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“The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage!

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A kitchen with a central island, wooden stools, and a view of the outside through a window.
A covered porch with wooden railings and two white plastic chairs.
A covered porch with two white plastic chairs and a wooden door.
A bedroom with a bed, a ceiling fan, and two windows with blinds.
A modern kitchen with a central island, wooden rocking chairs, and a dining area with a wooden table.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Surf City Beach

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Surf City, NC
  • Place, Surf City Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Inis Spa
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Surf City Pier
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Back Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Front Bedroom

1 Twin Bunk Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the neighborhood

Surf City

Located in Surf City, this cottage is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Holly Shelter Game Land and Surf City Beach, while Seacoast Art Gallery and Missiles and More Museum are cultural highlights. Ohana Paddle Sports and Mia's Marketplace are also worth visiting. With motor boating, surfing/body boarding, and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
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Map
Surf City, NC

What's nearby

  • Surf City Beach - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Inis Spa - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Seacoast Art Gallery - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Surf City Pier - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Southside Park - 18 min walk - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Surf City Smash - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Cape Fear Seafood Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Salty Turtle Beer Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Shaka Taco - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Sear's Landing - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage!?

As of Oct 31, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage! on Nov 1, 2026 start from $385, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is “The Fishbowl” - The Perfect Surf City Intimate Beach Cottage! located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Surf City Beach and Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi. Inis Spa and Escape Spa are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 46 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 56 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was extremely responsible and helpful!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location with a short walk to the beach. We really enjoyed our 10 day stay! The screened in back porch was perfect for grilling, dining,and early morning coffee. The host was excellent and allowed us to check in early! The Queen size bed was very comfortable. Love having a nice pet friendly beach vacation!! We would stay here again!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cozy beach house was perfect for our family of 5. It is a five-minute walk to the beach, and we would stay here again.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was so cozy, neat, and the kids loved it! It was perfect being so close to the beach, and the owners were very easy to contact and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Location
Exactly as described, clean, quiet neighborhood...We truly enjoyed our long weekend staying at The Fishbowl! We would definitely choose to stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was perfect for our little family and covered in porch was wonderful. We really enjoyed our stay. It was close to the beach access and walking distance to all the shops.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Easy check in process, great location!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Thanks so much! We look forward to hosting you again!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely had the best time! Perfect for my family & fur baby. Owner was super quick to respond to my many questuons. Thank you very much!
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is very convenient to a public beach access. A/C kept the house very cool and each room has a ceiling fan for comfort. Enough space for a family of four to be comfortable. It's an easy walk to center of Surf City for shops, restaurants and boardwalk. We appreciated that the house is pet friendly so we could bring being our dog with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location was great, easy access to beach and to shopping.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Please consider posting a positive review for The Fishbowl in Surf City!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location! Perfect cottage so close to the beach and everything Surf City. We loved our stay!
Stayed 10 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Thanks so much Laura! We look forward to hosting you again soon!!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

We enjoyed our time. Sweet house, close to beach access.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ideal location close to beach. Owner is responsive to any questions/needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Please consider posting a positive review for The Fishbowl in Surf City!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Fish Bowl

We absolutely loved our stay here at the fishbowl. Walking distance to the shops and right next to a public beach access, plus pet friendly. We had a fantastic time and would choose to stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Thank you!!! We appreciate your business and hope you return soon! Please consider posting a positive review for The Fishbowl in Surf City!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a great weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Please consider posting a positive review for The Fishbowl in Surf City!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

We loved our stay. Very clean and dog friendly! Short walk to the beach 10/10 would definitely stay again!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

Truly enjoyed my stay at this cottage convienantly located to the beach and restaraunts. Will stay again. I recommend this cottage for your getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect home away from home.

We were able to stay in The Fishbowl while we searched for a permanent home in the area. It was a perfect location and very accessible to great restaurants, local fish markets, coffee shops, and more! We were grateful for our time there, enjoying the sound of the waves and the breeze from the ocean.
Stayed 62 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on May 29, 2025
Thanks Becky! It was a pleasure hosting you!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a cute place!

We really enjoyed our trip to “The Fishbowl “! It’s a great location close to the beach and to lots of good food and shopping. Plenty of room and we loved the porch.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Surf City

Cozy, close to beach and walking distance to everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent location. 100 yards to beach and we walked to all Surf City shops. About 1/2 mile away. House was great. We enjoyed our stay. We would go back again. The host let us check in early which was awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 2, 2026
Please consider posting a positive review for The Fishbowl in Surf City!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Wonderfully close to the beach with a fresh seafood market that will steam our selections with in minutes walk. Great house, clean. Good stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful vacation

This is a great location. Quiet neighborhood. Perfect size for a small family. I would definitely book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on May 27, 2024
Thanks Donna! We would love to have you come again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Labor Day stay

Property was in good shape and very close to beach access. Very cute bungalow. We would definitely stay again. Communication with host was very helpful and timely.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden gem

Crystal was great with communication, and very helpful. Home was cozy and a short walk to beach access. Already booked another trip! Thank you to the owners for sharing their home and providing a place to make memories with family!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
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