The perfect buoys for modern-day living, these five homes feature docks that offer access to all the delights of the water, whether it be a creek, a lake, or an ocean.

 

 

On 1.5 landscaped acres at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac in desirable Riverside, this charming five-bedroom retreat enjoys idyllic water views from nearly every room and is replete with high ceilings, oversized windows, and floods of natural light. Above the freestanding three-car garage is a two-bedroom guest apartment with a full kitchen and a living area. In addition to a spacious deck with enviable views, the compound benefits from a dock on Thrushwood Lake.

 

 

Perched on the banks of a channel of Corte Madera Creek that affords a coveted view of Mt. Tamalpais, this timelessly appealing 4,675-square-foot home offers four bedrooms, a family room with a wet bar, a screening room, a wine cellar, and a bright, open kitchen and living room. Ideal for entertaining, this space gives way to a 1,440-square-foot ipe wood deck equipped with heaters, sunshades, built-in speakers, an outdoor shower, a swim spa, and a deepwater dock.

 

 

On the market for the first time in more than three decades, this rare oceanfront residence on a quiet street at the north end of Palm Beach boasts sweeping water views and the island’s widest private beach, which includes a dock that encourages boating and swimming. Indoor-outdoor living and entertaining area accomplished with equal ease thanks to welcoming interiors, a collection of covered and open-air alfresco spaces, and a refreshing swimming pool.

 

 

On 1.22 acres on Lake Livingston, this six-bedroom Mediterranean-style manor combines Old World elegance and the peaceful ambiance of waterfront living. Most alluring are the outdoor spaces, which include a veranda off the great room, an alfresco kitchen with a refrigerator and a grill, an open-air dining deck, an infinity-edge pool and spa, an emerald artificial-turf lawn, a water-view sitting area with a fire pit, and a long fishing pier with a boathouse and two slips.

 

 

Exemplifying enduring Cape Cod charm, this three-bedroom home enjoys a perfectly relaxing perch on the banks of Lake Wequaquet. Highlights include inviting living and dining spaces, a sunroom, and a one-bedroom lower-level apartment with its own patio. The property offers a handsome brick terrace that gives way to a lovely lawn and nearly 200 feet of pine-shaded shoreline with a classic boathouse and a private dock providing easy access to the lake.