Imagine waking up to panoramic views of marine life, surrounded by the deep blue ocean. Underwater hotels offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, combining luxury with the thrill of sleeping beneath the waves. Here are 10 of the best underwater hotels in the world that you should add to your bucket list.
1. The Muraka –
Maldives
The Muraka stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the
Maldives' reputation as a leader in innovative, high-end travel experiences. Opened
in November 2018, it is part of Hilton's Conrad Hotels & Resorts and
represents a pinnacle of innovative design and opulence.
The Muraka is a two-level villa with a glass-enclosed
underwater suite. The master bedroom suite sits 5 meters (16.4 feet) below sea
level, encased in clear acrylic for 180-degree panoramic views of marine life.
Upper Level: Includes a living area, kitchen, two bathrooms,
a guest bedroom, deck with infinity pool, and an overwater relaxation platform.
 |
| The Muraka – Maldives |
 |
| The Muraka – Maldives |
2. Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm is an iconic luxury resort situated on
the crescent of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s largest artificial
islands. Opened in 2008, this mega-resort is synonymous with opulence,
adventure, and Arabian-inspired grandeur, attracting celebrities, families, and
luxury seekers worldwide.
The Neptune and Poseidon Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Ambassador Lagoon, home to 65,000 marine animals, including sharks and rays.
Inside Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai
 |
| Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai |
3. Reef suites – Australia
Opened in 2023, The Reef suites is part of the InterContinental
Hayman Island Resort. Located on the Great Barrier Reef, Reef suites offers a
floating hotel experience with submerged rooms.
The two exclusive suites feature a submerged bedroom with floor-to-ceiling acrylic windows offering uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea’s vibrant marine life, including tropical fish, rays, and coral gardens.
Reef suites – Australia
 |
| Reef suites – Australia |
4. Jules’ Undersea
Lodge – USA
Jules’ Undersea Lodge, nestled in the emerald waters of Key
Largo, Florida, holds the distinction of being the world’s first underwater
hotel. Originally a marine research lab named La Chalupa in the 1970s, it was
repurposed into a submerged hotel in 1986. Today, it remains a bucket-list stay
for adventurers and marine enthusiasts.
Guests must scuba dive 21 feet (6.4 meters) to enter the
lodge, making it the only underwater hotel where diving is mandatory for access
and a perfect adventure for diving enthusiasts.
Amenities &
Features:
·
Capacity:
Accommodates up to 6 guests, with a communal living area, kitchenette, and hot
showers.
·
Themed
Nights: Optional “Pizza Night” where meals are delivered via waterproof
container by “mer-chefs.”
·
Entertainment:
Underwater movies, books, and games for a quirky, retro vibe.
·
MarineLab
Connection: The lodge partners with Marine Lab Undersea Laboratory,
offering guests educational interactions with marine biologists.
 |
| pizza delivered at Jules’ Undersea Lodge – USA |
5. Utter Inn – Sweden
Created in 2000 by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg as a
floating art installation, this quirky retreat blends creativity with nature.
Guests row a small boat to the inn, adding to the secluded,
adventurous vibe.
Utter Inn is a charming, minimalist floating cabin on Lake
Mälaren with an underwater bedroom featuring panoramic windows for observing
perch, pike, and other freshwater fish. Above water, a bright red traditional
Swedish cottage houses a small living area, kitchenette, and rooftop deck for
sunbathing or stargazing.
 |
| Utter Inn – Sweden |
6. InterContinental
Shanghai Wonderland – China
Also known as the Shimao Quarry Hotel, its Built into an
abandoned quarry, this luxury hotel has underwater suites offering views of an
artificial lake and aquatic life.
The hotel incorporates waterfalls, vertical gardens, and a dramatic glass-bottom skywalk suspended above the lagoon.
 |
| InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland – China |
7. Manta Resort –
Tanzania
The Manta Resort is a floating villa in the Indian Ocean, Pemba
Island.
Underwater Bedroom is submerged 4 meters (13 feet) below the
surface, surrounded by coral reefs and marine life like reef fish, octopus, and
occasional passing rays. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer 360-degree views.
The Upper Deck is a rooftop lounge for sunbathing, a
sea-level living area, and a private deck for dining and stargazing.
 |
| Manta Resort – Tanzania |
8. Huvafen Fushi –
Maldives
Opened in 2004, this intimate resort is renowned for
blending avant-garde design with timeless Maldivian charm and is home to the
world’s first underwater spa, setting a benchmark for immersive oceanic experiences.
From private pools, luxury villas, and fine dining on a
stunning tropical island, enjoy activities like Snorkeling, diving with manta
rays, sunset cruises, and yoga pavilion sessions.
 |
| Huvafen Fushi – Maldives |
9. Per Aquum Niyama – Maldives
Home to Subsix, the world’s first underwater nightclub.
Unlike resorts focused solely on romance, it appeals to families, groups, and thrill-seekers while prioritizing sustainability. Subsix remains an iconic bucket-list destination, merging innovation with the Indian Ocean’s natural wonders.
 |
| Per Aquum Niyama – Maldives |
10. Lovers Deep
Submarine – Caribbean
Lovers Deep Submarine, often dubbed the "world’s first
mobile underwater hotel," is a conceptual luxury experience that captured
global attention in the early 2010s. Marketed as a private, customizable
submarine hotel, it was designed to cruise the Caribbean Sea, offering couples
an ultra-exclusive, romantic escape beneath the waves.
 |
| Lovers Deep Submarine – Caribbean |
Note: Lovers Deep’s operational status is unconfirmed.
 |
| Lovers Deep Submarine – Caribbean |
Final Thoughts
These underwater hotels redefine luxury and adventure,
offering experiences that are both dreamlike and unforgettable. Whether you
prefer an intimate lake retreat or a deep-sea adventure, there’s an underwater
stay for everyone.
