If you're in the midst of planning your tropical honeymoon, then you've almost certainly looked into the Maldives already. This island nation is a great destination for pretty much anyone, but really wows the honeymooning crowd with stunning ocean views, private overwater suites, numerous romantic dining options, and spas that excel with different treatment and massage menus.

You'll also quickly notice that there are plenty of things to do and see at each resort, though the activities listed below are the best suited for the more romantically inclined. Though there are lots of great resort choices throughout the entire nation, if you're looking for the best of the best, you'll want to read through our Editor's Choice: 6 best honeymoon water villa resorts in the Maldives article, after reading through our list of things to do as a honeymooning (or simply romantic) couple visiting the Maldives.

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Snorkeling

When dreaming up a tropical escape, it’s hard not to imagine a snorkeling adventure or two, as well. This is because islands and snorkeling go hand in hand, with the island nation of the Maldives serving as no exception. Most overwater resorts sit on top of the island’s house reef, allowing guests the opportunity to start their snorkeling adventure right from the beach, or in most cases from your villa’s private steps into the ocean.

 

 

Generally speaking, you’ll be able to snorkel all year round here, with caution to a quick afternoon rainstorm. When snorkeling, you’ll find coral, tropical fish, and sometimes a sea turtle or two. Though you will have to bring your own swimsuit and swim trunks, your resort will have all of the snorkeling gear ready for you.

 

A little side note- if you don’t want to snorkel each and everyday of your stay, you’ll want to consider seeking out an overwater villa that features a glass floor cutout in the bedroom or sitting area. These cutouts allow you to view the ocean life right beneath your villa, allowing you to stay indoors and dry while enjoying an underwater view.


Scuba Diving

If you like the idea of snorkeling during your honeymoon, then you might also want to check out scuba diving. As a house reef does drop off into deeper water, you’ll find lots of good scuba diving to choose from, at many different resorts. If you’ll like to learn more about the best overwater resorts for scuba diving, then you’ll want to read our Editor’s choice writeup about the 6 best Maldives water villa resorts for scuba diving.

 

 

When looking into Maldives resorts and when trying to figure out which one is right for you, it should be noted that most all overwater resorts in this region offer some sort of PADI training and certification, alongside scuba diving equipment, so absolutely no need to bring your own gear. There are also a few resorts that not only offer scuba diving right on-site, but through a boat excursion as well, which give you more choices, and in turn more scuba diving adventures to share with one another.


A romantic massage or treatment

While there are plenty of great overwater resorts that offer guests luxury with a private Jacuzzi on a private back terrace, you might be hoping for a luxury spa experience as well. You’re in luck as most of the overwater resorts within the Maldives cater with not only a spa, but one that offers a nice sized menu of treatments and massage options. You’ll even find a few resorts that offer a couples’ massage or a couples’ treatment room, like those that are found at the Kandophu Island Resort.

 

 

Some treatments that you’ll find include facials, body scrubs, massages of various types and relaxation treatments. You’ll also want to take note that some resorts also include the use of a sauna, a pool, steam room, and daybeds as part of their selection. If you’re interested in a once in a lifetime treatment, then you’ll want to consider The Over-Water-Spa at Concord Maldives Rangali Island. As you can tell in the name, it’s a spa that sits directly over the water.


A private dining experience

As far as romance is concerned, there are few things that top a romantic dinner for two, on or off the beach. Luckily, there are several overwater resorts in the Maldives that agree and thus offer a romantic dinner for two as part of their dining options. What this means is that you can order your plates from the restaurant, and they’ll bring it to you as you’re seated in a romantic (and scheduled) spot on the beach.

 

 

If you don’t like the idea of eating on the beach, but don’t want to be seated at a restaurant, you can also order room service. Most of the resorts in this region include a butler of some sort with your overwater suite. A good example of this is the Ayada Maldives Resort, where you’ll find a 24- hour room service and dining experience.


Windsurfing or kayaking

It’s completely understandable if when you think of romance you gravitate to day dreaming of spas, private dinners, and the like. However, there is fun to be had and shared with your loved one by choosing to partake in a windsurfing, kayaking, or even a tender paddleboat session. Though you will be moving at a faster pace than a day at the spa, you’ll create memories that you’ll both be able to cherish for the rest of your life.

 

 

Luckily, there are lots of overwater resorts in the Maldives that offer water excursions as part of their appeal. Some good examples of resorts that offer fun in the sun are the Mirihi Island Resort and the Veligandu Island Resort.


A boating excursion

If you don’t get sea sick easily, then you’ll want to talk to your loved one about securing a boat excursion during your honeymoon. There are lots of options to choose from, all of which your resort can help you book and pay for. Some of these excursions are offered by your chosen resort, while others are brought to you by nearby companies. Though we mentioned the Ayada Maldives Resort up above, we feel it’s worth mentioning again as they’ll help you plan customized yacht excursions.

 

 

You’ll also be pleased to know that there are lots of different types of boating excursions, from those that take you island hopping to dolphin cruises, like the ones you can take while staying at the Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort.


Stay in an overwater resort

Of course, we couldn’t leave a few nights at an overwater villa off of our list. As the Maldives is known for its private and secluded overwater rooms (and resorts), honeymooners are more likely to choose an over the water room than a room situated back on land. In these rooms, you’ll find a bedroom, bathroom, and a private deck. With that said, there are some overwater suites that also include a large sitting area. All rooms offer a stunning view of the ocean.

 

 

You’ll also want to note that most of the time, families forgo ocean rooms and instead choose to settle into one or more of the beachside rooms. There are a few resorts that cater specifically to adults, and if you like the idea of being kid free during your honeymoon, you’ll want to look at this list.


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  1. My family and I live in Asia and we are looking for a trip to anywhere with water bungalows and hopefully clear, turqoise water with snorkelling and water activities available, and is also budget friendly if possible. We are two adults and one child who is a little over 17. Are there any suggestions or recommendations? Thank you

  2. I am looking to plan a family vacation that is budget friendly. I would love to stay in an overwater hut. Can you tell me the best and most reasonable place to stay with a family the kids are 12 & 16

    1. Kris,

      Since you aren’t even sure which part of the world you want to visit, I’d recommend starting with this list of the world’s cheapest overwater resorts on our other site. Most of those resorts only allow 3 guests per room, even though almost all of them have a pull-out couch in addition to a king bed. You might find some good choices in Central America or in Asia other than the Maldives. And of course it really depends on where you are starting from because the cost of flights could cancel out any savings from a cheaper resort. I hope that helps and I’m happy to help with other questions if you have them. -Roger

  3. I would like to attend an over water bungalow resort for me and about 7 of my closest friends to celebrate my 45th Birthday. As most resorts are for honeymooners, are there single friendly resorts that can accommodate a "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" week long celebration. We live on the East coast and realize we will have to fly West for all the bungalows you have described above. All feedback is appreciated to guide me in the planning phrase.

    1. Kim,

      That sounds like a lot of fun. You won’t find many resorts that are great options for “solo” travelers, but groups of singles will fit in with many other groups there. Most of the resorts in Bora Bora and Moorea allow 3 guests per bungalow, and they all have a sleeper sofa in them for that purpose (most don’t allow 4 guests per room though). So if two of your group are okay sleeping on a pull-out couch then you can get by with 3 bungalows.

      It’s true that many of the guests at these resorts will be honeymoon couples or anniversary couples, but there are also families with older children and multi-generational groups. I think your group would have fun at just about any of those resorts, but I’d probably focus on one that has some nightlife each evening such as a band or DJ. Some of the smaller resorts only have a beach bar and it’ll mostly be couples in those. Long story short, I think I’d look at one of the larger resorts on Moorea or Bora Bora or even Tahiti. The places with at least 100 total rooms (including beach and garden bungalows) should also have plenty of things to keep you happy and a diverse clientele.

      If your budget can handle a bit over US$2,000 per night you might even consider one of the Sandals resorts on Jamaica because the flights will be so much shorter and cheaper. The overwater bungalows there are huge (I just toured both resorts recently) and the nearby beach rooms are really wonderful there as well. The beach rooms start at around US$500 per night, but they are premium all-inclusive with even many activities included so they would be really fun for a group. In other words, maybe you could get 1 (or 2) overwater bungalows and a couple of beach rooms, and take turns in each? And you could mostly hang out in the overwater bungalow during the day, which is plenty big enough for everyone. When you add in the cost of flights and all that time flying to Los Angeles and to Tahiti then the Jamaica plan could look even better. Also you have to factor in the cost of meals and drinks and activities. In the South Pacific the room includes breakfast, but everything else is extra, while in Jamaica it’s ALL included in the price. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

  4. My wife and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. It would be wonderful to stay at an over water bungalow.

    Is Tahiti, Bora Bora gay-friendly islands? Are any island more friendly than others?

    1. Merchel,

      Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora are all part of French Polynesia, and the French culture there is quite strong. With that in mind, I’d expect that the islands and the resorts in particular would be quite LGBT-friendly. I don’t recall seeing anything in particular that stood out when I’ve been there, but I have a strong hunch that the resorts are all very progressive with that sort of thing. The island people seem to be quite open minded, and French people are famously tolerant. I wish I could give you more certainty. Best of luck with this. -Roger

  5. I am trying to plan our 10 year wedding anniversary. We are both pretty easy to please regarding vacations.

    I do know that my wife would really love to stay at an over water Bungalow for this trip.

    We would be traveling from Wichita, KS to Bora Bora or somewhere similar.(hopefully if price is right).

    I have browsed a bit and can’t find much for our budget (around $3-4k per person). Obviously I would love to be on the low end of my budget and save as much as possible.

    If not in Bora Bora, we would be okay with over water bungalow’s elsewhere.

    Travel dates would be leaving August 26th and Returning September 2nd (can go 1 day either way if needed).

    1. Michael,

      We are simply an online guide to overwater bungalows and not a travel agency. You’ll find the best deals online for these resorts. You can usually get better value in Moorea, which is another gorgeous island right off Tahiti itself. The room rates are a bit lower and transportation is faster and cheaper as well. If you have any specific questions just let us know. -Roger

  6. We our planning our honeymoon and live near San Francisco. We’d love to go to an amazing bungalow but the issue is we have only around 7 days for our trip, so the long flights really eat into our time. Is there an island you recommend we go to which is easy to reach from SFO? Thanks!

    1. Andrew,

      From San Francisco the closest overwater bungalows are in Tahiti, which is only a couple hours farther than Hawaii. It looks like you’d have to fly down to LAX first, as that’s where all the flights to Tahiti start. There are two resorts not far from the Tahiti Airport that offer overwater bungalows. Those resorts are pretty nice, but there are 4 nicer ones on Moorea, which is a 5-minute flight or one-hour ferry ride from Tahiti. If you are going all that way, it’s probably worth going to Moorea, as it’s also a much prettier island than Tahiti itself. Bora Bora is a 60-minute flight from Tahiti, and it has even more options. Those islands are so gorgeous and wonderful that I think it’s worth the flight, even for a week. Best of luck with this. -Roger

  7. Hi
    We live at the Gold Coast, Australia so can fly out of here or Brisbane. For our 20 year wedding anniversary in April we want to stay at an overwater bungalow – this will probably be a one-off so I want it to be in the clearest water with white sand so that the swimming and hopefully snorkelling is great. Maybe even some other water activities like sailboarding nearby? What do you recommend also considering ease of getting there? Thanks!

    1. Margo,

      There are actually a few resorts in the South Pacific that aren’t far from you, including one in New Caledonia. Have a look at our list of resorts in the South Pacific for more details. The next closest to you are in the Philippines and Malaysia. You can find those under the Asia tab on the top of this page.

      But really you’ll find the best affordable resorts in the Maldives, which has 80 different overwater hotels, each on its own island. Click on the Maldives tab for all of that information. And of course Bora Bora, which also isn’t too far from you, has many of the world’s best overwater resorts if price isn’t a major factor. Best of luck and let me know if I can help more. -Roger