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Overwater Bungalows in Florida

October 16, 2023 /

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Technically there is only one overwater bungalow in the U.S. and it’s probably not where you think! The Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is home to the only overwater bungalow resort in the United States. However, there are a few Florida vacation rental properties that feature overwater bungalows, and we’ll touch on those too!

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Overwater Bungalows in Florida

Table of Contents

How They Compare

  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Florida’s Original Overwater Bungalow
  • Tiki Suite Overwater Bungalow
  • Location: 1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836
  • Number of overwater villas: 20
  • All inclusive resort: No
  • Starting price: The cash price is $3200/night, but the bungalows can be booked with Disney’s Vacation Club points. Points stays start at 112 points/night and points can be rented for $21+/night through David’s Vacation Club.
  • Sleeps: 8 adults (1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, 1 Queen-Size Pull Down Bed and 2 Single Pull Down Beds)
  • Bathrooms: 2
  • Other spaces: Full kitchen, living room, dining area, washer and dryer, private deck with plunge pool
  • Direct water access from your bungalow: No. You can’t swim in Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon.
  • Beach access: You can’t swim in Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon, but you can sit and sunbathe on the beach that fronts it.

  • Private pool: Private plunge pool
  • Best for: Families, Couples
  • Best time to visit: Fall through Spring for cooler temps, when the kids are in school for lower crowds
  • Is extra transport required?: Unlike Bora Bora and the Maldives, no seaplane flight is required to get to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You can rent a car or take a Mears Shuttle (for around $16/adult one way) from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Once you check in at the resort’s main building, it’s a short walk to your overwater bungalow.

  • Location: Crescent City, Florida
  • Number of overwater villas: 1
  • All inclusive resort: No
  • Starting price: around $400/night
  • Sleeps: 6 (1 King, 2 Twin, 2 double futons)
  • Bathrooms: 3
  • Other spaces: Living room with cast iron fireplace, full kitchen, dining area, washer and dryer, two screened porches, outdoor shower, hammock, BBQ grill
  • Direct water access from your bungalow: No (alligators are frequently found in Florida lakes, so swimming in them is typically not recommended). Head to nearby De Leon Springs and swim in the crystal clear Natural Spring.
  • Beach access: No
  • Private pool: No
  • Best for: Adults or families who like outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching.
  • Best time to visit: Fall through Spring is the most comfortable time temperature-wise for outdoor activities in Florida.
  • Is extra transport required?: A car is needed to get to the property from the airport. Once you arrive at the property, it’s a short walk down the 200-foot dock to the overwater bungalow.
  • Location: Key West, Florida
  • Number of overwater villas: 1
  • All inclusive resort: No
  • Starting price: around $500/night
  • Sleeps: 2 (1 King Bed)
  • Bathrooms: 1
  • Other spaces: Private porch with hammock
  • Direct water access from your bungalow: Yes. Stand up paddleboards and snorkel gear are provided.
  • Beach access: No
  • Private pool: No
  • Best for: Singles or couples who want to get away from it all
  • Best time to visit: Fall through Spring is the most comfortable time temperature-wise for outdoor activities in Florida. The Suite is air-conditioned, but it’s suggested to use it only at night.
  • Is extra transport required?: Yes. The Tiki Suite is only accessible by boat. There is a local water taxi that costs $27.50/person with a two-person minimum.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Just a 3-hour flight from New York City, Orlando, Florida conjures up Mickey Mouse ears and theme park popcorn. It’s definitely not the first place anyone would think of for an overwater bungalow resort. Leave it to Disney to throw expectations out the window and create the U.S.’s only overwater bungalow resort.

So what’s it like to stay in overwater bungalow resorts in Florida? Unlike the top overwater bungalows located in Bora Bora and the Maldives, the Polynesian Bungalows are located on the water of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon, not the ocean. And while it is a stone’s throw from the theme parks, nothing says you actually have to visit them!

Highlights

  • Views

    Views of Cinderella’s Castle and Disney’s Magic Kingdom across the water, complete with a nightly firework show.

  • Close to Home

    Flights within the U.S. to Florida max out at around six hours non-stop, while flights from the U.S. to Bora Bora are 10 hours and 30 minutes from Los Angeles (and even longer from New York!)

  • Full Kitchen

    A full kitchen means you can stay in and enjoy the privacy of your bungalow without dealing with all things Disney. That said, Disney has some wonderful high-end restaurants that are worth experiencing!

Florida’s Original Overwater Bungalow, Crescent City, Florida

Courtesy Florida’s Original Overwater Bungalow

Located about halfway between Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida’s Original Overwater Bungalow in Crescent City is a peaceful natural respite where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of Central Florida and enjoy slow mornings on the deck with your coffee before spending a day out on the water.

Highlights

  • Boater’s Paradise

    Use of two kayaks is included and boat tie-ups are available and you can bring your own boat

  • Local Wildlife

    A variety of local birds and often manatees can be seen from the bungalow

  • Slow Living

    High-speed internet makes this a perfect location for those living the digital nomad life or wanting to write the Great American novel.

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Tiki Suite, Key West, Florida

Courtesy Tiki Suite Key West

The Tiki Suite is more houseboat than overwater bungalow, but definitely gives you the overwater vibes in Florida. Located in Key West, this thatched-hut style one-bedroom villa can best be described as rustic. There are no cooking appliances on board (bring your own ice for the cooler that will keep your food cold for up to nine days) and the macerating toilet keeps the waste out of the water. Paid boat shuttles are your only option to access the property and will add to the cost of your stay.

Highlights

  • Off-the-Grid

    Truly off-the-grid living makes the Tiki Suite a peaceful respite from daily life

  • Stunning Views

    Start your morning slow with a sunrise and a cup of coffee on your private porch

  • Water Access

    Direct water access provides ample excellent snorkeling and opportunities to paddleboard

Is a Florida Overwater Bungalow right for you?

Those are the best (and the only) overwater bungalows Florida. If you’re looking for true island overwater villas like you see on Instagram and on Pinterest, you’ll want to hop to the Caribbean where places like Sandals South Coast Resort and Aruba Ocean Villas feature true ocean villas.

Find Overwater Bungalows

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Hi, I’m Lori. But you can call me Lors. I’m a middle-aged New Jersey-born gal, currently based in Orlando, Florida. My background is in editorial travel photography and writing and I've been to more than 30 countries. I’m obsessed with tropical locales and my favorite city is Tokyo. Have camera, will travel! I’m a Disney adult, Lord of the Rings fan, certified crazy cat lady, and sushi addict! I hope this blog inspires your wanderlust. Feel free to follow me on Instagram for snippets of daily life on and off the road.