Buying a property on the seafront isn’t just an unattainable dream, as these developments around the world prove. Words Roderick Easdale.

How exhilarating would it be to wake up and see the ocean from your bedroom, to get up and go for an early morning walk along the beach, or maybe have a dip in the sea? Or perhaps just to lie in bed listening to waves lapping the shore? If you lived on one of these properties then that dream could become a reality. Caracola Beach & Spa Resort, Isla Margarita, Venezuela
If you decide to shell out on this property it would only be appropriate - a caracola is a conch shell indigenous to this island off the north-east coast of Venezuela. This resort is situated on a long, golden-sanded beach on the edge of the island’s main town, Porlamar, and comprises apartments and duplexes, most with views over the beach. On-site facilities include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, a spa, gymnasium, beauty salon, and shops. All apartments are one- or two-bedroom and come fully furnished and with a guaranteed rental return of 7% pa net for 10 years. From €79,000. Emerging Earth, tel: 0845 604 1208, www.EmergingEarth.com.   

The Village, Coconut Island, Phuket, Thailand
Koh Maphrao (Coconut) Island is three minutes off Phuket’s northeast shore. The 112, two- to five-bedroom villas and 30 apartments all have direct access to the resort’s 550m white, sandy private beach. The villas are orientated to enjoy unimpeded sea views over Phang Nga Bay and every homeowner has the right to a berth on The Village’s own pier. Two-bedroom villas from £333,300, four-bedroom ones from £782,550. The Village, Coconut Island, tel: 00 66 878 888 082; www.thevillage-coconutisland.com.

The Landings, Rodney Bay, St Lucia
The Landings offers a rare chance to buy a freehold Caribbean beachfront property. As it is being built on reclaimed land, the Queen’s Chain regulation that states all land within 20m from the shoreline is owned by the government, and so can only be leased, does not apply. Spanning 19 acres and nearly 250m of the island’s beachfront, every property has water views. Owners can also enjoy a tennis club, seven swimming pools, a health club, a private yacht harbour, a 24-hour concierge service and complimentary membership to the St. Lucia Golf and Country Club. One to three-bedroom residences from US$550,000 to US$2.4million. The Landings, tel: 0845 217 7851; www.thelandingsstlucia.com.

Bai Tram Hideaway Resort, Phu Yen province, Vietnam
From January 1st foreigners have been able to own property in Vietnam. The first phase of Bai Tram, consisting of seven villas that serve as a five-star boutique hotel, has already been sold, and further one- to five-bedroom villas are planned, more than 200 in total, situated on the beachfront, next to a rice field or on a hill overlooking the sea. The exteriors will reflect the traditional local architecture, with thatched roofs, bamboo details and wooden floors, while the interiors will be in a more Western style. From US$450,000. La Perla International Living, tel: 00 31 20 589 40 70, www.bai-tram.com.

The Reef Club, Pernambuco, Brazil
Situated in 1,400 acres, this eco-development boasts more than three miles of pristine palm-fringed beach on the Atlantic Ocean and is divided into residential ‘villages’ scattered amongst lagoons and gently-sloping forested hillside. Amenities include an 18-hole golf course, theatre, cinema. a riding school, tennis academy, sailing and fishing clubs, dive school, and a kids’ club. The resort will have more than 4,000 apartments, lofts, duplexes and villas, a 300-room hotel and a 150-room ‘boutique’ posada. From £129,000, which includes two years of guaranteed income at 5%. Qualtar Resorts, tel: 0808 234 4061, www.qualtaresorts.com.br.

Hania Beach, Hughada, Egypt
The development of Hania Beach is frontline to the Red Sea, five minutes from vibrant Hughada and 15 minutes from the international airport. Facilities include spa and beauty treatments, fitness studio, Jacuzzi, gym, swimming pools, a restaurant and 24-hour security. Studios start at £21,000, one-bedroom apartments from £35,000 and two-bedroom apartments from £56,000. Experience International, tel: 0207 321 5858; www.experience-international.com.

Emerald Monkey, Shepherd Island, Panama
Emerald Monkey claims that it will be the world’s first zero-carbon footprint community. The resort employs solar power and hydropower, all the swimming pools use saltwater, drinking water comes from natural mountain springs and fruit and vegetables can be bought from the organic farm. The 85-acre community is at the eastern tip of Shepherd Island in the Caribbean Sea, and includes two private beaches lapped by turquoise waters, a spa, fitness and aerobic pilates yoga centre, restaurant, bar and butterfly farm. One- to three-bedroom villas are made of sustainable materials hand carved and cut by fifth and sixth generation Balinese wood craftsmen. £343,686 to £677,153. (0034 952 855 647; escapes2.com).

Golden Palm Tree, Sepang, Malaysia
This development consists of 366 one- to three-bedroom water villas built in the shape of a palm tree stretching three quarters of a mile into the Straits of Malacca, and within 25 minutes of the Sepang Formula 1 race track and Kuala Lumpur International airport. Along the sandy beach foreshore are shops, restaurants, cafes, a children’s hotel and theme park. The development will include four boutique resort hotels, a marina, aquarium and open zoo. From £85,203 to: £372,585. (0034 952 855 647; escapes2.com).

Majestic Palm Resort, Goa, India
Goa is a property hotspot with capital growth over the last two years standing at about 25% and projected to be at around 15 to 25% pa over the next five years. Properties at this resort have views of the sea and are 600m from Benaulim Beach. The complex consists of one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom townhouses and four-bedroom villas. Properties come fully furnished. Completion is scheduled for this July. One-bedroom apartments from £40,761, two-bedroom ones from £81,522; townhouses from £92,105 and villas from £125,000. (020 8951 3999; www.homes4living.com).

Raffles Estates, Praslin, Seychelles
This estate will be made up of 23 three- to five-bedroom villas, all with views of the Indian Ocean, and a 500m private beach, a spa and two restaurants. It is on the northeast tip of Praslin Island, the second largest of the 166 islands of the Seychelles, and only 15 minutes from Praslin airport. £1,523,000 to £3,146,000. (0845 863 0527; www.ernalowproperty.co.uk).