Think about waking up to the sound of the turquoise sea lapping against your deck, stepping out of your bedroom into pure water and feeling like a king or queen without spending a lot of money. A lot of people think that overwater bungalows are just for the very rich, but they are some of the most popular places to stay in the tropics.
The good news is that there are stunning overwater retreats that are less expensive and ready to be located. We’ll show you some pretty cool overwater bungalows that you can actually buy in this post. They are a good balance of privacy, elegance and value.
Why Overwater Bungalows Are Still the Best Place to Stay
A lot of people think that overwater bungalows are the finest way to get to a resort. They say:
- Unmatched views: you can walk directly off your deck and into the ocean or a lagoon.
- A secluded place to get away from it all above stunning waters for romance and peace.
- You may snorkel, swim and witness marine life directly below your floor.
- A lot of travel blogs and Instagram posts go viral about these stays, which is why they are so well-known.
But the prices can be terrifying. That’s why wise tourists hunt for affordable and hidden gems. If you prepare ahead (during the off-season, on local islands or in less popular regions), you can experience the fantasy of being above water without going over your budget.
What “affordable” truly means (and how to discern whether it is)
Before we look at our options, let’s speak about what we want and what matters most:
- Many “luxury” lists say that overwater suites cost more than $500 to $1,000 per night. In this example, “affordable” denotes anything that costs a lot less, like $100 to $400 or discounts that are too good to be true in well-known markets.
- Shoulder seasons, monsoon windows and off-peak months are all times when you may often receive huge discounts.
- Transfers and logistics: Some places charge a lot for boat or seaplane rides. A bungalow with “cheap” lodging rates but expensive access might not be that cheap altogether.
- Less well-known places: Resorts on less well-known atolls, islands or countries may have the same beauty for much less money.
- Meal plans and extras: If you choose partial board, half board or all-inclusive, you can avoid paying for things you didn’t expect.
That being said, here are some of the top overwater bungalows that are both spectacular and worth the money.
1. The AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort in Malaysia
If you want to go to Southeast Asia, AVANI Sepang Goldcoast is one of the few places you may stay over water near Kuala Lumpur. The resort has a lot of “water villas” that are built on stilts over a lagoon.
- Being close to KL means that flights are cheaper.
- A better water villa costs about $95 per night (off-peak).
- You don’t have to spend a lot for seaplane transfers.
- Full services, spa, restaurants and more
- This is a terrific area for tourists in Asia who want to be close to big cities yet still feel like they’re on the water.
2. The Embudu Village Resort in the Maldives
The Maldives is famous for its overwater villas, but there are cheaper places to stay. Embudu Village is one of the smaller resorts with villas on the water.
- This is not a super-luxury resort, it is a three-star one.
- Take a speedboat from Malé instead of an expensive seaplane.
- Prices can be reduced but still high, during the off or shoulder season compared to other periods of the year.
- Many packages include meals and some even include half board.
3. The Maldives’ Thulhagiri Island Resort & Spa
Thulhagiri is another option in the Maldives. It contains about 34 water bungalows and is closer to the Malé airport, which makes it cheaper to get there.
- Fall somewhere in the middle of the range for water stays in the Maldives
- You may get away from it all over water in a romantic, comfortable way without spending a lot of money on a fancy hotel.
- A fantastic choice in the North Malé Atoll for a decent blend of access and atmosphere
- For someone who wants to balance expense and experience, it’s one of the Maldives water villas that is simpler to travel to.
4. The Reethi Beach Resort in the Maldives
Reethi Beach is another resort that includes villas on the beach and on the ocean. The Maldives has some of the finest pricing for it.
- Rates are especially good at off-peak hours.
- You may see both island and overwater alternatives at the same time.
- The resort lies in the Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This makes it pretty and useful at the same time.
5. The Holiday Inn Resort in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is frequently less expensive than well-known spots in the South Pacific, such Bora Bora. The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu provides rustic rooms along the water.
- Pacific vibes for less money
- A simple but nice time on the water
- Good for people who seek a “postcard” place to stay without paying a lot of money.
6. Koro Sun Resort in Fiji
Fiji is another fantastic place to go on vacation in the South Pacific that won’t break the bank. Koro Sun has “edgewater burels,” which are essentially overwater bungalows, in a stunning resort setting.
- It’s easy to get to Fiji because of its exchange rates and competition.
- The coral reefs, lagoons, and other natural features are just as beautiful as those on more expensive islands.
- The resort provides everything you need to blend in with the surroundings.
7. The Cosmic Crab Resort in Panama
There are several secret overwater beauties on the Caribbean side of Panama that are on the road to Central America. Cosmic Crab on Carenero Island is one of the more well-known “affordable overwater” vacations in this area.
- It has a Caribbean vibe, yet the costs are lower than those in the Maldives or Bora Bora.
- Travelers can stay in overwater mini-cabins for as little as $89 per night during off-peak times.
- It’s easy to get to from Panama’s mainland.
- If you’re going to the Americas, this is one of the greatest cheap places to stay by the water.
8. Azul Paradise Resort in Panama
Azul Paradise is another area in Panama’s Caribbean where you may stay on the water, near Cosmic Crab.
- Plans that are healthy for the environment and can be amended
- Prices start at $299 in various seasons, but they might go lower during the off-season or when there are sales.
- A nice option for folks who want something new but don’t have a lot of money.
9. The Belize St. George’s Caye Resort
Belize is in the Caribbean area of Central America and getting around on the sea is rather straightforward. St. George’s Caye has six overwater cabanas on a pier that looks like a half-moon.
- Stays with full board over the water start at about $300.
- Being close to Belize City makes transfers cheaper.
- Private porches, hammocks and magnificent views of the sunset
- If you want to vacation to the Caribbean without spending a lot of money, Belize is a wonderful choice.
10. Belize’s Tobacco Caye and Thatch Caye
Thatch Caye and Tobacco Caye are two of Belize’s island islets. They have modest overwater bungalows and cabanas that are simple but beautiful.
- These are usually more simple and contain less embellishments.
- The prices are lower but the amenities might not be as excellent.
- Good for folks who care more about the scenery than the service of a star.
Here are some clever ways to spend your time on the water
- Make a reservation during the shoulder or off-peak season. When it’s not the high season, a lot of resorts drop their prices. You might save between 30% and 50%.
- Be willing to go to new locations. Don’t go to the “star” islands, less well-known atolls or countries are often just as stunning.
- Watch out for the price of transfers. A cheap accommodation and a $500 seaplane might wipe off all your savings. Like areas that are easy to go to by boat or a short trip.
- Find package deals. A lot of the time, resorts will put meals, trips and transfers all in one package. “Room-only” deals may not be as good as ones that include everything.
- Stay for less time. You simply need to stay in an overwater bungalow for two or three nights to experience the dream effect.
- Sign up for offers and news. A lot of resorts post flash specials or deals on packages to customers who follow them on social media or are on their mailing list.
- Use travel agents in your area or regional versions of booking sites.Local websites or agencies can sometimes get you better bargains than global ones.
- Consider staying in a hybrid. If you want to save money, stay in both an overwater villa and cheaper lodgings during your vacation.
These are just preliminary guesses, you should always check the latest specials and rates for the season.
A lot of people think that overwater bungalows are expensive things to accomplish on their bucket list, but the truth is that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money. If you pick properly, plan ahead and are willing to be flexible, more travelers than you might think can have the epic overwater experience.
No matter how much you pay for a night at a resort in Malaysia, Belize or even a small Maldives resort like Embudu or Thulhagiri, waking up over a lagoon, seeing fish underfoot and stepping into the sea from your deck is priceless.
You may make your fantasies of vacationing in an overwater bungalow come true if you plan ahead, hunt for offers and put value over brand name. Have a pleasant vacation and may the next sunrise you see come from the lake.