From the Maldives to Bora Bora, it’s hard to resist the allure of luxurious overwater bungalows. Everything about these floating accommodations screams off-the-grid and romantic, a true once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience. Boasting traditional thatched roofs, outdoor showers, and stunning panoramic views of the sparkling crystal-clear waters, these luxury resorts are the epitome of paradise. Overwater bungalows ensure that you’ll be just steps away from glistening waters, enveloped in the ultimate vacation paradise. There are many to be found throughout the South Pacific and the Maldives, but they pop up in some places you’d probably never expect to, like Switzerland.
No matter what you’re idea of the perfect overwater bungalow, you’re likely to find it on this list. If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a tropical ocean villa situated off the coast of a remote island, read on to discover the world’s most luxurious overwater bungalows.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort - Mamanuca Archipelago, Fiji
One of the best resorts in Fiji, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is a 5-star, adults-only property that sits on a small private island, capturing the romance of the South Pacific with its powdery white sand beaches and turquoise lagoon. It preserves the distinctly Fijian culture in its luxury overwater bungalows, called “bures,” all designed using traditional Fijian architecture and built with materials native to the region. Step right into the ocean from your private balcony, where you’re situated on top of the vibrant coral reef. With sprawling ceilings and a mix of natural materials with modern elements, this resort is a luxury 5-star oasis for couples. There are lots of romantic extras, too, like outdoor showers and private plunge pools. In addition to relaxing in the pristine environment, you’ll have access to unforgettable sailing excursions, outstanding snorkeling, and windsurfing, while the tranquil spa is perfect for a Fijian-style massage and beauty treatment.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only property on private island
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Bungalows in Fijian architecture with balconies
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Outdoor showers and private plunge pools
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Located on Bora Bora, French Polynesia’s most famous island, the Four Seasons Bora Bora is one of the world’s top resorts for couples. However, a variety of travelers come here to experience the incredible beauty of the island and its crystalline lagoon. A secluded and exclusive resort, you’ll have stunning views of Mt. Otemanu in one of the overwater and beachfront bungalows designed with Polynesian decor. Walls are made of volcanic stone, while the thatched-roof spaces are decorated with teak and timber furnishings along with mother-of-pearl accents. You can rest your head on the room’s king-size bed after soaking in the luxury two-person tub with mountain views or end your day on your private balcony with a ladder that leads to the water. You’re spoiled for choice in where you want to take a dip, as you’ll find a breathtaking infinity pool near a beautiful beach and protected lagoon. If you can tear yourself away from your bungalow, you can enjoy outings on the resort’s catamaran or unwind at the spa, where the treatments incorporating local ingredients like vanilla can be enjoyed while surrounded by breathtaking lush tropical valley views.
Key Amenities:
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Bungalows with volcanic stone walls and thatched roof
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Protected crystalline lagoon and infinity pool
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Catamaran outings and on-site spa
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Widely considered to be the top resort in the Maldives, Gili Lankanfushi is truly one of the best on Earth with overwater villas stretched over a sparkling lagoon. Known for its unpretentious luxury, guests are encouraged to enjoy it in bare feet by removing their shoes the moment they get on the boat from the airport. Accommodations are simple, yet the spacious overwater bungalows have outdoor decks with some of the most impressive views imaginable. Relaxation is the word here, and you can be sure that stress will melt away the moment you arrive, with your own personal butler ready to take care of your each and every need. If you’re looking for adventure, you’ll find a range of activities, too, including fantastic scuba diving, free daily yoga, bamboo bicycles, and a variety of other water sports.
Key Amenities:
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Unpretentious luxurious bungalows with outdoor decks
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Personal butler
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Free daily yoga, bamboo bicycles and water sports
Lankanfushi Island, North Malé Atoll Republic of Maldives, Maldives— +960 664-0304
Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, French Polynesia
The Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort sits on a small island in the Tikehau Atoll northwest of Tahiti and features luxury overwater bungalows. Choose a premium overwater bungalow or suite, and you’ll enjoy direct access to the water. All are designed in true Polynesian style with thatched roofs made from coconut palms and materials like teak, bamboo, and local wood. If you book an overwater suite, you’ll be able to look through the glass floor to gaze at the thousands of fish in the stunning lagoon. The resort’s restaurant serves up fresh European and Polynesian cuisine, while the lavish spa sits within a gorgeous beach bungalow and offers signature treatments incorporating the use of only natural products such as monoi oil massages, and coconut pulp and sand powder body scrubs, and mineral-rich seaweed wraps.
Key Amenities:
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Bungalows designed with thatched roofs made from coconut palms
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Glass floors for fish-sighting in overwater suites
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On-site spa with treatments using natural products
Tuherahera, Motu Kahia, Tikehau Atoll, Rangiroa, French Polynesia— +689 40 96 23 00
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa, Cook Islands
Situated on a private island 400 miles southwest of Tahiti, Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa is the only resort in the Cook Islands with overwater bungalows that offer direct access to the magnificent lagoon, where the panoramic vistas are extraordinary. One of the top luxury resorts in the South Pacific, you’ll get to experience some of the most glorious sunsets when the lagoon is transformed into a blaze of yellows, reds, pinks, and oranges that dance across its surface. There are champagne-colored beaches for strolling and a host of other outdoor activities, including kayaking, snorkeling, or wading through the shallow, clear waters between islets. There’s also a lively show focused on Cook Islands culture, dancing, singing, and drumming, while the on-site restaurant serves fresh, innovative cuisine with breathtaking views across the lagoon.
Key Amenities:
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Private island with direct access to Aitutaki Lagoon
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Adults-only resort
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Complimentary stand-up paddle board, kayak and bicycles
Ayada Maldives, Maldives
Located on a private island in the Maldives, Ayada Maldives is an opulent 5-star property with a luxury Turkish theme. Thatched roof water villas and suites include a private splash pool on the terrace in addition to a separate living room and a butler service. Known for its lush surroundings, guests of Ayada Maldives will be greeted with tropical greenery and pristine coral reefs where they might spot a dolphin pod or two. Multiple on-site restaurants serve up gourmet cuisine, while guests can unwind at the infinity beachfront pool, Turkish Hammam with plunge pools, and a massive spa treatment area with eight treatment villas, a steam room, and a sauna. Water sports are abundant, while snorkeling and diving in the area are the most popular outdoor activities.
Key Amenities:
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Thatched roof water villas with private splash pool
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Butler service
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On-site spa, steam room and sauna
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Maguhdhuvaa Island, Maldives— +960 684-4444
Constance Halaveli, Maldives
Set in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives, Constance Halaveli is a tropical paradise nestled in the Indian Ocean. Boasting a combination of crystal-clear waters and soft sands, the backdrop of green foliage sets the tone for this luxury resort. Here guests will find luxury overwater bungalows with spacious rooms built with natural materials to blend into the gorgeous surroundings. A lush spa sits on stilts over the lagoon and offers guests a range of relaxing treatments using organic products, while those who are more adventurous might enjoy swimming, snorkeling or diving through the diverse and colorful marine life surrounding the resort. Multiple restaurants and bars refuel guests for another day of adventure, serving up an array of fine dining and exclusive wine pairings.
Key Amenities:
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Overwater villas with private sun terrace and plunge pool
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Spa on stilts in lagoon
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Constance Kids Club
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives
Spread across the Emboodhu Finolhu Island on one of the biggest lagoons in the Maldives, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is one of the best honeymoon resorts in the Maldives. Combining top-notch gourmet food and a romantic atmosphere, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa offers thatched-roof overwater bungalows with personal butlers, private pools, and soaking tubs with ocean views. Set alongside a picturesque beach, dine on fresh seafood at one of the many on-site restaurants, or sip on a refreshing cocktail while watching an awe-inspiring view of the Indian Ocean sunsets. Spend your days choosing from one of the resort’s daily excursions, such as a romantic sunset cruise, and end your day at the Taj Spa where you’ll find a menu filled with rejuvenating massages and body scrubs.
Key Amenities:
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Overwater bungalows with personal butlers
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Private pools and soaking tubs with ocean views
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Outdoor infinity pools
Emboodhu Finolhu, South Male Atoll 02117, Maldives— +960 400-6000
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa, Bora Bora
A luxury tropical escape in French Polynesia, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort Thalasso Spa is nestled between a dreamy bright blue lagoon and the South Pacific. Offering guests a 5-star experience, here you’ll discover spacious Tahitian-style overwater bungalows with stunning views. In addition to the picturesque accommodation, the resort is popular for its world-renown spa that offers 43,000 square feet of luxury and blends oceanic elements into every one of its rituals overlooking Mt. Otemanu, with hydrotherapy pools and private gardens. Focused on providing a tranquil ambiance, guests can also unwind at the resort’s gorgeous infinity pool and beach or dine on a variety of international cuisine at the on-site restaurants.
Key Amenities:
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Bungalows with outdoor freshwater shower with deck
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World-renowned spa with hydrotherapy pools
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Direct lagoon access and infinity pool
Motu Piti Aau Bora Bora French Polynesia, Bora-Bora 98730, French Polynesia— +689 40 60 76 00
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
Set deep in the Indian Ocean in the Laamu Atoll, Six Senses Laamu is one of the most remote properties in the Maldives. The effort to reach the resort is worth it, as guests will be met with a perfect backdrop of overwater villas and a palm-fringed paradise. Offering guests decadent amenities and services, here you’re encouraged to soak in the natural surroundings and disconnect by indulging in a day filled with world-class snorkeling, catamaran sailing, and a picnic lunch on a deserted island. Guests are assigned a butler to ensure they have a memorable experience, while a variety of on-site eateries and bars offer fresh seafood and refreshing drinks that pair perfectly with the nightly show of colors during sunset.
Key Amenities:
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Remote property on atoll
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Personal butler assigned to guests
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World-class snorkeling and picnic lunch on deserted island
Cayo Espanto, Belize
This tiny four-acre private island is home to Cayo Espanto and can be accessed with just a short boat ride from the mainland of Belize. It features just seven villas, and Casa Ventanas is built right over the water off a 150-foot-long dock that’s surrounded on all sides of the Caribbean – it even has a glass-paneled floor that reveals the fish that swim right underneath. The entire island can be rented if you want to enjoy it all to yourself, though, with so few rooms, there’s really no need to worry about crowds. As soon as you step onto the island, get ready for some serious pampering. The entire staff, including your butler, personal divemaster and personal staff will be there at the dock there to greet you.
Key Amenities:
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Four-acre private island
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Personal butler, divemaster and staff
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Glass-paneled floor that reveals fish swim underneath
Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia
Avid diving enthusiasts should look no further than Misool Eco Resort. It sits within a 465-square-mile Marine Protected Area that’s surrounded by an 18,000-square-mile shark and manta sanctuary, hidden deep in an archipelago of uninhabited islands. It’s over 100 miles from the closest port and 12 miles by boat from the nearest village, but the journey to get there is well worth the effort. Guests stay in extravagant overwater bungalows referred to as Water Cottages and can dive or snorkel right around the pilings. Each of the cottages includes hammocks that were built right into cabanas and have steps leading down to the sea. Even the resort’s dive center is built on stilts – and there are three guided dives offered each day, including excursions after dark or at sunset.
Key Amenities:
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Resort on 465-mile marine protected area
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Dive or snorkel from overwater bungalows
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Hammocks built into cabanas with steps down to sea
Yellu, South Misool, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua 98483, Indonesia
Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
The Pangkor Laut Resort sits on a private island three miles from Malaysia’s west coast. It features sea villas that are perched atop stilts over the sea, which has an unusually striking green color due to the abundance of the surrounding vegetation. Each one includes a balcony, deck chairs, and oversized tubs that open onto the water. Tropical jungle, covering 80 percent of the island, rocky outcrops, and the gorgeous beach of Emerald Bay, help complete this truly magical environment. If you want to explore the surrounding area, the resort can arrange excursions to a restored Dutch fort and the Fu Lin Kong Temple, a Chinese Taoist temple built into the hillside. The resort’s spa offers the ultimate way to relax after a day of exploration, with treatments based on romance, detoxification, relaxation and stress reduction, rejuvenation, and longevity.
Key Amenities:
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Sea villas with balconies and oversized tubs
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Tropical jungle and beach covers island
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On-site spa
Pangkor Laut Island Pangkor Laut, 32200 Lumut, Perak, Malaysia— +60 5-699 1100
Hotel Palafitte - Monruz, Switzerland
For a very different overwater bungalow experience, Hotel Palafitte’s bungalows are built on stilts over Lake Neuchatel in the Three Lakes Region of Switzerland. The unique hotel bills itself as Europe’s only overwater accommodation and offers luxury amenities along with those awe-inspiring lake views. All the lakeside rooms are staggered so that they have an unobstructed view of the water, no matter where you happen to be, even if it’s the bathtub, yet you’ll still have plenty of privacy as none have direct views of other rooms. Morning sunrises are particularly spectacular, and when the moon shimmers on the lake with the alps in the distance, you’ll know you’ve come to a very special place. The common area of the boutique hotel includes a full-service restaurant that boasts a seasonal menu with the freshest local ingredients, while available activities include sailing, winery tours, hiking, and more.
Key Amenities:
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Europe’s only overwater accommodation
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Stagged lakeside rooms for an unobstructed view
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Sailing, winery tours, hiking and on-site restaurant
Rte des Gouttes-d'Or 2, 2008 Neuchâtel, Switzerland— +41 32 723 02 02
