As there are nearly 80 different private-island water bungalow resorts in the Maldives, it would be extremely easy to spend a lot of time sorting through all the prices, features, and guest reviews to find the one that suits you best at a good price. Because we spent a few months sifting through this information, we're now publishing our “Editor's Choice” resort recommendations. This list is detailed to save you time finding both the best resort and best deal.

You'll also want to note that we also have a complete list of all of the cheap Maldives water villa resorts, but below you'll find the six best that combine low prices, excellent features, and very positive guest reviews. When you read through the list of resorts below, you'll quickly note that most of them operate on an all-inclusive basis to one degree or another. Because of this, and considering that nothing is cheap in the Maldives, they represent an even better deal than you might otherwise think.

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Editors Choice: 6 Best cheap water villa resorts in the Maldives

Meeru Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 106
  • Total rooms/suites: 286

 

With just over 100 water villas, you’ll see that the Meeru Island Resort has the most in the Maldives, and this is in addition to 180 island and beach rooms. Because of the large amount of rooms, this is a larger resort for the area, and it also operates on a full-board basis.

 

While you may not find this resort to be as romantic as some of the more intimate islands is the same area, this resort does offer over a dozen restaurants and bars in addition to an endless list of activities, which includes a pitch & putt golf course, football grounds, and gardens. The food here receives exceptional reviews for an all-inclusive resort, so if you are looking for an active and fun private-island at a great price, this might be just the place for you.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$560 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,062 per night
>More information about the Meeru Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Summer Island Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 20
  • Total rooms/suites: 156

 

A large resort with over 150 total rooms, the Summer Island Maldives Resort is a great choice for romantic couples, especially if they choose the overwater villas. This is because the overwater villas are for adults only. In addition, depending on which overwater villa you stay in, you’ll be treated to either a sunrise or sunset view of the ocean.

 

Outside of the resort rooms, guests will find lots of activities to join in on. Some of these activities include beach volleyball, glass bottom kayaking, paddle boarding, darts, and of course, scuba diving and snorkeling. It should also be noted that the resort hosts the Firuma by Serena Spa, which wows with an ice room, steam room, and views from its overwater location.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$510 per night
  • High season online specials from US$733 per night
>More information about the Summer Island Maldives Resort >Check rates

Noku Maldives Resort

  • Water villas: 30
  • Total rooms/suites: 50

 

A small resort that offers both land based and overwater villas, the Noku Maldives Resort is an excellent choice for those who don’t have the largest budget for a tropical vacation. Eventhough the rooms themselves aren’t very expensive compared to other overwater villas, they still come complete with a private deck, ocean views, large bathrooms, and much more.

 

In addition to the rooms, guests here will also find lots of dining and drink options with different bars to select from, a spa, and both land based and ocean based activities. Due to the lack of kids clubs here, you’ll want to note that this resort is a solid choice for honeymooners or any other type of romantic couple.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$484 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,043 per night
>More information about the Noku Maldives Resort >Check rates

Veligandu Island Resort – Maldives

  • Water villas: 64
  • Total rooms/suites: 76

 

Serving as primarily a couples resort, the Veligandu Island Resort functions on a full-board basis with the option to pay a little more for an all-inclusive experience, which includes alcohol. What’s also really important is the non-stop stream of enthusiastically positive reviews. Along with a spa, this resort caters with a windsurfing and sailing center, surf bikes, volleyball, and a gym.

 

There are a few classes of water villas here with the smaller class of water villas offering a whirlpool tub, but most have a 2-person Jacuzzi instead, which is located on a private section of the back terrace. The food here also receives top marks here as well, which is quite an achievement in this price range. The staff at this resort are always notoriously friendly, which is always appreciated.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$825 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,065 per night
>More information about the Veligandu Island Resort – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives

  • Water villas: 60
  • Total rooms/suites: 164

 

The Olhuveli Beach Resort & Spa is a four-star hotel that houses 60 water villas of varying sizes, with many of the villas featuring their own private jacuzzi tub to enjoy and soak in. Guests here will find restaurants, bars, a beautiful spa, and various water activities that are outside the usual realm of snorkeling and scuba diving.

 

Even with their normal rates and during high season this could be a good choice. The reviews are also very good, usually recommending that people “just stay here” and you won’t regret it. When their online specials are going this might be the best value in the Maldives.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$550 per night
  • High season online specials from US$650 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Olhuveli Resort & Spa – Maldives >Check rates

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort

  • Water villas: 80
  • Total rooms/suites: 150

 

Another 5-star resort that is known for having excellent online special rates, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort (which is formerly known as the Hilton Maldives) is one to consider for just about every traveler. This is a larger international resort that’s loaded with luxury amenities, many dining options, and activity choices. Some of the activity choices include fishing, jet skiing, sailing, and various sightseeing tours.

 

While some resorts are fine with staying mostly empty during the slow weeks, the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort likes to cut their prices to what most people would consider to be ridiculously low. During busy weeks here, water villas usually start at close to US$800 per night, but if you go during a slower week (especially during the off-season) you can get the same room for well under half that. You might just get lucky so it’s worth checking this one.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$534 per night
  • High season online specials from US$1,346 per night
>More information about the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Luxury Resort >Check rates
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30 thoughts on "6 Tips to save money booking an overwater bungalow"

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

    1. Pam,

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

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

    1. Samantha,

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

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

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

    1. Rosary,

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

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

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

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

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

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

    1. Soleena,

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

    1. Jacki,

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

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

    thank you so much .

    1. Agustin,

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

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

    1. Kira,

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

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

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

    1. Dee,

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

    1. Katherine,

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

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

    1. Alino,

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