I picked up the latest Conde Nast Traveller (British version) at the magazine store today. There is a great article with 25 of the world's best beach houses. Here is the list:
AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN
The Alfarjiri, Diani Beach, Kenya
www.journeysbydesign.co.uk

Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius
www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

No 7 Glen Beach, Cape Town, South Africa
www.itravelto.com

ASIA
Marina Bay Villas, Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia
www.itcclassics.co.uk

Baan Keeree, Kata, Phuket, Thailand
www.islandvillas.org

THE AMERICAS
Tulum, Mexico
www.compasslocations.com

Ilha do Ourico, Angra dos Reis Bay, Brazil
www.caz-loyd.com

La Teta y la Luna, Jose Antonio, Uruguay
no web site - $7 - 16,000 per week anyway, so who cares?

Buzzards Bay Cottage, Buzzards Bay, MA, USA
www.indiv-travellers.com

CARIBBEAN
Boo Villa, St. Jean Beach, St. Barts
www.wimco.com

Cerulean, Barnes Bay, Anguilla
www.carib-club.com

Aquamarine, Mullins Bay, Barbados
www.elegantresorts.co.uk

AUSTRALASIA
First Light Temple, Eagle's Nest Resort, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
www.tailor-made.co.uk

++++++ we are only at 14, but I have to get dinner finished - I will post the rest tomorrow ++++++

These are pretty pricey, but I thought it might be fun to look up the agencies. I haven't looked them up yet.

A new word for me: Australasia. I wonder who thought that up? Also, don't you love the name, Boo Villa?!