Can you picture a more perfect setting than a water bungalow in the Maldives for your tropical getaway? With the right tips and a bit of luck, you can be sure to find your perfect Maldives water villa at affordable rates and live your paradise island vacation.
Budget-savvy travelers and couples looking to escape the crowds often choose to fly to the Maldives in low-season, especially May and June, when both flight and hotel prices drop dramatically.
We have hand-picked 8 of our favorite floating villas in the Maldives that offer an incredible vacation experience at affordable prices. All of them have exclusive use of their own island and feature stunning overwater bungalow rooms, making for the ultimate romantic destination
1. Filitheyo Island Resort, Faafu Atoll
Ideal for a luxurious escape
The contrast between Faafu island’s wild jungle and the luxurious atmosphere of this Maldives villa resort make it a perfect choice for those who want to escape in close contact with nature, without sacrificing comfort.
All 125 rooms have direct access to the pristine white-sand beach; the 16 water bungalows are located on the western side of the island, making for unforgettable sunset views.
Don’t let the 40-minute seaplane ride from Male discourage you from choosing this bungalow resort: the stunning coral reef surrounding the island is definitely worth the trip, according to guest reviews.
Well-maintained sandy footpaths throughout the resort make this a truly relaxing barefoot vacation; stroll from your private water villa down to the infinity pool for a drink at the bar, to one of the 2 restaurants for al fresco dining, or to the spa bungalows for some pampering.
A variety of land activities and watersports round out your experience, from guided snorkel and SCUBA dives to windsurfing, from catamaran sailing to volleyball on the beach.
2. Gangehi Island Resort, Ari Atoll
Ideal for nature lovers and foodies
Gangehi island is small and intimate, just the right size for a beachfront stroll around this Maldives water resort.
With a total of just 45 rooms of which 16 are overwater bungalows, you can enjoy plenty of privacy, a quiet, relaxing atmosphere, and a truly tranquil encounter with tropical nature.
Every afternoon you can join a free guided snorkeling tour of the lively house reef with the resort’s resident marine biologist, a huge plus for nature lovers and curious minds.
The island resort is impeccably run by Italians, adding a laid-back mediterranean feel and ensuring top quality meals are offered at all times. In fact, the delicious food is one of guests’ favorite features: Mediterranean fish-based dishes, lots of fresh fruit and incredible desserts are sure to satisfy the most demanding foodies.
3. Sun Island Resort & Spa, South Ari Atoll
Ideal for something new every day
One of the largest villa resorts on water in the Maldives, this island boasts 6 restaurants, 4 bars, a 24-hour coffee shop, a variety of water and land sports with fully equipped dive center, as well as a fitness center and spa with beauty salon.
With a whopping 64 floating villa rooms out of a total of 428, this mile-long island has something new to offer every day: so if you are looking for lively entertainment and a social vacation, this is the resort for you.
There is no house reef around Sun Island, but snorkeling excursions are always offered, as well as dive training for SCUBA enthusiasts.
Explore the island on a rental bike, sit on your private patio sipping a refreshing drink, or join in the lively social activities and nightlife.
For a dreamy experience that won’t break the bank, guests recommend the 400 and 500-series beach bungalows, as they offer the quintessential Maldivian experience of breathtaking sunset views on a white-sand beach.
4. Medhufushi Island Resort, Meemu Atoll
Ideal for wellness enthusiasts
The authentic jungle feel of this remote Maldivian water resort makes it the ideal setting for a fully relaxing vacation away from it all.
One of its strong points is the spa, located in a gorgeous overwater bungalow and sure to satisfy all your pampering needs. The island’s 24-hour gym facilities and beachside pool are also highly appreciated by guests, so you can keep up your fitness routine in this tropical paradise.
Daily snorkeling and diving excursions are offered, as well as dolphin-watching tours and dinner cruises.
All 114 rooms boast direct beach and sea access; a long strip of white-sand beach rounds out the beautiful setting of this island, offering an incredible sunset view during your romantic stroll.
5. Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort, North Male Atoll
Ideal for shorter stays close to the airport
Located a short 10-minute boat ride away from the international airport in Male, this small but lively resort offers all the charm and atmosphere of typical Maldives villa hotels with ease of access to the country’s main point of entry.
Avoiding the need for costly seaplane tickets also makes this resort an attractive option for budget-conscious guests, as well as visitors on shorter stays.
The resort’s vibe is very relaxed, with soft nightly entertainment centered around the overwater common area.
The island’s dive center is one of the most extensive in the country, offering SCUBA lessons and certifications at all levels as well as a decompression chamber. Kayak rental is free for an hour every day, making it a great beginner’s intro to tropical watersports.
Guest reviews recommend the beach villas, with direct access to the waterfront, plenty of privacy and wifi access in every room (often hard to find on island resorts).
6. Fihalhohi Island Resort, South Male Atoll
Ideal for total relaxation in a small setting
The perfect union of ease of access yet exclusive location, Fihalhohi Island is just a 40-minute boat ride from Male airport.
With 35 years of experience in pampering weary travelers, this bungalow resort goes the whole way to ensure you can relax from the very beginning, starting from personal airport meetup and continuing with special attention to guest feedback.
Reviewers recommend the northern side of the island for its impeccable pure white beach, which faces the house reef.
Beginner divers will appreciate the shallow reef and its variety of sea life, thanks to the daily snorkeling tours of this beautiful coral structure.
The tropical paradise setting of this Maldivian water resort, as well as its friendly staff, will make you feel right at home and want to return again and again.
7. Ellaidhoo Maldives By Cinnamon, Ari Atoll
Ideal for family vacation
This magical island resort is completely surrounded by a stunning reef, and its unique convex shape allows diving excursions all the way underneath the island.
You can reach the island either with a 25-minute seaplane ride, or a 90-minute speedboat ride, so if you’re not a fan of long boat transfers you’ll definitely appreciate the option to choose.
The newer overwater villas are luxurious and have a private restaurant and bar, although even the most basic rooms are comfortable and spacious, perfect for the adventurous guest or family vacations.
A kids’ play area, as well as an abundance of water and land sports, guided excursions and an infinity pool, make Ellaidhoo a great spot for making tropical vacation memories with your children.
Recently acquired by the luxury resort brand Cinnamon, you can also rest easy in the high quality of services and recently revamped facilities.
8. Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, North Male Atoll
Ideal for surf and watersports fans
The floating villas at this resort are amongst the most spectacular in the Maldives, located off the very tip of the island at the end of a long boardwalk.
The variety of watersports offered will impress any adventure lover, but the feature that attracts visitors the most is the great surf break off the southern end of the island. In fact, Hudhuranfushi is one of the very few destinations in the Maldives where you can find consistently good surfing waves, just feet away from your room!
The 25-minute speedboat ride from Male international airport makes it one of the most easily accessible, yet its white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoon and wide selection of activities make it a great option for anyone looking for both adventure and relaxed comfort.
Planning a honeymoon, celebrating a romantic occasion, organizing a family vacation, or just trying to get away from the worries of modern life?
Whatever your reason for choosing a Maldives water villa, you can be sure that your tropical getaway will be unforgettable.
