Fancy snagging your own white-sand retreat? The dream might just be more achievable than you think. From glittering Caribbean shores made for sun-worshipping to rugged New Zealand coastlines you can call your own, these incredible beaches are the best on the market right now. Grab your piña colada and let's jet off...

Nestled in a prime location within New Zealand's smallest and most visited national park, Abel Tasman, the tranquil beach of Awaroa Bay on the South Island is a hidden gem. Extending just shy of ten acres, there's plenty of space to play with and no shortage of development possibilities. With a price tag of just NZ$1.4 million ($854k/£695k), it's a real steal too.

This Kiwi idyll features long stretches of golden sand, clear blue-green waters, granite cliffs and verdant woodlands. Rugged, untouched terrain, the sheltered bay has a mild climate, drawing nature lovers and families throughout the year. The remote spot is accessible by boat or foot from the Abel Tasman Coast Track, while an airstrip on the western boundary means you can reach the shore by air too.

Love this? Check out these nature reserves for sale right now

The undeveloped property borders Awaroa Lodge, a local bar, restaurant and hotel, so it's the perfect place to launch a business venture, whether it's kayaking tours, bird-watching excursions or lagoon explorations. With regular water taxis departing from nearby Kaiteriteri and Marahau, there's sure to be a steady stream of visitors eager to soak up the sun on these peaceful shores.

With glittering sandy shores and turquoise water stretching as far as the eye can see, this next lot on the north side of Grand Cayman island is a picture-postcard paradise. A short stroll from the idyllic hotspot of Rum Point, there are almost two acres up for grabs for the sizeable sum of $5.5 million (£4.5m).

Something of a tax haven, this is a unique opportunity to snap up a slice of the Cayman Islands' world-renowned shoreline. Sand Point Road Beach comprises an exquisite white-sand shore and 235 feet of oceanfront, descending to depths of 200 feet. Unsurprisingly, this part of the world is famed for its scuba-diving and this is the perfect spot to glimpse the best the ocean has to offer.

Peppered in palm trees, the acreage is in close proximity to the popular Kaibo Beach Club. With no shortage of potential, this stunning lot would make an incredible location to build a beachfront home. Failing that, an ambitious buyer could construct a waterfront restaurant or bar to capitalise on the area's tourism, or even add a few facilities blocks and run the land as a private beach.

For rugged good looks and Irish charm aplenty check out the tranquil beach at Horse Island, a privately-owned isle sat off the coast of Schull in the beautiful West Cork region of Ireland. Here you'll find all the trademark beauty this part of the world is renowned for, from lush rolling fields to its own craggy coastline.

Love this? Check out these dream homes for sale on America's tiny islands

Following some years of neglect, the 157-acre island has been redeveloped as a private residential idyll with modern facilities including electricity, water and a sewage system. Yet despite its sense of remoteness, the island is just a few minutes away by boat from the mainland. Our favourite feature? That stunning stretch of beach along the coast.

On the island, you'll find a stunning six-bedroom house, along with two three-bedroom guest houses, two two-bedroom guest houses and two one-bedroom cottages. Walkways have also been created to allow easy access to the island's pastures and sandy beaches. Speaking of which, the sea here is perfect for swimming, sailing, kayaking and scuba-diving. Or if the waters are too cold for your tastes, grab a flask of something warming and head to the beach for a sunset you'll never forget.

A pristine and historic oceanfront plantation in Islamorada, Florida, Bunny Key is on the market for the first time in over two decades. Encompassing almost two acres, the site was run as LaBranche Fishing Camp from 1937, before being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

The mesmerising spot is said to have inspired the camp's founder, Michel Lucien LaBranche, to pen a number of books on angling and it's not hard to see why. With a private white-sand beach and 240 feet of premier Atlantic Ocean waterfront, we can't think of a more idyllic spot.

Also encompassing accommodation, the acreage offers a white clapboard home with three bedrooms and a traditional porch. If that wasn't enough, there's a guest house and caretaker’s cottage too, along with a detached garage and outdoor kitchen area. Get your barbecue tongs at the ready...

If the beguiling Massachusetts coastline has captured your heart, this could be the one for you. Perched on the state's renowned North Shore, just five minutes from charming Manchester-By-The-Sea and only 40 minutes to Boston, it's hard not to fall for the gorgeous private beach.

Of course, $24 million (£19.5m) would be a hefty price tag for a private beach alone, even one as pretty as this. Fear not, the price also includes an eight-bedroom manor and carriage house. Perched above the sweeping, white-sand beach, the imposing structure encompasses a generous 13,000 square feet of luxury living space.

Love this? These paradise islands for sale cost less than a city apartment

From hand-painted Chinese wallpaper and sea-view music rooms to a mahogany-clad dressing room and custom kitchen, the house isn't short on opulence. Outside, you can soak up the coastal setting from the Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. gardens, restored in 1906, or head to the sandy shore for a spot of sunbathing.

If you're looking for your own private beach, locations don't come much better than this. Spanning one and a quarter miles, this paradisiacal beach is reputed to be one of the most picturesque and dramatic in St. Lucia. The plot encompasses 1,600 undeveloped acres, making it the perfect spot for a luxury nature reserve or sustainable eco-resort. 

Bursting with coconut palms and exotic fruit trees, this tranquil piece of land is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The beach itself is an important nesting ground for the protected giant Leatherback turtle, which lays its eggs between March and August. Steeped in history, the acreage also contains significant archaeological sites dating back thousands of years.

With a cool breeze courtesy of the trade winds off the Atlantic, plus an extensive reef, this is the ideal spot for surfing fans too. While the ocean looks alluring, it's worth noting that some engineering precautions will need to be put in place for safe swimming. With some special consideration, this sprawling location could become home to a number of ventures, from a flagship hotel or sustainable eco-lodges to a wildlife refuge. Time to think big!

Got a spare $49 million (£39m)? Snap up Water Cay, a private island with 7,000 feet of glittering beachfront in Turks and Caicos, nestled at the southern tip of the Bahamian Archipelago. Nature lovers with a taste for the finer things in life will be in their element here; the area is renowned for luxury tourism and out-of-this-world diving thanks to the surrounding coral reefs.

Just 10 minutes by boat from Leeward Channel Marina, which is a fifteen-minute car ride from the airport, the island is exceptionally well connected and easy to access. But once you arrive, we reckon you'll be struggling to leave. The island's topography is diverse – across its two-mile length, you'll stumble upon idyllic shorelines, sandy cliffs, turquoise waters and the heavenly beach at Half Moon Bay.

Love this? Check out these pristine private islands for sale

To the south and east of the island you'll also find mangrove wetlands, which are home to world-class bonefishing, or if you head out to sea a little further, you'll discover an underwater world of sea turtles, rays and dolphins. With demand for luxury eco-tourism in the region ever-increasing, this could be your chance to get in on the action. Or, failing that, simply bag yourself a private island paradise all for yourself.

It doesn't get much better than a secluded escape in the iconic Bahamas and we think Blue Island is the ultimate pick. A 700-acre private island, it has most dazzling white-sand shorelines we've seen, plus no end of potential for development for an ambitious buyer. 

The lot has its own 5,700-foot asphalt airstrip so you can fit in a spot of sun-worshipping at a moment's notice. Customs and Immigration is even available on the island for a smooth arrival and departure. Nestled in the stunning Exuma Cays, comprising a string of largely uninhabited islands and blooming reefs, you'll find the very best scuba-diving in this remote idyll too.

The island is geared up for a long stay, featuring four miles of roads, along with power, water and communications capabilities. The grand main house comes complete with a staff cottage for the ultimate holiday home, plus there's scope to build a luxury hotel resort for those who’d like their slice of paradise to turn a tidy profit.

If one private beach isn't enough, this Brazilian property comes with two! Located on Laranjeiras Beach, just over 15 miles from the well-preserved colonial centre of Paraty, this alluring set-up is found in one of the most exclusive gated communities on the Brazilian coast.

Included in the beach lot is a grand main residence tucked behind a wall of palm trees. Designed by renowned Brazilian architect Jorge Elias, the 1997 build comes with over 29,000-square-feet of living space including 11 bedrooms. There's also a guesthouse with four more bedrooms, should you be partial to a beach party or two. 

Love this? You won't believe these amazing beach homes for sale

But it's outside where the real magic happens. Snap this property up and you'll also gain 420 acres, spanning two beaches and a lush Brazilian rainforest. And if all that sounds a touch too rugged for your tastes, you can always kick back and soak up the vistas from your luxury pool with a Caipirinha in hand.

If the South Pacific is calling, check out this spectacular beach resort in Tonga's Ha'apai island group. It's currently run as a resort, with first-class whale-watching and swimming drawing animal-loving tourists from all around the world. 

There are plenty of other compelling reasons to make this your home though. Across the eight acres of land, you'll find epic surf breaks, ancient stone mounds and excellent snorkelling amongst the reef. Keen? The island is currently available on a leasehold basis.

The beach resort includes a collection of 'fales', a traditional type of accommodation crafted out of Indonesian hardwood. There's also a large studio space that is currently used for everything from yoga classes and meditation sessions to cooking workshops and weddings. Easy on the earth, the buildings here run on rainwater and are powered by the sun. Ready to run an eco-paradise?

Go beyond the Pacific island clichés of cruise-ship ports and holiday resorts and head to Vanuatu with its ancient culture and world-class diving. We can think of no better base for exploring this idyllic spot than the private seafront estate of Tamarind Beach in the aptly named Paradise Cove.

Vanuatu comprises an archipelago of over 80 islands and you'll find Tamarind Beach on the main island, conveniently located just 15 minutes from the centre of Port Vila. The five-acre beach lot is home to three architect-designed residences, along with an outdoor dining pavilion and a further two guesthouses.

Inside, expect luxury interiors in a clean coastal aesthetic. Outside, the tranquil beachfront is flanked by landscaped gardens with palms and fruit trees, a fire pit and even a private helipad. The crystal clear water is perfect for snorkelling and kayaking, while it's just a short bike ride to nearby village markets and restaurants.

The laidback island of Roatan is located roughly 35 miles off the northern coast of Honduras. Famed for its dual love of siestas and sport, it's the perfect place for both chilled-out beach bums and thrill-seekers. If that sounds good to you, this will sound even better: 25 acres of land, including 550 feet of beachfront, is up for grabs at the island's exquisite white-sand beach, West Bay.

If you love marine life, look no further. The beach is surrounded by the second-largest coral reef in the world, meaning the snorkelling and diving here is utterly astounding. Snap up this parcel of land and you’ll enjoy direct access to its diverse reef, teeming with tropical fish and gorgeous corals.

Back on land, the acreage is packed with white-sand stretches, palm groves, dense pines and hills with epic vistas. There is plenty of scope to develop West Bay into a tourism hub in Roatan, or alternatively, you might like to string up a hammock, build a simple shack and call it a day. The choice is yours. 

Loved this? Step inside these bargain beach homes for sale