Dreaming of the most amazing overwater resorts in the world? Our handcrafted guide to the very BEST Maldives overwater bungalows and water villas was created just for you!
The Maldives will leave you breathless with insanely crystal clear lagoons, multitudes of stunning white-sands atolls, and the world’s best overwater bungalows.
Traditional luxury beach destinations like Hawaii, French Polynesia, and the Caribbean have nothing on the Maldives in terms of true five-star amenities and service and picture-perfect vacation seascapes.
In short, the Maldives is a dream destination like no other.
There are a ridiculous number of luxury overwater bungalows in the Maldives to choose from—more than any other place on Earth!
But not to worry! Lori and I put together this guide to help make your search easy, because we believe that planning an exotic escape to paradise should always be fun!
Whether you’re booking your dream honeymoon or putting together a fabulous bucket list beach break at the best Maldives all-inclusive resorts, this guide is the place to start.
And unlike some other guides, all of our picks are hand-selected by the two of us based on their outstanding services and amenities, ratings and reviews from a variety of sources, commitment to eco-responsible and sustainable practices, and all-around Wow factor.
So prepare to be stunned by the best Maldives overwater bungalows and villas, and get packing for paradise!
Read on to find out more about what sets apart these amazing Maldives overwater bungalows. Plus, get helpful tips for making the most of your stay in this very special corner of the globe.
8 Best Maldives Overwater Bungalows
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
1| The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands
The oh-so-striking Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands kicks off our list of the very best Maldives water villas.
Located on its very own private island, this exclusive resort offers what many consider to be the ultimate Maldives luxury vacation.
Bask in stylish and sophisticated overwater villas and world-class service and amenities, feast on a mouthwatering selection of globally-inspired cuisine, or simply sip yourself silly with a hand-crafted sundowner accompanied by spectacular views.
For the ultimate in relaxation, switch into spa mode, take a float in your very own infinity pool, or feel the soft sands of the nearby beach between your toes.
With an ideal location, ultra-luxe amenities, and outstanding service, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands is a must for anyone looking for the ultimate Maldives overwater bungalows experience.
HOT TIP ▸ The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands is a popular place, so you’ll want to reserve your stay as early as possible. Be sure to check out the resort’s offers page for current discounts and promotions.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
2| Six Senses Laamu
What’s not to love about Six Senses Laamu? An idyllic atoll getaway with luxury and sustainability at its core, Six Senses offers the ultimate beach break for an incredible family getaway, wedding to remember, or honeymoon for the ages.
Featuring exquisite one-room and multi-room over-the-water accommodation and beach villas, full-service spa, four exceptional restaurants, and even a free kids’ club, your biggest concern at Six Senses might be not wanting to leave!
HOT TIP ▸ If you’re interested in learning more about Six Senses Laamu’s work with the marine habitat and local communities, be sure to join a Sustainability Tour, or visit their Sea Hub for Environmental Learning in Laamu (SHELL), complete with marine laboratory, cinema room, and kids’ zone.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
3| Raffles Maldives Meradhoo
The term barefoot luxury is thrown around a lot these days, but Raffles Maldives Meradhoo offers one of the very best opportunities for living out your barefoot beach resort dreams in a true paradise.
Entirely surrounded by one of the most stunning seascapes on the planet, you can’t help but feel an intimate connection with the crystalline waters and colorful marine life that surround you night and day.
In addition to the luxurious and artfully-designed overwater accommodation, the resort also offers a variety of wellness sessions and spa treatments, three outstanding restaurants, and onsite scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing.
HOT TIP ▸ Be sure to check out Raffles Maldives Meradhoo’s hotel offers for current promotions and discounts.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
4| Soneva Fushi
Widely considered the standard-bearer for ultra-luxury overwater bungalows in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi boasts everything you could want in an exclusive beach resort in the Maldives, plus a few perks you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world.
Unparalleled in design and ambition, Soneva Fushi offers guests true barefoot luxury in the center of a lush and sustainable ecosystem.
The striking one- and two-bedroom Water Reserves are among the largest and most recognizable overwater villas in the world, complete with personal pool deck and iconic waterslide plunging into the crystal clear lagoon below.
If that weren’t enough, prepare your tastebuds for exceptional cuisine prepared by visiting Michelin-starred chefs. And, lose yourself in rejuvenating treatments and therapies at their renowned spa.
HOT TIP ▸ Take your experience to new heights with Soneva Fushi’s signature desert island lunch with your own personal chef. A perfect addition to the ultimate romantic getaway or memorable twist to a snorkeling day trip.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ EARTH CHECK CERTIFIED
5| Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
From the jaw-dropping island setting to world-class service and amenities, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is simply one of the most wonderful five-star resorts in the world.
A quick 20-minute speed boat ride from Malé International Airport also makes these Maldives overwater bungalows some of the most convenient to reach.
Crystal-clear water, white-sands beaches, and exciting aquatic adventures like diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing await you in the great outdoors.
Back at the resort, relax in their full-service spa, and dine on international and locally-sourced cuisine, from Japanese fusion to fresh Maldivian dishes.
And of course, Gili Lankanfushi has got some of the most stunning and luxurious overwater bungalows in the Maldives.
To top it off, this exceptional resort is Earth Check certified, meaning it’s demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and habitat conservation.
HOT TIP ▸ If you’re looking for some of the most exclusive water villas in the Maldives, be sure to check out the resort’s spectacular Crusoe Residences, accessible only by private boat.
6| Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers an exclusive over-the-water stay quite unlike any other.
Looking for more space than a few hundred square meters of living space and a tiny plunge pool? Rangali Island’s breathtaking Sunset Water Villas won’t disappoint!
Not epic enough for you? Then check out The Muraka – the world’s first undersea luxury residence, located 16 feet below the surface of the ocean. Yep, that’s right. An underwater villa!
Three bedrooms, living and dining rooms with floor-to-ceiling window and, of course, a master bedroom with a curved glass dome for viewing the underwater world in all its glory from the comfort of your bed.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ EARTH CHECK CERTIFIED
7| Four Seasons Maldives, Landaa Giraavaru
Situated in the UNESCO-designated bio-diverse Baa Atoll, Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is yet another wonderfully exceptional resort offering awe-inspiring luxury Maldives water villas.
A pristine island paradise, this resort boasts everything you crave for a luxurious and rejuvenating escape from it all.
From spacious and sophisticated on-water villas with spectacular ocean views to an award-winning spa, this resort is prepared to pamper you in every way possible.
When you’re ready to get moving, there’s a variety of amazing activities for the taking, such as dive trips from the fully-equipped dive center to snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and dining at four outstanding venues.
5-STAR ▪ ALL AGES ▪ EARTH CHECK CERTIFIED
Soneva Jani
The final property on our list is something truly special. Extraordinary Soneva Jani offers some of the most striking and audacious Maldives overwater bungalows you’re bound to find.
Like their counterparts at sister resort, Soneva Fushi, you’ll find all sorts of mind-blowing touches like waterslides into the sea, large private pools, and some of the most sizable water villas in the world.
Where Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani contrast, is that Fushi tends to provide more of the traditional resort offerings many vacationers have come to expect, while Jani is more wellness retreat-oriented.
Not to mention that Soneva Fushi is one of the lowest-density and most exclusive five-star resorts in the world. There are simply few properties that rival this ultra-luxe stay.
Maldives Overwater Bungalows FAQ
What are the best water villas in Maldives?
There are so many spectacular 5-star overwater villas and bungalows in the Maldives, choosing just one might seem like an impossible task. But we think our guide to the very BEST Maldives on-water villas is a great place to start your search for the ultimate vacation.
Are Maldives overwater bungalows worth it?
If you’re looking for the one-of-a-kind, 5-star beach stay that is the stuff of glossy travel magazines (and your dreams!), staying in a luxury over water villa in the Maldives is a bucket list experience you won’t soon forget – tailor-made for the ultimate honeymoon or epic couples escape to paradise.
Did We Miss Any of Your Favorite Maldives Overwater Bungalows & Villas? Tell Us in the Comments!
We love putting together helpful articles on one-of-a-kind stays in bucket list destinations, and this guide to the best Maldives water villas is no exception!
Lori and I are excited to be able to share these amazing overwater stays in the Maldives with travelers planning their own ultimate over-the-water escape!
Thanks for Reading Our List of Mind-Blowing Overwater Bungalows in the Maldives!
Don’t forget to share this bucket list of Maldives water villas and bungalows with that someone special or your favorite travel buddies!
Cover image by Ishan @seefromthesky / Unsplash