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Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch

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Exterior
Exterior
Property grounds
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Living Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Outdoor

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch

Welcome to your “Old Florida” hideaway—serene, comfortable, and perfectly located just 500 feet from a private, uncrowded Gulf beach. Guests consistently rate this cottage 10/10 for its peaceful setting, thoughtful amenities, and easy access to nature.

Enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets on the large screened porch while listening to the waves and spotting white squirrels, dolphins, and even manatees in the shallows. Families love the quiet neighborhood where kids can explore safely, build sandcastles, or fish from the nearby pier. Our guests regularly catch redfish and enjoy kayaking the Wakulla River with our provided kayaks and canoe.

Inside, the cottage combines beachy charm with modern comforts—high water pressure showers, a spacious kitchen fully stocked for cooking, and a cozy living area perfect for movie nights. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family trip, or an extended stay, you’ll find everything you need for complete relaxation.

Nearby, explore local favorites like Wakulla Springs State Park, the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, and nearby restaurants in Panacea. Guests return year after year for the tranquility, the star-filled night skies, and that unmistakable sense of “getting away from it all.”

Book your stay today and see why so many families call this their favorite spot on the Forgotten Coast.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1177273vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Panacea

Located in Panacea, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. Carrabelle History Museum and Sopchoppy Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at St. James Bay Golf Club and Bayside Marina. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby.
View more Holiday homes in PanaceaOpens in a new window
Map
St. Teresa, FL

What's nearby

  • beach near Turkeypoint Road - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Alligator Point Beach - 25 min drive - 31.3 km
  • Carrabelle Beach - 28 min drive - 31.4 km
  • Shell Point Beach - 48 min drive - 53.6 km
  • St. George Island Beach - 56 min drive - 72.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Crooked River Grill - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Aligator Point Tiki Bar - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Wharf Express - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Alligator Point Yacht Basin - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Eddy Teaches Oyster Bar - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch located?

Situated by the sea, this holiday home is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) from Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve and within 6 miles (10 km) of Wilson Beach and FSU Coastal & Marine Lab. Shell Hammock and St. James Bay Golf Club are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sue A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect place for a quiet getaway. The host responded promptly when I needed to ask a question. All you need for that beach getaway is provided by the host! It was perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stuart C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice place, and quiet area to hang out and get away. Enjoyed are stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brittney B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely amazing stay!! We were looking for a quieter place with beach access and this was PERFECT! We loved the short walk to the beach, the screened in porch, and of course watching the amazing sunsets and sunrises. Our kids spent hours playing in the sand on the beach while we fished and enjoyed the views. We caught quite a few redfish from the pier and also saw lots of wildlife - manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and of course the white squirrels as mentioned in the property description! Already working on planning another trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay. It was my grandson's first time going to the beach, the home was adult and child friendly. We will be returning soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dylan L.

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

Great weekend getaway

House was great. Has a huge kitchen and a large screened in porch. The walk to the beach was quite easy. Perfect for a family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen D.

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

Beautiful area, relax and enjoy nature.

Very nice cottage, had everything we needed. We used the tandem kayak, a little bit of a trek to get it down to the beach. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow, we loved our time here... especially the wife... very organized, exactly as described and ready to go! Cannot recommend highly enough... you will not be disappointed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ruiel D.

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

Great vacation spot!

We loved this property and the relaxation it offered! The beach is a short walk and is so quiet and relaxing. It is just what our family needed!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lillie E.

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

Great stay

Always enjoy our time in the Cozy Cottage! Looking forward to next year already!
Stayed 56 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

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

Family Florida Exploration

We enjoyed the location of the house and the quiet neighborhood. Thanks to the helpful welcome book we had the local information needed to enjoy day adventures at the surrounding state parks and the Gulf Specimen Aquarium. Dad and son booked a fishing trip and had a blast! Everyone in the area was helpful and friendly making for a great time in the natural surroundings of Florida.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom G.

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

Forgotten Coast

Great winter get-away. Look forward to staying next winter as well.
Stayed 74 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chuck H.

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

This was our second stay with the grandkids, still love it!

A little walk to the pier and im fishing! We all loved it and im sure we'll be back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lillie E.

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

Cozy cottage

We have always enjoyed our time at the cozy cottage. That’s why we keep coming back!Thanks Shawn and Katie, we really appreciate your beautiful home!
Stayed 34 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 May 2024
Thank you Lillie! We enjoy having guests like you!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tricia m.

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

Comfy and cozy

Wonderful home. It aided in us enjoying our time in Panacea. We were not prepared to purchase more toilet paper though but that was a quick fix. Wonderful home to rent and we hope to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pearce L.

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

Summer Vacation

Great location to nearby towns. The beach access was easy. The cottage had everything we needed for our trip. This was our second time staying there.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John M.

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

If you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation with the gulf just steps away, this is the place.

Our stay at this beach house was nice. Located just one tier back from the beach, it offered the perfect balance of privacy and proximity to the gulf. The house itself was well maintained, with many amenities that made it feel like a home away from home. The spacious deck was a highlight, perfect for morning coffee and reading the paper.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom G.

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

St Teresa

I enjoyed Turkey Point
Stayed 44 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hamid M.

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

Very peaceful

This is our third time at this property, and not the last one, for certain. We enjoyed every minute of our stay; thank you to the generous host for providing everything we needed and making us feel like we were at our own home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a really nice property with everything you need as long as you're looking for a laid-back vacation without a lot of attractions. We did see dolphins, a horseshoe crab, starfish, tons of hermit crabs, squirls, and rabbits. The walk to the beach wasn't too bad and the sand was great for sandcastles. The beach does have a few hazard spots next to the pier so don't go running into the water until after your first low tide so you can see where the logs are. Other than that, this was a great place to relax and enjoy the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

April C.

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

Wonderful

This house was stunning, very open and very well equipped with everything we needed, it was just a short walk to the very beautiful and in crowded beach, would definitely recommend this place to all. We absolutely loved it
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar 2020
Thank for your review of our property. We appreciate you taking the time. The quiet beach is our favorite too.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian W.

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

Great Game Weekend Getaway

Very nice property, all aspects, as promised!!! Friendly neighbors giving access to the Gulf! Very manageable drive to FSU for the game!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eben B.

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

Thanks!

Nice!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

leslie d.

Great getaway!

We had a wonderful stay at this house. We live in Orange Park Florida so it was a great weekend getaway. The only suggestions I would have is a little more direction to what docks are open to the home to access the beach. I would also upgrade the TV and cable because it's not always warm outside.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar 2020
Leslie, thank you for your suggestions. Also, thank you for taking such great care of things. Your the type of renter I look forward to having.
Verified

8/10 Good

Hannah M.

Rock the dock.

Had a great stay at this little hidden gem. Had a great porch and plenty of room. the only thing was in the pictures there is a dock and when we got there there was not a dock I am assuming the hurricane took out the dock and the pictures haven't been updated yet.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar 2020
The dock was destroyed during Hurricane Michael; however, it was fixed in March 2019. The dock is a 3 minute walk from our house. After you get to the beach you go to the left. We pay a yearly fee that allows our guests to use it.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

JOEY P.

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

Title

Property was great everything was great. The house came with a lot of extras including kayaks, fishing equipment and beach equipment. Nice quiet area. The local beach was ok, but St George island was 40 minutes away. And offered a better beach and places to eat.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Shawn and Katherine Montague

Host profile image

We’re a family with deep roots in North Florida. I grew up in Tallahassee and spent much of my childhood exploring the shores and pine forests around St. Theresa. After a long career in the Air Force, I wanted to share the same peace, beauty, and simplicity that my family has always loved here.

We take pride in keeping the cottage well cared for, clean, and welcoming—just the way we’d want it for ourselves. Many of our guests become friends and return year after year, which is the biggest compliment we could receive. Whether you’re visiting for a quiet escape, a family beach trip, or just need to recharge, we’re happy to help make your stay relaxing and memorable.

Why they chose this property

I chose this neighborhood because it’s part of my story. I grew up just up the road in Tallahassee, and this little slice of “Old Florida” has always been a family favorite for its quiet beaches and natural beauty. My parents originally bought this property for camping trips when I was young, and after I joined the Air Force, they decided to build a home here—designed after the classic cottages in Seaside, blending coastal charm with comfort.

St. Theresa is special because it still feels untouched by time. It’s peaceful, surrounded by woods and water, with friendly neighbors and an easy, slow pace that’s hard to find anywhere else. For anyone wanting to experience Florida the way locals cherish it—relaxed, natural, and full of character—this is the perfect place.

What makes this property unique

What makes our property truly special is its peaceful “Old Florida” setting—quiet, natural, and completely relaxing—yet just 500 feet from a private Gulf beach. You can watch dolphins, manatees, and white squirrels from the porch, walk for miles on untouched shoreline, or fish off the nearby pier at sunset. Our guests often say it feels like stepping back to a simpler time, surrounded by tall pines, oaks, and palms, with no crowds or noise—just nature and the sound of the surf.

The cottage itself is fully stocked and designed for comfort, with a large screened porch, spacious kitchen, and plenty of thoughtful touches that make it feel like home. We also provide extras—kayaks, fishing gear, and local tips—so you can explore the Gulf, rivers, and wildlife up close. Many of our guests return year after year because they love the tranquility, friendly hosts, and the chance to truly unplug and reconnect.

Languages:

English, German

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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