The Maldives or the South Pacific: Which overwater bungalow destination is right for you?

want to stay in an overwater bungalow or a water villa, you most likely are going to want to head to either the South Pacific (Bora BoraMooreaTahiti etc) or the Maldives, which is just southwest of India. There are nearly 30 resorts with overwater bungalows in the South Pacific , and over 75 with water villas (as they are usually called there) in the Maldives.

The Maldives or the South Pacific: Which overwater bungalow destination is right for you?
Best videos of overwater bungalows in Moorea and Tahiti

There’s no getting around the fact that overwater bungalows are expensive, and websites and brochures do the best job they can at showing things in their best light. But since they all make them sound so nice it’s hard to be confident that the resort you choose is as wonderful as it’s made out to be. For that reason we are collecting the best home-made video tours of every resort possible, so you’ll be able to see exactly what the rooms look like when real people stay there.

Best videos of overwater bungalows in Moorea and Tahiti
Map of all overwater bungalow resorts in the South Pacific

you might already know, almost all of the overwater bungalow resorts in the world are in two main places. One is the Maldives, which is an island group and nation just southwest of India, where you’ll find about 75 water villa resorts alone. That accounts for about two thirds of all the overwater bungalow resorts in the world.

The other grouping, which is actually more famous internationally, is spread around the South Pacific.

Map of all overwater bungalow resorts in the South Pacific
Map of Tahiti and Moorea overwater bungalow resorts

most people think of the South Pacific or French Polynesia the name “Tahiti” immediately springs to mind. While it is the most populated island by quite a bit, Tahiti isn’t nearly as secluded or even exotic as many other smaller islands in the region. Moorea, for example, is a short ferry ride away, and it’s smaller and more beautiful as well.

The main thing that Tahiti has going for it is that every flight into or out of French Polynesia goes through the main Tahiti airport, so it’s a tranfer point for every guest, regardless of whether you are staying on the island or not.

Map of Tahiti and Moorea overwater bungalow resorts
Where are overwater bungalows and water villas?

Happened to all of us. We see a photo of an overwater bungalow (or a water villa, as they are called in much of the world) and we immediately daydream about spending a holiday in one ourselves. There’s something both romantic and private about these hotel rooms, which is one reason that they are incredibly popular for honeymoons and anniversary trips.

One complication is that overwater bungalows are found in only a few parts of the world, almost all of which are a long way from the people who’d like to stay in them.

Where are overwater bungalows and water villas?