Maldives water villa or beach villa: which is right for you?

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

In the Maldives, your choice of villa shapes the whole stay. Here is how water villas and beach villas compare.

Water villas

Built on stilts over the lagoon, often with steps straight into the sea.

Pros:

• The iconic Maldives experience.
• Ocean views from bed and from the deck.
• Easy access to the water for swimming and sometimes snorkelling.
• Some have glass floor panels.

Cons:

• Usually more expensive.
• Can be further from the restaurants and beach.
• Neighbouring villas may be visible.
• Some guests feel the sea breeze and sound more at night.

Beach villas

Set directly on the sand, often among palm trees.

Pros:

• Usually more spacious, with gardens or outdoor bathrooms.
• More privacy in many resorts.
• Easy beach access, great for children.
• Often cheaper.

Cons:

• Less of a "wow" factor than over-water living.
• Views may be partly through vegetation.

The best of both

Many couples split their stay: two nights in a beach villa and two in a water villa. You get both experiences, though changing rooms takes a little time.

Questions to ask

• Do you want a private pool?
• How important is snorkelling from your villa?
• Is sunrise or sunset view important?
• What is your budget?

Our advice

For a short stay of three nights, choose one villa type. For four nights or more, consider splitting. Read Choosing a Maldives resort for your honeymoon: what really matters and How many nights in the Maldives, and should you split resorts?.