Great choice — overwater villas are the iconic Maldives experience. Below are top picks (what makes each special + who it’s best for), followed by quick practical tips (transfers, seasonality, budgets).

Top overwater villas / resorts

• Soneva Jani — massive, very private water residences (some with retractable roofs, glass-bottom portholes and slides straight into the lagoon). Best for families or anyone wanting roomy, playful ultra‑luxury and eco‑focus. (soneva.com)

• Gili Lankanfushi — barefoot-luxury overwater villas and the Private Reserve (one of the largest standalone overwater villas in the world, with pool, slide, spa, cinema). Best for rustic-luxe privacy and excellent service (personal host). (gili-lankanfushi.com)

• Joali Maldives — high‑design/art-driven overwater villas with large private pools and contemporary interiors; strong food and wellness offering. Best for design lovers and couples. (joali.com)

• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (The Muraka + overwater villas) — home of The Muraka (partial underwater master bedroom) and long‑standing luxury with memorable dining experiences. Best for “one‑off” ultra‑exclusive stays. (conradmaldives.com)

• Velaa Private Island — ultra‑private freestanding water residences (including the Romantic Pool Residence), top sporting facilities (golf academy, unique toys) and very high service levels. Best for affluent travelers who want privacy plus activities. (whiteblancmange.com)

• Anantara Kihavah — classic modern overwater villas with a famed underwater restaurant (SEA) and stargazing observatory; family‑friendly with strong marine programs. Best for marine/culinary experiences. (forbestravelguide.com)

• Hurawalhi Island Resort — contemporary overwater villas and the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant (all‑glass underwater dining). Best for couples seeking a modern, dramatic dining/villa combo. (hurawalhiislandresort.com)

• Cheval Blanc Randheli — ultra‑luxury, designer overwater villas with large private pools and very high service levels (LVMH maison). Best for fashion/brand‑conscious travelers and luxury service. (chevalblanc.com)

• The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli — dramatic architecture and one of the largest overwater estates (John Jacob Astor Estate). Best for extravagant, statement stays and big‑group privacy. (marriott.com)

• COMO Cocoa Island — intimate island of dhoni‑shaped overwater suites (some with private pools). Best for wellness, simplicity and a short speedboat transfer from Malé. (comohotels.com)

Quick-buyers’ guide (which to pick by trip type)

• Honeymoon/romance: Joali Maldives, Soneva Jani (private reserves), Cheval Blanc, Velaa. (joali.com)
• Families: Soneva Jani, Gili Lankanfushi (family villas/residences). (soneva.com)
• Food & unique experiences: Anantara Kihavah (SEA), Hurawalhi (5.8), Conrad (Ithaa/The Muraka). (seaunderwaterrestaurant.com)
• Best for privacy/ultimate exclusivity: Velaa, private reserves at Gili, standalone Soneva residences. (linaratravel.com)

Practical tips

• Transfers: most overwater resorts are reached by seaplane or by domestic flight + speedboat. Seaplanes generally operate in daylight hours and have strict luggage limits (typically ~20–25 kg checked + small carry). If your international flight arrives late, you may need an overnight in Malé. Book transfers through your resort in advance. (maldivesguide.com)

• Best time to go: the dry season (roughly November–April) gives the most reliable sun and best underwater visibility; shoulder months can offer better rates but a slightly higher chance of showers. (lonelyplanet.com)

• Budget guide: standard overwater villas commonly start in the high hundreds to low thousands (USD) per night in many resorts; top private residences and signature villas often run into multiple thousands or tens of thousands per night (examples: Conrad’s The Muraka is an example of a multi‑$K/weekend rate). Expect transfer costs (seaplane/domestic) to add several hundred dollars per person. (conradmaldives.com)

• Booking tips:

  • Reserve top overwater units well in advance (peak season fills quickly).
  • Ask about exact villa location (sunrise vs sunset side, reef access) and whether it includes a private pool, glass floors or direct ladder/steps into the lagoon.
  • If you want minimal travel time from Malé, prioritize resorts in South Malé Atoll or those reachable by speedboat (e.g., COMO Cocoa Island ~40 min speedboat). (comohotels.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to your dates, budget and travel style (honeymoon vs family), and compare 3–5 villas with exact transfer times and current rates; or
• Build a shortlist (3 best options) with sample nightly rates and the quickest way to get there.

Which would you prefer?