There are thousands of overwater bungalows around the world, and the majority of these resorts aren’t affordable. So, I decided to do the research to help you find the best cheap overwater bungalows.
As a result, I came up with a list of 10 affordable overwater bungalows with picture-perfect beauty of blue oceans and beaches for your consideration if you are about to hop on your dream vacations.
These breathtakingly beautiful overwater bungalows would prove to be a breath of fresh air during such times.
The list also consists of the details of amenities that overwater bungalows have. But before jumping in, read below some of the important things you did not know about the overwater bungalow.
Moreover, I have put the links together to book them directly and conveniently on www.booking.com, the world’s largest discount hotel booking website.
What Country Has Most Overwater Bungalow?
French Polynesia was the first to introduce overwater bungalows to the world, and for a while, you could only experience them there.
However, the Maldives eventually took the crown; they took overwater bungalows to another level.
This type of accommodation does so well in the Maldives because it has most islands that are surrounded by calm lagoons making it a safe place to build these structures.
Are Overwater Bungalows Safe?
The overwater bungalows are safer than they look. We often get this question are overwater bungalows actually safe?
A glance and most people think that their stilts don’t look sturdy, and to be honest, the concept of having a room built above water on a few stilts doesn’t look safe.
But the constructions of these bungalows are similar to building traditional docks. They drill the stilts into the ocean floor, usually with cement bases, to make the first-string hold.
For more details on how overwater bungalows are built, check out this link.
Are the Overwater Bungalows worth it?
Minimal Privacy:
Overwater bungalows are not as private as you may think. In most cases, when you go on a tropical vacation, you go to get away from it all.
Most people don’t realize that they’re located right next to each other and, if you think about it, not ideal for privacy.
Most resorts have dividers between each bungalow, but it doesn’t stop you from hearing your neighbors.
Majority Adults Only:
The majority of overwater bungalows do not allow younger children. You could have probably guessed this since they are surrounded by water.
Without any safety net, you can literally walk a few steps and be in the ocean.
However, there are quite a few overwater bungalows resorts are family-friendly. As long as your child is around twelve years or above, then you shouldn’t have a problem.
Bored Easily:
You might get bored easily; the average night stayed in an overwater bungalow is about ten nights. Well, that is a great amount of time to vacation; it could become boring quickly.
If you want a vacation where you are relaxing, drinking cocktails, and snorkeling all day, then these are perfect for you.
But, if you are someone who is more adventurous, then overwater bungalows might not be for you, especially if it rains during your vacation; you are pretty much stuck inside your bungalow.
Where are the cheapest overwater bungalows?
You can find more affordable options in Belize, Honduras, and Panama. I suggest you research these countries if you want something more affordable but with limited options.
The Maldives and French Polynesia are expensive for overwater bungalows.
But these destinations have calm tropical seas, a warm climate, white beaches, lush jungles, lagoons, and crystal-clear water you will never find anywhere else.
10 Cheap Overwater Bungalows in the World
1- Olhuveli beach and spa resort – Maldives
The Olhuveli Resort is located on a tiny island in South Male Atoll that offers an excellent great value Maldivian Escape.
It is a 45 minutes scenic speedboat ride from the Male international airport.
The resort has 13 villas of two categories 8 water villas and 5 beach villas, many food options with four restaurants and 3 bars, and other amenities such as spa, gym, fitness center, and swimming pool, all kind of massage, beauty service, and facial treatments.
The resort is surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches, crystal clear water, diving, and snorkeling spots where you can see beautiful marine life.
Transport to Olhuveli resort is available at night and day time. It is equally good for a sun and beach dreamer, an unbroken, broad, fine, white sand beach.
Olhuveli Beach and Spa resort have beautiful views of nature, but its services have made this resort unique from other resorts. The setting of villas on the beach is remarkable.
A wedding anniversary, birthday celebration, and other special events also have special discount packages.
Some other special features like manta point in which guests enjoy seeing the marine life underwater by snorkeling and diving.
You can also visit this resort with your kids, they welcome every kid under 15 years old as our guests, and they will eat and sleep free.
Pros:
There are special arrangements for thrill-seekers such as parasailing, kite surfing, windsurfing, and more.
Special packages are available for newly wedding couples as a gift from the resort management.
Excellent room service.
The resort offers a beautiful tropic environment.
Cons:
Nothing, everything is good.
Booking.com Rating: 8.9/10 · 316 reviews
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2- El Nido Lagen Island Resort –Philippines
El Nido is surely the most naturally beautiful place in the world-famous for its tropical islands and resort.
Located about 1.5hrs drive from Manila, Philippines, the fastest way to get to El Nido is to take a direct flight from Manila to El Nido airport.
Once you arrived, the Lagen Island Resort staff will welcome you and take you to the resort on a speed boat, which is 50 minutes scenic ride.
The Lagen Island Resort is set within a small cove which is fringed by a large thick forest. The resort offers 51 rooms, 18 water cottages 9 beachfront cottages, 20 forest rooms, and 4 suite rooms.
The pool is 12×25 meters but it is only 4 feet deep and they specifically designed it like that so they wouldn’t have to bother the roots of the trees that were lying beneath it.
So if you are looking for an eco-friendly resort, the El NidoLagen is definitely a resort for you.
The beaches are white, and the water is crystal clear; snorkeling is one of the things you can do while you are on the island and the gears for that are free.
There is a clubhouse that serves as the main dining area, so this is where you will have your buffet breakfast and lunch. Evening dining will be served around the pool area.
Pros:
The rooms come completely air-conditioned with all the amenities.
Telephones in the rooms are with national and international dialing.
The resort is beautifully designed to fit in with nature.
All rooms have a view of the ocean.
Forest rooms are also available for adventurous customers.
Cons:
Food must be upgraded, less variety of food.
Booking.com Rating: 8.9/10 · 106 reviews
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3- Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa – Bora Bora
Bora Bora is an amazingly picturesque place; you have probably seen it all over tumbler and Instagram.
Located on Motu Tevairoa Beach, guests at Pearl Beach Resort & Spa can enjoy swimming in a massive outdoor pool, a diving center, and a day-night tennis court.
The Tavai Spa offers pleasant beauty treatments. The resort is about a 10-minute speed boat ride from Motu Mute Airport.
Pearl Beach Resort & Spa has 108 rooms of different categories such as overwater bungalows, beach villas with pool & garden villas with pool.
The in-house 3 restaurants offer various food options and a bar. And others must have facilities including a spa, gym, fitness center, swimming pool, room service, and the tea-coffee machine at all rooms Wi-Fi & TV.
The resort’s spa is most famous and loved by clients; a special spa with hot stone massage is the most famous and relaxing massage of Bora Bora beach.
Vichy shower special body scrub removes all the extra dust from the body and enhances the body’s beauty.
Activities like tennis court, water sports, golf, snorkeling, diving, and hiking make this place favorite for adventurous couples.
Pros:
Air-conditioned gym with the latest equipment.
Breathtaking views, overwater bungalows & restaurant.
Attentive staff.
Cons:
Furniture needs to be upgraded in some rooms.
Booking.com Rating: 9/10 · 152 reviews
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4- Sun SiyamVilu Reef Maldives
The Sun SiyamVilu Reef Resort is the Sun Siyam’s five-star beach and spa resort. Located in the southern Attol Maldives, which is about 80KM away from the airport.
There is a lounge exclusively for the Sun SiyamVilu Resort guests at the TMA airport in Male, where you can relax and recover from your travel while waiting for your water plane to take you to the hotel.
The resort staff will welcome you with a smile, a wave, and a flower necklace on the main hotel island.
The staff will take you to your room on the way you will be shown all the facilities and be informed about everything you need to know during your stay.
There are many sharp corals in the Maldives so when entering the water of the beach, make sure to use the beach shoes to avoid cuts.
The resort is ideal for couples but also offers a babysitting service and a kid’s club for younger children during the day.
There are various types of rooms and boards to choose from at the Sun Siyam Vilu Resort.
But the overwater bungalows are ideal for anyone who would like to live above the beautiful Maldivian water throughout their stay.
A beautiful sandy beach surrounds the entire island. Every beach area has hammocks, beds, and sun lounges available.
The different restaurants on the resort island have different types of food on offer, which can often vary during your stay.
Pros:
Resort Offers various board packages – All-inclusive.
It has its own spa on site that has six treatment pavilions.
Offer a variety of day trips.
Excellent customer service.
Evening entertainment.
Cons:
Nothing.
Booking.com Rating: 9.2/10 · 172 reviews
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5- El Dorado Palafitos, Maroma Beach, Mexico
It is an all-inclusive adult-only resort at Eldorado Maroma in Rivera Maya, just south of Cancun. There are 30 cheap overwater bungalows at this property, and they are the only overwater bungalows currently in Mexico.
El Dorado Palafitos Resort two types of bungalows. 8 elite overwater bungalows are facing out to the Caribbean.
Elite bungalows have many more facilities, including a glass floor you can see the water see fish and stingrays right underneath your feet.
And there are 22 of the Palafitas overwater bungalows that face-in towards the beach.
There is no shortage of power outlets, and they are U.S power outlets, so you don’t have to bring any kind of converter and have USB connectors in the room.
Every room has a dining table where you can have your room service delivered breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There is also a minibar set up in every room with some hot tea, ice bucket, coffee setup, and a large mini-fridge with snacks, pretzels and chips, sodas, and a good selection of beers.
Rooms are also equipped with large screen TV, Wi-Fi, and furniture. There is a private restaurant in the resort with a grill and wine bar.
Fabulous food the restaurant itself has glass-bottom floors so you can see through it just like you are in your bungalow.
El Dorado Palafitos Resort is one of the private and very secure resorts in Mexico.
Pros:
Spacious and romantic Bungalows.
Professional staff, top-notch customer service.
Private and secure, free airport shuttle.
Best for a honeymoon, bungalows are all-inclusive.
Cons:
Everything is perfect.
Booking.com Rating: 8.9/10 · 24 reviews
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Also Read, Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World
6- Sandal Royal Caribbean, Jamaica
Sandal Royal Caribbean is an amazing and most talked about resort in the Caribbean, located in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
From honeymooners to season travelers, Sandals draws tons of couples from around the world.
It is the first over the water bungalow in the Caribbean; in this resort, you will get two distinctive options from the British style Manor on the mainland to the private offshore island with the water bungalows.
You will feel like vacationing in Tahiti while staying in any of the gorgeous overwater bungalows.
The entire property is very well maintained and easy to navigate. The service is very friendly, and activity options are great as well. All-time meals are available for guests, such as breakfast, lunch, dinner.
It is a great option for bungalows and those who wish to experience such a stay providing a unique experience, thus earning the first spot on our list.
And if you are staying here, you can use the facilities at the other Sandals within the area, and they are providing transportation for that.
The resort also provides certified SCUBA diving training and safety precaution with all diving equipment. Besides, there are more water activities like kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and Hobie cat.
Pros:
Offers a free transfer from the airport.
Excellent customer service.
A relaxing trip and convenient to get to.
Cons:
Food options were minimal during lunch and dinner.
Being close to the airport, guests complained about the noise from airplanes.
Star Rating: 4.5 – 7,133 reviews
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7- St. George’s Caye Resort – Belize
St. George’s Caye Resort is an overwater villa resort located in Belize on Belize’s most historical island which St George’s Caye is named after King George of England.
The island is just 20 minutes boat ride from Belize City, where the International Airport is. The hotel staff will pick you up from the airport and take you to the resort.
It is a small exclusive dive resort that is less than a mile long in length. The dive or snorkel sites are about 15 minutes away from the resort.
One of the most popular dive sites close to the resort is Blue Hole, which many divers would like to experience.
The resort has six overwater cabanas, 4 out front cabanas, the oceanfront cabanas, and garden cabanas. The cabanas are equipped with air-conditioning, a private bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries, and a comfortable bed.
On the main lodge, there is a restaurant, a bar, and a spa. The Wi-Fi is only available at the main lodge. The resort does have complementary activities such as kayaking, standup paddleboarding, sailing, and Hobie cat sailboat and windsurfers.
St. George’s Caye Resort is a safe and secluded Belize island paradise where you can do as much or as little as you desire. It is among the best cheap overwater bungalows.
Also, check out this guide where I am showing you the best places to visit and things to do in Belize.
Pros:
24/7 customer service, friendly staff.
Breathtakingly beautiful location.
Rooms are clean and well maintained.
Good food.
Villas have no privacy; they are too close to each other.
Cons:
Lots of bugs in the area, so take extra bug spray.
Booking.com Rating: 9.2/10 · 11 reviews
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8- Paradise Island Resort & Spa – Maldives
Paradise Island resort is located on a large private island north of Male Atoll. The island features natural beauty, white beaches, and turquoise waters to make your holidays fun and exotic.
Paradise Island Resort & Spa offer vacationers a wide range of experience where style, comfort, and quality always come first. Everything your heart desire can be found here; the island is 15 mins by speedboat from Male airport.
The beautiful beaches attract visitors worldwide, and there are many opportunities to swim, dive, and snorkel in calm waters.
At Paradise Island resort & spa, you can indulge in a wide range of fabulous cuisine. The delicious ever-changing menus will spoil you in the restaurant.
With 282 rooms, one of the biggest resorts in the Maldives is furnished with air-conditioning, TV, minibar, and comfortable bed, quickly becoming the guest favorite.
Room type includes superior beach bungalows, water villas, haven villas, and suits.
Guests can enjoy many outdoor activities, like scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, jet ski, banana boat, including a freshwater swimming pool.
Moreover, as a guest, you will quickly come to know the Paradise Island resort & spa as an oasis of calm and serenity.
It is designed entirely with privacy and comfort in mind & also one of the cheap overwater bungalows.
The resort does daily shark feeding that brings out some of the biggest sharks, and you can closely look at them.
Pros:
The bungalows are designed with full privacy.
The spa offers body and cosmetic treatment.
Outdoor activities & evening entertainment.
Fresh seafood.
Cons:
Nothing, everything is good about this resort.
Booking.com Rating: 9.1/10 · 2,323 reviews
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9- The St Regis Bora Bora Resort
St. Regis is the most popular and luxurious resort in Bora Bora; it is a 44-acre resort situated in the Island Paradise of Bora Bora in the French Peninsula.
The resort gives you spacious accommodation with over 1,550 square feet all to yourself.
The air-conditioned villas feature hand-carved Polynesian paintings and stunning antique wooden furniture.
Many villas also feature private pools and outdoor soaking tubs, making you feel like royalty, and you have the island all to yourself at this cozy, exclusive resort.
Guest can choose from many luxurious accommodations, including a tropical garden villa with a pool, beach villa with a pool, and overwater bungalows.
All rooms feature spectacular views of the exotic paradise and have an attached Italian marble bathroom with a tub and rain shower.
The bungalow-style suites are furnished in a tropical theme and offer contemporary facilities, including 42- inch TV.
Although staying in your villa during your trip will comfortably bask in the good life, there is more waiting for you at St. Regis.
The resort also has a tennis court, which offers you the ideal opportunity to contest a friendly match with fellow travelers.
The island provides a spectacular snorkeling scene and access shark and stingray tours. Moreover, you don’t have to leave the resort when it’s time to feed your hunger.
The St. Regis Resort provides various dining choices, including dishes made from locally harvested and produced ingredients to create a special Bora Bora dinner experience.
Pros:
Family-friendly facilities.
Minibar & coffee maker in the room.
Plenty of water activities.
Excellent room service
Incredible views, crustal clear water.
Cons:
The boat transfer is not included in resort price
Booking.com Rating: 9.4/10 · 55 reviews
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10- Intercontinental Tahiti Resort & Spa –Tahiti
Intercontinental Tahiti Resort sits on number 10 in this list of cheap overwater bungalows; this resort is the largest luxury resort on the island of Tahiti.
Located just five minutes from the Faa international airport, it is also very convenient.
Upon your arrival, you will warmly be welcomed by the resort staff in their traditional way. Regardless of its location close to the city, the resort provides a beautiful Polynesian oasis with some of the best views of Moorea.
The resort is the perfect place to start your French Polynesia visit, featuring the tropical garden, stunning beaches, and turquoise water, making it the perfect swimming spot.
The spacious balcony with every room offers beautiful views of the garden and lagoon.
Each room includes a cable TV and a bathroom with a shower.
What makes it so special that the guests have direct access to an open-air aquarium where you can see the dolphin show. Moreover, it offers a natural spa and a fitness center.
The affordable overwater bungalows are beautifully decorated and come with all the amenities and luxury.
Activities like tennis court, outdoor pool, canoeing, hiking, a tour of local culture, and snorkeling are easily accessible.
It is a tropical island for a romantic escape and has everything you need for a truly French Polynesian vacation.
Pros:
Very close to the airport. You can start exploring the moment you arrive.
A water sports center.
Clean and comfortable rooms.
Customer service is excellent.
Cons:
Rooms could be brighter.
The area is a bit noisy.
Booking.com Rating: 8.5/10 · 433 reviews
Click Here for the latest rates and availability
Final Thoughts:
Overwater bungalows are one of a kind experiences and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
The most famous destinations like Bora Bora, Tahiti, and the Maldives all have resorts that offer cheap overwater bungalows.
But there are other destinations like Panama, Belize, U.S, Jamaica, and the Philippines which offer the same experience at an affordable price.
All these overwater bungalows have a lot of adventure activities with safety precautions.
The bungalows mentioned above are very accessible and close to the airport. The list of ten bungalows is a lot of options to choose from.
However, picking the right resort is all going to depend on your personal preferences, but this should give you a better idea of the affordable overwater bungalows.
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