The U.S. state of Hawaii is home to a very large amount of great accommodation options, from those that rest right on the beach to those situated a bit farther back. With that said, however, you won't find any overwater resorts on any of the islands here. If they could be built on Hawaii's shores, there would be dozens to choose from.

However, with this bad news does come a bit of good news. There are all sorts of great overwater resorts to choose from over on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea. Along with those, situated less than an hour away from these islands, you'll find more overwater resorts on the island of Bora Bora. Also, due to their location and how they are considered more remote than Hawaii, they are a great choice for honeymooners who'd like to escape the crowds while enjoying an exotic vacation in a beautiful tropical paradise.

Contents [Show]

Why are there no overwater bungalows in Hawaii?

At the moment, there are no overwater bungalows in Hawaii. Though this is unfortunate and will most likely always be the case, it is because Hawaii is comprised of volcanic islands that are less than ideal for a hotel room on stilts that sits above a lagoon. For the bungalows that most people dream of staying in, you actually need a shallow lagoon that doesn’t see any wave action, with breakwater that’s well away from the beach, as you can see in the photos throughout this page.

 

These atolls, which are groups of islands, that are suitable for overwater resorts are only found in the South Pacific and in the Maldives, which is just southwest of India, and is home to around two-thirds of the water villas in the world.


Let's go to the South Pacific

  • Los Angeles to Honolulu: about 5.5 hours each way
  • Los Angeles to Tahiti: about 8.25 hours each way

Overwater Bungalows in Tahiti

With only a few exceptions, you’ll have to travel through the main Tahiti airport, which can be found in the capital of Pape’ete, to reach your overwater bungalow resort.

 

On the tropical island of Tahiti, you’ll find that there are two large resorts with these types of bungalows, including one that can be found rather close to the airport. For all the best ones, however, you’ll need to take another short flight to an island that’s more secluded, just as most people do after landing in the city of Honolulu in Hawaii. It should also be noted that the flights to other islands do leave frequently and are generally reasonably priced. Due to this, many people actually end up staying at resorts on two or more islands during the course of their honeymoon vacation.

>More information about the Overwater Bungalows in Tahiti

Overwater bungalows in Moorea

Finding your way to Moorea is easy as it’s only a very short 10 minute flight from Tahiti. If you don’t really like the idea of taking another flight to the island, you do have the option to take a 1 hour ferry ride that leaves from Thaiti’s capital city of Pape’ete. Most people feel that Moorea is even more beautiful than Tahiti, and it has quite a few clear-water lagoons that play host excellent resorts.

Nearly all the resorts found on Moorea are situated in such a way that you can easily visit restaurants, shops, or activities that are situated elsewhere on the island. This is an added bonus for those who like to explore rather than stay put in one place for the duration of their stay.

>More information about the Overwater bungalows in Moorea

Overwater Bungalows on Bora Bora Island

As Bora Bora is only about a 50 minute flight to the northwest from the island of Tahiti, you’ll find that it’s both easy to reach and a great location to find some fantastic rooms with a stunning view. Many of the resorts here are located on small private islands (which are called motus). These resorts can be found a few hundred meters off shore from the main island of Bora Bora.

 

When staying on the island of Bora Bora, you’ll note pretty quickly how easy it is to visit and eat at one of the off-site restaurants and how one can partake in one of the nearby activities. On the other hand, if you rather not go anywhere outside of your chosen resort, you’ll find that each resort is very secluded as well and offers lots of amenities right on-site.

>More information about the Overwater Bungalows on Bora Bora Island

Overwater bungalows in the South Pacific

Spread throughout the entire South Pacific, there are 7 additional overwater bungalow resorts, most of which reside near either Bora Bora or Tahiti. You’ll also want to note that there are a few resorts that are even more remote, with those being near Fiji and in Samoa.

 

There are some great choices that are very popular with Aussies and Kiwis that can be found closer to New Zealand. With that said, all of these resorts can be reached by a short flight from Tahiti.

>More information about the Overwater bungalows in the South Pacific
RELATED POSTS
Tahiti And Moorea Weather By Month
Overwater Bungalows In Vanuatu
6 Tips To Save Money Booking An Overwater Bungalow
30 thoughts on "6 Tips to save money booking an overwater bungalow"

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All Comments

    1. The tips are in the article and overwater bungalows mostly start at US$300 per night in the absolute cheapest places, but US$600 per night is more realistic in the more desirable places. -Roger

      Reply

    1. Pam,

      We keep a full list of all overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, and each one is describe in pretty great detail. I have no reason to think that the ones in Panama aren’t safe, although I haven’t been myself. They tend to attract scuba divers and they are very popular from what I can see. There are also overwater bungalows at the Disney Resort on a lake, so that’s another one to look into. Sorry I’m not of more help. -Roger

      Reply

  3. Hi there. We’re a family of 6 (mum, dad, and four boys 16, 15, 13 and 8) who primarily surf, but also want to enjoy time snorkelling etc. We’d love to stay nearest to decent surf (doesn’t have to be massive though! Just really fun waves-especially as the 8 year old needs to be involved and me (mum) doesn’t really surf bigger than 2-3 foot either these days :)). We desperately want to stay in a water villa but are so happy to do it on the cheap (thats we how we travel-always on a massive budget, so as long as rooms are clean that’s all we care about). Can you recommend anywhere/a few cheap water villas for us? Thanks so much! We’re coming April 13th-April 20th.

    Reply

    1. Samantha,

      Your main challenge will be that most overwater resorts only allow 3 guests per bungalow and a few allow 4 guests per bungalow, but none of them allow 6. You’d have to get two overwater villas for six people and that would start at around US$700 per night at even the cheapest place. A few of the Maldives water villa resorts have surfing beaches, and the cheapest way to pull that off would be to get one water villa and one island villa and take turns in the water villa. Sorry the news isn’t any better. -Roger

      Reply

  5. Hi
    I wish to combine a trip to Tahiti with a trip to Easter Island next year. Do you have suggestions for somewhere in Tahiti that is an over water option? Also do you know if it is correct that Tahiti and Easter Island are only connected on a Tuesday by air? Do you have any recommendations for how to combine the two? We are flying from NZ.

    Reply

  6. I am currently planning a birthday and graduation get away, two weeks, two islands, over the water and beach front looking at next April any suggestions on how to save $? I know if we do the over the water on Moorea vs Bora Bora will save some $. Anything else would be much appreciated.

    Reply

    1. Rosary,

      I’d say your best strategy for (hopefully) saving some money, or rather getting a free upgrade, is to book only two nights are so in each overwater bungalow and the rest in a beach room. You will have a much better chance of a room upgrade compared to anyone who is only booked in a beach room, so you should be at the top of the list. You might end up 4 or 5 nights in an overwater bungalow that way while only paying for two and the rest in a beach room. It’s a bit risky if you REALLY want to spend most of the week overwater, but it could work.

      Honestly, the overwater experience is amazing for a few days but the novelty wears off a bit after that because you always have to walk much farther to get anywhere compared to the beach rooms. April is one of the slowest months in the South Pacific, so you should be getting pretty good rates as it is. Sorry I don’t have more advice for you. -Roger

      Reply

  7. You mentioned eco-style resorts in the Caribbean that are fairly affordable. Do you have a list of these? We would love to stay in an affordable over the water bungalow but don’t want to have to fly all the way to Tahiti.

    Reply

  8. Soleena,
    for the future
    I hope you don’t mind me sharing 🙂
    It is considered rude to use capital letters when chatting. It is considered to be shouting. You did not sound like you were cross so I thought you’d like to know. Cheers Audrey

    Reply

  9. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I MUST COMMEND YOU ON YOUR ATTENTIVE, RESPONSIVE DEDICATION TO ASSISTING THOSE THAT SEEK GUIDANCE AND OR SOME SENSE OF DIRECTION ON THE ENDLESS PLETHORA OF VACATION DESTINATIONS AND THE POTENTIAL DISCOUNTED RATES AND TRAVEL PACKAGES. VERY ADMIRABLE, I HAVE TO ADMIT!

    AND AS FAR AS MY CONCERNS GO, DO YOU KNOW OF A RELIABLE AND LEGIT, YET DECENTLY/AFFORDABLY- PRICED WATER BUNGALOW RESORT/HOTEL/ETC., THAT I COULD BOOK IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FOR A POTENTIAL 4-7 NIGHTS STAY- DURING THE END OF TIS MONTH THRU THE END OF SEPTEMBER? Thanks so much sweetheart!

    Reply

    1. Soleena,

      Thank you for the kind words, and sorry for the delayed response. We actually do an annual list of the cheapest overwater bungalow resorts in the world on our sister site. You’ve probably seen it, but you may not have realized that it’s the same data. There are no secret places that aren’t on the list, at least if you are looking for a "honeymoon-style" overwater bungalow. Let me know if you have any other questions and I’ll try to help, and more quickly this time. -Roger

      Reply

    1. Jacki,

      There is a new resort opening next year in Panama with honeymoon-style overwater bungalows. We don’t know the rates yet, but they should be far more affordable than the new Sandals resorts in Jamaica. If you are okay with the eco-style resorts, there are many in the Caribbean that are fairly affordable. -Roger

      Reply

  11. hello there
    this will be our first time traveling to the maldives ,
    my wife and me want a nice romantic place with a private pool in our overwater bungallow and a beautiful view ,,this will be our second honey moon ,,, wich island or resort do you recomend

    thank you so much .

    Reply

    1. Agustin,

      Actually, we have a list of the best Maldives water villa resorts with private pools. The first one on the list is amazing and it’s also the best of the all-inclusives, though it’s quite expensive. If you are looking for one that is more modestly priced you’ll want to focus on the bottom one on the list, the Irufushi Beach and Spa Resort. The water villas there are huge and all have private pools. Have a great trip and let me know if I can help further. -Roger

      Reply

  12. Is there a number to call to tell an advisor what exactly we want / expect out of our trip so they can recommend the best resort thay would fit our needs. Also which part of maldives is the best to stay as far as entertainment brar by etc.

    Reply

    1. Kira,

      We are primarily an online guide to water villa resorts and we don’t do bookings or consultations, although I try to offer advice when I can. As far as which part of the Maldives, each resort there (by law) is on a private island, and each one is different. If you are looking for a place with nightlife and entertainment then you’ll want to book at one of the larger places like Meeru Island, as they have multiple bars and night time activities. Some of the smaller resorts have nothing beyond the dinner service and a small bar. Best of luck with this. -Roger

      Reply

  13. I am dreaming and want to plan a trip for a ann. next year. a couple different places so I see all the beauty in Tahiti or where ever I can afford. please send me more info and updated rates. THANKS for the tips.

    Reply

  14. I really want to stay in a over water bungalow at some point in time. So can you get an all-inclusive with 2 or 3 day in the bungalow and then move to an island room?

    Reply

    1. Dee,

      Yes, you can definitely stay in an overwater bungalow for only part of a stay at a resort. In fact, it’s mentioned above that this is a pretty good strategy to possibly get an upgrade for additional days or perhaps your whole stay. Best of luck with this. -Roger

      Reply

    1. Katherine,

      They are good deals if you enjoy drinking more than one or two alcoholic drinks each day. Generally, pretty much all the activities are included at all overwater resorts, so it’s pretty much food and drinks that are part of all-inclusive. And it’s not surprising that alcohol tends to be quite expensive (as does food) at these resorts, so all-inclusive is best for drinkers. Otherwise, you are subsidizing big drinkers if you don’t consume much alcohol.

      It’s also worth noting that nearly all the all-inclusive overwater resorts in the world are in the Maldives. There are none like that in or near Bora Bora. -Roger

      Reply

    1. Alino,

      There is a link to the cheapest online booking site for each resort on each page. Just look for the link that says "Check for online specials…"

      Reply