophy. Interiors are comfortable and thoughtfully furnished, but the focus remains firmly on the… > Read More
