Spending a summer vacation at the beach can be incredibly relaxing, and there are few vacation options as soothing as staying in overwater bungalows with your loved ones. Although there is only one overwater bungalow destination in the United States, there are various nearby locations that provide overwater accommodations.
In this article, we discuss the overwater bungalows in Florida as well as other overwater bungalows that are right within your reach. Some are located in a private natural reserve; others have spa-style bathrooms, an infinity pool, a plunge pool, a private deck, or even a private pool.
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Overwater Bungalows In Florida
As mentioned above, there is only one overwater bungalow resort in the United States—Disney’s Polynesian Bungalows, which we’re covering below.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
The states are a little behind when it comes to overwater bungalow resorts, but Florida has the Disney Polynesian Bungalows which more than satisfies overwater bungalow lovers. Being the only overwater bungalow in the US makes this a fairly expensive getaway, but one that is totally worth the cost.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a Deluxe Bungalow Resort for one of the most fantastic overwater bungalow selections in this half of the world. Disney’s Polynesian Bungalows are well-built and their quality is world-class. Disney’s Polynesian Resort has some enormous bedrooms with the best sheets and mattresses that money can buy.
The kitchens are open-plan and large enough to allow for a large indoor gathering. Floors are kept sparkly clean so that guests can go barefoot indoors. This overwater bungalow resort is within half an hour’s drive of two major airports. It is best to visit between January and April.
Overwater Bungalows Near the US
While there is only one resort with overwater bungalows in Florida, there are quite a few overwater bungalows near the US that are absolutely worth the trip.
Royalton Antigua Resort
The Royalton Antigua boasts some amazing cuisine, elegant architecture, and outstanding service. Situated on a private beach in Jamaica, this report is the top point of premium and provides a soothing environment.
From the resort, you can catch a glimpse of Fort Barrington. This is a family-friendly all-inclusive new generation resort. It is located in Antiqua at Five Island Village. There are five subsidiary overwater bungalows. The best time to visit is between December and May and the flight times from Los Angeles are 7-8 hours, and from New York is 4-5 hours.
Sandals Royal Caribbean
The Sandals Royal Caribbean is a premium remote location that offers an absolutely all-inclusive experience. The Private Island is specifically geared towards elderly couples. It is situated close to downtown Montego Bay and is quite modest, although there is a private island and a number of small beaches on the resort land.
The restaurants in the resort also have a number of all-inclusive locations like a British-style pub, a fine Thai diner, and a quaint French restaurant. There are also small eateries on the beach and an unending supply of quality wines. The main attractions of the resort are a number of recreational opportunities, on-site activities, a series of water sports, evening performances, a spa, five whirlpools, and seven pools.
The resort is in Montego Bay, Jamaica, there are only ten overwater bungalows and the best time to visit is between December and April. Flights from both Los Angeles and New York City are around 7 hours.
Coco View Resort
The Coco View Resort in Honduras is an exclusive resort for scuba divers. Some of the best holiday locations in the world can be found in Roatan. If you’re interested in diving in the Caribbean Sea then this resort is ideal for you.
There are 16 overwater bungalows along with ten beach bungalows that are focused specifically on diving around the world’s second-biggest barrier coral reef. This all-inclusive resort offers a lot of entertainment and food opportunities. It also includes scuba diving and two daily boat trips. Diving along the shore is unrestricted for 24-hour days, seven days a week.
The best time to visit the resort is December to April and flights from either Los Angeles or New York City are 7 hours.
Eclypse De Mar Acqua Lodge
The Eclypse de Mar is in Panama near a nature reserve with quite a bit of wildlife. Many tourists are drawn to the area specifically for the wildlife. The overwater bungalows at Eclypse de Mar are solar-powered and water is purified spring water. Needless to say, this is an eco-lodge and is entirely off-the-grid, along with the private nature reserve.
There are nine rooms in total but only 7 are overwater bungalows. None of the bungalows have air conditioning or TVs, and power is restricted. The lodge also has a trampoline and playground which keeps the kids busy, while the hotel is ideal for honeymooners and couples.
The best times to visit this overwater bungalow are between December and May with flights from Los Angeles and New York City around 7 to 9 hours in length.
Urraca Private Island
The Urraca Private Island is an eco-friendly lodge that is meant for adults only. Solar panels are available for electricity, and rainwater is collected for water stores. There is a total of six overwater bungalows. The ordinary bungalows have an outdoor shower with hot water, but the two full bathrooms are shared between four bungalows. Honeymoon bungalows have their own bathrooms. These overwater bungalows are a little more affordable than some of the others on this list.
This lodge is in Bocas del Toro, Panama. The best time to visit is between December and May and flights from Los Angeles and New York City are between 7 to 9 hours.
Azul Paradise Resort
The Azul Paradise Resort is close to Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge but offers a little more luxury. This luxury resort is the nicest overwater house in Panama for people who want a romantic trip. There are only ten overwater bungalows in the entire resort which makes it a relaxing and private tropical paradise.
Enjoy a meal from the Club Hour Beach restaurant on your private deck, or try some watersports. Overwater bungalows have private bathrooms, sunbathing areas, overwater hammocks, private decks, glass floors for sea-life viewing, and a large bed. They also have lounge furniture, snorkeling equipment, towels, a TV, and air conditioning.
This Panama Lodge is best to visit between December to May and flights from Los Angeles and New York City are around 7 to 9 hours.
Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge
The Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge overwater bungalows can be found in a quiet part of Panama. These are some of the best overwater bungalows for families and couples who like an adventure. These bungalows, unlike most others on our list, are running a full-fledged sustainability program. The goal is to be eco-friendly, but the bungalows are still affordable and quite pleasant.
These bungalows are constructed simply, but they are double stories which allow visitors a unique experience of having the overwater feature along with opportunities to enjoy the seaside views in a whole new light.
Bungalows expose guests to the crystalline blue seas beneath and around the bungalow, there is plenty of room in the bungalow, and there are sunbathing platforms, overwater swings, and a private deck or balcony. All these modern facilities come at an affordable price for these eco-friendly overwater suites.
This resort has nine overwater bungalows that are best to enjoy between December and May. Flights from both Los Angeles and New York City average around 7 to 9 hours.
Hotel Melia Cayo Coco
The Hotel Melia Cayo Coco is an adults-only all-inclusive resort that has some overwater bungalows on its lagoon. Although this is one of the cheaper options for overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, it is not located over the usual crystal-clear water.
This resort provides a wide range of amenities in addition to the world-famous Caribbean white-sand beaches. There are sports courts, a fitness center, cafes, restaurants, and a large outdoor pool.
Accommodation ranges are varied and many include a private terrace. Overall there are 250 guest rooms and quite a number of overwater bungalows to choose from. The best time to visit is between December and May. Flights from Los Angeles are between 7 and 9 hours, but flights from New York City are significantly shorter and average between 4 to 6 hours.
Aruba Ocean Villas
Credit: Aruba Ocean Villas Facebook Page
The Aruba Ocean Villas Resort has a number of beach bungalows, however the overwater villas are even more popular. These opulent overwater villas vary in size and location across the resort, and provide panoramic ocean views, a plunge pool, chair rockers, and an overwater hammock. A private villa at Aruba Ocean Villas is the ideal romantic getaway that is only 15 minutes drive from Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Only some of the amenities in their overwater bungalows include an indoor hammock, vaulted ceilings, large soaking baths, dramatic queen-sized beds, and many other luxuries. What makes Aruba Ocean Villas one of the most magnificent overwater bungalows on our list is not only its luxury resort experience, but also the stunning setting. The best time to visit is between April and August. Flights from Los Angeles are between 9 and 12 hours, but flights from New York City are significantly shorter, ranging between 5 and 7 hours.
Cayo Espanto
Credit: Cayo Espanto Facebook Page
This remote island resort in Belize has only one overwater house over a crystal-clear lake at the end of a 150-foot dock. This overwater bungalow has a glass-bottom panel so that guests can see the water beneath. The resort offers both a calm spa escape or a more adventure-oriented holiday.
Cayo Espanto is located on the private island of Cayo Espanto Island near Ambergris Caye. The bungalow has a spectacular ocean view, a personal dock, and an encircling porch. The resort chef visits the bungalow daily to discuss menu options. The best time to visit is between November and April, and flights out of Los Angeles and New York City are between 5 and 6 hours.
Thatch Caye Resort
Credit: Thatch Caye Facebook Page
Thatch Caye is a more affordable option in Belize that provides overwater bungalows with breathtaking ocean views without the hefty price tag. In addition to luxury lodgings there are snorkeling, sea kayaking, diving, and fishing opportunities available on the island.
Each room has air conditioning and an all-inclusive package. Unfortunately, shore snorkeling on Thatch Caye Island is not great, but the natural beaches are spectacular, and the entire island can be crossed from one end to another in only about half an hour. The best time of the year to visit Thatch Caye is between November and April, and flights from Los Angeles and New York City are between 5 and 6 hours.
Rosewood Mayakoba Resort
These overwater bungalows are unique to the other ones on our list. The Deluxe Overwater Lagoon Suite is both stunning and lavish with a truly spectacular setting. The resort and accompanying overwater bungalows can be found over a lagoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico. These overwater bungalows are in a premium Mexican location. These are the only overwater bungalows on our list that are surrounded by rainforests.
Some of the amenities in this pristine location include an outdoor garden shower, a beautiful spa-style bathroom, a private plunge pool, and a living terrace. This is hands-down one of the most beautiful overwater bungalows on our list. The resort has a large number of overwater bungalows and is only a 40-minute drive outside the Cancun International Airport. The best time to visit is between December and April, and flights from Los Angeles and New York City are only 4 hours long.
El Dorado Maroma
Credit: El Dorado Maroma Facebook Page
This is another all-inclusive resort less than an hour away from Cancun International Airport. El Dorado Maroma is the only exclusively overwater bungalow resort in Mexico. Many all-inclusive resorts in the area are a lot bigger and therefore more populated. There are fitness facilities, seaside spa treatments, various pools, bars, and restaurants at these overwater bungalows.
The best time to visit is between December and April and flights from Los Angeles and New York City are between 4 and 5 hours.
Sandals South Coast Resort
Credit: Sandals South Coast Resort Facebook Page
The Sandals South Coast is located in a quiet part of Jamaica that is both isolated and gorgeous and therefore ideally suited to travelers who are looking for an all-inclusive resort experience that is a little more laid-back. The Sandals South Coast Resort is the only place where you can find overwater bungalows that are adult-only.
Most of the resort’s seclusion can be chalked up to the 500 acres of surrounding natural preserve. Regardless, the Sandals South Coast is the only resort in Whitehouse and offers a variety of different entertainment and activity options. The Montego Bay and Negril locations do not have as many opportunities to explore, but there are zip lines, waterfalls, and a few local tours to enjoy. Some of the amenities to be found at Sandals South Coast include live performances, water sports, bars (some are swim-up), and restaurants.
The best time to visit is between November and December. Flights from Los Angeles are quite long at 7 to 10 hours, whereas New York City is a little closer at 4 to 5 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there overwater bungalows in Puerto Rico?
At this point, Puerto Rico does not have any overwater bungalows but there are some nearby islands that have overwater bungalows. For example, the Three Sandals now has all-inclusive packages and overwater accommodations.
Are overwater bungalows worth it?
If you love beach views and luxury accommodations then overwater bungalows are ideal.
