No longer exclusive to the Maldives or Bora Bora, overwater bungalows are now a fixture in the Caribbean, and believe me, they are every bit as enchanting.
Sandals were among the first to introduce them in the region, and there are now four Sandals resorts with overwater bungalows: Sandals Royal Caribbean & South Coast in Jamaica, Grande St. Lucian in St. Lucia, and, the latest addition, Sandals St. Vincent in St. Vincent & The Grenadines.
I have to say the company really understood the remit for a great overwater experience, and that involves offering guests privacy, luxury, open sea views, and direct access to the water.
My guide here breaks down each Sandals resort with overwater bungalows. I compare their unique features, and help you choose the right one for your personality, travel style and budget.
Cut to the Chase: Which Resort Has the Best Overwater Bungalows?
In my opinion, the overall nicest overwater bungalows in the Caribbean (and not even just at a Sandals resort) are the, larger, Deluxe Bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica.
And Which Has the Cheapest Overwater Bungalows?
- Cheapest: Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
- Next Cheapest: Sandals Saint Vincent.
- Expensive: Sandals South Coast.
- Most Expensive: Sandals Royal Caribbean.
Prices can vary though I’ve found, especially last minute, be sure to check the Sandals website for deals and specials.
What All Sandals Overwater Bungalows Have in Common:
- Glass floor panels where you can see through your floor at the sea life below.
- Private outside decks with direct water access, and some with plunge pools.
- Outdoor hammocks suspended above the ocean.
- Tranquility soaking tubs and outdoor showers.
- Open & spacious luxury bedrooms with panoramic ocean views.
- 5 Star luxury resort right outside your door, though you may never want to leave your bungalow.
- Butler service brings you gourmet, all inclusive, food & drink 24/7.
Ok, Here’s My Resort-by-Resort Breakdown:
> TL;DR
- Seeking peace, luxury and natural environment? Sandals South Coast.
- Want more full on, private-island luxury? Sandals Royal Caribbean.
- Prefer scenery, and a more classic resort experience? Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
- Peaceful, less crowded, low key? Sandals Saint Vincent.
Sandals South Coast – A Peaceful, Less ‘Resorty‘ Retreat
Prices starting from $3,522 per couple per night – all inclusive.
Location: Jamaica.
Style: Peaceful, scenic, more in tune with the surrounding nature.
My personal favorite in Jamaica, Sandals South Coast sits within a protected nature reserve and offers a quieter escape, and slower pace, compared to Sandals’ other resorts on the island.
The overwater bungalows provide all expected luxury features, and have only one price point, unlike the other Jamaican resort with overwater bungalows, Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has entry-level bungalows and larger, more expensive villas. The latter being, to my mind, the most impressive overwater bungalows in the entire region.
So, as far as bungalows go, they have the best. But for a romantic break, I might prefer the South Coast resort overall due to its more relaxed, atmosphere and natural surrounds.
The former might be more convenient, as it’s so close to Montego Bay Airport, but Jamaica is a small island, and Sandals South Coast is only an hour and a half away, by luxury private transfer.
Highlights:
- Often one of the more affordable overwater options.
- Long stretch of private beach, calm lagoon, pristine environment.
- Suited to couples wanting serenity rather than nightlife.
Good For: Honeymooners, couples wanting to really relax and recharge, nature lovers.
Check out all the details at Sandals’ own website here
Sandals Royal Caribbean – Private Island & High-End Luxury
Prices starting from $3,522 per couple per night (entry level) $4,842 per night (upper level) – all inclusive.
Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Style: Exclusive, polished, upscale, and more expensive.
I might prefer the Sandals South Coast Resort for a more getting away from it all feel, but I admit Sandals Royal Caribbean has the Caribbean’s best overwater bungalows.
It also has two other positives: The first is convenience; it is literally minutes from Montego Bay Airport, unbeatable if you just want to (and who doesn’t?) flop into the ocean after a long flight.
(Pro Tip: Book Sandals VIP Airport Fast Track service as an add-on to make things even faster.)
The second thing I like is that the bungalows are on their own private island.
Staying there feels like a secluded retreat, and with 24-hour butler service, some couples don’t spend too much time at the rest of the resort, though it’s just a 2-minute boat ride away.
Mainland is a busy place with 9 restaurants for example, and then you have free access to the larger Sandals Montego Bay next door, which has 12 more dining venues.
But though the resort is busier than South Coast, the bungalows’ little island is peaceful, bar the odd plane flying overhead.
At Royal Caribbean, unlike at South Coast, there are two tiers of overwater bungalows.
There’s the entry level starting at $3,522 per night, and then there are larger ones with infinity pools on the deck, the best open sea views, and just more of the wow factor.
They have prices to match, though of course, $4,842 per night, but in my opinion, they are the nicest overwater bungalows in the entire Caribbean.
If your budget can stretch that far, good for you; you’re in for a fabulous vacation.
Highlights:
- Idyllic, luxury, private-island experience.
- Huge bungalows on offer with private plunge pools.
- Mere minutes from Montego Bay Airport.
Good For: Honeymooners, milestone celebrators, or those wanting an ultimate luxury experience.
Check out all the details at Sandals’ own website here
Sandals Grande St. Lucian – Broader Resort Experience & Lower Prices
Prices starting from $2,934 per couple per night – all inclusive
Location: St. Lucia
Style: Scenic, active, more full-resort experience.
At Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the overwater bungalows sit on their own little peninsula, as opposed to a man made pier.
They are not so far out on the water, and also quite close to the beach so feel less isolated than those of the Jamaica resorts
Less isolated then, or less secluded, depending on your mood. Part of me likes knowing I’m not completely removed from everything, but another part likes to feel away from it all.
Here, you can kind of have both, a lot more so than in say Sandals Royal Caribbean, where you have to jump on a boat to get to the rest of the resort.
And the Sandals St Lucian resort in general might just be the best resort on the island in terms of facilities. So if you want to get stuck into numerous restaurants, bars, water, and on land, sports, diving and golf, while also enjoying a romantic overwater bungalow vacation, and at lower prices, St. Lucian it should be.
Also, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but St. Lucia is incredibly scenic and easy to get around. Be sure to try a tour or two while you’re there.
Highlights:
- Broad range of activities and dining
- Lower prices than in other Sandals resorts
- St. Lucia is small but incredibly scenic – ideal for excursions.
Good For: Couples who want good value prices, along with a more active, social vacation.
Check out all the details at Sandals’ own website here
Sandals Saint Vincent & The Grenadines – Quiet, Off the Beaten Path
Prices starting from $2,996 per couple per night – all inclusive
Location: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Style: Secluded, low-key.
One of the more recent additions to the region’s overwater bungalows collection, Sandals St. Vincent feels quite different than other Sandals, and I do find myself having a soft spot for it.
There’s a much more low-key, quiet feel here than in the others. The resort doesn’t feel crowded, and feels more secluded than most, just by its location – a private cove bordered by thick forest.
The atmosphere is slower and noticeably less crowded. I find it just more relaxing than most other resorts overall. Ideal for a romantic break then, and at generally lower prices than other resorts.
The overwater bungalows, or villas we should say, here, are the very newest Sandals’ overwaters.
And unusually, hence – villa, they are two-story, with the lounge area downstairs and the bedroom upstairs.
The one possible drawback for some will be that two share the same overwater platform, meaning you have a wall, and not the sea, separating you from the next villa over.
Beyond that, they are well designed for privacy, just as any other Sandals overwater bungalows, so in reality most couples don’t find it an issue.
Highlights:
- More remote and low-key than other options
- For travelers who value slow paced quiet
- Offers a less resorty resort experience
Good For: Low key couples, not into busy resorts.
Check out all the details at Sandals’ own website here
General Booking Tips & How to Save
- Overwater bungalows sell out quickly: So book well in advance.
- Off season (summer): offers better pricing and, honestly, though you’ll have short downpours, you’ll still have loads of sun.
- Go for a split stay: Standard suite first, then your last few days in an overwater bungalow (this is surprisingly common).
- Check Sandals website for deals and specials.
To Wrap Up:
- Seeking peace & luxury? Go for: Sandals South Coast.
- Want more full on, private-island luxury? Go for: Sandals Royal Caribbean.
- Prefer scenic, and a more classic resort experience? Go for: Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
- Peaceful, low key? Go for: Sandals Saint Vincent.
The Author:
Ronan McLoughlin has been the founder, main author, and editor of Dream Overwater Bungalows since 2019.