20 Beautiful Overwater Bungalows To Book Around The World

A cabin on the side of a mountain possesses a rugged beauty, and a country inn room that commands views over rolling hills can make a traveler sigh in quiet contentment, but can any accommodation convey "ultimate fantasy getaway" quite like an overwater bungalow? These lodgings, usually compact structures sitting above shallow, clear, turquoise waters with thickly thatched roofs, are a novel phenomenon. The first overwater bungalow appeared in 1967, constructed on stilts made from the trunks of coconut palm trees, its roof topped with sun-baked pandanus leaves, in the waters of French Polynesia.

Since the 1960s, the sense of liberation from our daily lives that these dreamy lodgings offer has intoxicated travelers year after year, and overwater bungalows have popped up around the globe. We've picked a selection across multiple continents based on our travels and properties that have renown in the travel business. From the Caribbean to the South Pacific, you can book a night in these slices of paradise, and once you've checked in, just let go and allow them to cast their magical spell.

A country with over 7,000 islands would seem like a prime candidate for an overwater bungalow resort, and the Philippines doesn't disappoint. On a small isle off the west coast of Palawan, a sizeable Philippine island known for its engrossing seascapes, Cauayan Island Resort and Spa hugs the shore next to towering cliffs. You can see the forested slopes from the overwater bungalows, where after a dip in the warm sea below, you can rinse off in the outdoor shower or indoor marble bathtub. Even the resort's spa is set on stilted buildings above the turquoise shallows.

For some unabashed luxury, a stay at Como Laucala Island will leave guests wanting for nothing. The resort has only 25 rooms, all freestanding, scattered in the rainforest, plonked by the beach, or hovering over the lagoon. In overwater rooms, known as the Wai Residences, visitors can expect interior decor that reflects Fijian tropes (the beamed, vaulted ceiling is a hallmark of local architecture), a large furnished deck, and a private pool set within rock. These rooms also offer heart-melting views of the sunset over the water, making them a perfect choice for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.

New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, due east of Australia, has long drawn water lovers for its fine fringing reefs. The DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort sits on a wisp of an island just off the coast from the capital, Nouméa, a quick boat ride away. The overwater bungalows are arranged in a squiggly line, with pitched roofs and bright interiors. Guests can marvel over the sunsets — the rooms face west — or slide into the lagoon directly from the room and paddle among the bale of local turtles.

Part of an international hotel and resort brand synonymous with polished luxury, the Four Seasons Bora Bora is a retreat where the water will dazzle. Guests can admire it from one of the overwater bungalows and suites, where pandanus leaves cover the roof, and teak furnishings give them a natural feel. Travelers can run a bath and gaze over the turquoise shallows from the tub or descend the ladder from the deck and effortlessly enter a saltwater state of aquatic bliss. The water is also full of rays and reef sharks, which will become evident during a snorkel safari in the blissful bay.

You might think overwater bungalows are the exclusive domain of tropical destinations, with leaning palm trees and soft white sand everywhere. But this destination in Lake Neuchâtel, one of the largest lakes in Switzerland, bucks the trend. This is the one property in the country — maybe in the continent? — with overwater bungalows, and these rooms sure impress. The 24 overwater digs at Hôtel Palafitte, known as pavilions, are assembled in three clumps. They are modernist structures with wood slat sides, neutral tone furnishings, and a spacious terrace, and they are set on piles above the emerald-colored lake.

This private island in the Anambas archipelago sits east of Peninsular Malaysia and is usually reached via seaplane. It feels remote like it's positioned at the end of the earth, such is its secluded nature. Even far from the public gaze, it features sustainable practices, from solar panels to recycled building materials and marine conservation. The rooms at Bawah Reserve are dreamy. Some are set in gardens, others by the beach, but the overwater bungalows are the real gems. Built like A-frame cabins, they have covered decks, copper bathtubs, and cleanly designed interiors. Room rates include all meals and activities.

Local touches are evident throughout the 84 overwater villas at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. Inside, visitors will note the local crafts, woven products made of pandanus leaves and bamboo, and touches of shimmering mother-of-pearl that add a little glam to the decor. The villas are large, around 1,000 square feet, with spaces for catching the sun and relaxing in the shade. Some come with their own pool and views of imposing Mount Otemanu, though all allow guests to glide right into the silky shallows. The spa has treatment rooms that are also overwater bungalows, and their glass panel floors look upon the marine life below.

This private island property features two strands of overwater villas with their own private infinity pool. One group reaches out into the waters facing east, promising peerless sunrise views, while those on the opposite side are primed for sensational sunsets. Rooms at Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island eschew the typical, tropical-style overwater design protocols in favor of a much more modernist tilt. They are curvy cubist white pods, spacious and bright (thanks to skylights and large windows), with landscaped open-air showers and large decks. The shaded outdoor area with a day bed is a perfect base for doing absolutely nothing.

Coming in at just a shade under 1,000 square feet, the overwater villas at Le Taha'a burst with Polynesian flavor, offering guests a real sense of place. The roofs are made of pandanus, and the spaces display natural materials like stone, coral, bamboo, ropes crafted from coconut, and tapa (a cloth made from bark). Travelers have a choice of astounding views from the overwater bungalows, from the peaks of Bora Bora to the island of Taha'a, known for its healthy vanilla plantations. Pick an overwater sunset suite for a vista that will forever live in your memory.

The name of this property means calm waters, and that is exactly what guests can expect to enjoy at this refuge by the sea, complete with some of the best overwater bungalows in Fiji. A place where children aren't allowed, Likuliku Lagoon Resort sits in a gorgeous, crystal-clear lagoon, with rooms tucked among the foliage just behind the beach or set over that glorious water. Only 10 of the accommodations are overwater bungalows, and they dance to Fijian rhythms with generous decks and beams held together by magimagi lashing (a twine made from coconut husk). Guests can easily kick over the calm waters to reach the nearby reef.

Visitors of this resort on the north coast of the island of Moorea will find rooms with a colorful, tropical ambiance, helped by bright paintings of fish and cushions in vibrant tones. Overwater bungalows are scattered along a lagoon, with thatch roofs and verdant mountains as a backdrop. Stepping off their deck, guests will find warm, calm seas where fish are plentiful and coral thrives. Alternatively, they can sit on the outdoor loungers and peer into water that stretches as far as the eye can see. For some aquatic exertion, Manava Beach Resort & Spa supplies guests with kayaks that enable deeper exploration.

Sustainable practices anchor this property in the east of Indonesia, in an area called Raja Ampat, where the seas are too beautiful to describe with words adequately. Reclaimed wood was exclusively used to build Misool, and recycling, composting, renewable energy, and outreach work with local communities are in the resort's DNA. Guests won't need to sacrifice any comforts, though, with overwater bungalows generously spaced apart, featuring large decks and breezy hammocks. Snorkeling and diving around the house reef, just feet from the bungalows, will bring travelers close to octopus, the knobby-headed parrotfish, and turtles munching on seagrass.

Balinese-style lands in Central America at the water bungalows of Nayara Bocas del Toro, a private island resort in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in northwest Panama. Open only to adults, it pulls in honeymooners and couples looking for some quiet time together, with rooms that have four-poster beds flanked by flowing, gauzy fabric, teak furnishings, a large outdoor deck, and a private saltwater pool. They feel light and airy, an atmosphere generated by high ceilings, large windows, and French doors. Guests can easily spend all their time indoors, opt to snorkel around the reefs or arrange a boat trip for some island hopping.

Closer to the United States than most of the properties on this list, this resort on the Riviera Maya comprises bungalows with a private pool. Jutting out from Playa Maroma, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows sit above clear turquoise waters south of Cancún and a little north of the boho-chic, tourist-heavy Playa del Carmen. Each overwater bungalow features a thatch roof and a private terrace with an infinity plunge pool. Inside, the floor includes a section with a glass panel through which guests will see fish commuting in the shallows below. Visitors can also get closer to the creatures by descending the stairs straight into the water.

Sometimes, it's the little things at a hotel that we remember most, like a token of dark chocolate left at turndown or when a host calls you by name as they show you to your table. At the Patina Maldives, which debuted in 2021, free gelato is one of the perks that elevates the experience from good to great. It's also fun to eat in the heat. Clean, contemporary design fills the overwater villas, from the subdued tones of the bathrooms to the sleek wood that appears throughout. Large sliding doors open up fully to a deck — cleverly uniting interior and exterior spaces — where a spacious tub and a private pool await.

Another spot that is easy to reach from Cancún, Rosewood Mayakoba, inhabits an extensive luxury development with hotels, golf clubs, forests, and plush homes. The resort fronts the Caribbean Sea, with a small lagoon at the back, where the overwater villas and suites are found. Designed as one large open space, they come with grand terraces and have a strong sense of place, with woven baskets, large pottery urns, and a molcajete on the table (a lava rock mortar and pestle found in all Mexican households). Adults looking for some quiet time can head to Aquí Me Quedo, a kids-free section with dining, relaxation areas, and its own pools.

At this all-inclusive Jamaican resort in Montego Bay, glass floor panels allow guests to spy underwater life from the comfort of their room. Mobay, as it's locally known, is Jamaica's main cruise hub, a city with gorgeous beaches and many hotels. Among them is Sandals Royal Caribbean, an adults-only spot where the vibe nods to Jamaica's colonial past. Visitors will find roaming peacocks, a British pub, Georgian architecture, and overwater villas. Travelers can enjoy catamaran nets suspended above the water, grand decks, a private pool with outdoor showers, and even butler service.

Part of the Koh Rong group of islands in southern Cambodia, Song Saa Private Island is a tiny blip in the emerald seas, with rooms carefully tucked among the trees or out just off the coast. Overwater villas come in one- and two-bedroom combinations and have small panels on the floor that look over a reef. They feel rustic and natural, with driftwood used to dramatic effect and delicate wood screening between them, affording guests maximum privacy. Decks have plush daybeds and plunge pools for a refreshing dip, but the warm, clear waters just below will be hard for travelers to resist.

One of the ways that the St. Regis brand separates itself from other luxe hotel chains is its butler service, available at all properties. St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is no exception, and whatever category of room a guest books, a butler will be at their beck and call. Among the room choices are the overwater bungalows: refuges in a shimmering turquoise lagoon. They are huge, starting at about 1,500 square feet, organized in two sweeping arcs. Some come with a private pool, and others have a view of pointy Mount Otemanu, a landmark of Bora Bora.

Opened in 2019, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a quick transfer from the international airport of Malé — 30 minutes by speedboat. Its 119 rooms are villas, but the pick of them is the overwater variety, where traditional thatch roofs contrast with the soothing, contemporary interiors. Broad and roomy, they have private pools, large decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows that let guests feel like they are outside, even from the comfort of the air-conditioned room. A glass panel in the dressing room floor makes getting ready fun, while a hammock slung above the water is perfect for letting all your stress drain away.

There are thousands of overwater bungalows around the globe, making it difficult to narrow down places for a Top 20. We winnowed down the field based on our travels, picking properties we know about and those that have gathered a reputation in the travel business. We also wanted to avoid sticking solely to the two main places where overwater bungalows are commonplace — the Maldives and French Polynesia — and identified locations from different continents.