Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's most popular islands, especially for all-inclusive resorts, and starting late in 2016 it also became the region's capital of overwater bungalows. There are now two amazing overwater bungalow resorts on Jamaica, and we are hoping to welcome more in the future.

Fans of all-inclusive resorts will be happy to hear that both of the Jamaican resorts are part of the famous luxury Sandals chain, so guests pay one price and nearly everything they can think of (including premium items and excursions) is included. The bad news for most of us is that the overwater bungalows are quite expensive, starting around US$2,000 per night for two people. Even more challenging is the fact that unless you book at least 3 nights, the rate you'll be quoted will be over US$6,000 per night. Yikes!

If that is out of your budget like it is mine, you should strongly consider a normal room at one of the Sandals resorts, which start around US$400 per night. If your budget is lower than that you should check this list of cheapest all-inclusive Caribbean islands, and look for a great package deal.

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Where to find cheaper overwater bungalow resorts

Believe it or not, those Jamaican overwater bungalows are among the most expensive in the world and nearly every resort in Bora Bora and the Maldives is cheaper.

 


Overwater bungalow resorts in Jamaica

Sandals has overwater bungalows in two of its Jamaica resorts, as well as at its resort in St. Lucia. I’ve had the privilege to visit all three of them and I wrote a little guide to help you decide which Sandals overwater bungalow resort is best for you. Below you’ll find the main details of the two Sandals overwater bungalow resorts in Jamaica.


Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort – Montego Bay, Jamaica

  • Overwater bungalows: 17
  • Total rooms/suites: 214

 

Sandals’ premiere resort in their home country of Jamaica was the first to add overwater bungalows in December, 2016. Each of the 17 overwater bungalows have a private pool, jacuzzi, glass floor sections, and a personal butler. Because this is the Caribbean, the inside space of these water bungalows is not huge, but when you add in the deck area and the splash pool then these places are really enormous.

 

The resort has 3 different classes of overwater bungalows here, and all of them are ultra-luxurious with room rates to match. The Sandals Royal Caribbean is such a short drive from Montego Bay Airport that guests are treated to the sound of planes taking off a few times per hour during the day. The sound only lasts a few seconds each time and most people get used to it quickly, but it is something to consider if you are sensative to such things.

 

Since this resort is so close to the airport and Montego Bay has flights coming in from all over, this is a great choice for short visits where you don’t want to spend half a day in transit.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$2,267 per night for two guests, including tax
  • High season online specials from US$2,267 per night for two guests, including tax
>More information about the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort – Montego Bay, Jamaica >Check availability on the Sandals Royal Caribbean website

Sandals South Coast Resort – Jamaica

  • Overwater bungalows: 12
  • Total rooms/suites: 360

 

The Sandals South Coast Resort got its 12 overwater bungalows in 2017 and they’ve been just as popular as the ones in Montego Bay. They are also insanely gorgeous and luxurious with glass-floor sections, private outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two and over-water hammocks. Each bungalow also comes with 24 private butler service, but if you prefer privacy you’ll see them as seldomly as you like.

 

The location of the resort is a 90-minute ride from Montego Bay Airport. It’s set on a private 2-mile section of gorgeous beach with almost no neighbors in the area, so it’s far more tranquil than the Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay. If you aren’t in such a hurry and you’ve got an extra 90 minutes to reach this resort in the included shuttle, I’d recommend this resort over the Royal Caribbean.

 

  • Low season online specials from US$2,159 per night
  • High season online specials from US$2,159 per night
>More information about the Sandals South Coast Resort – Jamaica >Check availability on the Sandals South Coast Resort website

You have to book at least 3 nights or it'll cost WAY more

The Sandals overwater bungalows have become so popular that they seem to be filled every day of the year at the full rate of just over US$2,000 per night for two people. If you’ve thought about a little ‘bucket list’ visit of only one or two nights in one of these rooms, I’ve got some bad news. If you try to book a stay of less than 3 nights you’ll get a room rate of about US$6,500 per night. Apparently they prefer guests who plan on staying longer and are able to fill in the remaining days with splurge guests.

 

Strangely enough, if you try to book at the Sandals South Coast for 3 nights you’ll be quoted a rate of about US$6,500. But if you change the request for just the first two days of that period, it will quote you US$12,999. In other words, the cheapest stay in one of these rooms is US$6,500 for three nights, and if you only want to stay 2 nights you’ll save a fortune by booking 3 nights and then just leaving one night early.

Check the availability calendar and be flexible

When you go to the Sandals website you can enter any dates to search for availability. Most likely you’ll see the overwater bungalows at the bottom of the list (it displays rooms cheapest to most expensive) and it’ll say SOLD OUT. But there will be a little button you can click to show you availability of that room type.

 

Once you click on that availability calendar you’ll see that most dates are sold out, but that there are some random stretches of 3 to 7 days that are open. Choose the one of those that suits you best and you can at least get the normal room rate.

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  2. There are 4 of us that would like to depart Seattle and get to Sunshine in January. We were thinking Bora Bora but are wide open. I was wondering if there are any water bungalows that accommodate 4 people but are still affordable?

    Reply

    1. Theresa,

      Most of the Bora Bora resort hotels allow 3 guests per room, but I’ve only heard about a couple that allow 4, and those are the super expensive ones that go for close to US$2,000 per night.

      The option that might work are the so-called Brando overwater bungalows, which are privately run and not part of a resort. A couple of them have two bedrooms and they are actually more reasonably priced. Good luck! -Roger

      Reply

  3. Hi, there is 5 of us wanting to stay closest to Jacksonville Florida (Mom not doing well). That has the bungalows over the water, but HAS to be clear water? Can you help me? I am a disabled vet, and they wanted to do this for me. Thank you, Lisa🌞

    Reply

    1. Lisa,

      The closest real overwater bungalows to Florida are in Jamaica at two different Sandals resorts, but the water isn’t turquoise like it is in Bora Bora and the Maldives. Unfortunately Florida is pretty much half a world away from the ones with clear water. The closest are probably in Tahiti, but if you go there you might as well go to Moorea, which is right next door. -Roger

      Reply