11 incredible homes by the sea
Sotheby's International Realty
The world's most impressive ocean-view homes
Nestled on some of the most spectacular waterfront plots in the world, these exceptional homes don't just provide jaw-dropping scenery but luxury living at its finest. From a quirky Caribbean hideout nestled on a clifftop to a one-of-a-kind historic residence overlooking the azure waters of Lacuna Beach, let's take a peek at the most stunning seaside homes for sale right now. Grab your sunscreen and click or scroll on for some serious property envy...
Contemporary home, Cornwall, UK
If this image doesn't leave you with property envy, then we don't know what will. Up for grabs through Knight Frank for £1.8 million ($2.3m), this exquisite contemporary home is actually very well priced, considering its spectacular location, unobstructed seascapes and spacious interior. Let's take a closer look...
Contemporary home, Cornwall, UK
The south-facing house is located in the fishing village of Mevagissey, Cornwall. Both the garden and the interior spaces look out over Mevagissey Bay, St Austell Bay and Chapel Point peninsular. According to the current owner, the area is known for incredible sunrises, evening skies and wildlife spotting opportunities, including seals, dolphins, basking sharks and even orca whales.
Contemporary home, Cornwall, UK
The house was built in 2014 and was designed around the view – hence its curved exterior. This means every interior space faces the scenery. There’s an impressive entrance hall with a bespoke stainless steel, timber and glass staircase, a living room that opens to a sea front infinity terrace, a kitchen, a home office, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Design wise, the house is a bit of a blank canvas, with crisp white walls and plenty of glass, which allows the landscape to take centre stage.
Contemporary home, Cornwall, UK
Yet it’s really all about the exterior. The garden is low-maintenance and features a glazed dining pod and a large summer house. The infinity terrace extends along the full width of the house and provides a truly memorable place from which to entertain, or relax and take in some of the most spectacular sea views in the United Kingdom.
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Luxury penthouse, Queensland, Australia
Those seeking year-round sunshine and dramatic city views can snap up a brand-new, luxury apartment inside the Masthead Ocean Club building on the Gold Coast, Australia. Currently for sale for AUD$6 million, that's £3.1 million ($4.1m), the residence is so new that it's not even finished yet. Due to be completed in mid-2025, this lavish apartment complex is set to be the city's most sought-after spot for VIP buyers.
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Luxury penthouse, Queensland, Australia
According to the listing agent, Sotheby's International Realty, the building is being "crafted by a collaboration of globally celebrated designers, developers and artisans", and that really shows in these images. The 40-level high-rise will come with 28 residences, comprises 25 full-floor apartments, two dual-level penthouses and one quad-level super penthouse – along with an exclusive wellness centre with a gym, swimming pool, spa, plunge pools, saunas, treatment rooms and a yoga studio.
Sotheby's International Realty
Luxury penthouse, Queensland, Australia
Buyers will be able to choose from two exquisitely appointed interior palettes, one created by Mim Design and the other by Banda Design, so your new home will be totally to your liking. No matter which interior you pick, you'll benefit from bespoke finishes, high ceilings and full-height windows that frame breathtaking vistas across the Pacific Ocean.
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Luxury penthouse, Queensland, Australia
This particular apartment is situated on the 24th and 25th floors, allowing for 360-degree panorama. It'll come complete with a champagne bar, a whisky lounge, a chef's kitchen, a dining room, a two-storey living room, a library, a home office and three bedrooms. Of course, the high-altitude home will also have a dreamy balcony, where you can soak up the views as well as the sun's rays.
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Hillside hideaway, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
When you picture a luxurious island hideaway that only the super-rich can afford, you'll likely conjure images just like this. Known as Reef House, this hillside home exemplifies the kind of real estate you can find across the British Virgin Islands and highlights why the volcanic archipelago is so expensive. Let's take a closer look at this incredible property...
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Hillside hideaway, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The billionaire bolthole lies on Virgin Gorda, one of the islands that make up the BVI. Positioned on a hillside, every single interior space captures jaw-dropping views across Eustatia Sound, the Caribbean Sea and neighbouring Necker Island. With its pod-style design, Reef House is made up of four separate and private king suites, each with its own bathroom and balcony. At the heart of the villa lies this exquisite great room, with its soaring ceiling and glass doors that open up to an infinity pool.
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Hillside hideaway, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Elsewhere there's a chef's kitchen, a media room, a dining room and a laundry room. Of course, every single one of the home's four bedrooms are stunning. Simple in terms of design, they allow the scenery outside to take centre stage.
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Hillside hideaway, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The home's incredible garden is almost too good to be true. As well as capturing truly mesmerising vistas, it comes complete with two shaded tiki huts – one for lounging and one for dining. There's also a sunbathing deck and a 40-foot boat slip, so even the most discerning yacht owner can park up their favourite toy. If you fancy living here full time, then you'll need a whopping £9.6 million ($12.5m) in the bank in order to buy it.
Christie's International Real Estate
Beachfront villa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Recently on the market for £10.4 million ($13.6m), this bespoke beachfront villa in Dubai can be found on tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah, an island in the city that's known for its high-end hotels, super expensive apartment complexes and upscale eateries.
Christie's International Real Estate
Beachfront villa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Newly built, the luxurious villa was meticulously crafted to provide its lucky owner with everything they could need – from stylish interior design to lavish amenities and stunning scenery. Stretching 7,000 square feet, the property has free-flowing living spaces, five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Christie's International Real Estate
Beachfront villa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Four balconies blur the lines between inside and out, and the white walls and soft brown furnishings of the rooms reflect the tranquility of the exterior. From trendy lighting to parquet flooring, every space has been finished to the highest standards, too.
Christie's International Real Estate
Beachfront villa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
While the bedrooms overlook the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, the backyard sits beside placid waves and provides direct access to a white sand beach. There's a pool, a sunken seating area, an outdoor kitchen and even a massage room with sea views. Not too shabby, is it?
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Custom-built villa, Marbella, Spain
This custom-built villa in Marbella, Spain, could certainly be described as unique. With its angular, robot-esque façade, modern interior and dramatic view, it's a home fit for an eccentric millionaire.
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Custom-built villa, Marbella, Spain
The incredible home is currently on sale for €11.8 million, or £10.1 million ($13.2m), and for your money you'll gain just 1,299 square feet of inside space. Yet there's a reason why such a small home comes with such a large price tag. The newly built residence sits on the waterfront in Los Monteros Beach, one of the most exclusive residential communities in all of Marbella.
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Custom-built villa, Marbella, Spain
Despite its size, there's nothing modest about the house and it comes equipped with everything you could need. There's a kitchen, dining zone, living room, six generous bedrooms and six full bathrooms. Many of the living spaces come with access to a large terrace with sea views, too. Surprisingly, there's also a basement with a five-car garage and a multi-purpose room that could be utilised as a gym or home cinema.
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Custom-built villa, Marbella, Spain
But why spend time inside, when you could be soaking up the sunshine from your own private rooftop terrace? This special feature comes with a Jacuzzi pool, numerous lounging areas and dining decks for sunbathing and eating in true style.
Christie's International Real Estate
Moorish-style villa, Port Andratx, Spain
If a traditional Spanish home is more your bag, then this Moorish-style villa might just tick all the right boxes. Nestled on a steep cliff in the exclusive harbour town of Port Andratx, on the Balearic Island of Mallorca, this terracotta residence is almost invisible from the ocean. But step a little closer and you'll discover a home that could never be overlooked...
Christie's International Real Estate
Moorish-style villa, Port Andratx, Spain
Currently on the market with Christie's International Real Estate for £10.6 million ($13.8m), or €13 million in the local currency, the villa was constructed in 2002 and blends plenty of unique design elements that make it one-of-a-kind. From its huge stained-glass roof windows to its Moorish fireplaces, vibrant tile work, arched doorways and quirky furnishings, there's something amazing to see in every room.
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Moorish-style villa, Port Andratx, Spain
Measuring 7,674 square feet, the home benefits from a large entrance hall, an open-plan living and dining area, an adjoining kitchen, four bedrooms and five bathrooms. Every room has high, beamed ceilings and extensive glazing that allows for stunning views of the island. Many of the living areas open up to a terrace that wraps the home and flows into a subtropical garden.
Christie's International Real Estate
Moorish-style villa, Port Andratx, Spain
Far from ordinary, the island home also boasts a fitness centre, a guest apartment and a spa, equipped with a Turkish bath, sauna and relaxation area. From another lounge, you can access the partially covered pool terrace, where you could enjoy cocktail hour with a view. Plus, from this patio you can reach the sea, thanks to a set of stairs and an old path that winds down to the water. We don't mind if we do!
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Historic hillside residence, California, USA
Perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking Three Arch Bay, this historic residence is the crowning glory of Laguna Beach, California. The elegant property dates back to 1933 and not only provides sweeping panoramic views of the sand and sea below, but direct beach access, thanks to a private hillside staircase.
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Historic hillside residence, California, USA
While the exterior of the home exudes old world charm, the 5,333-square-foot interior is overflowing with gorgeous period fixtures that have been lovingly preserved over the years. There’s a lovely living room with a beamed, vaulted ceiling, a gourmet kitchen and a dining room with direct access to a balcony. Of course, large windows allow for unobstructed coastal panorama from almost every room in the house.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Historic hillside residence, California, USA
The main residence also boasts four bedrooms – including dual master suites, each with their own bathroom. This gorgeous sanctuary comes complete with a brick fireplace, vaulted timber ceiling and a private oceanfront terrace. The property even has an independent guest house, with two extra bedrooms.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Historic hillside residence, California, USA
Yet the home's best asset has to be its garden. According to the listing agents, Douglas Elliman, the estate has one of the grandest private brick staircases on the oceanfront, with steps winding down to the sand and variously viewing platforms along the way. How's that for spectacular? If you've got £19.1 million ($25m) in the bank, then this dreamy beach house could soon be yours.
Villa Victoria, Queensland, Australia
Known as Villa Victoria, this exceptional waterside residence is positioned inside a secure, gated community in the Gold Coast suburb of Paradise Point, Queensland. Sitting on an enviable 45,789-square-foot parcel, the amazing Australian home is immaculate, sprawling and stylish, with everything a millionaire could desire. In fact, it was used as a filming location for Universal Studios' TV adaptation of Apples Never Fall, starring Sam Neill.
Villa Victoria, Queensland, Australia
Recently on sale for a cool AUD$45 million, which equates to £23.5 million ($30.7m), the palatial property enjoys an indoor/outdoor flow, with formal living spaces that open up to the waterfront backyard. The three-storey house has a large entrance hall with a domed ceiling and a huge King Neptune statue, a commercial grade lift, formal and casual living zones, a spa retreat, staff quarters and a games room fit for hosting poker nights.
Villa Victoria, Queensland, Australia
Other highlights include the home’s six huge bedrooms, nine bathrooms and 12-car basement garage. There’s even an executive study with its own private entrance, a formal dining room that can comfortably seat 20 guests, a media room and a wellness suite, which would make for an idyllic yoga studio. As for design, the house has double copper entrance doors, marble columns and fireplaces, timber panelling and oak flooring.
Villa Victoria, Queensland, Australia
Outside, the mansion benefits from a lap pool that looks out over the water, a beautifully manicured garden and numerous alfresco decks for dining and reclining. There’s even a self-contained bedroom suite in the eastern wing, that’s perfect for visiting guests, as well as almost 340 feet of water frontage, with plenty of space for a dock or two, so the new owner can easily park up their super yacht.
Lion Heart Estate, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
If you fancy following in the footsteps of Richard Branson by snapping up your very own pristine island retreat, then look no further than the Lion Heart Estate. Situated on an elevated plot on Virgin Gorda, one of the glistening British Virgin Islands, this property was custom-built to perfectly suit its impressive natural setting.
Lion Heart Estate, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Listed with Quintessentially Estates for a cool £30.2 million ($39.5m), the near 13-acre estate benefits from 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea and features not one, but two furnished villas, known as Halo and Rainbow. In fact, the compound was designed to house an additional four guest villas, so the next owner could create themselves amazing holiday homes that could be rented out to lucky tourists.
Lion Heart Estate, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Defined by endless glass and green roofs, the homes seamlessly blend into their environment. Everywhere you look you'll spot statement décor and high-end fixtures, including marble bathtubs. In total there's six bedrooms and both homes have 18-foot curved beam ceilings and 360-degree views. Plus, just look at this amazing bathroom!
Lion Heart Estate, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Halo, the largest of the two villas, even has a beautiful infinity pool, complete with a natural boulder waterfall that can be controlled via a smartphone app. If you've got the budget, then the exemptional island estate could soon be yours.
Sotheby's International Realty
Castillo Caribe, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Described by Sotheby's International Realty as "one of the finest beachfront estate homes in the world", Castillo Caribe is sprawling and unique in equal measure. Nestled on a pristine shoreline of the Cayman Islands, the property provides direct access to the sand, as well as jaw-dropping views for miles around.
Sotheby's International Realty
Castillo Caribe, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Incredibly, the home measures 48,000 square feet and as soon as you step inside, you can see exactly how every inch has been put to use. From soaring ceilings to lavish living spaces that are perfect for hosting, this pad was designed with entertaining in mind. There's a truly huge foyer, which looks more like the entrance of a museum, numerous formal living rooms, a dining room, a large kitchen, eight bedrooms and eight full bathrooms.
Sotheby's International Realty
Castillo Caribe, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
There are plenty of luxe extra, too. As well as a beautiful master suite with 180-degree ocean scenery, the home also boasts a wine cellar, a games room with a bar, an office, a movie theatre, a beauty salon with treatment zones and manicure stations, a gym and a sauna. There's even a cave-like pool grotto, for when you fancy taking a dip in the shade.
Sotheby's International Realty
Castillo Caribe, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Plus, just look at the surrounding scenery! The enviable backyard spans over an acre and comes complete with a pool, a dining deck and a pristine white sandy beach, overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. What’s more, residents of the Cayman Islands benefit from its offshore status, meaning they don’t have to pay property tax, income tax or capital gains tax – making this property ideal for a wealthy VIP seeking an exceptional home with more than a few perks.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Glass mansion, California, USA
If your budget will stretch even further, then you could snap up a mammoth mansion in one of America's most beautiful places – Malibu, California. Available through Douglas Elliman Real Estate for a whopping £57.3 million ($75m), the rare beach and bluff compound hides inside an exclusive community in Paradise Cove.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Glass mansion, California, USA
The gorgeous glass house was built in 1997 and sits at the end of a long, gated driveway, enclosed by 2.6 acres of resort-like grounds. Inside, the 12,610-square-foot property offers extensive living spaces, luxurious amenities and, of course, unrivalled ocean scenery. As well as plenty of sitting areas, there's also a huge kitchen, a state-of-the art movie theatre, a billiards room, wine cellar, fitness centre and subterranean garage for eight vehicles.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Glass mansion, California, USA
Providing enough space for you and your entire entourage, the house has 12 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, which includes a palatial master suite. The room comes with an intimate seating area, a lavish ensuite, a boutique-style closet and wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling windows that open the space up to an impressive personal balcony.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Glass mansion, California, USA
The property also includes four guest apartments, a tennis court, an incredible infinity edge pool and a private sandy beach. Access to one of the most incredible beaches in California is a short stroll away, too, thanks to a gated and paved path. Here, you’ll find an outdoor living and dining area, as well as cabanas with day beds, so if you get bored of your own strip of sand you can simply switch to another.
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