Which rights are specialized for owners of land that borders navigable bodies of water?

Littoral rights pertain to landowners whose property borders navigable waters, which include oceans, seas, and large lakes. These rights allow the property owner to use and enjoy the water while also retaining ownership of the land up to the high-water mark. Littoral rights are focused on the interaction between private land and a body of water, granting privileges related to access and use.

In contrast, mineral rights refer to ownership of the minerals beneath the land, which is unrelated to water. Water rights typically involve the use of water from a source, but they are generally associated with land bordering non-navigable waters or specific water sources. Subsurface rights are concerned with ownership of resources found beneath the earth's surface, such as oil or gas. These rights, while relevant in real estate, do not specifically address the conditions or privileges unique to land adjacent to navigable waters.

Understanding littoral rights is crucial for anyone involved in real estate near such bodies of water, as it directly impacts property use, development potential, and legal considerations related to water access and environmental regulations.