Do you mean beachfront properties in Sri Lanka specifically, or worldwide? I’ll give a concise, actionable answer that covers both: top global beachfront markets to consider, the best Sri Lanka coastal areas, and a short buying checklist + legal/practical notes (important for foreigners).

Top global beachfront markets (good resale, rental demand or lifestyle)

• Florida (USA) — strong short- and long-term rental demand, established market and finance.
• Algarve (Portugal) — stable EU market, tourism, golden‑visa interest (when available).
• Costa Rica / Panama — growing tourism, good for eco/lifestyle buyers and rental yields.
• Bali / Phuket / Southern Thailand — high tourist demand and existing villa/resort markets.
• Australia (Gold Coast, Byron Bay) — premium beachfront demand and regulated market.
• Caribbean islands (Turks & Caicos, Bahamas) — luxury pricing and holiday‑rental upside.
  These are general “best markets” by demand/liquidity; exact opportunity depends on budget, tax residency, and whether you want income or private use. (Global market trends vary by year and local policy—check up‑to‑date reports for each country before buying.)

Best Sri Lanka beachfront areas to target

• Mirissa / Weligama (South coast) — highly popular with tourists, strong villa and small-resort market; prime plots and small hotels appear regularly. (lankarealestate.com)
• Bentota / Beruwala (Southwest) — established resort strip, good infrastructure and higher‑end developments.
• Galle / Unawatuna / Dalawella — attractive for boutique hotels and luxury villas near historic Galle.
• Trincomalee / Passekudah (East coast) — excellent beaches, less developed so opportunities for larger beachfront plots.
• Negombo / West coast near Colombo — convenient for airport access, popular with expats and short‑stay visitors.
  For Sri Lanka listings and examples of beachfront plots and small hotels currently marketed in Mirissa and nearby, see local estate-agent listings. (ceylonestateagents.com)

Key legal & practical points for buyers in Sri Lanka (must-read)

• Foreigners cannot normally acquire freehold land directly in Sri Lanka; common legal routes are: (a) long leases (up to 99 years), (b) condominium ownership where allowed, or (c) buying through a Sri Lankan company structure that meets local shareholding rules. These rules are set out under the Land (Restrictions on Alienation) Act and related guidance. (colomborealtors.lk)
• Condominium units: foreigners are generally permitted to own apartment/condominium units in registered developments (with specific regulatory conditions). (tpp.lk)
• Leases: long leases (commonly up to 99 years) are the standard way for foreign investors to secure beachfront land use. (tpp.lk)
• Money flows: purchases by foreigners need to be funded via proper inward remittance channels (Inward Investment Account / SIA) to preserve repatriation rights. (colomborealtors.lk)

Short buying checklist (how to evaluate any beachfront opportunity)

1. Clear purpose: rental income (holiday rentals / resort), capital growth, or private use? That determines location and asset type.
2. Title & tenure: confirm freehold vs leasehold, whether the plot is coastal zone protected, and any encumbrances. For foreigners in Sri Lanka, verify lease terms or company structure. (colomborealtors.lk)
3. Coastal regulations and setbacks: many countries restrict building close to the high‑tide line — check local coastal planning rules.
4. Access & utilities: road access, water, sewerage, electricity, and reliable internet for rentals.
5. Natural risks: erosion, storm surge, tsunamis — commission a coastal/geotechnical survey.
6. Local market comps & occupancy: if buying for holiday rental, check comparable occupancy rates and seasonality.
7. Taxes, fees & operating costs: stamp duty, VAT on new builds, municipal rates, property management, and exit taxes. (Rules differ widely by country.)
8. Exit plan & liquidity: beachfront is premium but can be less liquid in downturns — know how long you plan to hold.

Practical next steps (if you’re serious)

• If Sri Lanka: shortlist areas (e.g., Mirissa, Bentota, Galle, Trinco), instruct a local lawyer experienced in foreign investor transactions, and insist on certified land/title searches and surveys. Example listings and agents for Mirissa/ south coast are publicly available (sample listings show plots, boutique hotels and larger development sites). (lankarealestate.com)
• If international: pick 2–3 target countries, then get local legal and tax advice (including visa/residency implications) and request up‑to‑date market reports.
• Always perform a site visit, get an independent valuation, and negotiate conditionally (subject to due diligence).

If you want, I can:

• Narrow recommendations to a single country or price bracket (e.g., under $500k, $500k–$2M, $2M+).
• Pull current for‑sale listings in a specific Sri Lanka beach town (Mirissa, Bentota, Galle, Trincomalee, Negombo) and summarize prices, tenure (lease vs freehold/condo) and developer/agent details. (Note: I’ll need to fetch live listings if you want current availability and prices.)

Which would you prefer — Sri Lanka only, or a targeted global shortlist by budget?