There are few things that truly embody the word ‘paradise’, but we would say the overwater bungalows in the Maldives fit the bill. These stunning structures are one of the best ways to experience the wonders of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Read on to find out overwater bungalows for every budget.
Why the Maldives is the premier Destination for Overwater Stays
One of the first things that comes to mind when you think about luxury Maldives holidays is the area’s iconic overwater bungalows. Also known as overwater villas, these accommodations allow travellers seeking luxury and authenticity to make the most of the crystal-clear lagoons of the Indian Ocean.
Top overwater bungalows in the Maldives for every budget: Mid-Range Marvels
OBLU SELECT Sangeli
A premium resort with standalone overwater bungalows gazing out over the turquoise lagoons of Sangeli Island, OBLU SELECT places you in the lap of luxury, with a Serenity Plan offering daily mini bar replacements and fine dining. Its deluxe overwater villas offer 88 square metres of privacy, with direct lagoon access and a private 8 square metre plunge pool.
VARU by Atmosphere
On the north-western part of the Maldives’ Malé Atoll you’ll find VARU by Atmosphere, a five-star luxury resort with a range of beachfront and overwater villas, laid out before and above the crystal clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
With a minimalist design incorporating traditional Maldivian styles, you’ll feel relaxed and welcome as you make use of the outdoor private decks, swimming pools, and direct lagoon access that help make these some of the best overwater bungalows in the Maldives.
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives
Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll offers laidback luxury to all who visit, with villa guests welcome to explore resort attractions from the relaxation of barefoot dining at the Crab Shack to stargazing from the Beach Bubble Tent, scuba diving, yoga, and more.
The resort’s overwater lagoon villas spread out over 145 square metres, with amenities including a flatscreen television, mini bar, wine bar, and private deck - with direct access to the shimmering turquoise lagoons, too.
Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi
Tucked away and immersed in nature on an island just 1km long, Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi offers a range of experiences themed around the natural world, with options for beach, water, or tented jungle villas.
Each of the options available here offers an unforgettable luxury holiday experience. But we’re focusing on the overwater bungalow options, which offer a choice of sunrise or sunset villas, each with 24-hour personal host service, a private pool, and an unbeatable location over crystal clear waters.
LUX* South Ari Atoll
This five-star luxury resort is among the most exclusive on this list, sitting as it does on Dhidhoofinolhu, an uninhabited island less than 30 minutes’ seaplane flight from Velana airport. The resort spreads out across the entire island, and overwater bungalow options from the family-friendly water villa to the couples’ romantic pool and temptation pool water villas ensure that LUX* South Ari Atoll has something perfect for those seeking all types of holiday.
Siyam World Maldives
Another private island resort, Siyam World Maldives is on the island of Dhigurah in the Noonu Atoll. Make the journey to this secluded paradise and you’ll find four specialty restaurants, a sports bar, and a range of activities from tennis courts to snorkelling.
There are a number of strong overwater bungalow options, but the 110 square metre water villa with pool and slide deserves special mention, not just for its private pool and slide, but also for its private sundeck, super king bed, and direct lagoon access.
Top overwater bungalows in the Maldives for every budget: Luxury Beyond Dreams
Patina Maldives
With 90 villas across the manmade Fari Islands, a bespoke style courtesy of Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, and a beach club with a Michelin-starred chef, Patina Maldives is a truly world-class experience for those seeking overwater bungalow luxury in the Maldives.
The two-bedroom water pool villa and the two-bedroom sunset water pool villa spread across 405 square metres each, with their own private decks, pools, and amenities including a smart TV and choice of games console on request.
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
On the South Malé Atoll, just a 20-minute catamaran ride from Malé airport, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers Maldivian luxury among the lagoons and clear waters of an Indian Ocean paradise.
Its range of villas all offer private swimming pools and direct access to the beach or lagoon. But what’s perhaps most notable about OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is the astonishing number of things to see and do, including an open-air ice rink, a sunset jetty driving range, a spa, a PADI-certified dive centre with scuba trips to the resort’s own reef - and much more.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa
The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa leans hard into its island paradise location, with everything from water sports to an onsite turtle conservation project and marine discovery centre. There’s also a kids’ club, fitness centre, spa, and tennis courts, while overland bungalow options include water villas for sunrise and sunset - each with their own pool, of course.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
More than 100km northwest of Kuda Huraa lies Landaa Giraavaru, accessible by seaplane from Malé airport in a flight that takes a little over half an hour. Make the journey, and you’ll find the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru - a world-class luxury resort in the idyllic settings of the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
The resort is another Maldivian paradise blessed with an astonishing array of amenities, from tennis courts and beach volleyball to a spa and four swimming pools. Its overwater bungalow options include sunrise and sunset villas, with and without pools, all with direct lagoon access.
Benefits of staying in an overwater bungalow
The scenery
There are few sights quite like a luxury villa rising on stilts above the shimmering waters of a turquoise-blue lagoon. Put simply, overwater bungalows in the Maldives make the absolute most of the small country’s astonishing natural beauty.
With many resorts offering villas designed specifically to greet the sunrise or wave away the sunset, the Maldives’ overwater villas make the perfect spot to sit back and relax, bathed in the shifting colours and hot soft light of the Indian Ocean.
The amenities
The overwater bungalows offered by luxury resorts are far from just houses on stilts. As you’ll see from our list of some of the best overwater bungalow options in the Maldives above, these unique accommodations are located in world-class resorts, with fine dining and drinks, impeccable service, and everything from water sports and fitness to scuba excursions and entertainment.
The privacy
There are many ways to enjoy a luxury holiday in the Maldives. But few offer as perfect a combination of pampering and facilities on one hand and privacy and seclusion on the other as overwater villas do.
Whether you’re a family, a group of friends, or a couple seeking a romantic getaway, staying in an overwater bungalow gives you your own private slice of paradise to come home to.
Tips for choosing the perfect bungalow
Do your research
There’s a truly staggering number of options when it comes to booking a luxury Maldives holiday in an overwater villa. There are a lot of tiny islands that make up the archipelago, and it’s important to know where you’re going and how you’ll get there.
As always, we at Best at Travel are happy to help. Our list of some of the best hotels and islands in the Maldives can make a good starting point.
Set your budget
While a stay in an overwater villa is never going to be a budget option, different resorts range in affordability, and you can pick up some very good deals if you’re willing to compromise on things like time of year.
Plan ahead
To know how to choose the best overwater bungalow option, you need to know what you want from your holiday. Decide beforehand if you’re looking for rest and relaxation, natural beauty, fine cuisine, or a wealth of activities.
While many of the resorts we listed above offer some combination of all of the above, knowing what you’re looking for can still help you make your choice.
Make sure also to check out our Maldives travel guide - it’ll give you tips on everything from when to visit to how to get around.
Enhancing your Maldivian experience
If even the lap of luxury resorts that we listed above don’t sound like quite enough, one of the best ways to boost your luxury Maldives holiday experience is with a multi-centre holiday.
If you want to experience more than one of the Maldives’ best overwater bungalows, a multi-centre holiday gives you the chance to explore other corners of the archipelago.
Perhaps even more exciting, though, is the chance to combine your Maldives getaway with a trip to another place entirely. Whether it’s a twin-centre trip to Dubai and the Maldives or an experience spanning Sri Lanka to the Maldives, we have options to help you build the perfect holiday.
We hope this article has inspired you to make a stay in a Maldives overwater bungalow part of your next luxury holiday. As always, we’re available to help you plan the perfect Maldives holiday experience.