These Are the Best Overwater Bungalows in Philippines to Book in 2026

Why We Like It: The El Nido eco-resort chain’s Lagen Island branch has a jaw-dropping setting, even by Philippine island standards – a picture-perfect cove surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush green forest. We think Lagen Island as a whole is spectacular and it is a known sanctuary for a huge variety of flora and fauna. If you’re any kind of nature lover we’d highly recommend the resort’s guided jungle hikes. It is a luxury resort (4-star), with a kind of barefoot chic vibe, and the accommodation, food, and service are of a very high standard. It has 51 rooms in total, a mix of what they refer to as Forest Suites, Beachfront Cottages, and their overwater bungalows which they refer to as Water Cottages. All are crafted from local wood, most of it recycled and, in common with pretty much all El Nido’s resorts, the accommodation, and the resort in general, feel authentic and seem to blend in nicely with the sublime natural surroundings, though mod-cons too are present. Water Villas & Other Accommodation: So there’s a total of 51 rooms, 18 of which are overwater bungalows or Water Cottages, 53 m²/570 ft² units that can sleep up to four. They have that nice traditional aesthetic from the outside, while inside they resemble more of a pleasant, modern hotel room. Modern hotel room conveniences include a minibar, WiFi, Satellite TV, Air-con, and an in-room safe. The bedrooms are connected via sliding floor-to-ceiling doors to furnished outdoor terraces. These overlook the bay and serve well as al fresco lounge areas. Other accommodations at El Nido are the Forest Rooms which include four large (70 m²/753 ft²)  two-story, Forest Suites that sit just at the edge of the forest and feel secluded and romantic. Nine Beachfront Cottages complete the accommodation choices, they are identical to the Water Cottages but sit at the water’s edge as opposed to on the water and, like the overwater cottages, they have unobstructed views out to sea. Prices: Check out prices & availability at Booking.com here or at Agoda here. Resort Facilities & Things to Do: Their Clubhouse restaurant has both an inside air-conditioned dining area and an outdoor dining terrace, and the food, a mixture of Filipino, other Asian, and international is consistently good. The accommodation is all-inclusive, or to be technically correct – breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Snacks, other meals, and drinks can be ordered for an extra fee throughout the day. There is a swimming pool at the resort, with nice views over the sea. Though Lagen Island is not a place for nightlife the adjacent pool bar has a friendly vibe and can be lively and fun. The resort also has Deep Dive: Read the Review…

On Miniloc Island is the Filipino hotel group El Nido’s local eco-resort of the same name. It is something of a luxury resort, which we like, but we also like its laid back, unassuming vibe. It is eco-friendly too and feels more locally authentic than most resorts we’ve seen, with a dash of hippie chic thrown in. There are a total of 50 rooms, a mixture of beach cottages and overwater bungalows. The style is classic Filipino, its bungalows and on-shore cottages have walls of woven bamboo slats and traditional thatched roofs, and all of it blends nicely with the peaceful, rural nature of the setting.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: First we have the overwater bungalows, referred to as ‘Water Cottages’ or ‘Seaview Rooms’ on the booking page. On shore, what they refer to as Beach Cottages are, as the name suggests, on the beach, and then the more secluded Garden Cottages are a little further back. Check out your room options at Agoda here. None are enormously spacious but are certainly cozy, and comfortable, and we feel they have an authentic, rustic charm, despite them being internally, relatively modern in style. They range in size from doubles to two-bedroom (double or twin) units that can sleep up to five.   Prices: Check out prices and availability here at Agoda   Resort Facilities & Things to Do: Miniloc Island is a laid-back, nature-oriented destination for more than averagely discerning tourists. It is also extremely beautiful and the El Nido resort, with those fabulous limestone cliffs behind it, blends in relatively unassumingly. We’re not surprised therefore to see the resort doesn’t have a whole lot of facilities, though they do have a swimming pool and a small spa. People come here mainly to explore the island we feel, and be closer to nature, both on and offshore. There is great snorkeling right offshore, where you can spot whole shoals of exotic fish. Scuba diving can be arranged, diving lessons too, and windsurfing and beach volleyball Hiking around the island, a visit to the local lagoons, and boat tours of other nearby islands are great ways spend the day at El Nido. Accommodation packages here include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with snacks and extra food being available for an extra fee. The food is excellent, both buffet and a la carte. Service is also very good – the staff come highly praised.   Location: The Airswift Company has daily flights from Manila to the nearest airport, Lio Airport. Upon arrival at the airport, guests will be welcomed by the resort’s airport representative for a 10-minute transfer by car to the El Nido Resort’s Jetty Lounge followed by the 30 to Deep Dive: Read the Review…