Do’s and Don’ts of Staying in an Overwater Villa

23 September 2025 | Latest News

Few vacations have the allure of overwater holidays. Pick out any angle of your stay at an overwater villa and you will simply fall in love with it. It won't be an exaggeration if we say that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you will feel like a dream come true.

Just like every other vacation, an overwater trip also comes with a fixed set of rules that help you provide a safe and enjoyable experience. Before you make any assumptions, most of these rules are not like the typical laws that come with a penalty if not followed. They are more about the choices you make during your time at the overwater villa that not only impact you but also the surroundings around you.

The reason for writing this blog is to get you the most out of your overwater villa vacation. Whether you are going on a honeymoon, an adults-only holiday, a family trip or a solo adventure, these do’s and don'ts will help you greatly. Let's check them out.

The Do’s of an Overwater Holiday

Whether you are planning Bora Bora holidays or going for Maldives holidays to experience the best overwater villas in the world, our do’s will ensure that you stay safe and enjoy your time the most.

Lock Up and Secure Your Villa

Safety always comes first no matter which part of the world you are in. Generally overwater villas are typically safe from intruders, but it doesn't mean that your belongings can't get damaged. Most of the villas in the world have sliding doors, glass windows and open decks to provide guests with wholesome views of the surroundings. While this is a great feature, if the doors and windows are not locked, the tropical winds can blow them open and this can scatter your belongings. Many people leave valuable items like passport, jewellery items and cash in the safes or drawers inside the villa, but it is better to check their locks before leaving.

Use the Ladder or the Stairs Provided

There is a reason you see a ladder with almost all of the overwater villas in the world. At some points, the seabed can be shallow, have rocks or sea urchins; this can lead to severe injury. While no such incidents have been reported, it is better to be careful and use the stairs provided. We know that jumping into the pool gives a powerful adrenaline boost but ask yourself is it worth the risk? For adventure seekers, there are plenty of thrilling activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing and many more.

Embrace the Privacy and Slow Pace

The reason overwater villa vacations are so famous is that they are completely different from typical beach holidays or urban escapes. They come with serenity, a slow and lazy approach, endless sea views and a calmness that is hard to find someplace else. We would suggest you just go with the flow. Leave behind your daily routine for a few days and enjoy life at its best. Don't go for too many activities; instead, make your day revolve around natural beauty and enjoy the company of your loved ones.

Take Advantage of the Activities Offered by the Resort

Most of the overwater villas, especially the ones you encounter during Mexico holidays are set on remote islands. The surroundings are generally underdeveloped but the resorts ensure that the guests get all the facilities. Take advantage of services like facilities like meals, beverages, and activities offered by the resort instead of roaming around on your own. Some of the properties even offer activities like dolphin cruises, diving lessons or stargazing tours. If you go out and arrange these things on your own, be ready to empty your pockets as they are not cheap anywhere in the world.

Keep the Villa and Surroundings Together

If you've ever been to an American national park, you will be aware of the phrase “leave no traces”. It essentially means that you leave the place as you found it, take nothing and leave behind nothing. This is also true for the overwater villas. As the overwater villas are located directly above the sea, small amounts of food waste or even a drop of spilt juice can attract ants, crabs or wild seabirds. It can be dangerous for you as well. While housekeeping and janitorial services are available in almost every resort, you have some responsibility as well and it is better if you show it. We are saying this because we don't want your deck or private pool turned into a picnic spot for the creatures around.

Watch the Weather

This one is especially useful for people staying in an overwater villa during their Thailand holidays. In such tropical places, weather can change within a blink of an eye and a sunny morning can turn into a dark afternoon with rapid showers. This can downgrade your entire experience if you are outdoors. This is why we would suggest always checking the weather forecast before heading out. The resort staff usually gives a warning in case a storm is expected. So, you must avoid swimming or walking on the slippery decks.

Capture the Moments Thoughtfully

There are hardly any overwater villas in the world that don't offer stunning views and endless opportunities for photographing with some of the best views in the town. Every moment starting from dawn till dusk feels magical and a picture will feel nothing less than a postcard. Before leaving, amp up your photography tools like a waterproof camera and a drone (if permitted) to capture the views with different angles. If you are honeymooning, then we are positive that you will have albums of intimate moments with each other.

Respect Your Neighbours’ Privacy

Most of the overwater villas are located quite close to each other and the sound carries over water easily. Loud music, conversation or laughter on your deck can reach your next-door neighbour. They might not hate it, but it is better to be on the safe side and keep things quieter. Be more careful during the early morning and after the sun goes down. If you are swimming near your villa, avoid entering into the private area of others. If you respect their privacy, they’ll respect yours. It goes both ways.

Unplug and Disconnect

Most of the resorts offer Wi-Fi but just use it for only extremely necessary tasks. If you are ignoring the beauty of an overwater villa for Instagram scrolling, you are not doing justice with your time and money. Disconnect from the outside world especially your work emails or meetings unless you are on a workcation. In a crux, overwater villas are about slowing down and cutting off, so the general trend is to leave the world behind and live for yourself for a few days.

Follow the Villa’s Guidelines

Every resort has a specific set of rules and directions that they convey at the time of the booking. These are typically about check-in and check-out times, expected behaviour, buffet times, restrictions on fishing, interaction with marine life, drone usage, swimming and other things. It is best to read them in detail and ask the management if you have any questions. Ignoring these instructions can impact the way your journey proceeds. For example, if you are a video blogger and want to use drone cameras and the resort doesn't allow that, you will end up coming back with a sad and stressed face.

The Don’ts of an Overwater Holiday

Now that we have mentioned the do’s during your overwater villa holidays, here are some of the don’ts that will help you stay safe and also play your part in protecting the environment.

Don’t Swim After Drinking Too Much

The resorts serve some of the best cocktails and beers in the world and guests usually go above their limit when it comes to drinking. Alcohol and swimming are not a good combo and when you are planning to jump in an ocean, things can go pretty bad in a matter of seconds. Alcohol slows down reflexes and affects judgment and this increases the chances of accidents. We would suggest keeping the cocktails after a snorkelling or swimming session. The best place to enjoy a cocktail is on your deck where you might break a glass but not fall.

Don’t Leave Deck Lights on Overnight

You might think that leaving the deck lights on is harmless but it can escalate the situation in a couple of hours. Insects like mosquitoes, moths or beetles are greatly attracted to lights in the dark and soon your villa will turn into a battleground with an active fight between you and these creatures. There is no guessing who will win but your night will be ruined. In case such a thing happens, call the resort’s reception instantly and they’ll send someone instantly to take care of the mess.

Don’t Flush Inappropriate Items

Overwater villas don’t have a solid plumbing system like resorts or hotels and this means that if you flush things like wipes, cotton pads, sanitary napkins or large amounts of hair, your room’s washroom is soon going to blow up. A plumbing repair in an overwater villa can take hours or even days and as a result, your stay will be impacted. The management may be courteous enough to offer you a free villa but they might charge extra for such services. And in case they don't have a spare one, then God help you.

Don’t Drag Wet Sand Inside

After a refreshing swim or an outdoor gaming session, it is natural and instinctive to head inside the resort without cleaning yourself. This is not a good approach as sand can damage the wooden floors, make surfaces slippery, or even clog drains. Almost all the resorts have outdoor showers with privacy that are installed for this purpose. Wash your feet or take a shower before getting inside. Dry up and then continue with your routine.

Don’t Expect Total Silence from Nature

Overwater villas offer privacy and serenity but they never promise a quiet experience. The sound of the waves, seabirds, splashes of fish and the chorus of insects or small animals like frogs, etc., create a continuous chorus. This might not be as irritating as it appears, so just try to go with the flow. Many people get scared from such sounds but these are completely harmless.

Don’t Assume Kids Are Always Safe

Overwater villas are nothing less than a paradise but this doesn't mean that they are completely safe for the little kids. Most of the villas are not designed with kids in mind and things like open decks, pools, ladders and sliders are not kid-safe. So, if you are taking kids with you, check with the resort how they ensure the safety of the little ones. If you feel like they have enough measures in place, then go ahead; otherwise, a beachfront resort may seem a better option.

Don’t Ignore Your Health

An overwater holiday generally doesn't demand too much effort from you but you still have got to take care of yourself. If this is your first time in a tropical climate, you might not be able to adjust to it properly. The common problems include dehydration, heat exhaustion or sunburns from the strong UV rays. To avoid such issues, drink plenty of water, don't overdo yourself and use sunscreen.

Final Words

We are sure that you can now plan and execute an overwater vacation in a much better way. With these do’s and don’ts, the chances of things going wrong will be reduced to a great extent.

Looking to book overwater villa holiday packages? Reach out to Virikson Holidays’ booking agents and benefit from our 10+ years of offering exceptional and great-value holiday deals in the UK.