Quick Answer: Billionaire beach houses concentrate in five premier markets: Malibu’s Carbon Beach (“Billionaire’s Beach,” $50-165M), the Hamptons’ oceanfront ($20-150M), Palm Beach’s estate section ($50-100M+), Miami’s private islands ($30-100M), and Montecito ($15-100M). The most expensive beach house sale in recent years is Marc Andreessen’s $165 million Carbon Beach purchase in 2022.
Record (Malibu)
Record (Hamptons)
Palm Beach 5-Year
Per Foot (Premium)
The Five Billionaire Beach Markets
| Market | Price Range | 5-Year Appreciation | Primary Buyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu (Carbon Beach) | $50-165M | +45% | Tech, entertainment |
| The Hamptons | $20-150M | +45% | Finance, media |
| Palm Beach | $50-100M+ | +117% | Finance, new money |
| Miami (Private Islands) | $30-100M | +85% | International, tech |
| Montecito | $15-100M | +55% | Entertainment |
Malibu: Carbon Beach (“Billionaire’s Beach”)
📍 Carbon Beach at a Glance
Location: 1-mile stretch of Malibu coastline
Nickname: “Billionaire’s Beach”
Entry Point: $50M+
Record Sale: $165M (Marc Andreessen, 2022)
Key Feature: Private beach access, LA proximity
Carbon Beach earned its “Billionaire’s Beach” moniker through the concentration of tech and entertainment moguls who own its approximately 100 homes. Unlike public beaches, Carbon Beach properties include private beach rights, creating an exclusive enclave just 30 minutes from downtown LA.
Notable Carbon Beach Owners
- David Geffen: Multiple properties, estimated $200M+ combined
- Marc Andreessen: $165M purchase (2022) — record Malibu sale
- Larry Ellison: Historic holdings on Carbon and adjacent beaches
- Eli Broad (Estate): Long-time Carbon Beach resident
Why Carbon Beach Commands Premiums
Scarcity: Only ~100 homes on the entire stretch
Privacy: Private beach access, no public easements
Peer Group: Neighbors are fellow billionaires
Location: LA accessibility without LA congestion
The Hamptons: America’s Premier Beach Colony
📍 Hamptons Oceanfront
Premium Addresses: Meadow Lane, Further Lane, Gin Lane
Entry Point: $20M+ (oceanfront)
Record Sale: $147M (Barry Rosenstein, 2014)
Key Feature: NYC proximity, established social scene
The Hamptons remain the East Coast’s definitive beach destination for the ultra-wealthy. Unlike Malibu’s year-round appeal, Hamptons oceanfront properties serve as summer retreats for finance professionals who spend the rest of the year in Manhattan.
Hamptons Billionaire Beach Addresses
- Meadow Lane, Southampton: “Billionaires Row” — Ken Griffin, Leon Black
- Further Lane, East Hampton: $147M and $115M record sales
- Gin Lane, Southampton: Historic oceanfront, La Dune ($88.5M)
For complete coverage, see our Celebrity Hamptons Homes and Most Expensive Houses in the Hamptons guides.
Palm Beach: The New Money Magnet
📍 Palm Beach
Location: 16-mile barrier island, Southeast Florida
5-Year Appreciation: +117%
Entry Point: $20M (estate section entry); $50M+ (oceanfront)
Key Feature: No state income tax, winter weather
Palm Beach has experienced the most dramatic price appreciation of any billionaire beach market, driven by tax migration from New York and California. What was once a winter retreat has become a year-round destination for finance professionals seeking tax advantages.
Notable Palm Beach Owners
- Ken Griffin: Multiple oceanfront properties, estimated $350M+ total Palm Beach holdings
- Stephen Schwarzman: Blackstone founder, estate section
- Nelson Peltz: Historic oceanfront compound
- Howard Stern: $52M oceanfront purchase
Miami: Private Island Living
📍 Miami Private Islands
Key Locations: Indian Creek, Fisher Island, Star Island
Entry Point: $30M (Star Island); $50M+ (Indian Creek)
Key Feature: Ultimate security and privacy
Miami’s private islands offer something impossible on traditional oceanfront: complete perimeter security with water as the boundary. Indian Creek Island, home to approximately 40 estates, has earned the nickname “Billionaire Bunker.”
Indian Creek Island (“Billionaire Bunker”)
- Jeff Bezos: Two adjacent properties, $147M combined
- Tom Brady: $17M property (purchased during marriage to Gisele)
- Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump: $24M waterfront estate
- Carl Icahn: Long-time resident
Fisher Island
- Access: Ferry only — no bridge connection
- Median Income: Highest in United States
- Appeal: Ultimate exclusivity, no tourists
Montecito: Hollywood’s Escape
📍 Montecito
Location: Santa Barbara County, 90 miles north of LA
Entry Point: $15M (estate); $30M+ (oceanfront)
Key Feature: Privacy, distance from LA paparazzi
Once a quiet Santa Barbara suburb, Montecito has become Hollywood’s preferred escape from LA intensity. The area offers estate-sized properties, ocean views, and enough distance from Los Angeles to discourage casual paparazzi.
Notable Montecito Owners
- Oprah Winfrey: “The Promised Land” — 70+ acres, est. $100M+ (see Oprah net worth breakdown)
- Ellen DeGeneres: Serial buyer/seller (now relocated to UK)
- Prince Harry & Meghan Markle: $14.7M estate
- Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom: Multiple properties
- Rob Lowe: Custom-built compound
Record Beach House Sales
| Year | Location | Price | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Carbon Beach, Malibu | $165M | Marc Andreessen |
| 2014 | Further Lane, Hamptons | $147M | Barry Rosenstein |
| 2021 | Indian Creek, Miami | $147M | Jeff Bezos (combined) |
| 2025 | Further Lane, Hamptons | $115M | Len Blavatnik |
| 2023 | Meadow Lane, Hamptons | $112.5M | Undisclosed |
The Economics of Oceanfront
Price Per Linear Foot of Beach
| Market | Price/Linear Foot | Typical Frontage |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Beach (premium) | $150,000+ | 50-100 feet |
| Hamptons (Meadow/Further) | $100,000+ | 200-500 feet |
| Palm Beach (oceanfront) | $75,000+ | 100-300 feet |
| Miami (private islands) | Varies (waterfront) | Full perimeter |
Annual Ownership Costs
$50M+ Beach House Annual Costs
Property Tax: $200K-1M+ (varies by state)
Insurance: $100K-500K (coastal flood/wind)
Staff: $300K-1M (year-round property manager, housekeeping, grounds)
Maintenance: $200K-500K (salt air damage, erosion mitigation)
Security: $100K-500K (systems, personnel)
Total: $1-3M+ annually
Emerging Billionaire Beach Markets
Hawaii (Kauai, Maui)
- Mark Zuckerberg: 1,400+ acres on Kauai
- Larry Ellison: 98% of Lanai island
- Appeal: Ultimate isolation, natural beauty
Caribbean Private Islands
- Richard Branson: Necker Island ($100M+ value)
- Appeal: Complete privacy, tax advantages
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do billionaires have beach houses?
Billionaires concentrate in five premier beach markets: Malibu’s Carbon Beach (“Billionaire’s Beach”), the Hamptons’ Meadow Lane and Further Lane, Palm Beach’s estate section, Miami’s private islands (Indian Creek, Fisher Island), and Montecito. Each market offers different advantages: Carbon Beach for LA proximity, Hamptons for NYC access, Palm Beach for tax benefits, Miami for security, and Montecito for privacy.
What is the most expensive beach house?
The most expensive beach house sale in recent years is Marc Andreessen’s $165 million purchase on Malibu’s Carbon Beach in 2022. In the Hamptons, Barry Rosenstein’s $147 million Further Lane purchase (2014) holds the record. Jeff Bezos spent $147 million combined for two adjacent properties on Miami’s Indian Creek Island.
Why is Carbon Beach called Billionaire’s Beach?
Carbon Beach earned its nickname through the concentration of billionaire owners including David Geffen, Marc Andreessen, and Larry Ellison. The approximately 100 homes on this 1-mile Malibu stretch include private beach access, unlike most California beaches which have public easements. Homes regularly trade for $50-165 million.
How much does a billionaire beach house cost?
Entry-level billionaire beach houses start around $20-30 million in markets like the Hamptons and Montecito. Premium oceanfront in top locations (Carbon Beach, Meadow Lane, Palm Beach oceanfront) ranges from $50-100+ million. Trophy compounds with significant acreage and beach frontage can exceed $150 million.
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