Overwater villas at Caribbean resorts aren’t just a novelty — they’re also among the most luxurious and beautiful accommodations you can stay in. And while all of the bungalows perched above the waves have their charms, some stand out among the rest. Here are our picks for the top overwater guest villas in the islands.
The brand new Sandals resort opened in 2024 on the island of St. Vincent also marks a multi-level evolution of the all-inclusive brand’s overwater accommodations. The Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas are set in a quiet cove and are open-air on both levels, with the bedroom on the bottom and a second-story deck that gives these units a sense of space that’s rare among overwater rooms.
Arranged around a heart-shaped boardwalk, the Blue Mahoe Overwater Butler Villas follow Sandals’ typical design with single-story, thatched-roofed buildings featuring an ocean-facing bedroom, see-through floors, and decks with outdoor soaking tubs and platforms that step down to the water. What sets the Sandals South Coast units apart, however, is their location at the far end of the property, allowing for a true sense of privacy and isolation from the rest of the resort.
The overwater accommodations at this Bocas del Toro island resort may be called a villa, it’s a really a house. Spanning 20,000 square feet and wrapped in a broad deck, the two-story residence includes seven guest rooms and plenty of space for lounging and dining. Accessible via a long dock, the resort is part of a luxury estate on Isla Colon with an on-site restaurant, farm, tennis courts, and other amenities. It’s the only true overwater “villa” in the Caribbean.
Even overwater rooms can sometimes be a little cookie-cutter in design, but these eight villas on the southwest coast of Aruba ooze individual personality. Each has its charms, but our favorite is the Dushi Sue with its big deck and outdoor tiki bar — plus, it’s named after one of my favorite travel writers, Aruba expert Sue Campbell.
You can’t really go wrong with any of the rooms at this Bocas del Toro resort — they’re all overwater suites. If you have your run of the house, however, we’d recommend the Master Suite, a two-story octagonal villa with a master bedroom upstairs and additional sleeping quarters on the lower level, allowing up to six guests to share its spacious living quarters and decks on two levels.
Overwater accommodations can easily run more than $1,000 per night at many resorts, but you can stay in an over-the-water villa at this Bocas del Toro eco-resort for about a third of that price. “Affordable luxury” is the vibe here, so low-cost doesn’t mean roughing it: the Sol Bungalows have king beds, Afro-Caribbean styling, glass floors, deck hammocks, and the other amenities that have become standard on units like this.
The only all-overwater resort in the Riviera Maya has units that rise higher above the ocean than most, but still have ladders that allow direct access to the Caribbean Sea from each unit. Choose one of 11 suites with private outdoor infinity pools for the top-shelf experience; villas also are kitted with two-person indoor hot tubs and aromatherapy showers.
This private-island resort in Belize is an exclusive, secluded and romantic destination regardless of which room you choose, but the five Premier Overwater Bungalows are the best of the best. Each features rustic-chic decor, 180-degree views, private decks with hammocks, and — a rarity — air conditioning, if needed.
The Chairmans Overwater Bungalows at the Royalton Antigua resort are paired with Royalton’s Diamond Club experience, so guests get access to a private beach and pool as well as top-of-the-line amenities in their villas like individual infinity pools, deck hammocks, and butler service.
Want to max out your stay at this all-inclusive private island resort? Book the Belize Overwater Bungalow and invite some friends: this three-bedroom, three-bath villa sleeps up to six guests and has a full kitchen to go along with dining and lounging spaces indoor and out.
Caribbean Photo of the Week: Water Island, US Virgin Islands
