10 Stunning Maldives-like Resorts in the Philippines with Overwater Bungalows

10. Tugawe Cove Resort (Camarines Sur) 

Photo by Tugawe Cove Resort

Tucked in the idyllic paradise of the Caramoan Peninsula, Tugawe Cove Resort is a 4-star tranquil hillside resort overlooking the panoramic views of Sombrero, Loto, and Litao islands. It is built above Lauing Bay, which is only 1.1km away. Caramoan is a dreamy destination in the lower eastern part of Camarines Sur, consisting of beautiful islands and white-sand beaches.

This elegant Camarines Sur resort looks like the Maldives in the Philippines because of its stilt houses surrounding the lake of the property and just a stone's throw away from the turquoise blue waters of the Caramoan Islands. Adding to its majestic scenery is its luxurious vibe with a helipad, an open-air restaurant, a hilltop infinity pool, and a path that leads to the white-sand beach.

Tugawe Cove Resort offers lakeside rooms with warm wood finishes, ocean tones, and nature-inspired colors. Guests can go snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding. There are also beachfront cottages where you can request massage treatments.

9. Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort (Batangas) 

Photo by Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort

The closest destination you can go from the capital Manila to experience the Maldives in the Philippines is Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort, one of the best beach resorts near Manila. Calatagan is a famous getaway spot in Batangas with white-sand beaches, around 132KM away from Metro Manila.

This Batangas resort lets you experience a piece of Maldives with its garden cabanas and floating sea cottages. All are fully furnished with verandas where you can witness panoramic sunset views while lounging on hammocks. Aside from the infinity pool, the cottages provide direct swimming access through the wooden stairs connected to the crystal blue waters.

• Check out this Stilts Calatagan day tour
• See our list of the best Batangas resorts
• Book Philippine scuba diving courses

Whether you want to feel closer to nature or stay on the beach, this Maldives-like resort has the perfect accommodation for you. You can choose from beach cottages, villas, bungalows, and treehouses. Make the most of your stay and try watersports activities like snorkeling, kayaking, speed/banana boat riding, and scuba diving.

8. Cauayan Island Resort & Spa (El Nido, Palawan) 

Photo by Cauayan Island Resort & Spa

Situated in the famed island of El Nido is a laidback haven called Cauayan Island Resort & Spa. This rustic beach resort is nestled on Cauayan Island along Bacuit Bay, which features breathtaking views of El Nido’s majestic seascape and turquoise blue waters.

Cauayan Island Resort has beachfront and pool view villas with a wooden terrace, lounge bed, indoor sunken tub, outdoor shower, private deck, and infinity pool. Guests can even rejuvenate themselves with Cauayan Signature Massage. You can also board a romantic sunset cruise while sipping your favorite cocktail drink.

• Read our article on the best hotels and resorts in El Nido
• See other spa and wellness resorts in the Philippines

Just like the Maldives, El Nido is a world-class diving destination. At Cauayan Island Resort, you can enroll in PADI open water diving courses at the resort’s diving center. There are 18 diving spots near Cauayan Island that you can discover. Then, you can go island-hopping, kayaking, and snorkeling across El Nido’s vibrant seascape.

7. Club Tara Resort (Surigao del Norte)

Photo by Club Tara Resort

Secluded in a private cove in Bucas Grande Island is Club Tara Resort, a Bali- and Maldives-like waterfront resort in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. This laidback resort features whitewashed cottages perched on stilts over Sohoton Bay near Sohoton Cove, a cluster of small islets with lagoons and limestone formations.

Featuring bay-view terraces, this serene and elegant Surigao del Norte resort offers all-inclusive rooms with a jacuzzi, hot tub, lounge, and outdoor pool. These floating cottages resemble those stunning overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Other amenities at the resort include a garden, picnic area, restaurant, and a marina on-site.

There are beach and pool cabanas, perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon. You can also sunbathe and lounge in the private beach area. Then, witness more of Sohoton Cove’s Maldives-like paradise by going on an island-hopping tour around Sohoton Bay. You can explore the top tourist spots of Siargao Island, the Philippines’ Surfing Capital, since they're in the same province. 

• Read our article on the best resorts in Siargao Island

6. Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort (Culion, Palawan)

Photo by Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort

Blissfully designed to provide luxury and comfort, Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort is an exclusive Palawan resort nestled in the calm blue waters of Culion. It is dotted with stunning beaches, historical sites, snorkeling spots, and wreck sites.

This Maldives-like resort is one of the biggest single privately-owned Palawan resorts tucked between 18 hectares of lush hills. All 99 rooms offer sweeping sea views, and each is intricately designed with a Filipino-themed interior.

• Check out our list of the best hotels and resorts in Coron
• Book Philippine luxury vacation packages

You can select from various accommodations like Sirakan Villas with an indoor jacuzzi and glass bottom floors so you can have a peek of the blue waters right beneath your bedroom, or the One Bedroom Villa and Two Bedroom Villa which has a kitchenette. 

For a more luxurious experience, guests can spend a romantic sunset cruise aboard a 35m yacht.

5. Lagen Island (El Nido, Palawan) 

Photo by El Nido Resorts

Nestled between a 4-hectare forest and a calm scenic lagoon, Lagen Island is El Nido Resorts’ Eco-Sanctuary island resort that serves as a sanctuary for endemic species of birds and mammals along Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palawan. El Nido Lagen Island Resort features over 51 rooms with floors and furnishings composed of timber recycled from old Filipino homes.

With expansive sliding glass doors, the rooms open to a private veranda where you can savor the cool breeze. Lagen Island has 20 Forest Rooms tucked between the lush forest, 18 water cottages built on stilts above the water, and 9 beachfront cottages with sweeping views of the cove. Each has a bathtub, twin vanities, and a private terrace.

• Read about why El Nido is a great place for destination weddings in the Philippines

Resembling the charm and vibe of Maldives, Lagen Island lets you feel closer to nature and the sea. You can try various eco-tourism activities on the island, such as bird watching and mangrove exploration. Other recreational amenities on-site include a kids’ activity center, pool table, gym, and spa.

4. Pearl Farm Beach Resort (Samal Island, Davao)

Photo by Pearl Farm Beach Resort

One of the high-end beachfront resorts dotting the Phillippines’ largest resort city of Samal Island is the Pearl Farm Beach Resort. True to its name, it was once home to a pearl farm that nurtures and cultivates precious pearls in Davao del Norte. The resort also offers Taklobo and Coral tours, allowing you to see giant clams beneath stunning coral gardens on Samal Island.

• Read our article on the top Samal Island resorts
• Check out other luxury resorts in the Philippines

This 5-star island resort in Samal Island, Davao, has plenty of exceptional amenities that provide comfort and luxury similar to those in the Maldives. All of the villas and cottages are Muslim-inspired with designs dedicated to the Samal culture. 

While the hilltop rooms are elevated above the shore, the Samal Suites are built on stilts above the seawater. The 2-story suites have direct access to the private beach. You can take the stairs leading down to the waters.

Guests can bask in the sun and take a refreshing dip into the infinity pool while gazing at Mount Apo from a distance. At night, you can spend a delightful movie night with your family and friends at the open-air Parola Lounge. Then, cap off your stay by dropping by the Pearl Farm Butik and Cafe to purchase Midanaoan souvenirs.

3. Huma Island Resort & Spa (Coron, Palawan)

Photo by Huma Island Resort & Spa

Another sophisticated and spectacular hideaway in the world-famous island of Palawan is the Huma Island Resort & Spa. It is set between the remote and unspoiled beaches of Coron, known for its crystal clear freshwater lakes and majestic limestones. One of its Maldives-like features is its overwater villas and suites with direct access to a stunning Palawan beach.

• Read our guide on diving in Coron
• See our Philippines spa packages

Built with luxury and comfort in mind, all of its 81 beach villas feature contemporary and spacious rooms with high ceilings. Other accommodation types include water villas, family suites, and a presidential suite. Many of which are perched on stilts and feature outdoor hot tubs with panoramic sea views.

This private holiday retreat house charms travelers who are dreaming of experiencing the enchanting vibe of the Maldives. Guests can take a dip into the relaxing infinity pool, pamper at the spa, or try watersports activities. There are also 7 restaurants at the resort that offer a fusion of international flavors.

2. Apulit Island (El Nido, Palawan) 

Photo by El Nido Resorts

Set in Taytay Bay in North-eastern Palawan, Apulit Island is a prime and prestigious El Nido Resorts’ Eco-Adventure island resort that features beachfront cottages perched on stilts. Apulit Island's overwater cottages feature an unobstructed view of Palawan beaches and azure waters, making it look like Maldives’ majestic seascape.

All of its 50 water cottages are intricately designed with traditional Filipino elements and thatched roofs. Each two-story loft water cottage has direct access to the sea from its private veranda. It comes with exceptional and luxurious amenities alongside an international restaurant and bar known as the Apulit Clubhouse.

While set amidst the beautiful landscape of Taytay Bay, visitors have the opportunity to explore majestic sights and underwater sceneries. Guests can even tour Apulit’s caves, go snorkeling at giant clams garden, rappel off a 60-meter limestone cliff, and go on Isla Blanca adventures.

1. Miniloc Island (El Nido, Palawan) 

Photo by El Nido Miniloc Island Resort

Featuring a combination of a laidback Filipino coastal village vibe with rustic and native designs is another El Nido Resorts’ Eco-Discovery island resort, the Miniloc Island. Tucked in a pristine Palawan island, this simplistic yet contemporary resort boasts Deluxe Seaview Rooms, Garden Cottages, Beachside Rooms, Cliffside Cottages, and Water Cottages.

Since Miniloc Island is an eco-friendly resort, all of its rooms are completely powered with solar energy and installed with an efficient lighting system and ceiling fans. The beachfront cottages are situated right in front of Miniloc’s white-sand beach, providing you with direct access to the sea. Meanwhile, the cliffside cottages boast panoramic views of the island.

Miniloc Island is a gateway to Bacuit Bay’s popular attractions, including Big Lagoon, Snake Island, and Small Lagoon, which are highlights of El Nido island hopping tours. Guests can go snorkeling and have an up-close encounter with jack fishes and other variety of marine species at Miniloc’s own house reef.

Experience the Best of the Philippines in These Maldives-like Resorts

Photo by Club Tara Resort

If you’ve been itching to travel to the majestic island paradise of the Maldives, you don’t need to look any further because there are various Maldives-inspired resorts in the Philippines. Amidst white-sand beaches and tropical foliage are island resorts with overwater cottages nestled on the country’s world-class destinations.

Escape to these stunning Davao resorts and Palawan resorts on your next getaway. While there are Batangas resorts, Subic resorts, and Zambales resorts that are easily accessible from Manila, there are other luxurious resorts in Surigao del Sur and Camarines Sur that are equally captivating like the Maldives.

Begin planning your vacation to the Maldives-like resorts in the Philippines! These stunning resorts are worth checking out, which vary from beachside to remote island locations. You can also refer to the 15 Best Tropical Bali-Like Resorts in the Philippines article for more ideas about where you can book your stay

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