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There may be a lot of competition in overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and indeed in the broader region of French Polynesia, but we think the 5-star InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora is really quite a place. It is located on its own private island, a 20-minute boat ride from Bora Bora Motu Mute Airport, and it is hard to overemphasize the extraordinary setting, with the craggy peak of Mount Otemanu towering above and the most beautifully clear turquoise waters you… > Read More

Just five minutes from Tahiti Airport and a short drive from central Papeete, InterContinental Tahiti has the easiest overwater bungalow experiences in the region to reach, making it a first introduction for many to this most Polynesian of experiences. The setting is undeniably more busy, and less scenic, than the secluded resorts of Bora Bora, yet that’s part of its appeal. Though the overwater bungalows are relatively peaceful, and have lovely views across the sea to Moorea, the resort isn’t… > Read More

Soneva Jani is one of The Maldives’ most exclusive private islands and for us its overwater bungalows are uniquely spacious, stylish, and luxurious. We find the very largest of them, the two and four-bedroom ‘water reserves’ around the end of the walkway, really quite extraordinary creations. These opulent wooden palaces come with private pools, water slides, and retractable roofs that allow stargazing direct from the master bedroom. Excellent, gourmet all-inclusive packages are available at Soneva Jani. Check below for details… > Read More

We liked Maitai Polynesia because it offers a genuinely accessible Bora Bora overwater bungalow experience at more reasonable prices. Tucked into the island’s southern shore near Matira Point Beach, the resort sits in one of Bora Bora’s most desirable areas, yet manages to keep things refreshingly simple. The overwater bungalows may not be perched far out in the lagoon like some of Bora Bora’s more wow factor resorts but these overwater bungalows deliver the classic Bora Bora experience at a… > Read More

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

The family-friendly Four Seasons overwater bungalow resort forms an exclusive enclave by the coral reefs to the northeast of Bora Bora. We found their overwater bungalows more modernist than most and they have the feel of luxury design apartments where everything feels crisp, clean, and new. All come with tremendous views over Mount Otemanu and the lagoon, the overwater bungalows particularly, and the resort itself is a pleasure to stroll around with plenty to do and see, and a cozy,… > Read More

All-inclusive resorts, be they with overwater bungalows or not, can tend to fall short when it comes to real luxury but Ozen Maadhoo is the Maldives’ finest example of how to get it right. We think it’s a really fabulous place: the setting is stunning, as is the accommodation, there is a generous supply of top quality food and drink and, if staying more than 4 nights, complimentary activities to enjoy too – spa treatments, scuba diving, and a meal… > Read More

Why We Like It: Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, opened in May 2024 as the third super-luxury resort to welcome guests to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea’s Ummahat Islands. Inspired by the word Nujum, meaning ‘stars’ in Arabic, it is also the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the broader region, and one of only seven worldwide. It’s a special place, then and the location sure is special too; on its own private island in the same Ummahat Archipelago as the St. Regis… > Read More

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

The 5-star, adults-only Anantara Veli Resort has 67 chic overwater bungalows in a sublime setting just half an hour by speedboat from Mali’s International Airport. The location is more private and secluded than many other overwater bungalows in The Maldives and is very much designed for romantic getaways. It is still just a two-minute speedboat shuttle to the busier (& family-friendly) Anantara Dhigu Resort across the lagoon. There, you’ll find a broad range of facilities and entertainment; restaurants, bars, shops, water… > Read More

Among French Polynesia’s many overwater bungalow resorts, we particularly like Le Taha’a Island Resort for taking a slightly different path. Set on a secluded private motu between Bora Bora and Taha’a, it offers much of the same lagoon scenery that draws visitors to Bora Bora, but it is quieter, more intimate and better priced. Part of its appeal lies in its character. The 45 overwater bungalows are built in a traditional Polynesian style, with wood, thatch, native craftsmanship and decorative… > Read More

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

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

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

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

The Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay is an exclusive 5-star resort near Nadi, and the Momi WW2 Gun Site, with an idyllic lagoon and ocean setting. It also has an array of fantastic facilities, premium quality accommodation, including some top-of-the-range overwater bungalows that we found surprisingly good value. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The Marriott has a mixture of rooms at the main hotel building, all of which come with either a balcony or a patio, plus a mixture of bures… > Read More

Set within a private cove on Motu To’opua, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui is a resort that’s bigger and bolder than most, but has genuine calm around the overwater bungalows. These overwater bungalows are super luxury affairs, and the most expansive in Bora Bora. They have huge decks, and a huge amount of interior space too for seamless indoor/outdoor living. Some of their higher-category villas also have private plunge pools. At the very top end, the Presidential Overwater Villas stand… > Read More

The 5-star, adults-only Likuliku Lagoon is an eco-friendly island paradise off the coast of Western Fiji, and the first resort in the country to incorporate overwater bungalows. We love that conservation is a big part of the Likuliku story. The world’s last wild population (they were assumed to be extinct until 2010) of Fijian Crested Iguanas to be found in the resort’s on-land sanctuary. Educational, expert-guided forest walks can be arranged. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The aforementioned overwater bungalows,… > Read More

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

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is an award-winning 5-star all-inclusive with overwater bungalows on a stunning private island in The Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. The resort has a great reputation for family vacations, winning the World Travel Awards’ category of Best Family Resort in the Indian Ocean for three years running from 2016 to 2019, while also being nominated multiple times for the world’s best family resort. We find it’s also a popular place for a romantic getaway too though – this being… > Read More

There’s certainly no shortage of Maldives overwater bungalow resorts out there, but not many see the same number of positive reviews as Niva Velassaru. It is an enormously popular resort and many of its guests happily return year after year. We think the convenience helps in fairness – we love the fact that this island paradise is just 25 minutes by speedboat from Male Airport. Its prices are a positive factor too – for a 5-star resort in the Maldives… > Read More

W Maldives is a sophisticated 5-star, private (heart-shaped!) island overwater bungalow resort with cutting-edge design and facilities. It receives its fair share of international celebs and is a glamorous and fun place to hang out. Facilities include high-quality restaurants and bars, a sublime sauna & fitness center, and a water sports & dive center. The resort sits by what we consider the best house reef in the Maldives and you can admire a vast amount of sea life directly from… > Read More

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

The 5-star, St. Regis Bora Bora was the setting for the 2009 comedy ‘Couple’s Retreat,’ starring Vince Vaughan, an extra publicity boost that such a confident, sophisticated resort really had very little need for. Its overwater bungalows are stunning and we’re sure you’ll be extremely impressed with almost everything this resort has to offer. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The resort is spread out over 44 acres which includes a private lagoon and various beach areas. The accommodation is a… > Read More

Sofitel Moorea Kia Ora Resort has overwater bungalows on Moorea’s north coast, close to both the island’s airport and ferry terminal, with regular connections to Tahiti. It’s not as nice as Bora Bora, sure, but if it’s your first time in the region you will be blown away by the setting. One of Moorea’s most lovely stretches of white sand sits directly alongside the resort, and the overwater bungalows sit proudly over clear lagoon waters with dense tropical greenery framing… > Read More

InterContinental Le Moana Resort sits at Matira Point, where Bora Bora’s main island tapers into pale sand and shallow lagoon. It’s a setting that feels a bit more connected to local island life than the offshore motu resorts, and we like it for that. The overwater bungalows extend far out into calm, very swimmable waters, and have long views across the lagoon towards Raiatea and Taha’a. Interiors are neatly finished with modern comforts and glass-bottomed coffee tables that bring lagoon… > Read More

Why We Like It: The Float House River Kwai Resort is a uniquely romantic floating hotel in Western Thailand. These luxury villas are generally only reached by boat, and so offer very much the sensation of getting away from it all. This is not some primitive jungle camp though we hasten to add, it is a luxury boutique resort with overwater bungalows that are spacious and comfortable and equipped with all modern luxury hotel conveniences. Overwater Bungalows: Their villas are… > Read More

Veligandu Private Island, just twenty minutes by seaplane from Male Airport is, for us, probably the best value all-inclusive overwater bungalow resort in the Maldives. Though it lacks the full 5 Star wow factor of Lily Beach Resort or Ozen Maadhoo, for what we are getting here we might expect the prices to be almost double what they are. As such it is extremely popular and sees a lot of return visitors.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: You have… > Read More

Why We Like It: Banana Island is an island paradise just off the coast of Doha which is home to Qatar’s only overwater bungalows, and one of only two overwater bungalow resorts in the Gulf region (the other being the Palm Resort in Dubai). All are three-bedroom units and cover a full 2370 sq. feet/220 sq. meters, so for sheer scale alone, they are very impressive. We find them also nicely designed, sleek, and very luxurious, as you might well… > Read More

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

Along Bora Bora’s lagoon looking across to Mount Otemanu, The Westin Bora Bora has one of the island’s newer interpretations of the overwater bungalow resort, following its renovation and relaunch in 2024. It’s a Marriott so brings a more contemporary, international sensibility to things. We usually prefer the most traditional looking bungalows but the results of the renovations here have also won us over. Interiors combine clean-lined modern pale finishes, while glass floor panels and direct lagoon access keep the… > Read More

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.

Why We Like It: The El Nido eco-resort chain’s Lagen Island branch has a jaw-dropping setting, even by Philippine island standards – a picture-perfect cove surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush green forest. We think Lagen Island as a whole is spectacular and it is a known sanctuary for a huge variety of flora and fauna. If you’re any kind of nature lover we’d highly recommend the resort’s guided jungle hikes. It is a luxury resort (4-star), with a kind… > Read More

Why We Like It: DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort has New Caledonia’s only overwater bungalows and, as it happens, the closest overwater bungalows to Australia. We think the overwater bungalows and the resort, in general, are the kind of luxury that you might expect from the Hilton chain, and then some. The setting, a private island nature reserve in Anse Vata Bay, twenty minutes by boat from Noumea, is incredibly idyllic. Sea life is abundant here, with the… > Read More

Why We Like It: The enormous, 5 Star, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson Resort, just south of Kuala Lumpur, is one of Malaysia’s most iconic resorts, and it has the largest number of overwater bungalows of any resort in the world. There are an astonishing 522 overwater of them stretching out nearly a mile into the Strait of Malacca in the shape of a hibiscus flower. On land too there are a further one hundred-plus guest villas. We think each water… > Read More

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

Why We Like It: Saudi Arabia has recently made huge strides in opening up to foreign tourism and this, the St. Regis Red Sea, which opened fairly in early 2024, is another example of such ambition. It is a high end luxury resort, as you would expect from Marriott’s St Regis line, and it is located on an absolutely gorgeous private island the Saudis call Ummahat. It has access to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and marine… > Read More

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

Why We Like It: Stella Island Resort in Crete is a 5-star luxury, adults-only resort with a tremendously good reputation and one which is home to one of only two overwater bungalow accommodations in Europe (the other being at Palafitte Resort on Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland). It occupies a private stretch of Crete’s north coast and offers, amongst other things, spa facilities, some of the very best food on the island, and the opportunity to enjoy many sports including tennis and… > Read More

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

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

Why We Like It: Anantara The Palm Resort Dubai is a fabulous 5-star resort with 400 meters of private shoreline on Dubai’s world-famous Palm Jumeirah. We find it has tremendous facilities, including a very opulent spa, and its accommodation is seen as among the very best in the city. Even better for the Anantara is that it is the only resort in Dubai with overwater bungalows. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have a great selection of luxury accommodation -… > Read More