Entire home

1945 Coastal Retreat, 5-Acre Estate, Tower + Dock

Photo gallery for 1945 Coastal Retreat, 5-Acre Estate, Tower + Dock

Exterior
Property video
Aerial view
Private kitchen
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Oak Island, NC
  • Place, Caswell Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, 57th Place West Access Park
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Ocean Crest Pier
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪56 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Back double

2 Queen Beds

Bunk room

2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Front double

2 Queen Beds

Front twin

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Back double bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet

Front double/twin bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Front twin bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

1945 Coastal Retreat, 5-Acre Estate, Tower + Dock

Experience the first house built on Oak Island, a private 5-acre ocean estate — where a rare 1945 knotty pine cabin sits on the island's highest hill, reigning above virgin maritime forest, with a private boardwalk to the beach, a lookout tower with 360° views, and a dock for your boat or sunset fishing. This is not a typical rental — it’s a birdwatcher's paradise, one of the most unique and secluded properties anywhere. Small wonder guests return and return!

Folly Hills is a one-of-a-kind coastal property offering total privacy, commanding views, and a sense of history you simply won’t find in modern beach homes. Set on more than five acres of virgin maritime forest, the home is surrounded by nature, wildlife, and uninterrupted views in every direction.

A private boardwalk leads you through the trees to the ocean, while the elevated lookout tower delivers panoramic sunrise and sunset views over the water, forest, and sky. The backside of the property offers a private access to boat dock, a quiet place to fish, read, or watch the light change across the marsh.

The home itself retains its original 1945 character — simple, authentic, and deeply connected to its surroundings. This is a place to unplug, breathe, and experience the coast the way it used to be.

Review after review confirms this an owner's house, not your typical rental, with all the amenities: fully equipped, gourmet kitchen; Gigabit wifi; Sonos sound throughout; private beach access and dock; high quality sheets, mattresses and Turkish towels; beautiful plantings on wide, sunny decks; and much more.

This is a historic home, not a newly renovated luxury build. If you’re looking for marble bathrooms and wall to wall carpeting, this may not be the right fit. Folly Hills is, of course, fully air-conditioned.

If you value privacy, nature, history, and space — there are few properties like ours anywhere in the world, connecting beach with sound over the highest hill in miles in any direction. You'll have full run of the house, private pathway to the beach, a beautiful old pine cabin, undisturbed maritime forest and dock 68 stairs down behind the house. The house is on a single level, but is some 15 steps up from the parking area. The parcel is just short of 5 acres.

Bring mud boots if you're interested to explore the wilder parts of the property... and do remember the insects, chameleons, songbirds, hawks, deer, raccoons, and other animals you'll see have made their home there long before you.

4-night min with 15% off for week, 20% for monthly.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

About the area

Oak Island

Located on the beach, this holiday home is in Long Beach, a neighbourhood in Oak Island. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport and Magic Mountain Fun Park are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with snorkelling, waterskiing and windsurfing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
Map
Oak Island, NC

What's nearby

  • Caswell Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • 57th Place West Access Park - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Ocean Crest Pier - 9 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Oak Island Lighthouse - 21 min drive - 18.3 km
  • Holden Beach - 37 min drive - 48.7 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lonerider at Oak Island - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪The Sea Biscuit Cafe/Pepe’s Pizza - ‬38 min drive
  • ‪Surfer's Cafe - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Beacon315 - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Lockwood Folly Country Club - ‬44 min drive

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. 5 out of 6 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 6 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 6 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 6 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

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

Outstanding !!

We had a wonderful stay to celebrate our daughter’s graduation! This property has everything !! A dock with access to an inter coastal waterway, a incredible open deck on a high point with 360 degree views, beautiful ocean view and beach access, multiple decks and porches, comfortable living room and fully equipped kitchen ! Perfect! Highly recommend !
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Neal B.

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

Unbelievable, one-of-a-kind property!

I have been to all types of beach houses in NC for the last 40 years and can say hands down that there is nothing else out there that remotely comes close to the experience of Folly Hills. We took the whole family down for a week and had an amazing time enjoying the views from the highest point on the island, exploring the walks through the maritime forest, fishing and crabbing off the private dock, and just lounging out on the patio overlooking the ocean which felt almost Mediterranean. That’s not to mention the fact that there’s nothing between you and the ocean. Maybe best off all was the experience of being in this historic home that has stood the test of time and has clearly evolved over the decades to be both very comfortable and very functional. We were as busy as could be having a total blast all week long. If you want a cookie cutter beach mansion, look elsewhere! If you want an unforgettable experience, I promise you will never compare Folly Hills to any other beach house. 5 stars aren’t enough!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

The C.

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

Spellbinding...

When we pulled into the driveway of Folly Hills, we knew we had arrived at a place of magic and wonder. The view from the driveway alone could have been a postcard from a beach in La Jolla. Never have we stayed in a rental where we enjoyed pulling the trash to the curb! Entering the home was a warm and welcoming experience. The appointments throughout the house have been carefully executed; combining traditional and eclectic styles to create a perfect combination for comfort and relaxation. We thought long and hard throughout our trip about which door was the original front door of the house. I suspect everybody has a different opinion on this, but the truth is that it doesn’t matter which door is chosen. Every door in this home calls for friends and family to gather and celebrate. The sliding glass doors open to a deck and patio area that overlook the sound. The waterway will call you. From the kitchen door, there is the exceedingly difficult choice of whether to turn left to the waterway steps, straight to the watchtower, or right to the beach vista. Any direction you choose will lead you to the most beautiful views and rejuvenating experience. The office door leads to the screened patio, which boasts the most mystical skylines on the east coast. Don’t miss the moon rising amidst the starry night and cool breeze. Pure enchantment. On rainy days, be sure to check out the books on the table near the fireplace and learn about the rich history of the Capel family. The house is well stocked with games and puzzles, but perhaps our most favorite part about our days indoors was listening to the sound of the rain on the red tin roof. Turn your favorite tunes on the Sonos system, breathe, and your soul will fly. Speaking of doors, if there’s something about your stay that isn’t up to your standards, we challenge you to pick any door, step in or out, and let your heart fill with gratitude for the masterpiece on which you are standing. Perhaps the best gift about this property is that the Capel family have shared it with us. The pictures don’t, and can never, do this home justice. Those who are lucky enough to find this listing should feed their inner rock stars and book this property. No regrets on this one whatsoever.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2021
Thank you, Sajina, this is such a wonderful review! Sorry I'm just seeing it now. We'll look forward to your return. Schuyler
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff T.

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

Second Time Around

This was our second summer at Folly Hills. Our family enjoyed this trip even more this summer as we were familiar with the home. The owners continue to make repairs and upgrades (like the new stairs to the watch tower, expanded Sonos system). Schuyler is an awesome host ~ quick to assist in every need our family had. Awesome, well equipped kitchen for cooking your favorite family meals. We enjoyed our morning breakfast on the screened in front porch sitting together at the large round table. This 75 year old beach cottage may not have the “glitz” of other rentals but the tranquility you’ll find here is what we love about this home. Looking forward to next summer!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff T.

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

Awesome time in July

Visited Folly Hills with the family this summer. We felt the owners opened their home to our family, not like a typical rental house. The property is a jewel - the views alone are worth the price of admission. We were excited about the stretch of beach that beckoned sea turtles to come ashore and nest-there were several and we were fortunate enough to see #150. We have already requested Folly Hills for a visit next summer. Jeff & Celeste
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2020
Well now here's a late response to a review we're just seeing now a year later... after Jeff & Celeste's second visit! It's awesome when a guest sends you a pic, feet up, house looking absolutely immaculate in the background. It's very much appreciated when guests understand the effort that goes into making our old cabin as beautiful as she can be.
Verified

8/10 Good

Michelle W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Lovely location

This house is a typical home of the 1945 era. Heart of pine floors, wood paneling, original wooden shutters. There have been some additions and changes. The wood furniture is old and could use some wax or lemon oil to help them (don't try to open then could break). Beds are comfortable and strong ceiling fans in the rooms. But even with three A/C units the difference per area is very noticeable. Kitchen thermometer says it is at least 80F by mid day. Bathrooms are very small. A few spiders and roaches, but to be expected in such an old home. 60 steps down and up to the path to the marsh dock. Great to paddle board or kayak from there. Beach is very accessible across the street. Decks are older so wear shoes to avoid flip flops. Oh, and don't forget to take pictures of the place when you arrive and leave. The owner tried to say that we had a "brawl" in the house (were were 4 people)... said we stained a couch and chair, broke the +74 yr old shutters, and two table legs. Quite unsettling and ridiculous.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2020
Michelle and her party were the messiest guests we've hosted. American Express even sided with us thanks to the photos the cleaning team sent... And that's saying!
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback