Overwater bungalows are a somewhat newer phenomenon in the world of hospitality. There was a time when cruise ships, yachts, and other sailing vessels were the only options for sleeping above the sea, and comfort was subject to swells and storms, not to mention limited by typically tight spaces that often left a lot to be desired aesthetically. Now, planes—both the standard and float version—descend into destinations such as the Maldives, French Polynesia and Fiji, a hallmark of the seascape is a long lineup of bungalows arching across pontoons that cut through famously crystalline cerulean waters.
In 1967, on the island of Raiatea—which, without a sandy beach, was proving a challenging sell for tourists—a trio of Californians known as the Bali Hai Boys conceived the game changer of a dream accommodation: the overwater bungalow. At the time they assured the government that, like traditional Tahitians’ fishing huts, they would not harm the coral with their pandanus-leaf-thatched-roof structures, and that edict still holds true. Their trio of bungalows at Bali Hai Hotel became a craze that spread to Bora Bora and beyond; after all, the charming stilted cottages offered immersion into the magic of the sea, sans snorkel mask or air tank. Now nearly 60 years old, the iconic honeymoon hideaways, sought-after spots for not just romance but easy access to throngs of Technicolor sea creatures below, are looking better than ever.
In more than a half century, the overwater villa has gone from strikingly simple to over-the-top opulent in some cases, although there are also plenty of very affordable, basic versions around the world. Its homeland, the Islands of Tahiti, lays claim to nearly 900, from Moorea (where the Sofitel forbids motorized activities to protect its pristine lagoon) and Tikehau (by night, sharks swim beneath Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort’s charming perches) to Rangiroa (Hotel Kia Ora’s 10 bungalows boast some of the best views of all the islands) and Bora Bora, where Le Meridien’s Mount Otemanu–facing bungalows have the largest glass floors of all. Of course, other destinations have done their best to catch up, and now there are whopping numbers of thatched-roof villas standing over not just the Caribbean Sea, the South China Sea, and the Indian Ocean, but lakes too.
Wherever they stand, overwater accommodations tend to feature similar elements, with exterior design hallmarks tending to stay consistent. Thatched-roof systems made of natural, indigenous materials (which must be replaced every couple years) are fairly standard, as is the layout of bungalows attached to a wooden pontoon walkway, but naturally there are more and more deviations when it comes to materiality. For some it’s hardly worth sleeping over the water if there’s no peekaboo window set in the floor. Panoramic views of the countless shades of blue outside are a requisite, while more recently, overwater pools, jacuzzis, and suspended hammocks have been introduced along with two-story versions that dwarf a Manhattan studio apartment.
In celebration of the revolutionary structure, we look at some of the most spectacular modern overwater bungalows from around the world.
