Julia Roberts and her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder, once owned an 8.3-acre beachfront estate on the Hawaiian island of Kauai that sold for $19.99 million in December 2020. Located on the island’s North Shore, the property, known as Limahuli Ocean Estate, features a residence, a swimming pool, landscaped grounds and direct access to the Pacific Ocean. The couple purchased the estate in 2009 for $10 million and later sold it through three separate transactions involving adjoining parcels. The property returned to the market in 2025 with an asking price of $29.5 million, drawing renewed attention to its location, ocean views and history of celebrity ownership.
Julia Roberts bought the 8.3-acre Hawaiian estate in 2009
Roberts and Moder acquired the three adjoining parcels that make up Limahuli Ocean Estate in June 2009 for a combined $10 million, according to property records cited by Pacific Business News. The estate is situated in Hā‘ena, on Kauai’s North Shore, an area known for its coastline, tropical vegetation and mountainous scenery.The property offers more than 400 feet of beachfront, giving it direct access to the Pacific Ocean. Its setting also provides views of the surrounding mountains and the landscape near Limahuli Valley.The estate became one of the couple’s property holdings during their marriage. Roberts, known for films including Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich, has maintained a relatively private personal life despite her long career in Hollywood.
What the beachfront property features
The main residence was built in 1970 and has approximately 3,123 square feet of living space, according to later real estate coverage. The property’s design combines indoor living areas with outdoor spaces that take advantage of the tropical surroundings.The estate includes a swimming pool, a covered lanai and landscaped grounds, alongside access to the beach. Its windows and open spaces provide views of the ocean and the green mountain landscape behind the property.During Roberts and Moder’s ownership, the house underwent remodelling by Walker Warner, an architecture firm based in San Francisco. The design incorporated natural wood finishes, exposed beams and expansive windows.The estate’s appeal lies in its combination of beachfront access, privacy and substantial land. Its 8.3-acre footprint also distinguishes it from smaller residential properties along Kauai’s coastline.
Julia Roberts and Danny Moder sold the estate for $19.99 million
The couple sold the property on December 17, 2020, for a reported $19.99 million. According to Pacific Business News, the sale was completed through three transactions involving the adjoining parcels. The buyer was Limahuli Holdings LLC, an entity based in Miami.The reported sale price was almost twice the $10 million Roberts and Moder had paid for the land in 2009. The difference between the purchase and sale prices was approximately $9.99 million, before accounting for renovation expenses, taxes, transaction costs and other ownership expenses.The sale attracted attention because of the property’s size, coastal location and association with the Hollywood actress. Its beachfront setting and expansive grounds also placed it among the high-value residential properties marketed on Kauai.
The former Julia Roberts estate returned to the market for $29.5 million
In May 2025, Limahuli Ocean Estate was listed for $29.5 million, according to Aloha State Daily. The listing described a property covering approximately 8.29 acres, with more than 400 feet of beachfront.The asking price was substantially higher than the $19.99 million paid for the estate in 2020. However, an asking price represents what a seller hopes to receive, not the amount a buyer has agreed to pay. The later listing therefore does not establish that the property sold for $29.5 million.The estate’s return to the market renewed interest in its features, including its oceanfront location, landscaped grounds, swimming pool and views of Kauai’s North Shore.
The $30 million listing was also associated with a different Kauai property
Roberts has been linked to more than one property on Kauai, which has led to confusion in reports about their listing and sale prices.A separate estate near Hanalei Bay, covering approximately two acres, was purchased by Roberts in 2011 for about $13.375 million. It was listed for nearly $30 million in 2015, before its asking price was reduced to $19.5 million. The property eventually sold for $16.2 million in 2016.That transaction was separate from the sale of Limahuli Ocean Estate in 2020. The 8.3-acre property was later listed for $29.5 million in 2025, five years after Roberts and Moder had sold it.
