The most stunning overwater villas in the Maldives

Glass-bottomed bathrooms, rooftop water slides, and steps leading straight into the ocean – what could be more ideal? For those craving a tropical escape, overwater villas represent the ultimate vacation dream.

While Tahiti may have kicked off the overwater villa trend in the 1960s, the Maldives has truly mastered the art.

Celebrating 50 years of tourism, the paradise of the Indian Ocean now boasts over 150 resorts that welcome visitors with cold towels, coconuts, and other signature treats. Even better, these resorts are dedicated to sustainability, featuring water desalination plants and reef restoration projects.

Thinking of booking your dream vacation? Here are 12 of the top overwater villas in the Maldives. (Rates start in US dollars per night.)

Kudadoo Maldives

Kudadoo, one of the smallest yet most eco-conscious resorts in the Maldives, offers just 15 overwater residences, all entirely solar-powered.

With a design by Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki, the resort features a modern ryokan-inspired aesthetic, particularly in its onsen-style bathing area.

The materials used, adorned with intricate latticework wood patterns, are sourced from sustainably managed forests in New Zealand, Canada, and Indonesia.

Each residence features a plunge pool, a glass-bottom deck section perfect for spotting parrot fish, and a private butler available around the clock to cater to all your needs – all included.

Soneva Jani

Thanks to social media, aerial shots of Soneva Jani’s winding jetty and private water slides have become iconic images of the Maldives.

However, Soneva is also renowned for its commitment to sustainability.

With its endless initiatives like the Waste to Wealth program, Eco Centre, carbon-neutral status, beef-free menu, plastic-free policy, and extensive organic on-site garden, it stands as a global leader in sustainable luxury.

Its 51 Water Retreats range from a one-bedroom villa (without a slide due to low tide) to a grand four-bedroom palace suspended over the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Each is built using sustainable, whitewashed wood and offers expansive plush seating areas, with most featuring a retractable roof for stargazing.

The resort is split into Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, each easily accessible by speedboat, electric bike, or butler-driven buggy. At the newly opened Chapter 2, guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, including spa treatments at the new Soneva Soul spa.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

This new five-star island retreat boasts 100 villas, most of which are perched over the water. Each villa has a circular design inspired by the ocean’s flow, featuring distinctive vertical wooden slats sourced sustainably from Austria and Germany. Most villas are topped with solar-paneled roofs, with plans to outfit all 100 villas with this technology by 2023.

While The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is a popular choice for Americans using points for a stay, guests often find themselves immersed in the villa experience. With the option to relax by the villa’s infinity pool, read in comfort on plush loungers, or snorkel right off the expansive outdoor deck, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind.

For those passionate about underwater exploration, The Ritz-Carlton is the first resort in Asia Pacific to offer Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of The Environment program. Marine biologists teach guests how to use drones to locate and cut fishing nets tangled in coral reefs and track stingrays. The program also includes guided underwater tours, including an enlightening night snorkel.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

The 44 overwater villas at the St. Regis are inspired by the manta rays swimming beneath them. Minimalist in style, the bathrooms are adorned with smooth marble, while the bedrooms feature bright Scandinavian-style wood. The beaded room divider and sea foam green accents bring a tropical touch to the otherwise contemporary space.

For a truly luxurious family getaway, consider booking the John Jacob Astor Estate. This expansive three-bedroom villa is the largest accommodation on the island. It comes with its own gym, cinema, three pools, and private massage rooms for each bedroom, offering the ultimate in indulgence.

Beyond the luxury, the island operates its own fully automated water bottling plant to eliminate plastic waste. It also has a recycling plant and an organic composting system that enriches the resort’s herb and vegetable garden, which supplies 100% of its mint and basil.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort

This IHG resort, which debuted in 2019, offers 81 villas across beach, overwater, and lagoon settings—an innovative mix of both. Its 24 impressive overwater villas feature infinity plunge pools and breathtaking views that can be enjoyed from the soaking tub.

Each villa embraces a beach-inspired design with cool gray concrete floors and whitewashed walls, complemented by bursts of vibrant color. The space is enhanced with yellow rope-woven room dividers, blue-toned rugs, and tastefully subtle orange furniture.

In the Maamunagau Lagoon, a notable population of young manta rays thrives. The resort collaborates with Manta Trust researchers to promote education and conservation efforts for these majestic, playful creatures and their environment.

Velaa Private Island

The 47 custom-designed villas and residences on this untouched island are hard to fault. Built in 2013, they remain pristine, with every detail meticulously crafted by skilled European artisans.

In the Dhivehi language, 'Velaa' translates to turtle, which is reflected throughout the island and villas in the form of turtle-inspired designs. The bathrooms are adorned with tumbled travertine, while mirrors are cleverly positioned to enhance the already spacious rooms. Aquatic-themed details such as a fish scale wall made of clam shells and mirrors lined with puka shells add to the tropical ambiance.

Beyond spearheading one of the Maldives' most extensive coral restoration projects, Velaa’s Green Awareness Program also equips the local islands of Noonu Atoll with sustainable tools and educates the community on green waste management practices.

Gili Lankanfushi

A swift 25-minute speedboat journey from Velana International Airport brings you to this idyllic, barefoot retreat.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this resort is renowned for its exceptional service, which is a key part of its charm. But its overwater villas, divided into 10 categories, also stand out. Some of the 45 eco-friendly villas feature pools, while others offer multiple bedrooms for added comfort.

For those seeking ultimate privacy, the resort’s Crusoe Residences are unparalleled. These seven rustic, thatched-roof villas stand alone in the clear turquoise waters. While adventurous guests can swim to and from, each villa comes with its own boat and a team of drivers available at any time.

Renowned for serving some of the finest vegan cuisine in the Maldives, Chef Harinath Govindaraj leads guests on tours through the resort’s organic gardens, culminating in a vegan feast prepared right before your eyes. Additionally, the resort is starting a chicken farm for fresh eggs every day.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

A stay at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi begins in grand style. Just a 45-minute luxury yacht ride from the airport, this expansive five-star resort offers 55 overwater villas and two exclusive Stella Maris villas within its 118 luxurious accommodations.

The interiors are sophisticated and modern, highlighted by a unique glass-bottomed closet floor. However, you’ll likely find yourself spending most of your time outdoors in this paradise. The overwater villas provide an abundance of outdoor space, including a lap-friendly infinity pool, a swinging daybed, a private cabana, and multiple hammocks over the water. The Stella Maris villas take luxury a step further with a two-story deck featuring a dining area and BBQ station.

When you’re ready to explore, join the resort’s marine biologist in crafting and planting a coral line in the resort’s nursery. Guests who adopt coral receive regular updates and photos every three months until their coral is planted in the house reef.

JOALI Maldives

Glamorous, feminine, and sustainable—JOALI Maldives captures the essence of luxury, making it one of the most stylish resorts in the Maldives.

The 49 overwater villas are perched along one of the longest jetties in the Maldives. Each villa is designed with soaring cathedral ceilings, intricately carved doors, elegant rose-gold accents, and vibrant pastel touches. The hardest part of the day is deciding whether to cleanse with a sea-salt rinse in the stunning emerald green marble shower or enjoy the tropical outdoor shower framed by vivid green bamboo tiles.

This art-centric, female-led resort prioritizes empowering Maldivian women. Through its Women in Art program, JOALI provides a platform for local female artists to display their work and engage with guests through workshops. The resort also collaborates with nearby schools to offer artistic lessons for young girls.

The Nautilus

At The Nautilus, the boundaries of time and space vanish. The resort’s 26 villas and residences are designed with flowing, curved walls, mirroring the gentle motion of waves along its shores.

The resort’s mantra is, “time stands still.” Here, guests can indulge in any activity or meal whenever they wish, day or night. It’s a completely customized experience in a serene, laid-back beach paradise.

The 11 overwater homes, residences, and retreats exude boho-chic style, featuring braided tapestries and vibrant, custom-designed furniture. A glass-bottomed cut-out in the living room adds charm, complemented by a hand-crafted wooden beaded chandelier and geometric patterns on the floors.

This Maldivian-owned haven is dedicated to preserving its natural surroundings. Nautilus collaborates with nearby islands to source locally grown produce, purchase handmade decor, and employ local craftsmen. It’s also renowned for having the highest proportion of Maldivian citizens in leadership roles.

Jumeirah Maldives Olhahali Island

This trendy, all-white resort blends the vibes of Miami Beach with Mykonos, now revamped under the Jumeirah brand after previously being known as LUX * North Male.

The island’s overwater villas are impressively spacious and stylish, offering one to three-bedroom options. Each villa features a rooftop terrace perfect for private BBQs or movie screenings under the stars. The pink accents, from the sunscreen on the rooftop to the infinity pool tiles, enhance the resort’s vibrant and youthful energy.

The resort’s complimentary coral planting activity is a hit with families, especially children, allowing them to engage in marine education while actively participating in coral restoration efforts on the island’s house reef.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Unlike its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa, the overwater villas at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offer a more refined experience.

The Maldivian-style villas are adorned with cobalt blues and charcoal grays. For those seeking sun, the oversized overwater nets and plush loungers are perfect for basking in the warmth (with reef-safe sunscreen, naturally).

The resort’s long lap pool provides the ideal vantage point to witness the changing light, whether you’ve chosen a sunrise or sunset villa. After your swim, the second-story stargazing loft offers a delightful alternative.

Renowned for its turtle rehabilitation and conservation efforts, Four Seasons also runs a manta ray program. As the home of The Maldivian Manta Ray Project, the resort has been researching these majestic sea creatures since 2005, aiming to better understand them and advocate for their global protection.