Humans’ love for natural bodies of water has long been the subject of poems, paintings and religious texts – and now scientific journals. In the past decade, numerous studies about the physical and mental benefits of being near oceans, lakes and rivers cite the benefits of everything from boosted levels of vitamin D to encouraging a more active lifestyle and psychological restoration. Some studies have even shown that just looking at a body of water can make you happier.
It’s no surprise that waterfront homes are perpetually in high demand. Whether on a lake, river or sea, these properties offer more than just a scenic backdrop or a pleasant swim – they invite a clear mind and a more laidback way of life. Here’s a look at five homes across the globe that harness the healing power of H2O.
Secreted by dense forest, this bayside Lac Manitou sanctuary seems set in a world all its own. Presented by Profusion Immobilier.
Secluded lakefront getaway an hour from Montréal
No country in the world has more lakes than Canada – over two million, from epic showstoppers like the Great Lakes to the pristine, placid pools that freckle the country from coast to coast. About an hour outside of Montréal, Lac Manitou is something in between. Not quite large enough to hold a widespread reputation, not small enough to be anonymous. Its unique ‘H’ shape hosts cozy coves, giving the few homes on its shores the same sense of privacy offered by land-locked cul-de-sacs. Plots on Lac Manitou are generously proportioned, and water frontage can span hundreds of feet. In the case of 85 Ch. Fyon, the property’s private shoreline reaches quadruple digits. Tucked away along a straight of the Baie du Moulin – also known as Paradise Bay – a legion of trees shrouds the 12-bedroom mansion. The dense forest that covers the 66-acre property is nearly unbroken, save for hiking trails and the occasional clearing, including a private duck pond. While it’s impossible to compete with the allure of the natural world, the 13,000-square-foot home comes close. Interiors brim with artistry only humans could achieve – elaborate millwork, stained-glass transom windows, basket-weave wood ceilings. Un vrai paradis.
A private dock in Palm Beach Gardens? No self-respecting sailor would do without. Presented by the Keyes Company
A Florida mansion that’s every boater’s fantasy
For boating enthusiasts, a home without a dock is like a bowl of soup served with a fork – it simply will not do. Conversely, living at this 7,175-square-foot residence in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida is like being spoon-fed by a Michelin-star chef. Occupying 90 feet of direct-access shoreline onto Lake Worth Creek, the .68-acre property’s star feature is a lengthy pontoon dock – 120 feet long, to be exact. Pair that with 40 feet of deep-water access and no fixed bridges in either direction, and you’ve got the makings for some smooth sailing. Four nautical miles due north, you hit the open ocean through the Jupiter Inlet, or if you’d prefer an extended meander, the Palm Beach Inlet is 10 miles south.
Minimalist contemporary design defines this new-construction villa in Rogoznica, Croatia. POA. Presented by Broker Group
Contemporary Croatia: a new-construction villa on the Dalmatian coast
With over 1,100 miles of shimmering Adriatic coastline, favorable property laws that welcome foreign buyers and a flourishing tourism industry, it’s only natural that Croatia finds itself in the midst of a real estate development boom. The Dalmatian Coast, in particular, has investors champing at the bit, with new-construction homes, like this oceanfront Mediterranean villa in Rogoznica, rapidly blooming like Croatian irises in the springtime. Reflective of the region, the seaside residence evokes tradition while catering to modern tastes. Tumbled stone walls form a descending border around the 1,500-square-meter (16,145-square-foot) property, which ends at the rocky shore. Nearer to the three-story, four-bedroom home, masonry work becomes more polished. Sleek Atlantic blue stone defines the edges of the swimming pool, and the facade is all smooth stone blocks, white stucco and glass.
The privacy and pristine emerald waters of the Costa Smeralda harbor the timeless Sardinian style of Villa Cala di Volpe. Presented by Rarex
Charming Costa Smeralda villa on a private peninsula
Hopping west over the heel of Italy’s boot to the island of Sardinia, a seafront home known as Villa Cala di Volpe may be the cause of some confusion. Sharing its name with the nearby Hotel Cala di Volpe – famously featured in the 1977 James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me – the five-bedroom villa could easily be mistaken for a five-star resort. Amenities include private gardens, staff quarters and 200 meters of Costa Smeralda waterfront – despite its name, no mere ‘fox cove.’ The property also encompasses a private peninsula outfitted with a dock for tenders and small boats. Like most of nearby Porto Cervo, the home was built in the 1960s, and maintains a playful energy thanks to its unique hexagonal shape and stylish use of raw materials. Typically Sardinian unplaned stones and wood beams give the exterior a storybook charm, while floor-to-ceiling glass walls add a contemporary style. There are numerous nooks to sit back with a perfectly chilled glass of Vermentino while gazing upon the water, including a veranda, dining patio and private bayside beach.
Completed in 2023, this elegant new-build home spans 8,000 square feet and comes with 4.2 acres of grounds. Presented by Long & Foster
A rare new build along Maryland’s Severn River
When early American settlers selected a name for the Severn River in eastern Maryland, they borrowed it from their ex-homeland’s longest river. The etymology of the River Severn that flows through England and Wales is a bit murkier. Some say the name derives from the Latin-derived samarosina, or ‘land of the summertime fallow.’ Others believe the name has Scandinavian roots, from Sæferne or ‘seafarer.’ Regardless of the source, both descriptors are suitable for its stateside namesake. Beginning at the Chesapeake Bay, the Severn River – actually an estuary – is beloved for its ambling pace and ocean access. Properties along the water’s edge are highly coveted by boaters and often tailored to their tastes. One such riverfront home, at 958 Sahlin Farm Road, follows suit, offering a private community dock with a dedicated boat slip outfitted with a 15,000-pound lift. Where the 8,000-square-foot home deviates from the norm, however, is its age. Completed in 2023, the house is one of the few fresh faces in the area. Amenities include heated flooring, an upper-level laundry room and an elevator.
