Overwater & Lagoon

Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives. In Noonu Atoll, Cheval Blanc Randheli spreads across six islands. Its Water Villas stand on stilts facing sunrise, Lagoon and Horizon villas turn toward sunset or open ocean, and nearly every house has a private infinity pool of about 12.5 metres, with a deck that steps straight into turquoise lagoon. Guerlain has an island of its own for the spa, and on the one-hectare Private Island a second spa stands on stilts. The seaplane from Velana takes about forty minutes when scheduled. See our Randheli Island and Maldives guides.

Bawah Reserve, Indonesia. In the remote Anambas Islands, Bawah Reserve holds eleven Overwater Bungalows above a shallow lagoon, among thirteen beaches and three marine reserve lagoons shared by just thirty-six suites and villas. The seaplane from Batam lands in the main lagoon. Resident marine biologists lead reef and turtle conservation, nesting season runs from July to September, and all meals, a spa treatment each night and more than fifty activities are part of the stay.

Cayo Espanto, Belize. Off Ambergris Caye, Cayo Espanto keeps a handful of villas on a cay of its own. Casa Ventanas stands at the end of the main dock with a glass floor into the marine world below, and many returning couples ask for it by name. The other villas sit at the water’s edge with their own docks and plunge pools, and the Belize Barrier Reef is within private boat reach. More in our Cayo Espanto guide.

For a single overwater house on an island of its own, Wai at LAUCALA Island in Fiji floats above the lagoon with two bedrooms, a saltwater pool and a private jetty. It sits in our Private Islands collection.

The seasons differ by ocean. In Noonu Atoll, December to April brings drier skies and calmer seas, while May to November is warmer and lusher, with brief showers and often rewarding diving. Bawah’s calmest seas run from March to November, and the Reserve closes each year for maintenance in late autumn. In Belize, December to April is the classic clearer window. Seaplanes fly in daylight with modest luggage allowances, so a late international arrival usually means a night in Malé or Singapore before the last leg.

Our Journal piece on the world’s best private island resorts sets Randheli and Bawah beside the private islands of Fiji, Belize, Panama and the Philippines.

For a honeymoon over the water or on an island for two, our Honeymoons collection gathers the most romantic stays we know.