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19 top overwater bungalows around the world.

Explore the best places to spend your vacation in a private overwater retreat.

Top Overwater Bungalows Around the World

Courtesy of Song Saa Private Island

There's nothing quite like staying in these bucket list overwater bungalows.

Providing a unique and (typically) private setting, overwater bungalows around the world offer romantic retreats and plenty of Instagram-worthy vistas. Whether you're planning a bucket list trip, an epic proposal, a honeymoon or a couples retreat, overwater bungalows boast one-of-a-kind amenities and exclusive settings you can't find elsewhere.

While most overwater bungalows are adults-only or have age requirements, some options are family-friendly. When looking for the perfect overwater bungalow for your vacation style, consider how far you're willing to travel, if you are comfortable taking a boat to your resort and if you'd like a private pool on your terrace.

To make the planning easier, U.S. News compiled this list of the world's top overwater bungalows based on expert experience, traveler reviews and extensive editor research.

• Best Overwater Bungalows in the Caribbean
• Best Overwater Bungalows in Mexico
• Best Overwater Bungalows in the Maldives
• Best Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora
• Best Overwater Bungalows in Tahiti
• Best Overwater Bungalows in Moorea
• Best Overwater Bungalows in Fiji
• Best Overwater Bungalows in the U.S.
• Best Overwater Bungalows Elsewhere in the World

Best in the Caribbean

Aruba ocean villas: savaneta, aruba.

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: Outdoor beds and overwater dining

The adults-only Aruba Ocean Villas is located in Savaneta – the historic old capital of Aruba , on the southwest coast of the island. The sustainable and locally owned boutique resort offers the only overwater villas in Aruba. Each of the property's 13 beach and overwater villas has its own unique styling, including some with Jacuzzi tubs, open-air showers and dining areas.

One of the resort's overwater villa options, the Lou Lou, features a covered outdoor Jacuzzi and a palapa lounge. The Isla Alistaire villa, where recent honeymooners enjoyed the sunset views, includes indoor and outdoor sleeping areas, plus a private pool and double cabanas. The Dushi Sue has a spacious interior, as well as a large patio with beach chairs, daybeds and a hammock, while the Penthouse Villa Sophia is outfitted with a handmade artist-designed custom tub, a king-sized canopy bed with built-in air conditioning, and a private outdoor palapa with an outdoor bed to sleep on.

Guests can dine at The Old Man and The Sea, a romantic Hemingway-inspired restaurant with an overwater cabana. Beachside dining is also available, and the Toteki Beach Bar whips up signature cocktails. For recreation, visitors can use kayaks, paddleboards and snorkeling gear; chill out on beach; or book a relaxing massage in an open-air palapa.

Royalton Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino: Five Islands Village, Antigua

Courtesy of Royalton Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: All-inclusive with butler service

Set along St. John's Deep Bay, the Royalton Antigua is an all-inclusive resort with six overwater bungalows, in addition to the property's 294 suites. Each of the adults-only overwater bungalows is furnished with natural wood and has a swim-out infinity plunge pool, an overwater hammock and a king-sized bed. Butler service is included, and adults can relax within their private sanctuary while soaking in the in-suite Jacuzzi, eating in the dining room or watching marine life through the living room's glass floor. Recent travelers raved about the butler service and the ability to enjoy the water views from within your own bungalow.

While the overwater bungalows are for adults only, the Royalton Antigua is a family-friendly Caribbean resort . The Antigua resort has three swimming pools, a spa and a casino. The all-inclusive rates cover unlimited reservation-free dining at eight restaurants, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages at five bars, water sports equipment to use, supervised kids and teen clubs, instructor-led fitness classes, and daily entertainment.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean

St. George's Caye Resort: St. George's Caye, Belize

Courtesy of St. George's Caye Resort

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: All-inclusive that's close to an international airport and Mayan ruins

St. George's Caye Resort is an adults-only all-inclusive resort situated 7 miles off the coast of Belize , surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Reachable by boat, the resort offers an island setting with access to Belize's jungle activities and Mayan ruins as well. The property's six overwater cabanas are set along a half-moon-shaped sunset dock and furnished with Belizean hardwood ceilings, air conditioning and minifridges; plus, each has a private porch with a hammock. Many recent guests say this property is a hidden gem because of its secluded and intimate setting, personalized service, and delicious food.

Guests arrive at the resort via a 20-minute van ride from the international airport, followed by a 20-minute boat ride. Round-trip transfers are part of the all-inclusive rates, which also cover daily breakfast, lunch and a four-course dinner; juice and water with meals; and daily coffee, tea and juice delivered to your cabana each morning. What's more, guests receive a complimentary rum punch daily, unlimited use of water activities equipment (including kayaks, snorkeling gear and paddleboards), in-pool scuba lessons and 24/7 pool access.

Sandals South Coast: White House, Jamaica

Courtesy of Sandals Resorts

Best for: Destination weddings and honeymoons Top perk: Bungalows include an outdoor terrace with a soaking tub and lounge chairs

For the couple seeking a complete over-the-water experience, Sandals South Coast not only offers overwater bungalows, but it also has an overwater wedding chapel and overwater bar. Recently married couples said their wedding here exceeded their expectations, due to the staff. This popular wedding and honeymoon destination is located along 2 miles of shoreline on the south coast of Jamaica .

The all-inclusive resort's overwater bungalows are set along an elevated heart-shaped pathway and feature butler service, hardwood floors with glass panels to view the sea and custom king-sized beds. Each bungalow's spa-style bathroom has a walk-in rain shower along with double sinks, and the outdoor terrace features a lounge area, an outdoor shower, a two-person soaking tub and an over-the-water hammock.

Outside the accommodations, guests can go scuba diving, ride in a glass-bottom boat, go kayaking or snorkeling, or learn how to water-ski. There are also three beachfront pools, tennis courts and evening entertainment, as well as an on-site spa and fitness center. All-inclusive rates at this property cover unlimited dining at nine restaurants, premium liquor at seven bars (including a swim-up location), a stocked bar in every room, airport transfers and more.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian: Gros-Islet, St. Lucia

Best for: Destination weddings and honeymoons Top perk: Overwater wedding chapel

Couples looking for an awe-inspiring destination wedding venue should consider Sandals Grande St. Lucian , which boasts an over-the-water wedding chapel with panoramic views. What's more, the all-inclusive property has overwater accommodations where couples can relax and toast to their future together.

Perched above the Caribbean Sea, each bungalow has hardwood floors with lit glass panels to see the marine life below at any time, vaulted ceilings, and a custom king-sized bed with luxe linens. The bathroom has a walk-in rain shower and dual sinks, while the sun deck is equipped with an outdoor shower, a table and chairs, a soaking tub for two, and a hammock to soak in the view. The villa includes butler service, which recent couples rave about and say made their trip extra special.

Beyond the bungalow, couples can enjoy the St. Lucia resort's all-inclusive amenities, such as unlimited dining at 12 restaurants, unlimited premium liquor at seven bars (including swim-up locations), greens fees at the Greg Norman-designed golf course, and PADI-certified scuba diving and snorkeling equipment. You'll also get access to multiple pools, tennis courts and the fitness center. Round-trip airport transfers are included, and guests can enjoy amenities at two nearby Sandals locations as well.

Best in Mexico

El dorado maroma: playa del carmen, mexico.

Courtesy of El Dorado Maroma

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: All-inclusive with outdoor showers

Located along the coast between Cancun and Playa del Carmen , the all-inclusive El Dorado Maroma offers 30 overwater bungalows, called palafitos. From full butler service to in-bungalow daily breakfasts, the Palafitos-Overwater Bungalows perched above the aqua waters of Maroma Beach provide an indulgent experience.

The overwater bungalows at this top beach resort have glass-bottom floors, which travelers point as a highlight, noting you can see stingrays, sea stars and fish. The accommodations also feature indoor hot tubs for two, outdoor showers, and oversized decks with private infinity pools and ladders that offer direct ocean access. Palafitos guests can also enjoy drinks and gourmet light bites before dinner, and can request customized beach picnics.

Visitors can dine at the Overwater Grill & Wine Bar, which features two glass-floor dining rooms and panoramic views. The resort's all-inclusive rates cover all meals; 24-hour room service; and a premium selection of cocktails, wine and beer. Also included are daily activity programs, live shows, use of nonmotorized water sports equipment, cooking lessons, tequila tastings and guacamole demonstrations.

Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Best for: Ultra-luxurious honeymoons and couples retreats Top perk: Butler service and plunge pool

The 620-acre Rosewood Mayakoba sits where the mangroves meet the coast on the Yucatan Peninsula and provides an ultra-luxe setting with deluxe overwater lagoon suites. Guests are transferred from Cancun International Airport (about 30 miles north) to the Riviera Maya luxury resort via a private chauffeured SUV, and greeted with an in-villa mezcal welcome drink.

Suspended over the lagoon, each villa offers butler service, a daily fresh fruit bowl, a king-sized bed, a walk-in closet and a luxury bathroom with an outdoor garden shower. Travelers who have stayed in the villa say the service is impeccable, and the outdoor lounge terrace with a heated plunge pool is a highlight of the experience.

Beyond the villas, this resort just north of Playa del Carmen is a leader in sustainable tourism. Wellness experiences, a signature spa with sensory rituals and apothecary treatments, a fitness center, and multiple pools are a few of Rosewood Mayakoba's standout perks. Finally, the property's eight restaurants highlight Mexico's regional cuisine, international culinary dishes and sensorial experiences.

Read: The Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico

Best in the Maldives

Conrad maldives rangali island: maldives.

Courtesy of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Best for: Couples and families Top perk: Underwater dining and the option to spend the night under the ocean

While some villas provide an over-the-water experience, at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island travelers can book The Muraka – a two-level residence with a submerged master bedroom – to spend the night 16 feet under the water.

The bedroom is set in a 180-degree curved acrylic dome and includes a bathroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and 24-hour butler service. The upper level is an exclusive residence suspended above the water with two additional bedrooms, a bathroom with an ocean view tub, and a spacious outdoor terrace with a private infinity pool. If you want to dine under the sea, book a table at Ithaa, the resort's award-winning underwater restaurant that serves fusion cuisine, fine wines and island cocktails.

The twin-island Maldives resort also has three distinct land and overwater villa areas situated around the atoll. The Conrad Maldives offers a selection of adults-only villas, in addition to the family-friendly section of accommodations. Set on stilts, water villas have thatched roofs, lounge areas with lagoon views, bathrooms with rain showers and separate tubs, and private sun decks with lounge areas and water access. Travelers rave about the setting, the service and the villas, with some guests making return visits and others saying a stay here is an idyllic once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read: The Top Underwater Hotels Around the World

Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island: North Malé Atoll, Maldives

Best for: Families and groups Top perk: Family-focused amenities including baby gear available for use

This all-villa resort – formerly known as LUX* North Malé Atoll – features contemporary architecture and offers both romantic overwater accommodations for couples and family-friendly villas for all ages. Each villa has an enclosed living and lounge area, an indoor and outdoor shower, and an outdoor terrace with a private infinity pool. Recent travelers rave about the service and how much they enjoyed the entire experience, noting the array of wildlife like dolphins, sharks, rays and fish.

The family-friendly property has a kids club with supervised beachside activities for little ones, programs for young teens, cinematic experiences on the beach (or private movie viewings can be arranged with your butler), beachside tennis and a variety of water sports equipment available to use – such as canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Meanwhile, adults can hit the 24-hour fitness center or check out the Talise Spa's therapeutic treatments. Dining options here include floating breakfasts in your own private pool, Peruvian and Japanese fusion cuisine at Kayto, or Greek dishes at Shimmers beach club.

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Best in Bora Bora

Four seasons resort bora bora: bora bora, french polynesia.

Courtesy of Four Seasons Bora Bora

Best for: Families and couples Top perk: Private lagoon with biologist-led experiences

Showcasing views of Mount Otemanu , this family-friendly property offers a luxurious setting with a mix of land villas and overwater bungalows. Reachable via boat transfer from the Bora Bora airport, this property has a private lagoon with biologist-led experiences, a full-service spa with Polynesian treatments and Mediterranean cuisine at Arii Moana.

Featuring Polynesian artwork and traditional teak furnishings, the overwater bungalow suites at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora have either a plunge pool or a spacious patio for a private over-the-water sanctuary.

"We loved our overwater bungalow at the Four Seasons Bora Bora for its large soaking tub, comfortable king bed and expansive deck with stunning views of Mount Otemanu," says freelance travel writer and U.S. News contributor Holly Johnson . She adds that the dining was pricey, but spectacular. Johnson also discovered that the further out from the shore you go, the faster the current flows. "While we did have stunning views from our bungalow, we couldn't float or relax in the water below at all," she reflected. "I noticed travelers with bungalows closer to the shore were able to stand and float in the perfectly clear water next to their room. I would have loved that."

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Courtesy of InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

Best for: Couples and families Top perk: Thalasso spa with glass-floor overwater treatment rooms

Combining Polynesian traditions with sustainable practices, the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa is located on a motu (islet) and reachable only by boat from the Bora Bora airport. Once there, couples and families will find theme nights, casual beachside dining and upscale cuisine.

The property has 88 overwater suites and villas, each with a king-sized bed, a sitting area with a glass coffee table showcasing views of the fish and water below, and a bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub. There's also a private terrace that features an outdoor shower, lounge furniture and direct water access.

Leilani Osmundson , digital producer for the Travel team at U.S. News, chose the resort for her honeymoon. "My favorite feature of the bungalow was the ability to stare at the gorgeous turquoise waters of Bora Bora at every turn; the bedroom and bathroom had enormous windows, and the coffee table in the living room area was made of glass so that we could see straight through to the water below." She also appreciated that the bungalows were quiet and spaced far enough apart for privacy.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Courtesy of Hilton

Best for: Couples and families Top perk: Fine dining and overwater sushi restaurant

Upon arrival via boat from Bora Bora's airport, guests are greeted with a welcome drink and a tour of the resort. Situated on a private cove on Motu To'opua, the property offers a secluded setting with a mix of land villas and overwater bungalows. The resort draws a mix of honeymooners and couples thanks to its adults-only overwater bungalows, in addition to the kids club and activity programs like lei making and beachside ukulele lessons. What's more, the resort's hilltop wedding chapel features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea.

There are several overwater bungalow options, ranging from king villas (with either a built-in hammock or a plunge pool) to the two-story presidential overwater villa. Each has a plush king-sized bed that looks directly out to the water and a spa-inspired bathroom with an extra-large soaking tub and separate rainfall shower, as well as a dining table, a lounge area, Bluetooth speakers throughout and a spacious terrace with direct water access.

One thing that resort guests say sets this property apart is its dining options, though you will want to make reservations for dinners prior to your arrival. The French cuisine at Iriatai blends innovative island flavors with classic dishes, Banyan showcases chef-prepared Chinese cuisine, Tamure Beach Grill offers Polynesian fare, and the Upa Upa Bar is a must-visit for sushi and cocktails in an overwater setting.

Best in Tahiti

Intercontinental tahiti resort & spa: tahiti, french polynesia.

Courtesy of InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa

Best for: Families Top perk: Lagoonarium where guests can learn about reef environments

Situated on the island of Tahiti , less than 2 miles from French Polynesia's Faa'a International Airport, the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is an ideal choice for travelers looking to explore the island, or for those using Tahiti as a gateway to the country's smaller islands, including Moorea and Bora Bora. This tropical resort combines traditional Polynesian design and culture with luxury accommodations and overwater bungalows, along with a spa, cultural demonstrations, two freshwater infinity pools and a natural aquarium lagoon.

Recently renovated, the property's family-friendly overwater bungalows and villas have spa-inspired bathrooms with soaking tubs, separate sleeping and lounge areas, flat-screen TVs, minifridges. Another top-notch feature is the spacious outdoor decks with direct lagoon access and amazing sunset views, according to recent guests.

Best in Moorea

Hilton moorea lagoon resort and spa: moorea, french polynesia.

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: Overwater dining

The Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is an eco-friendly destination nestled on the island of Moorea, a short boat or plane ride from Tahiti. The property is home to the island's only overwater restaurant – Toatea Bar & Creperie – where travelers can savor French crepes while watching the lagoon sharks and fish below.

The resort's overwater Polynesian-style bungalows (set over the crystal-clear water of the Pacific Ocean) each have a king-sized bed, a glass floor panel with views of the exotic marine life below, and a marble bathroom with a separate claw-foot tub and shower. Each villa also features a private sun deck with lounge chairs and direct lagoon access, which allows travelers to snorkel in the water surrounding their bungalow.

Resort guests can enjoy the lagoon-style pool, head to the tennis courts for a match or do yoga at the fitness center. The full-service spa has a variety of treatments available, and those looking to explore the island beyond the resort can book four-wheel-drive tours, snorkeling with stingray excursions and more.

Best in Fiji

Likuliku lagoon resort: malolo island, fiji.

Best for: Couples and honeymooners Top perk: A taste of Fijian culture with all-inclusive rates

Likuliku Lagoon Resort is an adults-only wilderness retreat on the southeast coast of Malolo Island with authentic overwater bures. It's set amid a protected marine sanctuary and reachable by water taxi or helicopter. There are 10 overwater bures at the resort, each infused with natural elements and local woodwork and fabrics, blending Fijian cultural values and traditional architecture.

Each accommodation includes a king-sized bed (which can be separated into two twin beds) with a pillow menu, a bathroom with separate soaking tub and shower, and an outdoor deck with sun loungers and patio furniture. What's more, a chef's canape plate and freshly baked cookies are delivered daily.

Resort guests can book a spa treatment; snorkel, kayak or go stand-up paddleboarding; take a picnic to the property's private island; or swim in the infinity pool. The room rates include all meals (alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks cost extra), a welcome refreshment and lei upon arrival, a sarong, bottled water, a Friday night cocktail party, and use of nonmotorized water sports equipment.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay: Nadi, Fiji

Courtesy of Marriott International

Best for: Couples Top perk: All-inclusive options and close to international airport

Offering the only overwater bungalows on the mainland of Fiji , this resort is an ideal option for travelers who prefer to be closer to an international airport. All of the property's adults-only bures have private staircases for direct lagoon access, along with luxurious accommodations (including king-sized beds), lounge spaces with espresso machines, premium bathrooms and private terraces. Recent overwater bungalow guests say the rooms are well-appointed and the service is exceptional. They recommend booking a couples massage and partaking in resort experiences like the fish feedings and snorkeling.

Beyond the overwater bungalows, the resort has beaches on the lagoon, three pools, a spa and oceanfront restaurants. For those seeking an all-inclusive experience, select resort packages include daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages.

Best in the U.S.

Disney's polynesian village resort: orlando, florida.

Kent Phillips | Courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort

Best for: Families Top perk: Close access to Walt Disney World parks

For an overwater experience within the continental United States, head to Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows within the Walt Disney World Resort . Set on the south shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Polynesian-inspired overwater villas have room to sleep up to eight adults. Travelers recommend the space for families, noting that the privacy and close proximity to Magic Kingdom are ideal. Each bungalow is equipped with one king-sized bed, one queen-sized bed, one queen-sized pull-down bed and two single pull-down beds, plus a kitchen and a private deck with a plunge pool.

Within the South Pacific-themed resort, guests have access to two pools, campfire activities, motorized boat rentals, fishing and volleyball. For dining, the property's various options include Capt. Cook's, serving American and Polynesian classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as 'Ohana, the Kona Café and the Tambu Lounge.

Best Elsewhere in the World

Anantara the palm dubai resort: dubai, united arab emirates.

Paul Thuysbaert | Courtesy of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

Best for: Couples Top perk: Close to Dubai's attractions and shopping

Set on the palm-shaped human-made island of Palm Jumeirah, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort offers Thai-style luxury and about 1,300 feet of private shoreline along the Arabian Gulf. The resort is home to the only overwater villas in the United Arab Emirates. Each of the one-bedroom overwater villas has a king-sized bed, a soaking tub with water views and a host to create a personalized stay. Recent travelers raved about the customized and attentive service of the villa hosts, as well as the glass panel in the floor, noting that with the lighting you can see marine life below at any time of the day.

While at the Dubai property, resorts guests can swim in three temperature-controlled lagoons, partake in water sports or go on a long-tail boat experience. The Anantara Spa offers an array of treatments (ranging from Asian to Arabic) and rituals for rejuvenation. For dining, Mekong dishes out traditional Asian cuisine, Bushman's Restaurant & Bar offers an upscale Aussie menu, Qamar serves regional specialties and Helios specializes in Mediterranean plates.

Song Saa Private Island: Koh Rong, Cambodia

Best for: Eco-conscious couples and families Top perk: Eco-friendly construction and sustainability programs

Song Saa Private Island is an eco-friendly resort built with local materials by local artisans and designed with a deep connection to the environment in mind. With the resort offering barefoot luxury, shoes here are always optional. Located in Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, the property is reachable via a 45-minute boat ride from Sihanoukville Port, which is less than 20 miles northwest of Sihanoukville International Airport.

The overwater bungalows at Song Saa Private Island were built with reclaimed timber and each includes a lounge area, a writing desk, a king-sized bed, a stocked minibar, a 40-inch flat-screen TV and a Bose surround sound system. The twin-vanity bathroom has an oversized sunken bathtub, and there's an outdoor shower on the sun deck. The patio features a private pool, a daybed and direct ocean access for fully immersing yourself in the natural setting. Travelers say the resort is a slice of paradise and the overwater bungalows are private and comfortable.

The property also boasts an infinity pool, a spa and a private white sand beach, as well as ecological and cultural programs. Complimentary activities here include island safaris, morning yoga and sea kayaking. The culinary experience at the two on-site restaurants and bars is based on seasonal ingredients and incorporates locally sourced ingredients.

Read: The Top Ecolodges Around the World

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood is a senior travel editor with a love for one-of-a-kind hotel settings. She has a lifetime of experience finding just the right hotel room for her trip and believes that a hotel choice can make or break a vacation. To curate this list of the best overwater bungalows, she used her own experience spending her honeymoon at Conrad Bora Bora Nui, along with her research expertise and luxury hotel background.

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12 incredible overwater bungalows you can book with points

Editor's Note

If you have been saving hotel points, you might want to treat yourself to something special like an overwater bungalow. These famous rooms are commonly found in the Maldives , French Polynesia and Fiji (plus Disney World , if you count this unconventional option). They are built above a clear lagoon and are supported by stilts.

Although reaching these resorts may involve an international flight and a seaplane transfer to a remote private island, they are not exclusive to honeymooners with unlimited budgets. You can use your points and miles to book many overwater villas.

While these bungalows may require more points than a regular hotel room, the price may be worth it to try this unique experience. However, if you want to use points, be prepared to book a year or so out — these are some of the most coveted rooms in the major hotel loyalty programs . Some of the top hotel credit cards can also help you offset these costs.

Whether you're dreaming of an island vacation in the Maldives or a tropical getaway in Fiji, here are 12 amazing overwater bungalows that you can book using points.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors offers overwater bungalows that can be booked using points, but the program's rates can be extremely high.

For instance, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa used to require 80,000 points per night for a standard king room with garden views, but it seems that option is no longer available. Premium room awards for a king overwater villa at the same resort now require 400,000 points or more.

Since these redemption rates are unattainable for most people (and typically offer inferior value for your Hilton Honors points compared to TPG's valuations ), your best bet is to skip this option. Instead, choose a comparable Hilton property in the Maldives.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Points per night: 150,000

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is one of the priciest Hilton hotels that can be booked using points. Usually, a standard award night at this resort costs 150,000 Hilton Honors points. However, there is a high transfer fee of almost $1,000 per adult, including taxes. For children between 6 and 11, the fee is approximately $500.

With a standard award, you can stay in a reef villa, which is situated on land but features an outdoor deck and a private pool built over the water. These rooms regularly cost $2,000 or more per night, making them a terrific use of Hilton Honors points or a free night award if you can find standard award space.

Related: The 19 best Hilton hotels in the world

IHG One Rewards

IHG One Rewards offers three hotels that have overwater villas available for booking with points. The redemption rates for these villas range from 100,000 to 400,000 points per night, which is quite high. While you can earn IHG One Rewards points through credit card sign-up bonuses, even the current bonus of 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card won't cover more than two nights.

Before transferring your Bilt Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards points to IHG, compare the redemption rates on the Ultimate Rewards travel portal. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve , your points are worth 1.5 cents each for travel, so depending on the property you choose, it may be more advantageous to redeem your Ultimate Rewards through the Chase travel portal instead of transferring them to IHG so you can book a stay for fewer points.

InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

Points per night: At least 201,000

You can reserve an overwater villa with a beach view at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa starting at 201,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. These spacious rooms provide over 1,000 square feet of space and direct access to the lagoon. They can accommodate either three adults or two adults and two children.

To reach the resort, a boat transfer is necessary, which costs $110 per person. This fee is reasonable compared to the transfer fees of other luxury resorts in the region, which can exceed $500 per person.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

Points per night: At least 235,000

The InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers overwater pool villas for 235,000 IHG One Rewards points per night when there's award space.

Know, though, that the seaplane fee here is steep. You can expect to pay around $900 per adult and $450 per child round trip, including taxes and fees.

Six Senses Laamu

Points per night: At least 180,000

Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives is one of the few overwater bungalow hotels with widespread availability. Each night will cost around 180,000 points per night when there's award space; however, if you have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card , you can use the fourth night reward to reduce the rate by 100,000 points. The paid rates at Six Senses Laamu range from $1,200 to $4,300 per night.

Before you book your stay, be sure to consider the transfer fees for your trip. Six Senses Laamu charges around $920 per person, including taxes, for a round-trip domestic flight and speedboat transfer to the hotel.

Related: The 19 best IHG hotels in the world

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy has the most options for booking overwater villas compared to any other chain. There are nine Marriott hotels where you can reserve an overwater villa using points.

Although some of these properties do not include overwater villas in their standard award options, the number of additional points required for an upgrade is sometimes reasonably priced.

Remember, too, that many Marriott credit cards include free night awards either upon renewal or via spending. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers an 85,000-point certificate each year at your account anniversary. Since you can add up to 15,000 points to any Marriott certificate, you'll often find it possible to apply them to many of the brand's overwater bungalow properties.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Points per night: 41,000 to 67,000

The Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay is one of the more reasonable Marriott options. Standard rooms start at just 41,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. At this rate, you can enjoy a room facing the surrounding lagoon.

If you prefer an overwater villa, be prepared to spend 150,000 to 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. The exact rate may vary depending on your chosen dates, so make sure you search for specific dates before you transfer points to Marriott for this award.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Points per night: 58,000 to 80,000

When Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa started accepting reservations in 2021, it offered bargain award rates for overwater bungalows. The fifth-night-free benefit reduced the cost to just 24,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

The hotel charges around 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points more for the sunrise overwater bungalow than its standard beach villa. If you're short on points for the sunrise overwater bungalow, you can often offset this difference by paying $50 plus the points required for the introductory standard beach villa.

Keep in mind, seaplane transfers to the resort will set you back $515 per adult (those age 12 and older) or $258 per child (guests between 2 and 11).

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort

Points per night: 114,000 to 145,000

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort offers beach villas with private pools starting from 54,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. However, if you're interested in an overwater villa, expect to spend at least 114,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Once again, be sure to budget for transfers to and from the resort. You'll need to pay $500 per adult and $250 per child age 2 to 11 for round-trip seaplane flights.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Points per night: 90,000 to 150,000

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands requires between 90,000 and 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. The ocean pool villas, which are the standard rooms at this resort, are quite impressive, offering over 1,600 square feet of space and private pools.

Although the redemption rates are expensive, it is worth mentioning that the regular nightly rate for this property is typically around $2,700. However, you'll need to pay a transfer fee of $678 per adult and $399 for kids 12 and younger for the 45-minute speedboat ride to the resort, even when redeeming points.

Points per night: 74,500 to 124,000

You can book fabulous overwater villas at the W Maldives for as little as 74,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. These villas come with outdoor decks featuring plunge pools and daybeds.

Similar to other resorts in the Maldives, you will need to pay a significant amount for transportation from the airport to the resort. The round-trip seaplane transfer costs around $650 per adult and $300 per child age 3 to 11, including taxes and fees.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Points per night : 88,000 to 150,000

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offers overwater bungalows that you book for the price of an introductory room. Each of the bungalows, which cost a minimum of 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, has a private pool. There are also nets at the end of these bungalows so you can enjoy the sensation of floating over the ocean.

While the room rate is reasonable, be prepared to spend a substantial amount on round-trip seaplane transfers. To get to the resort, you'll need to pay an additional $808 per person.

JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Points per night: 79,000 to 128,500

You can book an overwater sunrise bungalow at the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa starting at just 79,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Each of these rooms features a private pool, two daybeds and an outdoor sitting area. There's also a large bathtub overlooking the ocean.

Like many other properties on this list, you'll need to pay for the round-trip seaplane transfers to the resort. They'll cost you $600 for adults and $360 for children between 2 and 11.

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Points per night: 189,000 to 284,600

You can book an overwater superior villa at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort for as little as 189,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. The resort also offers reef-adjacent garden villas from 88,000 points per night.

Overwater villas here are spacious, offering at least 1,549 square feet of space, making them the largest overwater bungalows in French Polynesia. Select villas even feature jaw-dropping views of Mount Otemanu.

Related: The 26 best Marriott hotels in the world

Additional reporting by Ariana Arghandewal.

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Book One of These Overwater Bungalows for Your Next Tropical Getaway

Rosemary Donahue is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She was previously the senior features editor at Health and the wellness editor at Allure . Her work has also been featured in Vogue , Nylon , Cosmopolitan , Marie Claire , and more.

Imagine falling asleep to a fresh, salty breeze while listening to the waves rolling right outside—or underneath—your bedroom. With the ocean just steps from where you’ll sleep, these overwater bungalow resorts are as close to the water as you can be without actually getting wet. Often located in some of the most remote parts of the world, these villas and bungalows seem to float over the planet's most attractive lakes, lagoons, and seas. Each property, whether it's on a popular stretch of Playa del Carmen in Mexico or the largest lake in Switzerland, has taken a unique approach to their overwater rooms and suites. Sometimes, they're thatched-roof structures that float, held together by ropes; occasionally, they're two-story cabanas with dramatic canopy beds. If what you're really seeking from your next getaway is a chance to unwind, your best bet is getting as close to a body of water as possible—and these overwater bungalows will ensure a quick transition to island time. So don't limit your overwater experience to just one massage in a waterfront spa, or a romantic dinner on the shore (though you should do those things, too). Bedding down on the ocean (or lagoon, or lake) is perhaps the world's most immersive beach vacation. Even if you're not planning to book an overwater bungalow vacation, consider these photos a daily dose of wanderlust.

Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora

There's no better way to explore this French Polynesian island's crystal-blue lagoons than by booking one of the Four Seasons resort's overwater bungalows. Thatched roofs and volcanic stone walls set the vibe, and some of their bungalow suites even have private plunge pools. In keeping with the theme, guests can reserve the on-site Kahala Spa Suite, which straddles a lagoon and boasts views of Mount Otemanu.

Song Saa in Cambodia

“Song Saa” is Khmer for “The Sweethearts,” and this resort in Cambodia is fittingly one of the most romantic on the list. The resort spans two islands, which are connected by a beautiful footbridge, and overlooks marine waters filled with tropical fish, turtles, and seahorses. Select a spacious 1 or 2-bedroom overwater villas with a glass-bottomed lounge.

Rosewood Mayakobá in the Riviera Maya

A World's Best resort south of Cancun, rooms here hover on the edge of a freshwater lagoon. While the property is popular with couples, it's kid-friendly, too. The whole family can take participate in scavenger hunt or cookie-making classes, though adults will love the tequila bar. Even the most basic accommodations come with an in-room welcome tequila and features like outdoor showers and rooftop terraces.

Cocoa Island by COMO in the Maldives

One of our favorite resorts for spa experiences in the Maldives , the COMO Cocoa Island Resort, has 33 upscale overwater bungalows. Book one of eight split-level Dhoni Suites, which seem to float, boat-like, over the lagoon. Take advantage of the resort's complimentary sunrise and sunset yoga classes, as well as inclusive aquatic therapy sessions.

Cayo Espanto in Belize

At Cayo Espanto in Belize, three miles from San Pedro, there is a one-bedroom villa with custom furnishings, turquoise shutters, and a canopy bed hovering over the Western Caribbean. We recommend scheduling at least one hot stone massage and seaweed scrub in the privacy of your overwater accommodations.

Hôtel Palafitte in Switzerland

Notably the only hotel in Europe set on stilts, Hôtel Palafitte is suspended over Lake Neuchâtel. Reserve a Lake Pavilion for direct access to the water from your private terrace. For dinner, head to the Restaurant Terrace, an overwater pavilion serving local specialties like boar cheek stew and smoked gravelax.

Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia

At the Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia, guests can choose between hilltop jungle stays or upscale villas over the sea. Stilted Sea Villas are connected by wooden walkways, while the standalone Spa Villas are exceptionally private.

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa in French Polynesia

In addition to overwater suites, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort possesses the only overwater bar in French Polynesia. If you can pry yourself away from the water views, request a guided tour of the heart-shaped island, and take full advantage of the resort's vacation planners. They'll help you plan your trip in detail before you arrive (think: swimming with stingrays and 4x4 safari tours).

Le Meridien Bora Bora in French Polynesia

Home to the Bora Bora turtle center, Le Méridien Bora Bora offers Polynesian-style overwater bungalows with local handicrafts set on a private lagoon. Don't miss a romantic, sunset boat ride in one of the resort's traditional pirogues .

Sofitel Moorea La Ora Beach Resort in Moorea

At Sofitel Moorea La Ora Beach Resort , the overwater bungalows have a very special draw: illuminated glass portholes cut into the floor. Guests love watching the sea life at night. other highlights include private terraces, rainfall showers, and modern decor.

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort in French Polynesia

Nestled in a private coconut grove, Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort offers 24 overwater bungalows, all of which sport coconut palm niau thatched roofs, private decks, and glass-bottomed floors. If you tire of sunning on the pink-sand beaches, there's always swimming in the infinity pool or snorkeling in the lagoon.

One & Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives

Many of the property's high-end villas hover over the lagoon, but are tastefully tropical: coconut-shell sconces, bamboo arches. Days are best spent on one of 12 secluded beaches, or in one of the spa's overwater treatment rooms. Come nightfall, take to a hammock for the uninterrupted stargazing.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort in Fiji

Book one of Likuliku's over-water bures, all of which feature detailed woodwork and separate bath pavilions. At this marine sanctuary, snorkeling and diving are two highlights. Guests can also take picnic lunches to Mana Sandbank, a stretch of land only accessible during mid or high tide.

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge in Panama

These rustic, overwater bungalows are two stories high, with canopy beds on the top level. Because there are only nine cabanas, the retreat in on-the-verge Bocas del Toro feels extremely intimate. Rumor has it that dolphins swim past the property and wave at visitors.

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The world’s most beautiful over-water villas and bungalows (that aren’t in the Maldives)

A water-adjacent abode isn’t unique to the maldives, says tamara hinson ; try one of these just-as-luxe alternatives, article bookmarked.

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H ave you really stayed in the Maldives if you haven’t checked into an over-water villa?

We’d say that would be a definite yes, although there’s no denying that a stilted, over-water hideaway is the first thing many people picture when they think of this Indian Ocean paradise.

That said, we’re also firm believers that there are fantastic examples of over-water opulence elsewhere in the world – and we’ve got the proof.

There’s nothing quite like the serenity and luxury of staying over the water on private islands, in beach resorts or even just in the middle of the ocean, whether you’re on an island off the coast of Africa, a picturesque tropical retreat in Latin America or by the side of a dam in southeast Asia .

But while you can go as far as Mexico and Mauritius , there are plenty of enticing stays closer to home, including a waterside retreat on a Swiss lake and a log cabin in Cornwall . Read on to find out more.

Cayo Espanto

Location: belize.

There are just seven over-water villas on this pint-sized Belizean island , so the chances of your view being ruined by a fellow guest floating past your villa on an inflatable pink unicorn are slim. Put even more space between you and your fellow guests by opting for Casa Ventanas, a one-bedroom villa perched on the end of a pier. The tiny island covers just four acres, although keeping boredom at bay is easy – there’s a shuttle service between Cayo Espanto and the mainland (5km away) and activities on offer including diving excursions, bird-watching and day trips to other parts of Belize.

From £1,679 per villa per night, all-inclusive.

Hotel Palafitte

Location: lake neuchâtel, switzerland.

Say hello to Swiss engineering at its finest – 38 sleek wooden cabins, many of which are perched over the Alpine waters of Lake Neuchâtel. Floor-to-ceiling windows makes it easy to soak up the views of the Swiss Alps , and you can even shimmy down the ladder at the rear of your villa and take a dip in the lake – although you should banish any notions of bath-warm water. On the plus side, cold water therapy is apparently all the rage.

Rooms available from {{#price}} {{price}} per night {{/price}} {{^price}} Check availability for dates and prices {{/price}}

Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, banyan tree mayakoba, location: playa del carmen, mexico.

The Banyan Tree Mayakoba Resort, which opened in 2021, was one of the first resorts in Mexico to offer over-water accommodation. What sets the property apart is that its villas aren’t located off sandy beaches but along the wildlife-filled waterways which weave through the Riviera Maya area. This beautiful ecosystem is home to a number of species, including agoutis (ridiculously cute fruit-munching rodents), tiger herons and iguanas. It’s also a seriously sustainable property – all organic waste is sent to a local pig farm, and the property even has its own authorised turtle field, where 4 of the 7 worldwide species come to nest.

Constance Prince Maurice

Location: mauritius.

The Constance Prince Maurice is sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and a natural lagoon, and the latter is where you’ll find the over-water villas. The lagoon is a fish conservation reserve and fantastic snorkelling spot, and the property is located at the tip of a peninsula, so there are plenty of gorgeous beaches to explore, and there’s also an on-site kite-surfing school. Our favourite spot is the resort’s floating restaurant – just try to ignore the guilt pangs when a shoal of rainbow-hued fish swims past as you’re tucking into your seafood carpaccio.

Bawah Reserve

Location: indonesia.

The over-water villas at Bawah’s private island reserve offer uninterrupted idyllic views across crystal-clear turquoise waters to the surrounding Anambas islands. Each with their own deck and stairs into the sea, the villas feel private and exclusive while only being a short walk to the island’s restaurants and the Aura wellness centre and spa. Bawah stands out for its commitment to conservation and sustainability – it’s home to Indonesia’s largest floating solar panel farm – and is designed so that guests feel part of the nature of the island, rather than disrupting the environment. Visitors also have access to some of the best snorkelling in the world thanks to the protected coral reefs that surround the island.

From £1,213 per night, all-inclusive

The St Regis Langkawi

Location: malaysia.

Less over-water villa and more over-water palace, the St Regis Langkawi ’s accommodations come with private infinity pools, separate living and dining rooms, kitchenettes and walk-in wardrobes. Great views come as standard here (the resort is tucked between a lush rainforest and the Andaman Sea) but if you can’t quite stretch to an over-water villa, the next best thing is dinner at the resort’s Kayuputi restaurant, where you can drink (and dine, if you dare) while reclining in the restaurant’s over-water hammocks.

Underwater Room, The Manta Resort

Location: zanzibar.

Don’t be fooled by the name – this floating villa (don’t worry, it’s securely tethered so the chances of you waking to find you’ve floated halfway across the Indian Ocean are slim) has both an over-water section and a glass-walled underwater room, although the best spot for views is the rooftop, with its supersized day bed. The vibe is seriously laidback here – the main resort (within swimming distance of the Underwater Room) has a gorgeous sun lounger-dotted beach, although there’s also a PADI dive school for guests keen to explore underwater. We recommend asking a member of staff to teach you how to play bao – a traditional Tanzanian boardgame.

From £880 per night, all-inclusive.

The Boat House, Pengelly Retreat

Location: cornwall.

We’re all for more over-water accommodation in the UK. Admittedly, you’re more likely to spot beavers than batfish during a stay at the Boat House in Cornwall , but there’s something fabulously cosy about its wooden cabin, complete with log burner, Scandi-inspired décor and tangle of wooden beams. Step out onto the veranda and you’ll be able to row your very own boat around the lake before watching the sunset from either the patio’s bathtub or the firepit.

From £129 per night.

Location: Raja Ampat, Indonesia

This is admittedly one of our more expensive over-water options, but we promise it’s worthy of your hard-earned cash. Located in Indonesia ’s remote Raja Ampat archipelago, Misool was founded by keen divers Marit and Andrew, who built their eco-lodge on an island which was once home to a shark-finning camp. Their subsequent achievements include the creation of the Misool Marine Reserve, the recruitment of local rangers (many of whom are former shark finners) to prevent illegal fishing and the founding of the Misool Foundation, which tackles problems such as plastic marine waste . Oh, and the construction of what might just be the most beautiful over-water villas we’ve come across.

From £2,777 per person for seven nights, all-inclusive.

Panvaree resort

Location: khao sok national park, thailand.

Over-water accommodation in national parks is few and far between, but that’s not the only thing which sets the over-water villas at Panvaree resort in Thailand ’s Khao Sok National Park apart. The villas are located on a lake, rather than over the ocean, so the views are a definite upgrade: instead of endless sea you’ll get forested mountains, bird-dotted limestone cliffs and the lake’s emerald-green water.

Read more on the best destinations to visit in Southeast Asia

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Living Not Just by the Water, but Over and Even Below It

Six decades ago, a hotel was built with rooms set on concrete piles placed deep within the ocean floor. The design has been flourishing ever since.

By Mark Ellwood

This article is part of our latest special report on Waterfront Homes , which focuses on living near, and sometimes even on, the water.

It was an idea born from the tropical desperation of three American friends who had moved to French Polynesia on a whim in 1959.

Their first plan there — to run a vanilla farm — had fallen through, so they resolved to try the hotel business. Tourism was nascent, and international visitor numbers had begun to grow after a new airport opened on the main island, Tahiti. The three men — Jay Carlisle, a stockbroker; Hugh Kelley, a lawyer; and Donald McCallum , a salesman — bought a couple of properties to turn into funky hotels they called the Bali Hai. One was on the island of Ra’iatea .

“It was a little five-room property, on the lagoon, with the reef right in front of it,” Mr. Carlisle, who is 86 and the group’s last surviving member, recalled in a recent telephone interview. But there was a downside. “There was no beach.”

His friend Mr. Kelley had an idea: Why not build a few rooms that sat directly above the lagoon, on piles, joined to the land by a walkway that was set a few feet above the water, too? They built three to start, charging $30 per night per couple. The oddball idea became an instant phenomenon: Now known as an overwater bungalow, the design became the hotel’s signature detail and helped establish French Polynesia as a tropical getaway.

When asked about the bungalows’ appeal, Mr. Carlisle offered some colorful stories. “An old girlfriend of mine said to me, ‘Can you imagine making love in one?’” he said. “It’s so hard to imagine how romantic it is.” Guests could snorkel straight from their room, or even sit inside and observe teeming fish through low, glass-topped coffee tables positioned over cutouts in the floor. Mr. Carlisle recalled a couple from California who would even come with rod and tackle and spend their vacation fishing from their room; the husband would distribute the day’s catch among the hotel’s staff.

In the six decades since, Mr. Kelley’s concept has spread worldwide. As of May, according to overwaterbungalows.net , there are 225 resorts with the feature, and a total of 8,389 overwater rooms available for booking.

A majority — 132, or almost 60 percent — of these hotel properties are in the Maldives , which has co-opted the Tahitian invention as a signature luxury. Overwater accommodation is also a feature of resorts in Europe — like the Stella Island Luxury Resort and Spa on Crete in Greece — and in Africa, where the architect Jean-Marc Eynaud has adapted the concept for a 60-acre resort on the east coast of Mauritius.

Only five years ago, Sandals Resort was able to build a cluster of overwater bungalows at its property in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and now many other sites across the Caribbean and Mexico have replicated the concept.

The idea has also influenced residential architecture: mansions engineered to hover over artificial water features, like a shallow pond, or the developments that are often bolted onto luxury hotels.

The concept, however, is not without critics. The overwater location makes these buildings vulnerable to hurricanes, while strong tidal systems pose engineering challenges for any structure sitting at a fixed level. For Mr. Carlisle and his partners, collectively known as the Bali Hai Boys, the greatest such problem was waste disposal: Fortunately, Mr. Kelley devised a special septic system, tucked underneath the overwater walkway, that piped sewage away from the clear lagoon water.

There are also concerns about environmental impact. Overwater construction involves driving large concrete piles into the ocean floor, though Mr. Carlisle and his partners found that coral quickly colonized their own hotel’s underpinnings. Critics also say that the shade these buildings cast can disrupt fish’s instinctual behaviors, like migration. As these dwellings have begun proliferating in the Caribbean, governments have been keen to introduce stringent controls on their size and scope.

Vaihiria Kelley, Mr. Kelley’s daughter, said her father and his friends also had to deal with cultural opposition.

“The big argument was that it wasn’t part of the normal landscape for Tahiti,” she said. “But on the island of Huahine, fishermen used rudimentary huts, built over the water, to stay overnight when they were fishing.” Her father and his partners “won approval because of that,” she added.

Indeed, huts on stilts are not unique to French Polynesia. Some of the finest examples, known as fish houses, were built in the early 20th century in Pine Island Sound, Fla., where they were mostly way stations for commercial fisherman to sort and store their catch. A handful remain, including one once owned by the artist Robert Rauschenberg.

“The scale of it is very intimate — it’s tiny, almost a hybrid between a craftsman home and a boat — yet you have a 360-degree view from the porch,” said Claire Weisz of WXY , an architecture and urban design studio in New York City, who is supervising the property’s restoration. Although Rauschenberg’s home, now operated by his foundation , was built in 1942, Ms. Weisz said its condition was surprisingly good after weathering hurricanes and rises in sea level. Built by carpenters whose specialty was overwater construction, it has spaced-apart piles that allow wind and water to pass through harmlessly.

Recently, developers have co-opted the overwater idea for even landlocked mansions, like the $25 million, 11,000-square-foot home in Santa Monica, Calif, currently being constructed for Ira and Alice Rosenberg, a couple who turned to development after retiring from the garment business. A bridge will be required to enter the house, which is being engineered as if it were floating over a water-filled courtyard.

At the Rosewood Mayakoba resort , on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, a full community of residences includes villas with terraces that project over a lagoon at the heart of the development’s 620-acre nature preserve.

But nothing comes close to the four- and five-bedroom Floating Seahorse homes in Dubai, which each cost 20 million euros (about $24.4 million). They form part of the artificial archipelago known as the World, just off the coast, near Palm Jumeirah. Each offers residents the chance to live not just over water, but under it, too, as two of the bedrooms are below the surface.

Josef Kleindienst, chairman of the Kleindienst Group, the project’s developer, said the idea for these properties came from his determination to explore the waters, even though he fears ocean swimming. He said 72 of the planned 133 villas had already been sold, despite the bad publicity that arose when a stand-alone platform the company provided for a New Year’s party in 2017 sank several days after the event, when the structure was empty.

“The platform was designed for waves up to five feet, and, unfortunately, they came up to eight,” Mr. Kleindienst said. “The platform could not take it, but if a Floating Seahorse had been anchored in the same place, it would not have sunk, because it’s technically more advanced.”

The firm has finessed the design since the first prototype, a steel-hulled home featuring cables that tethered it in place, much like a moored barge. Problems with local permits for such vessels prompted Mr. Kleindienst to adapt the concept into a permanently anchored structure. To minimize its environmental impact, he replaced the steel with a water-safe concrete mix.

He said coral could flourish on the concrete, and he was even seeding the ocean floor with baby corals farmed in his firm’s own nursery nearby. Next, he intends to deploy the same technology on a more ambitious project: an entire floating hotel elsewhere on the artificial archipelago. Mr. Kleindienst warned that this building would probably not be ready for at least five years because of engineering challenges.

It will be a fitting monument to overwater bungalows that first appeared in a Tahitian setting. Mr. Kelley’s daughter fondly recalled the original hotel, which has since closed, from her childhood.

“You could remove the top of the coffee table and actually feed the fish underneath,” she said. “It was especially amazing at night, because there were lights under the bungalow, which attracted them even more.” Think of that as Tahitian television, her father told her.

Ms. Kelley said he would be impressed by the reach of his invention now.

“Part of me feels so proud that they’re all over the world,” she said, “but part of me think it’s too bad that it’s mostly unknown they were his idea. I just wish he would have more recognition for putting them on the map,” she added, pausing. “It’s bittersweet.”

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• 1 Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico
• 2 El Dorado Palafitos, Maroma Beach, Mexico
• 3 Sandals Royal Caribbean, Jamaica
• 4 Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama
• 5 Thatch Caye Resort, Belize
• 6 Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
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7 Gorgeous Overwater Bungalow Resorts Near the U.S.

Overwater bungalows just a two-hour flight from the U.S.? Thanks to a wave of exciting developments in Mexico and the Caribbean, that exciting daydream is now a reality. Honeymooners, get planning!

P.S. Check out What to Pack for a Beach Vacation before your next seaside getaway!

Senior Editor, Jetsetter | @lindseytravels | lindseytravels.com

See recent posts by Lindsey Olander

Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico

It’s a honeymooner’s life at the luxurious Rosewood Mayakoba , a tranquil five-star escape in Mexico’s Riviera Maya known for its excellent spa, upscale restaurants, and setting along a mile-long beach and interior mangrove. All of its 128 suites feature gorgeous rich-wood furniture and private plunge pools —but it’s the deluxe overwater lagoon suites you’ll want to spring for. They’re not stilted, per se, but they add sundecks, outdoor garden showers, and swim-up access from the lagoon to the mix. (The mezcal upon arrival doesn’t hurt, either.)  

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Playa del Carmen, Mexico hotels

El Dorado Palafitos, Maroma Beach, Mexico

The travel world turned upside down when El Dorado Maroma by Karisma debuted their stilted Palafitos in 2016—the first overwater bungalows to hit Mexico. As an adults-only all-inclusive resort, you can expect all the romantic perks: outdoor showers, 24-hour butlers, private infinity plunge pools, glass floor panels where you can watch schools of fish swirl below. Unlike their South Pacific counterparts, these bungalows took design cues from their home country’s Aztec roots: look out for furniture made from local Zapote wood and white granite and authentic prints and fabrics.

RELATED: The Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Sandals Royal Caribbean, Jamaica

Hot on the heels of El Dorado came Sandals Royal Caribbean , whose five overwater bungalows reset the luxury bar in Jamaica’s Montego Bay. What you’ll find: floating decks with personal hammocks that double as living rooms, soaking tubs for two, infinity pools, and private water taxis that whisk you to and from the main resort on your own time.

RELATED: Save BIG with these incredible deals on Easy-to-Reach Caribbean Resorts going on now >>>

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama

Some might say the nine cabanas at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge are a little too rustic for the high rate (they’re simple, with limited electricity and no air conditioning), but it’s hard to put a price tag on this level of privacy. You’re out there—a 30-minute from boat ride from the nearest town, Almirante, in Bocas del Toro—and once you arrive, everything is taken care of, from free snorkel and kayak gear for exploring the shallow Caribbean waters (home to stingrays and dolphins) to breakfast and three-course dinners and on-shore excursions, helpfully arranged by the staff.

Thatch Caye Resort, Belize

New openings in the Caribbean and Mexico might have stolen the limelight recently, but  Thatch Caye , a private-island hideaway nine miles off the coast of Belize, has been in the overwater bungalow game for years. Over-the-top luxury resort this is not, but if you’re looking to get back to nature and off the grid, you won’t find a more magical place to do it. Everything, including the five overwater bungalows (tricked out with hammocks, private baths, and bamboo ceilings), is run by wind and solar power, and dinners at the restaurant are served communally—the perfect way to cap off an afternoon snorkeling the world’s second-largest barrier reef.

RELATED: The World’s Best Islands with Overwater Bungalows

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Belize hotels

Sandals South Coast, Jamaica

The 12 overwater bungalows at  Sandals South Coast , on Jamaica’s northwestern coast, couldn’t be more romantic—they’re even arranged in the formation of a heart! Butler service is a given: here, they arrange welcome cocktails, dining reservations, and can even unpack your luggage and press your clothes. Decks are private and tricked out with day beds, catamaran net hammocks, and outdoor showers and soaking tubs. And yes, the mini-bar is included (how often do you get to pour Glenfiddich 12 Year and Hendricks Gin gratis?)

Sandals Grande St. Lucian, St. Lucia

Further down the Caribbean belt, in breezy St. Lucia, couples-only  Sandals Grande St. Lucian introduced nine over-the-water villas with the same inclusive luxuries. We’re talking see-through glass floors overlooking the water, butler service (don’t you deserve breakfast in bed?), overwater hammocks, and free reign of the resort’s mile-long beach—but with the added perk of wining and dining at sister resorts Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon (if you ever tire of your own digs) included in your rate.

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Rodney Bay, St. Lucia hotels

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23 Types of Water Transport To Keep You Afloat

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There are many different types of water transport that form part of the wider transport industry. In this article I will teach you what these different types of water transport are and how they work. Ready to learn more? Read on…

What is water transport?

Runabout boat, pontoon boat, rigid inflatable boat, ship’s tender, cruise ship, personal watercraft, types of water transport- further reading.

Water transport is any form of transportational vehicle which is primarily used to travel by water. There are many different types of water transport, used for both cargo and passengers, which travel on many different waterways. You can find out more about all of the different types below…

One of the main types of water transport is a boat. This is the most likely form of vehicle you would use to travel on water, regardless of whether you’re on a canal or in the middle of the ocean . However, there are of course a lot of different types of boats. We can generally split boats into three categories:

• Unpowered or human-powered boats 
• Sailboats 
• Motorboats 

Each category has many boats within it, all serving different purposes.

These boats, as the name suggests, have a deck area. They are generally small, but have seating areas for groups of people – their main purpose is for leisure and sightseeing, or as a vessel from which to enter the water for swimming or other watersports. With a V-shaped hull, these boats are usually 25-35 feet in length.

A catamaran is a type of boat which has two hulls. They are generally small-ish boats used for fishing or cruising, but this style of boat has been known to be used for car ferries too given their stability. 

As the name suggests, these are boats on which people live. They are not motorised because they are usually moored in one place, floating. Often they are built to look more like a house than a boat, but some definitely retain their boat style. You tend to find them on canals or larger lakes, and many people live in houseboats year round. They are also rented out to tourists looking for something a bit different!

These small open boats are an entry-level kind of vessel, used for casual boating and sporting activities. They have a steering wheel and small control panel.

A lifeboat is a small rigid or inflatable boat, generally attached to a larger boat or ship, used for sea rescue when necessary. Ships legally have to have a certain number of lifeboats corresponding with the number of people on board. 

This type of boat is used mostly on inland waters, and they are incredibly stable due to their wide and flat shape. They rely on tubes known as pontoons to float on the water. With sensible seating, they are used for sightseeing and fishing.

A barge is a type of water transport used on canals – it is also often called a canal boat. They are long and flat-bottomed, and used either for carrying cargo or as recreational passenger boats. The insides can fit beds, kitchens, seating areas and more.

An airboat is a small, flat-bottomed vessel which is powered by an aircraft-style propeller. They are used for tourist and fishing purposes in marshy and shallow waters – particularly the Everglades in Florida .

These are mostly used for tourist purposes now, particularly on the Nile. They are Eastern Mediterranean wooden sailing boats, seating around 10 passengers with 2-3 crew members.

A hovercraft is one of a few types of water transport which can also travel over land, through mud and on ice. They use special blowers in order to produce a large volume of air under the hull which is slightly above atmospheric pressure – this lifts the vessel allowing it to move. They have many uses.

This is a small narrow boat propelled by the use of double-ended paddles. They are most commonly used for recreational purposes on small bodies of water.

A liner is a very large boat designed to transport cargo or passengers long-distance from point A to point B, usually without stopping unless there is a need to refuel. They are generally not used these days, with flying being the optimal choice. The RMS Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner still in regular use, often completing trans-Atlantic journeys.

There is no standard definition of a yacht but they are generally 33ft+ in length with overnight facilities, used for pleasure and usually the height of luxury. You tend to find yachts moored at places like Puerto Banus in Marbella, or Cannes in France . People often make an activity out of celebrity-yacht-spotting!

A ferry is a type of boat generally used to carry passengers short-distance from A-B. They are used within waterside cities as public transport, such as the ferries in Venice or the ‘ferry across the Mersey’ in Liverpool. There are also ferries which travel a longer distance, from the UK to France for example, which also hold cars; these tend to have many more amenities on board such as cabins for sleeping, restaurants and bars, small cinemas and more.

This type of boat is small and flat-bottomed with a square-cut bow; it is propelled by the use of a pole which is pushed against the riverbed. The person doing this is called a ‘punter’, and they will be stood on the boat at the back. Punts are used for recreational purposes mostly.

Also known as a RIB, these tiny boats are – as the name suggests – rigid and inflatable. They are lightweight, high-capacity and unsinkable. RIBs are usually used as work boats; however, they are also used by scuba divers to reach dive sites which are in areas where larger boats can’t get to for whatever reason. They travel fast.

This is one of the most useful types of water transport because a ship’s tender is used to transport people or goods from a large ship to a dock, where there is not enough space to dock the ship itself.

A water taxi is used like land public transport to get people from one point to various other points. They will make multiple stops. Water taxis are used for commuting and also by tourists; you’ll find them in cities like Venice, Liverpool, Istanbul, Brussels, New Orleans and Budapest.

Other types of water transport

There are other types of water transport which are not technically boats, or are not referred to as such. This might be because they’re too big for that category, or too small, or simply operate in an entirely different manner.

A ship is a large water vessel, reserved for travelling the oceans. Ships generally have to be 95ft+ long; they can typically stay at sea for much longer than boats and, as the saying goes, a ship could carry a boat but a boat could not carry a ship. All of that being said, there is no set legal definition of a ship versus a boat.

There are many types of ships, including but not limited to:

• High-speed craft
• Off-shore oil vessels
• Motorised fishing trawlers
• Factory ships
• Cable layers
• Cry cargo ships
• Liquid cargo ships
• Passenger carrying vessels
• Special purpose vessels
• Aircraft carriers
• Minesweepers
• Deep sea survey vessels

One of the most well-known and exciting types of water transport is the cruise ship; they are, obviously, classed as ships – they are passenger carrying vessels, designed for staying at sea for an extended period of time. They differ from liners in that they stop at multiple ports as part of a round-trip. On board you’ll find a range of amenities including cabins, restaurants, shops, theatres, cinemas, bars, nightclubs, tattoo shops, water slides, go-karting tracks and much more. Not ever cruise ship has all of these, but this is just an example of how incredible cruise ships can be.

You can read more about cruising in my article, The 8 Major Types of Cruise.

A surfboard is a tricky one to categorise as one of the types of water transport, but it is listed on many websites as being a form of transport despite not generally being used to go from point A to point B in any way. A surfboard is a narrow plank used to allow surfers to ride a wave for fun.

A PWC is also known as a Jet Ski, which is actually a brand name (owned by Kawasaki) which has become synonymous with this kind of vessel. These differ from boats in that you stand or sit ON them, not in them. They are used for recreation mostly. However, law enforcement also use them due to their speed – and PWC fishing is a fast-growing industry.

And the last of the types of water transport is the submarine. These vessels are used for underwater exploration. There are small two-person submarines which can be submerged for a couple of hours, and there are massive submarines which remain under the water for up to 6 months. These vessels can go much deeper than human divers, allowing for discovery and anti-surface warfare.

If you enjoyed this article on the different types of transport then I am sure that you will love these too!

• Cruise tourism explained: What, why and where
• 15 Types of Rail Transport To Take You Away
• 20 Popular Types of Hotels Around The World
• The 3 Major Types Of Airlines + How They Work
• 50 types of transport from around the world

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5 Overwater Bungalow Resorts That Are So Much Easier to Get to Than Bora Bora

Maldives, Bora Bora and Tahiti—these are all high on our list of dream trips, especially since their luxury hoteliers are the O.G. pioneers of overwater accommodations. But factor in a couple thousand dollars on your flight and 15- to 20-plus hours up in the air, and you'll find the allure wanes a bit.

That’s why we couldn’t be more thrilled that resorts in Belize, Mexico, St. Lucia and more have jumped on the overwater bungalow bandwagon. A couple hundred bucks and only a couple hours to get to these desirable destinations? Consider our bags packed.

With stunning landscapes, crystal clear waters, swanky suites and villas raised over schools of exotic fish, there’s no time like the present to book a vacay to one of these gems. The best part? Even if you’re not into swimming (or getting your hair wet, no judgement), you can still be *on the water* without ever having to dip a toe in the water. Genius.

You Won’t Believe These Beautiful Hotels Are Under $300

Cayo Espanto, Belize

Cayo Espanto is intimate to the max. No surprise there, considering it’s a private island resort just off Ambergris Caye in Belize. With only seven ocean-front villas (one of which is its prized overwater bungalow,  Casa Ventanas ), rest and relaxation is inevitable. Surrounded by shimmering azure waters, an open-air layout and plenty of aquatic wonders to spy through transparent windows, it’s truly a dream hotel room. And the private butler, personal chef and island movie library don’t hurt the vacation vibes, either. Try fly-fishing and scuba diving by day and stargazing from the end of your dock by night. And if you never leave your quarters, that’s cool, too.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian, St. Lucia

Propped up on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia, each of its nine bungalows is outfitted with five-star details: outdoor showers, king beds bedecked in high thread counts, Smart TVs, soaking tubs and hammocks for two, plus unobstructed views of that famous aquamarine sea. Live music and dancing are typical nightly activities, while rainforest hikes and jaunts to world-renowned reef-diving sites (in between swim-up bar shenanigans) are par for the course. And should you require ice bucket refills, dinner reservations or someone to take the Insta pics, white gloved attendants will be at the ready 24/7.

Amanyara, Turks & Caicos

Tucked away on the farthest point of Providenciales in Turks, you can pick your poison: an Alcove Pavilion floating above a tranquil pond or a Pool Pavilion with a private infinity-edge swimming pool. Both include timber-shingled sundecks with loungers that offer the kind of tree-shaded seclusion only a true nature preserve can. We know, we know, leaving your abode will feel like a chore, but you’ll want to venture out (well, on-property still) for The Restaurant, where catch-of-the-day delicacies await you. Wellness is also big here, so book an alfresco yoga class or Pilates session with master trainer Erika Bloom. 

Palafitos-overwater Bungalows At El Dorado Maroma, Mexico

Part of the Karisma all-inclusive hotel family, El Dorado Maroma is an adults-only playground in the heart of Riviera Maya. A bit of a splurge (rates start in the high hundreds to thousands and up), a stay in one of its 30 floating Palafitos bungalows—replete with traditional Mexican influences and Aztec touches—does include all food and drinks, and well, #YOLO. Glass-bottom floors provide nonstop glimpses of look-alike Dory and friends, while private infinity pools and direct ladder access to the ocean mean never having to mingle with the rest of the hotel guests. Don’t worry though, there’s still Wi-Fi and majordomos (VIP butlers). Even the onsite restaurant fits the theme: Overwater Grill & Wine Bar. 

Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama

If your style is more laidback, you’ll fit right in at this rustic bungalow retreat situated on the edge of Bocas del Toro in Panama. The sustainably run “aqua-meets-eco lodge” boasts nine two-story abodes complete with colonial-style canopy beds and palm leaf constructed roofs. While most overwater resorts will cost you a pretty penny, Punta Caracol is uniquely affordable with rates in the low hundreds. Terrace hammocks, live coral reefs and funky decor add to the charm of this special sanctuary. Oh, and there are cute sloths, white-faced monkeys, dolphins and starfish dotting the entire archipelago. Tell them hi for us.

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Fear of flying over water? Here’s what you need to know

Friday newsletters  always feature luxury travel contests , tips , series  or news .

Today (December 8, 2017): Travel tip: Suffering from fear of flying over water? Here’s what you need to know

Followers of my blog know that I suffer from fear of flying , which is especially bad when flying over large bodies of water. Although totally irrational, it does make sense to some extent from an anxious passenger’s perspective, as the difference between flying over water and over land is the absence of a suitable airport underneath in the unlikely scenario that something goes wrong (e.g. engine failure, onboard fire, etc …). Flying over the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean is a real challenge for me, since the knowledge that there’s no diversion point close by makes me feel extremely uncomfortable, often to the point that I take a light tranquilizer (which rarely helps). I recently flew to Hawaii, a travel itinerary which made me nervous even weeks prior to departure (the stress almost made me cancel that trip). The Hawaiian Islands are often described as the most remote landmass on earth, and although that claim to fame belongs to Easter Island, the Hawaiian archipelago is still one of the islands farthest away from any continental land mass. Flights from the USA West Coast to Hawaii take 5 to 6 hours, depending upon the head winds and the city of departure (San Francisco is located closest to the islands), so it means that at the point of no return, you’re 2,5 up to 3 hours away from land. I don’t know if others also suffer from a similar kind of ‘over-water-flying fear’ (feel free to leave a comment ).

To put things in perspective and to emphasize how safe over water flights actually are, I have asked an expert in the field the questions I can’t stop thinking about when flying over the ocean.  Lode is an Airbus A320 captain who has more than 14,000 flight hours and 19 years of experience as a pilot. With a background as a training pilot, he attaches great importance to excellent communication with both passengers and colleagues, and promotes general aviation safety as he traverses the airspace . I asked Captain Lode the following questions:

• Can a plane fly on one engine?

What is ETOPS?

Can a plane contain a fire when flying across the ocean.

• Are pilots trained for ditching a plane on the water

Can a plane land on water in case of an emergency?

• Is there a difference between flying overwater in a narrow or wide body aircraft?

Can a plane take off and/or fly on one engine?

Yes it can. Before a certain speed – the so-called decision speed or V1 speed – the takeoff would be aborted and the aircraft would be brought to a stop. If an engine fails after reaching V1 speed, the aircraft will continue its take-off roll and get safely airborne on one engine before returning to the airport. If an engine fails mid-flight, the plane will not be able to maintain its altitude but it will safely continue flying. For example, in 2003, the captain of a United Airlines B777 flying from Auckland, New Zealand, to Los Angeles, USA, was forced to shut down one of the plane’s two engines because the oil pressure dropped dramatically. The Boeing continued to fly for more than 3 hours on one engine over the Pacific Ocean, before landing in Kona, Hawaii.  Every commercial airplane is able to safely land on one engine. The entire flight crew is trained and regularly checked in the simulator to perform manoeuvres such as taking off and landing on one engine.

ETOPS stands for ‘Extended range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standard’ and applies to twin engine aircraft on routes with a diversion time of more than one hour. It indicates the time that a commercial aircraft is allowed to fly away from the nearest suitable airport, to make sure it can safely land in the unlikely scenario that one of its engines becomes inoperative. The cornerstone of the ETOPS approach is the statistics showing that the turbine assembly of a modern jet engine is an inherently reliable component. There are different levels of ETOPS certification; for example ETOPS 240 means that the airplane can fly as far as up to 240 minutes (even on one engine) from the nearest suitable airport, because it has been reliably proven to do so.

As outlined on this very informative  Wikipedia page , ETOPS certification is a two-step, highly controlled process, where irregularities would immediately lead to a downgrade or suspension of the ETOPS capabilities of an airline:

• First, the airframe and engine combination must satisfy the basic ETOPS requirements during its type certification. Such tests may include shutting down an engine and flying on the remaining engine during the complete diversion time. Often such tests are performed in the middle of the ocean. It must be demonstrated that, during the diversion flight, the flight crew is not unduly burdened by extra workload due to the lost engine and that the probability of the remaining engine failing is extremely remote.
• Second, an airline who conducts ETOPS flights must satisfy their own country’s aviation regulators about their ability to conduct ETOPS flights, which involves compliance with additional special engineering and flight crew procedures in addition to the normal engineering and flight procedures. Pilots and engineering staff must be qualified and trained for ETOPS.

Yes it can. The cargo holds are designed with fire extuingishers, as are the engines and the cabin. There are multiple fire extinguishers inside the aircraft that can be operated by the cabin crew or even the pilots.

Are pilots trained for ditching a plane on the water?

This highly unlikely scenario is not replicated in flight simulators.

Yes it can, but it is not designed to do so, and an emergency landing is always better on land at an airport. Of course, everyone know the famous 2009 accident known as the Hudson miracle, where Captain Chesley Sullenberg ditched his US Airways Airbus A320 in New York City’s Hudson River after both engined flamed out following a strike with a flock of Canada geese. The plane remained intact and all 155 people aboard were rescued, but the river was a calm at the moment of landing, so it would be a totally different scenerio when landing on sea, where one has to take into account the height of waves. However, as long as sea conditions are smooth and the ditching is performed in a proper way, an aircraft can land on the sea and remain afloat. One successful example was on October 16, 1956, when a Pan Am flight 6 B377 Stratocruiser ditched en route from Honolulu, Hawaii to San Francisco, about halfway the route, with all 31 aboard being rescued by a nearby Coast Guard Cutter. The only sea landing in the recent modern jet time happened more than 20 years ago, in 1996, when an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 767 was forced to ditch in the Indian ocean, just off the shores of the Comoros islands, after it was hijacked and ran out of fuel. Unfortunately, it didn’t land smoothly as it slightly banked before touchdown, resulting in a break-up of the plane. Only 50 of the 163 passengers on board survived.

Is there a difference between flying overwater in a narrow vs wided body aircraft?

No there is not :-).

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10 Comments

Great feedback, actually I’m afraid of taking off and the initial climb to altitude. As a frequent flyer it is very disconcerting and by the time altitude is reached I am sweating, have clammy hands and generally breathing a sigh of relief. This does not help whichever cabin I sit in.

Anyhow the above has not stopped my passion of travelling

My sister developed a petrifying fear of flying as a QF cabin crew member. After decades of not flying she got treated by a homeopath and is fearlessly back in the air! I’m the greatest sceptic when it comes to this sort of stuff and would not have believed it, but it worked.

I have the same type of feeling. For me it really depends on the pilot and aircraft model as well. “Sporty” pilots are not appreciated. Flew with Lufthansa in september 2017 and that pilot must have thought he was doing a flight show because he tossed the plane around. I actually got so upset that I took contact with the crew and explained my experience. The rest of the flight was calm. Also the different aircraft types gives different experiences. Airbus A330/340 are very nice aircrafts but I really dislike them during landing. Boeing 777-300ER is my preffered aircraft due to its nice handling.

I really appreciate your honesty. I battle travel anxiety, specifically flying. I have been working hard to overcome it and articles like this one help. Recently we flew to Ireland, crossing the Atlantic Ocean; terrified doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings. If you get a moment, I would love for you to check out my page for more on conquering anxiety. 🙂

I just have a fear of ling flights. I was kinda scared when flying form IAD-GRU because you’re over the ocean and the Amazon for a while

I consider myself very very lucky that I have no phobia of flying over any kind of landscape, terrain or even during turbulences while in full flight. The most ‘disturbing’ flight I have ever been on was a short one hour flight from Guayaquil to Loja in Ecuador this summer where the flight was so disruptive, the male passengers who wanted to nap the flight away were regularly shaken and stirred during that 50 min route. That being said, brain entrainment and also, understanding the cerebral ‘fight – flight’ triggers can not only help you to overcome and undo (not get rid of – UN/deprogramming is really the term here) your irrational fears, it can literally and dramatically change who you believe to be or what makes you tick. Meditation, breathing exercises and visualisation are major tools in not only overcoming any fears you may have, it will change your entire mental, emotional and bio-physiological response patterns.

The benefit of working with these approaches is that it frees you up not just from a fear of flying (or everything that’s connected to it) but it applies to other areas of your life as well. What applies to ONE area of your life, normally is resurfacing in other areas of your life, too, even if you may not be aware of the interconnectedness of those patterns. My life has changed so much for the better even though fear of flying was not one of the [bad] habits I was suffering from.

Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12951631-breaking-the-habit-of-being-yourself

Not only will you be given the necessary knowledge to change any aspect of yourself, you will be taught the step-by-step tools to apply what you learn in order to make measurable changes in any area of your life.

wow! I’m shocked to see how many people have a severe fear of flying. (people certainly do not show it..) This makes me feel better – I’m not the only one freaking out on every flight and especially during turbulence…!

Everybody always look so calm on the flights. I start hyperventilating and almost crying. No matter what science is behind this, flying in a metal tube at these heights is not natural. I wish we could do some sort of train system around the world. I would prefer boats any day even if it took weeks.

I’m a pilot (of a light single-engine propeller plane, not a jet) and although I don’t have any fear of flying, I do have a fear of heights. Even a 2 step ladder makes me tense up, but I am comfortable climbing to 10,000 feet. However I am no longer able to fly in airliners because of damage to my ear. Passenger jet cabins are pressurized to the equivalent 8,000 feet but unlike in a private plane, if my ear hurts I can’t tell the pilots to stop climbing level out! But in my own plane I can.

Everyone who is afraid of flying has probably heard that flying is the safest way to travel (which is true). Even though I’m a pilot myself, the expertise of a modern airline pilot just blows me away, and the safety of a modern turbofan engine makes even the most reliable piston engines look like lego toys.

Great feedback! If anyone wants to fly without any fear, you should do training under a professional trainer. For becoming a pilot and to get a degree in aviation, Go for Insignia College, which I personally recommended!

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27 Luxury Overwater Bungalows in Florida (2024 Updates!)

Posted on Last updated: March 24, 2024

Looking for a unique and unforgettable vacation experience right here in the US? 

The overwater bungalows in Florida offer an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of staying over water without having to jet off to some distant tropical paradise. 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure  here .

Actual Overwater Bungalows in Florida

Florida, known for its stunning beaches and captivating landscapes, offers a unique experience for those seeking the exotic allure of overwater bungalows.

While not as prevalent as in regions like the Maldives or Bora Bora, Florida does have its own exclusive collection of overwater accommodations.

Here, we explore the existing overwater bungalows in Florida.

1. Bungalows Key Largo

• Location: Key Largo, Florida Keys
• Description: Bungalows Key Largo is a luxurious, adults-only overwater resort located in the Florida Keys. As the first all-inclusive overwater bungalow resort in the USA, it offers a blend of luxury and privacy. Each bungalow is elegantly designed with a private veranda, soaking tub, and outdoor shower.
• Amenities: The resort features amenities like a full-service spa, infinity pools, and gourmet dining options. Guests can enjoy a variety of water activities, such as snorkeling, paddle boarding, and sunset cruises.
• Pricing: Prices vary based on season and package, starting from approximately $1,000 per night.
• Unique Features: This resort stands out for its eco-friendly practices and its adults-only policy, ensuring a serene and intimate atmosphere.

2. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

• Location: Lake Buena Vista, near Orlando
• Description: Nestled on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World Resort, these Florida overwater bungalows offer a unique Disney-themed overwater experience. Each bungalow is styled with Polynesian decor and offers views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
• Amenities: Guests have access to the amenities of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort , including themed pools, water slides, and dining experiences. The proximity to Disney parks is a significant draw.
• Pricing: Pricing is dynamic, often starting around $800 per night, varying with season and availability.
• Unique Features: These bungalows offer a magical view of the Disney fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant, making them a favorite for families and Disney enthusiasts.

Guest Experiences and Reviews

• Bungalows Key Largo : Guests often rave about the tranquility and luxury of Bungalows Key Largo. Reviews of these Florida over the water bungalows frequently highlight the excellent service, the quality of food, and the exclusive adults-only atmosphere. Some guests note the price as a consideration but find the experience worth the cost.
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows : Visitors love the unique Disney magic infused into their stay. The view of the fireworks and easy access to Disney parks are often mentioned as highlights. While some find the price a bit steep, the convenience and unique Disney experience are generally seen as pluses.

Understanding the Rarity of Overwater Bungalows in Florida

While the allure of Florida overwater bungalows is undeniable, their scarcity in Florida can be attributed to several key factors ranging from geographical constraints to regulatory challenges.

Geographical and Environmental Factors

• Coastal Dynamics: Florida’s coastline is dynamic and often subject to erosion, sea-level rise, and storm impacts. Constructing overwater bungalows that can withstand these natural elements poses significant challenges.
• Marine Ecosystems: Florida’s waters are rich in biodiversity, including delicate coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems. The construction of overwater bungalows could disrupt these fragile habitats, leading to environmental concerns.
• Depth and Topography of Coastal Waters: In many parts of Florida, coastal waters are either too shallow or too deep for feasible construction of overwater structures, unlike the ideal conditions found in places like the South Pacific.

Regulatory and Zoning Challenges

• Building Regulations: Florida has stringent building codes, especially designed to withstand hurricanes. Adhering to these regulations for overwater structures is both challenging and costly.
• Zoning Laws: Zoning laws in coastal areas of Florida are strict to protect the environment and maintain public access to waterfronts. These laws often restrict the type of developments that can occur over water.
• Permitting Process: Obtaining permits for overwater construction is a lengthy and complex process in Florida, involving multiple governmental agencies and environmental assessments.

Weather and Climate Considerations

• Hurricane Risk: Florida’s hurricane season runs from June to November, posing a significant risk to any overwater structure. The cost of building and insuring such properties to withstand these conditions is prohibitively high.
• Climate Change Impact: Rising sea levels and increasing intensity of storms due to climate change add to the uncertainty and risk of overwater bungalow construction in Florida.

Overwater Bungalows Near Florida

For those who dream of staying in a Florida overwater bungalow but find options limited in Florida, there are several enchanting destinations in the Caribbean and Central America that are easily accessible from Florida.

These locations offer the quintessential overwater bungalow experience, combining luxury with breathtaking natural beauty.

Caribbean and Central America Options

The bahamas.

• Just a short flight from Florida, the Bahamas offers a few overwater bungalow experiences, combining luxury with stunning ocean views.
• Example: Sandals Royal Bahamian , located in Nassau, offers overwater villas with glass floors, private pools, and butler service.
• Known for its vibrant culture and beautiful beaches, Jamaica hosts several overwater bungalow resorts.
• Example: Sandals South Coast provides overwater bungalows with a Tahitian design, featuring glass floor panels and over-water hammocks.
• Belize’s barrier reef, the second-largest in the world, presents a unique backdrop for overwater stays.
• Example: Thatch Caye Resort offers overwater bungalows in a private island setting, ideal for snorkeling and exploring marine life.
• The Riviera Maya in Mexico, though slightly farther, is home to luxurious overwater accommodations.
• Example: Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma offer exclusive bungalows with glass-bottom floors, private infinity pools, and direct ocean access.

Comparison with Florida Overwater Bungalows

• Accessibility: While these locations require international travel, they are relatively close to Florida, with direct flights available from major Florida airports.
• Cost: The pricing can be comparable to or even less than the limited overwater options in Florida, depending on the season and resort.
• Experience: These destinations offer a more traditional overwater bungalow experience, often in more secluded and exotic environments, compared to the more theme-oriented options available in Florida.

Making the Most of Your Overwater Bungalow Experience

Staying in an overwater bungalow is a unique experience that requires some planning to make the most of it.

Whether you’re booking in Florida or a nearby destination, here are some tips to help you prepare for an unforgettable getaway.

Booking Tips

• Advance Planning: Overwater bungalows are often in high demand. Book well in advance, especially if you’re targeting peak travel seasons or specific dates.
• Comparison Shopping: Compare prices across different platforms and consider package deals that may include meals, activities, and transportation.
• Read the Fine Print: Understand the cancellation policy, especially for international travel, which can be more susceptible to changes due to various factors.

What to Expect and How to Prepare

• Pack Appropriately: Bring swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, and water shoes. If you plan to engage in specific activities like snorkeling or paddle boarding, check if you need to bring your own gear.
• Check for Inclusions: Know what’s included in your stay. Some overwater bungalows offer all-inclusive packages, while others might charge extra for certain amenities.
• Weather Awareness: Be aware of the weather patterns, especially if traveling during hurricane season. Consider travel insurance for international trips.
• Respect the Environment: Overwater bungalows are often located in sensitive ecological areas. Be mindful of your impact on the marine 

The Bahamas: A Stone’s Throw Away from Florida

Overview of the bahamas as a destination.

The Bahamas, an archipelago of over 700 islands and cays, lies just southeast of Florida. Renowned for its pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life, it offers an idyllic escape for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.

The proximity of the Bahamas to Florida makes it an easily accessible destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the overwater bungalow experience.

Overwater Bungalows Near Florida in the Bahamas

• Description: This adults-only resort offers luxurious overwater villas that epitomize romance and exclusivity. Each villa is a haven of solitude with private pools, glass floors, and personal butler service.
• Unique Features: The bungalows feature extended sun decks, outdoor showers, and tranquility soaking tubs for two, offering panoramic views of the ocean.
• Activities: Guests can indulge in water sports, spa treatments, and gourmet dining. The resort also arranges local excursions to explore Nassau’s cultural landmarks.
• While Sandals Royal Bahamian is the most prominent, there are other resorts and private islands in the Bahamas that offer overwater experiences, each with their unique charm.

Exploring the Bahamas Beyond the Bungalow

• Local Culture and Cuisine: The Bahamas is rich in culture, with lively music, colorful festivals, and delicious local cuisine. Exploring local markets and dining at authentic Bahamian restaurants is a must.
• Marine Adventures: The clear waters of the Bahamas are perfect for snorkeling, diving, and swimming with pigs at famous spots like Exuma.
• Historical Sites: Nassau, the capital, is steeped in history with landmarks like Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase.

Travel Tips for the Bahamas

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is from mid-December to mid-April when the weather is most favorable.
• Getting There: There are frequent flights to Nassau from various cities in Florida, often taking less than an hour.
• Currency and Language: The Bahamian dollar is on par with the US dollar, which is widely accepted. English is the official language.

Jamaica’s Overwater Retreats

Introduction to jamaica’s culture and natural beauty.

Jamaica, a Caribbean island nation, is known for its rich cultural heritage, reggae music, and stunning natural landscapes.

From the lush mountains and rainforests to the reef-lined beaches, Jamaica provides a vibrant backdrop for an extraordinary overwater bungalow experience.

In-depth Look at Overwater Bungalow Resorts in Jamaica

• Description: Set on a 2-mile stretch of Jamaica’s south coast, this resort offers overwater bungalows that are a perfect blend of luxury and the island’s unique spirit.
• Unique Features: The bungalows feature see-through glass floors, over-water hammocks, private outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs™, and butler service.
• Amenities: Guests can enjoy gourmet dining across various restaurants, a world-class spa, and unlimited water sports.
• Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay : Known for its private island and Thai-style overwater bungalows, this resort adds an exotic touch to the Caribbean experience.
• GoldenEye, Oracabessa : While not traditional overwater bungalows, the lagoon cottages here offer a similar serene water experience.

Unique Experiences and Local Attractions in Jamaica

• Jamaican Cuisine: A must-try is the local cuisine, famous for jerk spices, fresh seafood, and unique flavors.
• Reggae and Cultural Tours: Immerse in the island’s musical heritage with reggae tours and visit cultural sites like the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
• Outdoor Adventures: Jamaica is a haven for nature lovers, offering hiking in the Blue Mountains, exploring the Green Grotto Caves, or rafting on the Martha Brae River.

Traveling to and Around Jamaica

• Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit is between November and mid-December when the weather is pleasant, and the tourist crowds are thinner.
• Accessibility: Jamaica has several international airports with direct flights from many cities in Florida, making it a convenient destination.
• Local Tips: English is the official language. The Jamaican dollar (JMD) is the local currency, but USD is widely accepted in tourist areas.

Belize: Unspoiled Natural Beauty

Overview of belize’s ecological wonders.

Belize, a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America, is celebrated for its remarkable biodiversity and the richness of its natural environments.

From the dense jungles to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is a hidden gem for travelers seeking both adventure and tranquility.

Comprehensive Review of Overwater Accommodations in Belize

• Description: Located on a private island, Thatch Caye Resort offers an exclusive and intimate overwater experience. Its bungalows are perfectly nestled above the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, offering spectacular views and serene privacy.
• Unique Features: The resort’s overwater bungalows have thatched roofs, private decks, and are designed for eco-friendly sustainability. They offer a true disconnect from the busy world, with no TVs but plenty of natural beauty.
• Activities: Guests can enjoy world-class snorkeling, diving, fishing, and kayaking, or simply relax and soak up the sun.
• Description: A private island resort near San Pedro, Cayo Espanto features luxurious overwater villas with stunning vistas of the Caribbean Sea.
• Unique Features: Each villa has a private plunge pool, personalized chef service, and custom-tailored experiences.
• Privacy and Exclusivity: Known for its unparalleled privacy and service, this resort is a favorite among celebrities seeking a secluded getaway.

Emphasis on Eco-Tourism and Adventure Activities

• The Belize Barrier Reef: The reef offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving experiences in the world, with vibrant coral formations and a plethora of marine life.
• Eco-Tourism: Belize is committed to sustainable tourism practices, making it an ideal destination for eco-conscious travelers. Exploring the mainland’s rainforests and wildlife sanctuaries is a must.
• Cultural Experiences: Belize’s rich cultural heritage, influenced by Mayan, Creole, and Mestizo cultures, is reflected in its food, music, and festivals.

Travel Tips for Belize

• Best Time to Visit: The ideal period to visit is between late November and mid-April, during the dry season.
• Getting There: Belize is accessible via direct flights from several cities in Florida. The main airport is in Belize City.
• Currency and Language: The Belize dollar is the local currency, pegged 2:1 to the USD, which is widely accepted. English is the official language, making travel relatively easy for English-speaking visitors.

Overwater Luxury in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

The allure of mexico’s caribbean coast.

Mexico’s Riviera Maya, stretching along the Yucatán Peninsula’s Caribbean coastline, is renowned for its stunning beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and lush tropical landscapes.

This region combines the mystique of ancient civilizations with modern luxury, making it an ideal destination for an overwater bungalow experience.

Detailed Profiles of Overwater Bungalow Resorts

• Description: Located on one of the world’s top beaches, these exclusive overwater bungalows offer a blend of elegance and seclusion.
• Unique Features: Each bungalow features glass-bottom floors, private infinity pools, direct ladder access to the ocean, and personalized butler service.
• Amenities: The resort provides gourmet dining, a world-class spa, and various water sports, ensuring a luxurious stay.
• Description: Situated within a private resort community, Rosewood Mayakoba offers lavish lagoon-facing accommodations, though not strictly overwater, they provide a similar serene water experience.
• Unique Features: The suites feature plunge pools, rooftop sundecks, and boat docks, encapsulating luxury amidst nature.
• Experiences: Guests can indulge in eco-tours, Mayan cooking classes, and exploration of the nearby Mayan ruins.

Cultural Experiences and Excursions in the Region

• Mayan Heritage: Visiting ancient Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba offers a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
• Cenotes and Natural Wonders: The Yucatán Peninsula is dotted with cenotes (natural sinkholes), providing unique swimming and snorkeling experiences.
• Local Cuisine: The culinary scene in Riviera Maya is a fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with Caribbean influences, a must-try for food enthusiasts.

Travel Tips for the Riviera Maya

• Best Time to Visit: The peak season is from December to April, with pleasant weather and minimal rainfall.
• Accessibility: The Riviera Maya is easily accessible, with the Cancun International Airport serving as the main gateway.
• Language and Currency: While Spanish is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas. The Mexican Peso (MXN) is the local currency, but USD is often accepted.

Tips for Choosing the Right Overwater Bungalow

Selecting the perfect overwater bungalow for your vacation is crucial. Each destination and resort offers a unique set of experiences, amenities, and atmospheres. Here are some factors to consider:

• Personal Preferences and Style: Determine if you prefer a tranquil, romantic getaway or an adventure-filled holiday. Resorts offer different experiences, from secluded retreats to activity-rich environments.
• Budget Considerations: Overwater bungalows can range from moderately expensive to ultra-luxurious. Assess your budget and look for options that offer the best value for your money.
• Location and Accessibility: Consider the travel time and ease of access from your home. Proximity to airports and the availability of transportation should be taken into account.
• Amenities and Services: Evaluate what is important to you – spa services, water sports, dining options, etc. Ensure the chosen bungalow aligns with your interests.
• Environmental Impact and Sustainability: For eco-conscious travelers, it’s important to consider the environmental practices of the resort and the sustainability of their accommodations.

Making the Journey: Travel Tips and Essentials

A well-planned trip ensures a hassle-free and enjoyable vacation. Here are some essential travel tips when heading out to Florida overwater bungalows:

• Flight Arrangements: Look for direct flights to minimize travel time. Consider travel insurance, especially for international trips.
• Packing Essentials: Pack according to the climate and activities. Don’t forget swimwear, sun protection, comfortable clothing, and any specific gear for planned activities.
• Health and Safety: Stay updated on any travel advisories or health-related requirements, like vaccinations or COVID-19 protocols.
• Local Customs and Etiquette: Research the local customs, language basics, and etiquette of your chosen destination to ensure respectful interactions.
• Currency and Payment Methods: Familiarize yourself with the local currency and payment practices. It’s often beneficial to carry some local currency in addition to credit/debit cards.

Conclusion: Finding Your Overwater Paradise

In summary, overwater bungalows near Florida offer a splendid array of options, each with its unique charm and allure.

From the serene beauty of the Bahamas to the vibrant culture of Jamaica, the untouched nature of Belize, and the luxurious allure of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, these destinations promise an unforgettable experience.

Whether you seek romance, adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, there is an overwater bungalow waiting to be your paradise. Remember to plan ahead, consider your preferences, and embrace the journey to finding your perfect overwater escape.

FAQs on Over the Water Bungalows in Florida

1. Are there overwater bungalows in Florida similar to those in the Maldives or Bora Bora?

While Florida does have overwater accommodations, they are not as prevalent or similar in style to those in the Maldives or Bora Bora. The most notable ones include Bungalows Key Largo and Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, which offer a different but still luxurious experience.

2. What makes the overwater bungalows in Florida unique?

Overwater bungalows in Florida offer a unique blend of luxury and local charm. For instance, Bungalows Key Largo provides an adults-only, all-inclusive experience with a focus on privacy and relaxation, while Disney’s Polynesian Villas offer a family-friendly, Disney-themed experience.

3. Can I find all-inclusive overwater bungalow resorts in Florida?

Yes, Bungalows Key Largo is an all-inclusive overwater bungalow resort in Florida, offering amenities such as fine dining, spa services, and water activities included in the stay.

4. Are overwater bungalows in Florida suitable for families?

Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows are particularly family-friendly, offering amenities and activities suitable for guests of all ages, along with the unique experience of staying in a Disney-themed overwater bungalow.

5. How much does it typically cost to stay in an overwater bungalow in Florida?

The cost can vary widely depending on the resort, time of year, and package chosen. Prices typically start around $800 per night and can go significantly higher based on the level of luxury and included amenities.

6. What is the best time of year to stay in an overwater bungalow in Florida?

The best time is generally during Florida’s dry season, from November to April, when the weather is more temperate and there’s less risk of hurricanes.

7. Are there any environmental concerns with overwater bungalows in Florida?

Yes, environmental concerns such as the impact on marine ecosystems and coastal erosion are considerations. Resorts like Bungalows Key Largo are mindful of these factors and aim to minimize environmental impact.

8. How do I book an overwater bungalow in Florida, and how far in advance should I plan?

You can book through the resorts’ official websites or through travel agencies. It is advisable to book several months in advance, especially if planning a trip during peak travel seasons.

9. Are overwater bungalows in Florida impacted by hurricane season?

Yes, hurricane season (June to November) can impact these accommodations. It’s advisable to check weather forecasts and consider travel insurance for trips during this period.

10. What activities are available at overwater bungalow resorts in Florida?

Activities vary by resort but often include water sports, spa services, gourmet dining, and in the case of Disney’s Polynesian Villas, easy access to Disney theme parks and entertainment.

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Reusable water bottles are a traveler’s best friend. But how do you find potable water to fill them?

• PLANET OR PLASTIC?

6 plastic-free ways to travel with safe drinking water

These tips can help you stay hydrated and healthy while adventuring—and ditch single-use plastic while you do it.

Staying hydrated when you travel can be a challenge, particularly in places where tap water is unsafe or unavailable. Rather than reaching for a single-use plastic bottle and contributing to the world’s plastic problem , learn some new strategies for safe water consumption wherever you roam.

B.Y.O.F.B. (bring your own filtration bottle)

Travelers looking for an all-in-one approach might consider a self-contained filtration and purification bottle, with a combined filter and vessel that make it easy to clean, carry, and drink water on the go. LifeStraw uses a hollow fiber membrane and an activated carbon capsule to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics and to reduce foul odors and tastes. GRAYL takes its commitment to safe water consumption a step further, protecting against viruses as well.

Not all filtration bottles are created equal: Some rely on suction, others require pressure, some protect against a variety of pathogens and others don’t. Filter lifespans vary widely and aren’t available in all destinations, so you may need to pack extras. Carefully read product descriptions and instructions.

Disrupt dangerous DNA

There’s a good chance you’ve already consumed UV-purified water—bottling companies and municipal treatment plants often use this method. Thanks to lightweight, innovative products like Steripen and Larq Bottle , travelers can take similar tech on the road.

At specific intensities, ultraviolet light destroys the DNA of viruses, protozoa, and bacteria . With a touch of a button and a swirl of the wand, the Steripen fills the water with UV rays intended to kill more than 99 percent of bacteria and viruses in a few minutes.

While UV light has the power to purify, it doesn’t filter sediment, heavy metals, and other particulates, so it’s best to use UV devices in combination with a filter.

Personal filtration system

This is a good option if you prefer a filtration system that’s compact enough to travel and flexible enough to let you configure the components according to your needs.

The detachable filter on both the LifeStraw Flex and Sawyer Mini doubles as a straw for sipping directly from the water source and can be used on a hydration pack as well. Both systems use a hollow fiber membrane, but the Flex adds an activated carbon capsule to catch chemicals and heavy metals. The Flex filter requires replacement after about 25 gallons of use—much sooner than the Sawyer, which claims to last for 100,000.

Electrify to purify

Adventurers opting for lightweight convenience might also consider an electrolytic water purifying device. Small in size but big on results, the portable gadget zaps a simple brine solution—easily made on the spot from salt and water—with an electric current to create a disinfectant you can add to your water (up to 20 liters at a time) to destroy almost all pathogens.

Unlike UV devices, this type of disinfectant can perform in turbid water. The device is long-lasting and rechargeable—the Potable Aqua PURE is advertised to purify about 60,000 liters of water before replacement parts are required, and its battery can be charged via USB. If taste or chemical sensitivity are concerns, be aware that disinfectant does leave a chlorine residue in the water.

Keep tabs on chemical treatments

Chlorine tablets can be hazardous to handle and iodine tablets have been linked to health issues . And both leave treated water with an unpleasant odor and taste. One alternative is sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC): It’s affordable, easy to use, and achieves the same purifying results as chlorine, with fewer risks.

Drop a NaDCC purification tablet— Aquatabs are one example—in non-turbid water to release hypochlorous acid, which reduces most pathogens and renders the water drinkable after about 30 minutes. Keep in mind: This method doesn’t remove particulates or contaminants like pesticides. If you’re treating turbid water, it’s best to filter before dissolving the tablets. Remember to read the instructions for any time adjustments that may be required.

Speak up, set an example

Filtered water may be available for free—if you know where to look. Apps like RefillMyBottle and Tap can pinpoint water refill stations while you’re on the road.

Using water filtration and purification tools has helped Mike and Anne Howard, the husband-and-wife traveling duo HoneyTrek , globetrot continuously for over 2,000 days without breaking their no-plastic-bottles pact.

And sometimes it’s simply a matter of speaking up: The more travelers ask restaurants, hotels, and tour operators to refill their reusable water bottles, the more those services cater to demand—and the less single-use plastic gets used.

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List of Topics

SfC Home > Physics > Wave Motion > Sound Waves >

• Sound Seems Amplified Over Water

by Ron Kurtus

If you are sitting in a boat, a sound coming from the shore will seem louder than the same sound heard by a person on land. Sound seems to be amplified when it travels over water .

The reason is that the water cools the air above its surface, which then slows down the sound waves near the surface. This causes refraction or bending of the sound wave, such that more sound reaches the boat passenger.

Sound waves skimming the surface of the water can add to the amplification effect, if the water is calm.

Questions you may have include:

• Why does sound lose its loudness with distance?
• What happens to the speed of sound with temperature?
• How does the amplitude increase?

This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion

Amplitude decreases with distance

As any waveform expands or spreads out from its source, its amplitude decreases. You can see this with water waves in a pond. With sound, the amplitude of the waves relates to the loudness of the sound that we perceive.

Amplitude of waves decreasing as they spread

Speed and temperature

When the air temperature is 24° C (75° F), the speed of sound is 346 meters per second (m/s) or 775 miles per hour (mph). The relationship between the speed of sound and the air temperature is approximated from the equation:

v = 331.4 + 0.6T c m/s

where T c is the Celsius temperature.

If the water was at 15.5° C (60° F), the air just above the surface would be close to the same temperature. The air temperature would then increase at further distances from the water until it reached the normal air temperature.

The follow chart is the air temperature and speed of sound at different heights above the water.

Speed of sound decreases closer to cooler water

Effect of refraction and reflection

Refraction of the sound waves in cooler air and the reflection off the surface of the water effect the sound that is heard.

Waves bent by refraction

When a wave strikes a material in which it travels slower, its direction is changed slightly if it strikes the material at an angle. This effect is called refraction. You have seen refraction when light passes through a pane of glass at an angle. The image is displaced, because the light rays were refracted.

(See Refraction of Light for more information on this subject.)

The same thing happens when sound enters a material in which its speed is slower than in normal air. The direction of the sound waves change slightly.

Since the temperature of the water in a lake or ocean is usually cooler than the normal air temperature, the air just above the water level is cooled by the water. The temperature varies according to the distance from the surface of the water. This gradient of speeds would result in a lens effect due to refraction of sound. That means sound would tend to focus and thus increase its apparent loudness.

Cool air bends sound and thus increases amplitude

It is a strange effect that follows the principles of sound and wave motion.

Reflection off surface of water

If the water is smooth or calm, the sound waves skim the surface of the water and are reflected toward the observer in the boat, adding to the amplification. However, if the water is choppy, the sound is randomly reflected and make no contribution to the amplitude of the sound.

A sound coming from the shore will sound louder to a person sitting in a boat in the water than the same sound heard by a person on land.

Sound seems to be amplified when it travels over water, because the water cools the air above its surface. Cool air slows down the sound waves near the surface, causing refraction or bending of the sound wave. Then more sound reaches the boat passenger.

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Speed of Sound - Hyperphysics site

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Physics topics Sound Seems Amplified Over Water

Sound Waves

• Overview of Sound Waves

Characteristics of sound

• Speed of Sound in a Gas
• How Obstacles Affect Sound Waves
• Sound Echoes
• Electronic Sound Reproduction
• Beat Frequencies in Sound
• Doppler Effect for Sound
• Doppler Effect Equations for Sound
• Traveling Faster than Sound

Creating sound

• Creating Sound Waves
• Sound Created from a String or Wire
• Equation for Sound Created from a String
• Equation for Sound Created from a Wire
• Making Sounds with Musical Instruments

Detecting sound

• Detecting Sound Waves
• Human Perception of Sound Frequencies
• Acoustics in Buildings
• Noise Reduction
• Noise Cancellation
• Diffraction Affects Blocking Noise
• Physics Survey Results
• Physical Science

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What is a waterspout?

A waterspout is a whirling column of air and water mist..

According to NOAA's National Weather Service, the best way to avoid a waterspout is to move at a 90-degree angle to its apparent movement. Never move closer to investigate a waterspout. Some can be just as dangerous as tornadoes.

Waterspouts fall into two categories: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.

Tornadic waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water, or move from land to water. They have the same characteristics as a land tornado. They are associated with severe thunderstorms, and are often accompanied by high winds and seas, large hail, and frequent dangerous lightning.

Fair weather waterspouts usually form along the dark flat base of a line of developing cumulus clouds. This type of waterspout is generally not associated with thunderstorms. While tornadic waterspouts develop downward in a thunderstorm, a fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and works its way upward. By the time the funnel is visible, a fair weather waterspout is near maturity. Fair weather waterspouts form in light wind conditions so they normally move very little.

If a waterspout moves onshore, the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, as some of them can cause significant damage and injuries to people. Typically, fair weather waterspouts dissipate rapidly when they make landfall, and rarely penetrate far inland.

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Last updated: 01/20/23 Author: NOAA How to cite this article

Originally posted by U-406 : Are you able to traverse ocean if you start on an island or want to get to an island? If not, does that mean you could start on an island to be completely safe from raids, while you couldn't raid anyone either?

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Choose your own adventure: Where to go and how to save on summer vacations

Revenge travel is so last year.

“It's not necessarily about just getting out of the house anymore,” said Sydney Stanback, Global Insights and Trends lead at Pinterest, which has seen more than 1 billion travel searches and more than 10 billion travel saves over the past year. 

Sure, many of the usual suspects are once again among the most popular destinations across multiple search engines this year, but she said this summer, “It's more so about traveling with intention.” 

According to NerdWallet’s Summer 2024 Travel Report , 45% of Americans plan to take a trip requiring a hotel stay or flight this summer with expenses averaging just under $3,600. A fifth of those travelers expect to go into debt to pay for vacations.

Here’s what to consider when booking a summer trip, including where to go, when to travel and how to save:

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What is the best place to travel in summer? 

The answer is subjective, especially this summer.

“Everyone's kind of choosing their own adventure based off of what their needs are for travel,” Stanback said. 

Pinterest’s Summer 2024 Travel Report found summer travelers are most interested in adventure, exploring mysterious or uncharted destinations, and rest. Searches for “quiet life” jumped 530%, but that doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.

“My mother actually just took a yoga retreat to Panama,” Stanback said. “That's what she needed to do in order to get the rest that she needed and the well-being that she needed. But for me, when I think of rest and restoration, I simply think about going to a beach spa and just sitting and being by myself.”

Solo travel remains popular. Solo travel searches reached an all-time high in Google in January, but again, not for everyone.

“For Gen Z specifically, that need is to gather and reconnect with their community because they were in isolation for so long and during very meaningful moments in their lives,” Stanback said. She noted group travel and road trips are of keen interest to Gen Z.

“It's not necessarily about traveling and going out and going to restaurants and going to bars and clubs,” she added. “We actually see that a lot with younger generations. They’re kind of stepping away from that and really considering their well-being when they're taking time off.”

Where do most tourists go in summer?

Expedia’s Summer Outlook and Google Flights identified the same cities among their most searched summer 2024 destinations based on flights, though rankings varied by platform.

Top 5 domestic destinations 

◾ Orlando, Florida

◾ Los Angeles

◾ Las Vegas

Top 5 international destinations

◾ Cancun, Mexico

◾ Paris, host of the Summer Olympics

Allianz Partners found slightly different results in their analysis of “more than six million flight itineraries for trips between five and eight days in length for travel booked between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.”

Instead of LA and Vegas, Allianz named Boston and Honolulu among this summer’s top five domestic destinations. Internationally, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, made Allianz’s top five, instead of Rome, Paris and Tokyo.

“I am expecting crowds to rival last summer's in popular overseas cities,” Expedia’s travel expert Melanie Fish said, noting how places like Barcelona and Venice are trying to curb overtourism. “They're trying fees and if that's not enough, they're going to have to go even further.”

How can I save on a trip?

Summer trips are already costly for many travelers. “Americans with household income under $100,000 accounted for nearly half (46%) of intended leisure travel spend in summer 2023,” according to Deloitte’s Facing travel’s future report from April.

Expedia’s Fish shared five tips for booking summer 2024 vacations:

◾ Bundle your trip. Booking airfare and a hotel at the same time can earn you deep discounts.

◾ Travel midweek or later in the summer if it's an option. You'll save money and save yourself from fighting crowds. 

• ◾ Fly early in the day … The early bird who takes the first flight of the day will typically get a better price and a lower chance of delays and cancellations. ◾ Book once, earn twice. You can stack rewards from your travel credit card (and) your airline.◾ Just go. Don't pressure yourself to create the trip of a lifetime … Do it in a bite-sized chunk if possible. 

'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

How far ahead should I book travel?

“The sweet spot is now,” Fish said. “We're within that 21- to 60-day pre-travel window to save around 15% on airfare, so now is the time to plan. That means ready, set, but maybe wait until August to actually go.”

She said travelers can save an average of $250 on international flights if they wait until the peak summer travel season passes. 

“It's 15% cheaper on average to fly domestically in August versus June, 30% cheaper to fly to Europe in late summer, and 55% cheaper to fly to Mexico and the Caribbean in August,” she said. “Of course, August is peak hurricane season , so that has something to do with that price dip.”

Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US

Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country

BOULEVARD, Calif. -- Julia Paredes believed her move to the United States might be now or never. Mexico was days from requiring visas for Peruvian visitors. If she didn't act quickly, she would have to make a far more perilous, surreptitious journey over land to settle with her sister in Dallas.

Mexico began requiring visas for Peruvians on Monday in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country, after identical moves for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians. It effectively eliminated the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border, as Paredes, 45, did just before it was too late.

“I had to treat it as a emergency,” said Paredes, who worked serving lunch to miners in Arequipa, Peru, and borrowed money to fly to Mexico's Tijuana, across from San Diego. Last month smugglers guided her through a remote opening in the border wall to a dirt lot in California, where she and about 100 migrants from around the world shivered over campfires after a morning drizzle and waited for overwhelmed Border Patrol agents to drive them to a station for processing.

Senior U.S. officials, speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of top diplomats from about 20 countries in the Western hemisphere this week in Guatemala, applauded Mexico's crackdown on air travel from Peru and called visa requirements an important tool to jointly confront illegal migration.

For critics, shutting down air travel only encourages more dangerous choices. Illegal migration by Venezuelans plummeted after Mexico imposed visa requirements in January 2022, but the lull was short-lived. Last year Venezuelans made up nearly two-thirds of the record-high 520,000 migrants who walked through the Darien Gap, the notorious jungle spanning parts of Panama and Colombia.

More than 25,000 Chinese traversed the Darien last year. They generally fly to Ecuador, a country known for few travel restrictions, and cross the U.S. border illegally in San Diego to seek asylum. With an immigration court backlog topping 3 million cases, it takes years to decide such claims, during which time people can obtain work permits and establish roots.

“People are going to come no matter what,” said Miguel Yaranga, 22, who flew from Lima, Peru's capital, to Tijuana and was released by the Border Patrol Sunday at a San Diego bus stop. He had orders to appear in immigration court in New York in February 2025, which puzzled him because he said he told agents he would settle with his sister on the other side of the country, in Bakersfield, California.

Jeremy MacGillivray, deputy chief of the Mexico mission of the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration, predicts that Peruvian migration will drop “at least at the beginning” and bounce back as people shift to walking through the Darien Gap and to Central America and Mexico.

Mexico said last month that it would require visas for Peruvians for the first time since 2012 in response to a “substantial increase” in illegal migration. Large-scale Peruvian migration to Mexico began in 2022; Peruvians were stopped in the country an average of 2,160 times a month from January to March of this year, up from a monthly average of 544 times for all of 2023.

Peruvians also began showing up at the U.S. border in 2022. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Peruvians an average of about 5,300 times a month last year before falling to a monthly average of 3,400 from January through March, amid a broad immigration crackdown by Mexico.

Peru immediately reciprocated Mexico's visa requirement but changed course after a backlash from the country's tourism industry. Peru noted in its reversal that it is part of a regional economic bloc that includes Mexico, Chile and Colombia.

Adam Isacson, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America, said Peru's membership with Mexico in the Pacific Alliance allowed its citizens visa-free travel longer than other countries.

It is unclear if Colombia, also a major source of migration, will be next, but Isacson said Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is in a “lovefest” with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, while his relations with Peru's government are more strained.

Colombians are consistently near the top nationalities of migrants arriving at Tijuana's airport. Many find hotels before a guide takes them to boulder-strewn mountains east of the city, where they cross through openings in the border wall and then walk toward dirt lots that the Border Patrol has identified as waiting stations.

Bryan Ramírez, 25, of Colombia, reached U.S. soil with his girlfriend last month, only two days after leaving Bogota for Cancun, Mexico, and continuing on another flight to Tijuana. He waited alongside others overnight for Border Patrol agents to pick him up as cold rain and high winds whipped over the crackle of high-voltage power lines.

The group waiting near Boulevard, a small, loosely defined rural town, included several Peruvians who said they came for economic opportunity and to escape violence and political crises.

Peruvians can still avoid the Darien jungle by flying to El Salvador, which introduced visa-free travel for them in December in reciprocation for a similar move by Peru's government. But they would still have to travel over land through Mexico, where many are robbed or kidnapped.

Ecuadoreans, who have needed visas to enter Mexico since September 2021, can also fly to El Salvador, but not all do. Oscar Palacios, 42, said he walked through Darien because he couldn't afford to fly.

Palacios, who left his wife and year-old child in Ecuador with plans to support them financially from the U.S., said it took him two weeks to travel from his home near the violent city of Esmeralda to Mexico's border with Guatemala. It then took him two months to cross Mexico because immigration authorities turned him around three times and bused him back to the southern part of the country. He said he was robbed repeatedly.

Palacios finally reached Tijuana and, after three nights in a hotel, crossed into the U.S. A Border Patrol agent spotted him with migrants from Turkey and Brazil and drove them to the dirt lot to wait for a van or bus to take them to a station for processing. Looking back on the journey, Palacios said he would rather cross Darien Gap 100 times than Mexico even once.

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed.

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Southern Brazil has been hit by the worst floods in more than 80 years. At least 39 people have died

People evacuate a flooded area after heavy rain in Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul killed 39 people, with another 68 still missing, the state civil defense agency said Friday, as record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes.

The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state jumped to 56 as of Saturday morning, according to the state’s civil defense agency. Helicopters are being used to rescue residents on the rooftops who were isolated in their homes by the widespread flooding that has already displaced more than 30,000 people.

Residents and their pets evacuate a flooded area after heavy rain in Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

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A soldier evacuates a dog from an area flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

Streets are flooded after heavy rain in Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

Firefighters evacuate people from a flooded area after heavy rain in Sao Sebastiao do Cai, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

An aerial view of an area flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

A man wades through an area flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

People evacuate an area flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

People evacuate from an area flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Macedo)

SAO PAULO (AP) — Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul killed 39 people, with another 68 still missing, the state civil defense agency said Friday, as record-breaking floods devastated cities and forced thousands to leave their homes.

It was the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November 2023 that killed 75 people in total.

The flooding statewide has surpassed that seen during a historic 1941 deluge, according to the Brazilian Geological Service. In some cities, water levels were at their highest since records began nearly 150 years ago, the agency said.

On Thursday, a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed and entire cities in the Taquari River valley, like Lajeado and Estrela, were completely overtaken by water. In the town of Feliz, 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the state capital, Porto Alegre, a massively swollen river swept away a bridge that connected it with the neighboring city of Linha Nova.

Operators reported electricity, communications and water cuts across the state. More than 24,000 people had to leave their homes, according to the civil defense agency.

Without internet, telephone service or electricity, residents struggled to provide updates or information to their relatives living in other states. Helicopters flew continually over the cities while stranded families with children awaited rescue on the rooftops.

Isolete Neumann, 58, lives in the city of Lajeado in the Taquari River valley and told The Associated Press she has never before seen a scenario like the one she is now experiencing.

“People were making barricades in front of hospitals with sand and gravel. It felt like a horror movie,” she said by phone. Some people in her region were so desperate, she added, that they threw themselves into the water currents.

Neumann’s own neighborhood wasn’t inundated, but has no running water and she hasn’t showered since Tuesday. She said she’s collecting rainwater in a basin to be able to cook. A clothing store she owns in the city’s central area is flooded, she added.

“I don’t even know how it must be. There must be nothing left.”

The downpour started Monday and is expected to last at least through Saturday, Marcelo Seluchi, chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, told Brazil’s public television network Friday.

On Thursday night, Gov. Eduardo Leite alerted the state’s population — known as gauchos — about the persistence of rains and floods. The situation was expected to worsen in Porto Alegre, he said.

“As a human being, I am devastated inside, just like every gaucho is,” he said. “But as governor, I am here steadfast and I guarantee that we will not falter. We are doing everything with focus, attention, discipline, and outrage, to ensure that everything within our reach is done.”

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva acknowledged the flood victims at a press conference on Friday alongside Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Brasilia .

“The first words from Minister Fumio Kishida in the meeting we held were of solidarity with the people of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, who are victims by one of the largest floods we have ever known. Never before in the history of Brazil had there been such a quantity of rain in one single location,” Lula said.

Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño , a periodic, naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Niño has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south.

This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon . Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.

Karina Lima, a 36-year-old scientist and PhD candidate in climatology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, told The Associated Press that the state is located in a region with certain characteristics that amplify El Niño’s destructive potential.

“Models have long predicted that Rio Grande do Sul will continue to see an increase in average annual precipitation and extreme precipitation, meaning more concentrated and severe rainfall,” she said.

Water rescues around Houston, evacuation orders widened as flooding from heavy rains over Texas continue

The Associated Press

May 3, 2024, 12:09 PM

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HOUSTON (AP) — Water rescues around Houston, evacuation orders widened as flooding from heavy rains over Texas continue.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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