When you think of overwater bungalows, typically, what comes to mind is the Maldives or French Polynesia. But who wants to fly 20-plus hours just to stay in an overwater bungalow? Luckily, you can find several Caribbean overwater bungalows only a few hours from the United States!
Nothing is more romantic than lounging in bed with the ocean right at your feet. Below are some of the best Caribbean overwater bungalows that will have you thinking you are in another world. You can find everything from something super affordable in Belize to luxurious bungalows in Jamaica.
Here are our top 3 favorite overwater bungalows in the Caribbean:
Sandals Royal Caribbean, Jamaica
Sandals Royal Caribbean is home to the first overwater bungalows ever created in the Caribbean. They are probably the nicest you will find as well. You can choose from two different bungalows, and they are both located on Sandals’ private offshore island.
The overwater villas are the larger of the two bungalow styles, with a private infinity pool, a double outdoor shower, a kitchen, a separate seating area, and a gigantic bathroom. Every overwater bungalow comes with your very own butler to make your escape as stress-free as possible.
These overwater bungalows are only a 15-minute ride from Montego Bay, one of the most popular cities in Jamaica. You’ll also fly into this city, so you can start your vacation in no time with minimal travel.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian, St. Lucia
The only overwater bungalows in St. Lucia are at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. They couldn’t have also picked a better spot to locate their overwater bungalows! At Rodney Bay, the resort is situated on a private peninsula, giving you panoramic views and a sense of ultimate seclusion with calm, clear waters.
Sandals Grande St Lucian‘s overwater bungalows are beautiful and have a spectacular view of Pigeon Island National Park. The bungalows have an outdoor soaking tub, glass floors, a mini bar, an outdoor shower, and more. Each bungalow comes equipt with a personal butler.
Besides the overwater bungalows, Sandals Grande St. Lucian has many amazing amenities that make this one of my favorite Sandals resorts. You can dine at a whopping twelve different restaurants, plus all other restaurants at the two other Sandals resorts on the island. You’ll also find a championship-level golf course nearby with green fees included.
Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
Sandals South Coast revolves its entire resort theme around the water. Everything you could need on your vacation has something to do with water. You can find an overwater bar, overwater chapel, overwater cabanas, tons of swim-up suites, and of course, overwater bungalows.
The overwater bungalows are right off the resort’s two-mile-long beach, so you can easily access a remote part of the ocean or one of their five pools. You can also snorkel right from your private swim deck with your in-suite snorkel set. Or, simply enjoy the view from your huge tranquility tub for two.
If you’re more of a pool person, Sandals South Coast also has unique rondoval suites that give you an experience similar to overwater bungalows. Instead of being over the ocean, they are in their private oasis, surrounded by a pool connecting to each suite. It almost feels like you’re on a little island.
Casa Ventanas Cayo Espanto, Belize
Belize is known for its amazing snorkeling in the Caribbean, with the world’s second-largest barrier reef being located off its shores. It only makes sense to have an overwater bungalow built over these incredible waters. Cayo Espanto is a private island located off the northern coast of Belize, where the waters are calmer and more relaxing.
The island resort only has one overwater bungalow amongst their other unique villas, called Casa Ventanas. It is the most secluded accommodation, with a private pier 150 feet long, taking you to your bungalow. There are glass bottom floors to see all the reef fish and opening windows on all sides, giving the bungalow an indoor-outdoor feel.
Even though the island is small, all the inclusions you see at any other all-inclusive are available. You can book scuba diving adventures, get a massage on the beach, and enjoy top-of-the-line dining. There is even a private boat that takes you to and from the mainland.
Royalton Antigua
Located only 30 minutes from Antigua’s international airport is the Royalton Antigua’s overwater bungalows. The resort is family-friendly, but the bungalows are adults-only, making it a great destination wedding location if you want to invite the whole family.
All of the overwater bungalows face the ocean giving you expansive views of the ocean. You can find a large glass floor to watch the marine life, a jacuzzi tub, an overwater hammock, and one of the biggest infinity pools I’ve seen in a bungalow. There are even private yoga instructors available to bungalow guests.
Seven restaurants and three bars are available, but you can also set up a reservation for the chef to prepare a private dining experience. Although your suite has in-room dining and a mixologist, you can have private meals every night. The resort also has an on-site casino and tons of other activities available.
Palafitos El Dorada Maroma, Mexico
The Palafitos are the only overwater bungalows in Mexico that are located in the Caribbean Sea. It is also close to Playa Del Carmen, one of my favorite cities in the Yucatan. Staying at the Palafitos is its own private experience. However, you can still access the rest of the El Dorado resort.
The Palafitos overwater bungalows provide one of the best experiences out of all the Caribbean overwater bungalows. Not only do you get to stay in a luxurious suite over the water, but you also have a private overwater restaurant and spa. Overwater bungalow guests are the only people allowed to access these amenities.
The bungalows come with butler service, an infinity pool, a swim deck, glass floors, a hot tub, breakfast served in-suite, and a large bar with full-sized bottles. You’ll have your own snorkel gear to explore the waters and can have kayaks delivered to your deck.
Thatch Caye Resort, Belize
Thatch Caye Resort has some of the most affordable overwater bungalows on this list, but they still feel expensive. Each bungalow gives you some major island vibes with rustic furnishings and a hammock to relax in the ocean breeze.
There are two different overwater bungalows you can choose from. The first has a shared deck with two other bungalows and the premiere bungalows have a private pier to access them. These are simple bungalows, but they’ll give you the overwater experience you’re searching for.
Thatch Caye is a private island off the coast of Belize, where only 30 guests are allowed at a time, giving you an ultimate escape. You truly get a unique experience here with it being an eco-resort made from reclaimed materials, meals served communally, and wifi only available in common areas.
Lina Point Overwater Bungalows, Belize
Lina Point, located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, is about as close as you can get to being in the second largest barrier reef in the world. This overwater resort is minutes from a marine preserve, meaning you’ll likely see some amazing sea life right from your glass bottom floor.
These overwater bungalows are quite different from the rest on this list because they are all family-friendly. However, they have a honeymoon suite on the top floor of their overwater hotel if you want a romantic experience. You can also choose between a one-bedroom duplex cabana and a two-bedroom overwater cabana.
Each cabana has a plunge pool, deck swings, a full kitchen, seating areas, and overwater hammocks. The resort has a restaurant on-site, but I recommend exploring downtown San Pedro, a mere five-minute trip.
St. George’s Caye, Belize
St. George’s Caye is off the coast of Belize City, Belize’s largest and most central city. That means you have easy access to just about anything and everything there is to do in Belize. However, you still get the remote island experience that you would expect from a Caribbean vacation.
There are six overwater cabanas at St. George’s Caye on a U-shaped dock. No matter which cabana you stay in, you will have a fantastic view of the sun setting over the ocean. Thatched roofs and floor-to-ceiling Belizean wood make these bungalows feel rustic and luxurious at the same time.
Each overwater bungalow has a private porch, complete with a hammock. The resort can also custom-build packages for you, whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a jam-packed adventure. They plan every detail for you, and you pay one cost to cover everything.
Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Bocas Del Toro
Punta Caracol’s primary goal is to connect you with nature. Everything that went into building this lodge was done with nature in mind, from using renewable energy to placing the overwater bungalows perfectly to not disturb the natural reef.
You can choose from three different overwater bungalows at Punta Caracol. They each have an upper level with a king bed and at least two twin beds on the lower level. You can also find amenities like a swimming deck, hammocks, snorkeling gear, a living area, and two private porches.
A few packages are available, including a honeymoon, family, and birthday package. They are incredibly affordable and are the way to go when booking your stay. Some things included are meals, welcome gifts, roundtrip transfers, and afternoon tea.
Azul Paradise, Bocas Del Toro
These are my personal favorite Caribbean overwater bungalows on this list. Mostly because there is so much to do and see around the bungalows on top of the fabulous suites. They’re located in Bocas, so getting anywhere and doing anything is effortless.
Azul Paradise has four overwater bungalows, ranging from a standard bungalow to a two-story, two-bedroom bungalow. Each comes with glass floors, an overwater hammock, outdoor showers, a swim deck, and outdoor furniture. My favorite bungalow is the Deluxe, with floor-to-ceiling windows wrapping around the walls.
Even though your overwater bungalow may seem like the best thing about this trip, I recommend venturing out. There is so much to do around this resort, such as hiking to a chocolate farm, taking a tour through mangroves, scuba diving in beautiful reefs, and visiting indigenous villages.
Aruba Ocean Villas
There’s only one place you can find overwater bungalows in Aruba, and it’s at Aruba Ocean Villas. This adult-only boutique hotel is locally owned and operated, so you know you’ll be getting an authentic Aruban experience.
Aruba Ocean Villas has four overwater bungalows and one partially overwater villa. These are definitely the most artistic overwater bungalows out of them all. Each bungalow is uniquely designed with parts of nature. You can find outdoor jacuzzis, sunken hammocks, outdoor dining areas, and canopied beds in each bungalow.
Everything at Aruba Ocean Villas was made to be intimate. Their restaurant only has ten tables, and they are all beachfront, with one being on an overwater cabana. They also have a range of experiences made for only their guests, from live music to garden massages.
