19 Best Caribbean Overwater Bungalows For Your Bucket List

Who says you need to fly all the way to the South Pacific to find villas over the water? You can get your fix of paradise much closer to home.

Our list of the best 19 Caribbean overwater bungalows will have you landing in bliss in the blink of an eye.

Some are extravagant villas with private pools! Others are more spartan huts on the water.

But no matter your level of luxury, the Caribbean has a great selection of them, from reasonably affordable to Birkin Bag splurge level.

(However, if you do love a faraway land and want to travel to the remotest of islands, we get you. We’ve done it. So, check out our hot lists of the best overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and in Fiji.)

Overwater bungalows: Jamaica

Along with having some wonderful luxury vacation villas, Jamaica may be the best-known island in the Caribbean where you can find an overwater villa.

And when it comes to villas on the water, Sandals’ properties spring to mind – especially Sandals’ over-the-water bungalows. They are synonymous with all-inclusive luxury!

The following are two special Sandals’ resorts in Jamaica with over-the-water bungalows.

1) Sandals Royal Caribbean (Montego Bay)

The Sandals Royal Caribbean villas on the water were the first of their kind to open in the Caribbean, so naturally, they are first on our list.

If you stay at these Montego Bay overwater bungalows, you get two vacations for the price of one.

You can remain on the private island in an over-the-water villa. And when you wish, you can hop over to the mainland beach resort and enjoy all the pools and restaurants there as well.

These uber-luxe floating homes come with a personal butler who will pamper you the way you should be on holiday.

2) Sandals South Coast (Whitehouse)

If you’re looking for a romantic overwater villa in Jamaica, Sandals South Coast may be for you. Even the dock connecting the bungalows is shaped like a heart.

Your villa features a spacious swim-up patio with a soaking tub for two to take the romance up another notch. After your tub soak, lounge in the overwater hammock and let the cool breeze tickle your skin.

The interior has see-through glass floors, so you can look for Nemo and his friends from your king-size bed.

If you decide to leave your overwater bungalow (although you may feel no need to!), there are nine onsite restaurants to indulge at. Then, end your night with a glass of wine by one of the bonfires or fire pits.

Overwater bungalows: Panama

Most overwater bungalows in Panama are in the Bocas del Toro archipelago (off the country’s Caribbean coast).

This sleepy island chain attracts sun lovers who want to escape the crowds, and it’s home to mainly eco-friendly digs, powered by solar panels and lit by candles at night.

Now, when it comes to Bocas del Toro overwater bungalows, there aren’t a lot of super-luxurious choices… yet. But they’re coming (see #6 below).

Until then, there are still a few lodging options worth checking out. Find details in our guide to the best places to stay in Bocas del Toro (including places that aren’t overwater bungalows).

3) Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge

Built over a brilliant aqua lagoon, our two-story Bocas del Toro hut on the water was a wooden cabin with a king-size four-poster bed on the upper level.

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge is a rustic, sustainable eco-lodge – think solar panels for electricity, and green bath products.

However, being green means no air conditioning. If you need that to survive, this place isn’t for you. It was hot and humid when we were there, so keep that in mind.

A wooden ladder takes you from your stilted hut into the calm water for snorkeling and kayaking directly off your front porch.

There are only nine huts, so it’s never crowded. We felt like the sea was our private playground.

4) Bocas Bali (Nayara Bocas del Toro)      

When you’re not into the overwater beach scene, head to the resort’s freshwater pool.

Or better yet, splurge and go for an overwater villa with a private saltwater infinity pool overlooking the sea.

These hand-carved, Balinese-style villas on the water are for adults only. And all 1,100 square feet of these impeccable villas are lusciously air-conditioned.

The all-inclusive overwater bungalows include pretty much everything but gratuities, tax and excursions.

At this beachfront resort, you can choose overwater bungalows or beachfront ones. (Or spend a few days at their other resort in Bocas Town.)

The glass floor panels in the water bungalows are the perfect place to watch the marine life without getting wet.

The beachfront resort runs on solar power, and while it has air conditioning, it’s limited to 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.

Azul Paradise is also downright inexpensive, compared to some of the 5-star overwater bungalow resorts on our list.

• TripAdvisor rating: 4 out of 5
• Category: Relaxing eco-retreat
• Price: $

Azul Paradise Beach Resort: Check rates and availability

6) Viceroy Bocas del Toro

In 2026, the Viceroy Bocas del Toro, from the Viceroy luxury resort brand, will open a beachfront resort of epic proportions.

Along with 100+ guestrooms, it will feature 42 overwater villas, the likes of which the archipelago has never seen.

We’ve stayed at Viceroy hotels before and read the pre-debut press information. We have no doubt these will be some of the best overwater bungalows in the Caribbean!

Overwater bungalows: Mexico Caribbean

Mexico’s Riviera Maya has long been a traveler’s hotspot, and for good reason.

With ultra-plush resorts and water the color of a turquoise necklace, you’d be hard-pressed not to find some of the best overwater bungalows in Mexico here.

It may be difficult to leave your resort when treated like a god or goddess.

But what kind of friends would we be if we wrote about this area and didn’t send you to a cenote? Or if we don’t share some of our other favorite activities in the Riviera Maya that keep us going back time after time?

So be sure to get out and explore, even if you’re tempted just to stay put.

Nestled between lush jungle mangroves and an emerald lagoon, this is not only one of the finest resorts in Mexico with private pool suites, it’s also one of the most deluxe overwater bungalow resorts in the Caribbean.

Of the 129 rooms and suites, 18 are overwater lagoon suites.

You get the best of both worlds in these Rosewood Mayakoba overwater bungalows, because they have private pools too. On the terrace is your heated plunge pool just next to your private boat dock. 

These Caribbean overwater villas are the epitome of chic elegance.

A neutral palette with accents of dark wood allow the blues and greens of your lush surroundings to be the star of the show.

Or maybe it’s the pulse-slowing spa bathroom – featuring an outdoor shower and oversized bathtub with views of the jungle – that takes your breath away?

Naturally, the bed is a four-poster king-sized bed.

8) Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma

These Cancun overwater bungalows are located 30 to 40 minutes south of the Cancun Airport in Maroma Beach. Read: You can get off the plane and bask in your infinity plunge pool with a bottle of bubbly or tequila shots by sunset.

This adults-only, all-inclusive haven includes round-trip airport transfers, onsite watersports, yoga and 24-hour room service.

With more than 30 overwater bungalows on stilts, this resort has one of the largest collection of Mexico overwater bungalows.

And unlike the Rosewood (#7) and Banyan Tree (#9), the Palafitos overwater bungalows perch right over the Caribbean Sea.

9) Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Indulge in the sensual surroundings at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, an Asian-inspired hideaway in the heart of the jungle.

Linked by waterway canals and embraced by raw untouched nature, these Riviera Maya overwater bungalows are your private escape from the world and precisely what you may seek while on vacation.

Spend your days in your 2-story private pool villa which seems to float over the lagoon.

There’s plenty of room to spread out – 2,385 square feet of indoor-outdoor space, to be exact. Take in the sunset from your heated rooftop pool or the nearby beach. 

Although this 5-star resort has 162 villas and suites, the overwater lagoon villas were designed with privacy in mind, so you’ll have to go out of your way to run into another guest.

Overwater bungalows: Turks and Caicos

If you’re going to the Turks and Caicos, you might as well spoil yourself and stay in a Turks and Caicos overwater bungalow.

And there’s no better place than an Aman property.

10) Amanyara Resort

If it’s part of the Aman brand, you’re guaranteed the utmost in luxurious stays.

Even the name Amanyara sounds peace-inducing, right?

That’s quite fitting since it’s next to the 18,000-acre Northwest Point Marine National Park, with nothing but nature around you.

There are two types of accommodations.

The silvery-roofed one-bedroom pavilions are teak and glass, decorated in muted tones, with king-sized platform beds. With two terraces and retractable windows on three sides, you get views of the ocean, pools or reflecting ponds. 

Alternatively, the 3- to 6-bedroom villas (up to 12,000 square feet in size) sit on 1½ acres of land each and have personal chefs to prepare anything your palate desires and massage rooms.

You can’t go wrong with either.

Overwater bungalows: Aruba

Believe it or not, Aruba has only one hotel with true over-the-water villas. But it made this list.

11) Aruba Ocean Villas

For romantic overwater bungalows, this adults-only resort, tucked away on a private beach, should tickle your fancy.

In fact, no one would blame you for not leaving your villa.

But since you’re floating above the sultry Caribbean Sea, snorkeling and scuba diving the nearby coral reefs are a must. The snorkeling is excellent here.

Overwater bungalows: Belize

A few Belize overwater bungalow resorts are sprinkled throughout the country, but why go anywhere but the best?

These four resorts have you covered, from rustic chic to private island opulence.

12) Cayo Espanto

Celebrating something super special? Looking for a place for a destination wedding? Why not rent your own private island in Belize?

Cayo Espanto is an exclusive Caribbean resort for up to 18 guests. But you don’t have to go all out and rent the whole joint to experience it.

The island isn’t far from the Belizean Barrier Reef, so it’s a snorkeler’s delight. Dive right off your private patio into the endless Caribbean and search for colorful tropical fish.

13) Thatch Caye Resort

Thatch Caye, a Muy’Ono Resort is another private island utopia about 25 minutes from the mainland of Belize.

The eco-friendly, rustic-chic style of their Belize huts on the water exude the laid-back vibes the Caribbean islands are known for.

There are two types of huts on the water.

The standard ones are just offshore and adjacent to each other. So those are ideal for a group or family looking for a more communal getaway.

Then there are the premium bungalows. They’re separated by a walkway and are far more secluded. So if romance is what you’re after, choose the premium option.

The resort caters to only 30 people. You’ll get to meet some of them over the communal dinners.

Belize is blessed with private island resorts – Coco Plum Island Resort is another one of them.

And this award-winning, adults-only, all-inclusive resort with 18 ocean-front cabanas sets the romance bar high.

This air-conditioned overwater villa (which can be booked for two to six lucky guests) also has all the top-of-the-line amenities you’d want in a home – like a full kitchen.

Sway on the oversized hammock over the sea as your toes tickle the waves. You can be as active as you want with snorkeling packages or scuba diving tours.

Or just chill on the satiny soft white sand beaches with a book and some bubbly.

Just seven miles from Belize City, you’ll be picked up and whisked away by private transport the minute you land.

St. George’s Caye Resort has six water bungalows in a U-shape with a decidedly casual feel.

Because of the U-shape, they’re pretty close to each other. If you want a romantic secluded getaway, check out the oceanfront bungalows instead.

The scuba diving is a big draw here at the resort.

These overwater bungalows in Belize aren’t the most luxurious on this list.

But they’re more affordable than some of the others (even though they’re still expensive).

Overwater bungalows: Antigua

Yes, there’s a resort in Antigua with over-the-water dwellings – and they’re quite lavish.

16) Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa

The Chairman Overwater Bungalows at the Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa are the only overwater bungalows in Antigua. And they are more like floating homes with thatched roofs than bungalows.

Overwater bungalows: St. Lucia

17) Sandals Grande St. Lucian

These Sandals St. Lucia overwater bungalows are a romantic honeymoon haven, with 360-degree views of what is often touted as postcard-worthy.

It’s where two volcanic mountains (the Pitons) rise majestically out of the sea.

The in-room, lit-up glass floor panels serve as evening mood lighting – as well as a window to the colorful creatures swimming in the turquoise water below your cottage.

Or take in the endless shades of blue from the two-person soaker tub on the deck or over-the-water hammock.

Should you feel the desire to leave your floating villa, there are 12 restaurants and six bars at this location.

Overwater bungalows: Honduras

Honduras is known for its spectacular underwater world.

So why not take advantage of it with a dive or snorkeling package on the best Hondura island for diving – Roatan!

18) Anthony’s Key Resort

Anthony’s Key Resort is a rustic and much-loved, family-run spot in Sandy Bay, Roatan, just 20 minutes from the airport.

Known as a diving resort, it’s the place to stay if you want to learn to scuba dive.

It has 56 humble wooden guest cottages.

To get to these Caribbean huts on the water from the main resort facilities, just hop on a small island taxi boat which putters back and forth.

There are no TVs in any of the bungalows – the surrounding unspoiled nature is entertainment enough.

Overwater bungalows: Bahamas

If you’re wondering if there are overwater bungalows in the Bahamas, the answer is “sort of.” But it’s a good-un!

19) Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort

The Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort doesn’t have traditional stilted bungalows over the water.

But we felt we should include it here in our list of the top overwater Caribbean bungalows for a few reasons.

It just completed a $55 million renovation, so it’s gorgeous.

(Go for the ultimate love nest and get a swim-up butler suite with a romantic soaking tub on your private patio.)

Third, the Bahamas are so accessible if you live in the U.S. (especially the East Coast)!

Last words on Caribbean overwater bungalows

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Photo credits: 6, 7 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase

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