Overwater Bungalows and Overwater Villas

Overwater bungalows are, as the name implies, standalone bungalows positioned over the water. Usually, over-water bungalows are located close to shore, allowing for easy access to the main resort building, its beaches and amenities. The bungalows are linked to the mainland via long plank walkways. The bungalows themselves are hoisted above the water on sturdy pillars and sit on large platforms.

Often times, they contain a glass coffee table or floor so you can look at the water and its sea life below. At right is a the bathroom in an overwater bungalow at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui--note the glass floor and the view to the water below. As you can see, while the bungalows might look primitive from the outside, they're usually quite luxurious inside.

In many resorts, the overwater bungalows are clustered pretty closely together, partly because real estate isn't cheap in these places, and partly because if you separate the bungalows by too much, the walk back to shore from the outer bungalows becomes a bit much--remember that the restaurants, spa, pool, etc. will generally be on shore, and also for most excursions you'll be picked up at a common, central dock--not at your particular bungalow.

And before you roll your eyes, thinking "REALLY...how far could that be?"...at one of the resorts in Bora Bora, for instance, the walk from the main resort atoll to the outermost bungalow is 900 yards!

Some resorts have mostly just white sand under the bungalows, which means about all you'll find are sting rays and perhaps spotted eagle rays. Looks beautiful from the photos, but if you have visions of snorkeling with the fish right from your bungalow, look for resorts like the Hilton Moorea (pictured at left), which have many coral heads right there to attract the fish.

History of Overwater Bungalows

Over water bungalows first appeared in French Polynesia, on the island of Moorea, during the 1960s.

Three Californian men known as the Bali Hai Boys extended their resort, Club Bali Hai Moorea, into the reef-protected lagoon and created the first over water bungalows, called Bali Hai. The idea soon spread to elsewhere in Tahiti and the South Pacific, eventually expanding to Maldives and later, the Caribbean, during the 1980s.

How safe are Overwater Bungalows?

Over water bungalows are very safe. Because they are anchored deep into the sand by sturdy pillars, they cannot float away.

As with any water sport, snorkeling from your bungalow is not without its risks. However, overwater bungalows are typically located in shallow lagoons.

Shark spottings are common in Tahiti and her islands, however, they are usually found in deeper water. Around over water bungalows, you are much more likely to see small, colorful reef fish. Small sting rays and spotted eagle rays (2 to 3 feet across) are also common in the flat sandy shallow areas.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana (pictured at right) and the Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island resorts are both very near an amazing coral garden, which you can swim to pretty easily from your bungalows.

We've also put together a collection of pretty amazing photos of overwater bungalows on Pinterest.