Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach!

Photo gallery for Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach!

A two-story building with a swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery.
An aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses, a beach, and a river.
A spacious room with a ceiling fan, large windows, a television, and a view of the outside.
An aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses, a beach, and a clear sky.
Gulf Trace Drone Alt 2

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • Spacious, comfortable rooms
    Guests love the top-rated, generously-sized rooms.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near South Walton Beaches

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Private pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air-conditioning
  • Washing machine
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
Gulf Trace, FL
  • Place, Grayton Beach
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, South Walton Beaches
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Blue Mountain Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS-Northwest Florida Regional)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

First Floor - Guest Bedroom

1 King Bed

First Floor - Living Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

Second Floor - Guest Bedroom

1 Single Bunk Bed

Second Floor - Guest Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Second Floor - Master Bedroom

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

First Floor - Guest Bathroom

First Floor - Powder Room

Second Floor - Guest Bathroom

Second Floor - Guest Bathroom

Second Floor - Master Bathroom

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony

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Exterior
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About the area

Santa Rosa Beach

Located near the beach, this holiday home is in Grayton Beach, a neighbourhood in Santa Rosa Beach. While the natural beauty of Blue Mountain Beach and Coleman Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Sandestin Golf Resort - Raven, Burnt Pine, Baytowne, The Links. Sundog Books and Eden Gardens State Park are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including golfing.
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Map
Gulf Trace, FL

What's nearby

  • Grayton Beach - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • South Walton Beaches - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Blue Mountain Beach - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Coleman Beach - 8 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Destin Beaches - 32 min drive - 40.8 km

Getting around

  • Panama City, FL (ECP-Northwest Florida Beaches Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant & Bar - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Hurricane Oyster Bar and Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Chiringo - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Mimmo’s - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪AJ's Grayton Beach - ‬19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach! have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Above The Dunes - 30A, Private Pool, Gulf Trace in Grayton, Short Walk to Beach! located?

Located in Grayton Beach, this holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from South Walton Beaches and 3 mi (4.8 km) from Coleman Beach. Grayton Beach and Blue Mountain Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

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. 14 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A Wonderful Time

My family of adults had a wonderful time. The house and grounds were beautiful. Everything was very clean and the kitchen was well stocked for cooking. A short walk to an uncrowded beach but we enjoyed the pool just as much. Will definitely come back!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Oct, 2020
Great news to hear that you enjoyed your stay at the beach! We hope to see you again soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Spectacular vacation home!!!

The pictures do not do this beautiful house justice! We were so pleased with the cleanliness, privacy and close proximity to the beach! We watched every sunset from the rooftop patio and had our morning coffee on the screened porch. So sad to leave; already planning our trip for next year!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your vacation! We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent week

We couldn’t have asked for a better location. It was a 5 minute, easy walk to the ocean. You can tell the house is getting some age but cleanliness was great. We would come back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Jul, 2024
Thank you for staying with Ocean Reef Resorts and providing this valuable feedback. Please let us know if we can assist in any future travel plans you may have.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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

Fun trip

The pool alarm on the door was my only grievance…Other than that lovely place! But being a mom &Owning a pool I get the alarm :)
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Apr, 2025
Thank you for sharing your review. We genuinely value your input and would love to hear any suggestions you may have on how we can improve future stays. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts. We appreciate you choosing us as your destination!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfection in florida

We had an amazing time at Above the Dunes. The house had everything you would need including beach toys and bugie boards- floaties for the pool. Just a 2 minute walk to the white sand beach. Quiet community- also a short walk to shopping and eating. Loved it !
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 2 May, 2023
Great! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your time at Above the dunes! Let us know when you would like to plan another trip!
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Great location, private neighborhood and beach.

We had a wonderful stay with 4 adults and 5 kids. Plenty of room. Very private backyard and were 1 of maybe 3 families on the beach at any given time. The ice maker and upstairs air conditioner went out while we were there but the maintenance crew came out promptly while we were at dinner and fixed the AC. The under counter ice maker needed to have a part replaced but that was fine as the refrigerator also had an ice maker. Overall was a great trip.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Oct, 2024
Thank you for your review. We are happy the maintenance issues were resolved quickly, and we thank you for your patience and understanding. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and found that the property met your needs. We hope to see you again soon!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great beach house in a great location

We really enjoyed our stay at “above the dunes”. The property was in a quiet, but family friendly neighborhood and was very close to the beach. The backyard was like our own little private oasis. Unfortunately, the pool could not be heated (we asked!), which made it pretty much unusable in the spring, as it doesn’t get a whole lot of continuous sun. The interior of the house accommodated our two families (4 adults, 5 kids) very comfortable. The property management team from Ocean reef were incredibly responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Apr, 2024
We appreciate your kind words about the property! We hope that you are able to make your way back to the beach very soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Loved Grayton Beach!

We loved everything about our stay. The house was a short walk to the beach. We were there off season, but the beach was not crowded which was great. We rented bikes and could easily get to breakfast and lunch places. The house worked really well for us. My husband and I stayed in the downstairs bedroom which had a King bed and a nice bathroom, and it worked well for us since we were usually the first people up and did not have to worry about waking anyone up if we were in the kitchen. Additionally, we let the kids have the second floor which gave them some privacy. The master bedroom was upstairs which was huge - a nice space for my teenager and his friends to hang out. They also loved the balcony off the third floor. My husband used the third floor to work - there was a desk that worked well. My daughter came from FSU, just a two hour drive which was another reason why we picked Grayton Beach. The pool was great entertainment for the kids, it was perfectly shaded this time of year (September) and there was part sun and part shade. They spent a lot of time on the pool deck. And my husband and I loved having early morning coffee in the shaded part. There was a lot of cabinet space in the kitchen - it was nice to store food in a small pantry rather then keep everything on the counter.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Oct, 2024
Thank you for booking with Ocean Reef! We love to hear about great experiences such as yours. Be sure to contact us when you are ready to return to the beautiful beaches.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Beach but House just Ok

This was our 3rd vacation in the Gulf Trace community, we love how private this area is and the beach is just beautiful. First, the house was the perfect size for my family of 6 + 2 Grandparents. The primary bedroom/bathroom is HUGE. We loved the multiple decks. The backyard and pool was gorgeous but the pool only gets a little sun during the day. I think the thing disappointing about this house was; we booked it December 2022 and it was advertised as having an optional heated pool. A week before our trip I called to make sure it would be turned on and to pay the fee and I was told that property no longer had a heated pool. The pool was freezing, we hardly went in it at all the whole week which was a huge bummer. Also, because of the tree's in the backyard it was pretty dirty with leaves on the bottom. Ocean Reef did send their pool company out the next day and it looked a lot better but it was just too cold to use. A few other relatively minor things; the kitchen faucet was extremely loose and dripped water constantly, we didn't feel the dishwasher did that great of a job--the buttons all rubbed off so we couldn't tell what setting it was on, the remotes all had low batteries and we couldn't get the tv to work in the upstairs look out room. One morning we woke up to ants all over our food sitting on the counters. Overall, we had a great trip, the beach was amazing but I think this house could use some "routine maintenance".
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Oct, 2023
We are very sorry that you ran into these problems during your stay. I can assure you that all items mentioned have been added into work orders and will be taken care of promptly. Please do not let this deter you from using our services in the future as we strive to make each guests stay as comfortable and problem free as possible. We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful home

Above the Dunes is a beautifully decorated, spacious home and only 2 minutes from the beach! A lot of attention to detail and room to spread out fir more than 1 family. The pool was gorgeous and enough shade to enjoy it on a hot day after a day at the beach, which isn’t crowded at all and we were there in June! Only disappointment was there was no access to the garage to store our beach gear.. I would definitely recommend Above the Dunes to anyone looking for a more secluded area on 30 A but easy access to everywhere.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jun, 2021
Thank you for staying with Ocean Reef Resorts and providing this valuable feedback. We hope that your travels bring you back to the beautiful shores again soon.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great family house

Great family house that is very close to the beach. Lots of room to spread out and all luxury bathrooms. We loved Grayton Beach... quiet with no high rises. Lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Totally recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Apr, 2021
We appreciate your kind words about the property! We hope that you are able to make your way back to the beach very soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts.
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

Nice place but would never stay again

The property is really nice and has plenty of space. It's in a great location and is a 2-3 min walk to the beach. Unfortunately, our trip had some issues that really impacted our family and the company who manages the property didn't do much for us. When we arrived for our stay the pool was not heated. We paid the additional per day fee + tax to have the pool heated so we were really dissapointed when we got there and it was not usable. We called the company and they sent someone out to fix the issue. The propane was out. It was refilled and turned back on but that took 2 days of pool time away for us when the weather was warm enough to enjoy it. Unfortunately the rest of the days were cooler and rainy so it was bad timing all around. We were refunded for the 2 days we lost. The Internet was also out when we arrived. I called the next morning and they sent some one out to fix it for us. They told us it was fixed and we left for lunch without checking it ourselves. We got home from lunch and there was still no internet. I called again to let them know that it wasn't working and they said they were sending someone. The person never came. I had to text the maintenance guy directly to find out what was going on. I called the company again and they said it couldn't be fixed until Tuesday and there was nothing they could do. They also did not offer a refund of any kind for this and stated it wasn't their fault so there's nothing they could do. That's 2 days without a pool and internet + 2 additional days with no internet. The manager said he would check back in with me later in the week. I never received a call back. There are so many beautiful places to stay in Destin / Santa Rosa area. This is the first time we've had such issues with no real attempt to make things right or compensate us for what happened other than the refund for the pool which would be expected since they did not provide what was paid for. I would stay somewhere else if you don't want to risk it. Pro - The property management associates were very nice and all the representatives we spoke to were friendly. Cons - The follow through and communication didn't happen and unfortunately we weren't able to resolve the issues in a timely manner and were not kept aware of what was going on. I had to place multiple calls to follow up and figure out the status of our requests.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jun, 2020
We are very sorry that you ran into these problems during your stay. I can assure you that all items mentioned have been added into work orders and will be taken care of promptly. Please do not let this deter you from using our services in the future as we strive to make each guests stay as comfortable and problem free as possible. We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Perfect accommodation for family of 9.

The listing description was accurate. Above the Dunes was clean, comfortable, and well appointed. The pool was well maintained and the kids enjoyed it. The 5 minute walk to the beach was very easy, and bicycle riding was enjoyed by all. The trees and landscape around the house gave it a resort feel. An issue with the AC and internet were resolved immediately by the management. Some favorite stops included Blue Mountain Creamery, Bogata Trattoria, and the Grayton Brew house. A wonderful week. Would recommend this property to friends and family.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your vacation! We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Unforgettable Thanksgiving family vacation!

I cannot say enough about Above the Dunes. It was so awesome, that we are already planning another stay. The home and grounds are breathtaking. The owner spared no detail. There are 2 master bedrooms. One is on the main floor, and the other on the 2nd. Both are beautifully decorated, but the one on the 2nd floor, oh my, huge and gorgeous. It has a balcony over looking the pool. The pool was very relaxing. We had it heated for our cool November nights. My 3 year old son loved the 3rd floor. It has a wrap around balcony, big screen t.v. , and plenty of room to play. Every morning I took him up there, so we could watch the sunrise. You could see in in every direction. I’ve never gushed over a home before, but this one takes the cake. It was super clean and very spacious. You will not be disappointed! My mother in law is still talking about our memorable vacation, and wants to know if I’ve already booked Above the Dunes for next year. I wanted to add that the management company, Rivard was very attentive and great to deal with. Book now. You will not be disappointed. (And I’m pretty hard to please)
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your vacation! We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Amazing

We have 5 children and took 2 adult friends with us to help out with the kiddos. This house was beyond words. We had plenty of space for everyone, and our friends stayed in the bedroom on the main floor where they had a little privacy as my children are early risers. The pool is beautiful, VERY private, and large for the neighborhood. We took pictures of the children in the beautiful yard. The walk to the beach was very manageable, and the beach area was not ridiculously crowded like it is in other beach communities. The distance from the access point to the water was also reasonable, not too far, but also not so close that there was no space. The entire house was beautifully furnished, and there were tons of kitchen tools and beach equipment. The view from the 3rd floor balcony was fantastic.I loved the privacy of the neighborhood, but everything was only a bike/car ride away. My 10 year old daughter and I both cried when we left! I almost hesitate to write a review because I would love to go back and don't want to create competition for myself!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your vacation! We hope that your travels bring you back soon. Thank you for choosing Ocean Reef Resorts
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Family fun

My adult children and my husband and myself truly enjoyed this home. It was very clean and spacious. My sister and her family rented around the corner and they loved to come to our house because of the pool and screened in porch and large well equipped kitchen. The loft room and deck was my husbands favorite place. The Gulf Trace Area is peaceful and fun. Thanks for a great family vacation!!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
Jan, we are so happy to hear you and your family enjoyed your stay at Above the Dunes. This is one of our favorite homes in Gulf Trace and we are thrilled that we got to share it with you. Thank you for your kind remarks and we hope to see you back again soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Perfect Multi-Generation Vacation Home

This was our first stay in Above the Dunes after having experienced several other properties in the area. The home was just as represented and could not have been better suited for a vacation which included three generations of our family. We all loved being together in and around the pool so much that it was difficult to get anyone to make the short walk to the beach. The amenities are first class. We have found the perfect home for what we hope will be many vacations to come as grandchildren help us to make wonderful memories.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this review. Nothing makes us happier than hearing about how much families enjoy their time together while here on vacation. We are so happy to hear that Above the Dunes worked out perfectly for all three generations of your family. We can't wait to have you back again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

OUR FAVORITE HOME

We just checked out of Above the Dunes and again are supremely satisfied with our stay. My family of 7 stay here every summer and every winter and even as our five kids grow older they have always loved this home. The living room is perfect for game night and movie night. The kids love the tower room with the huge TV and the heated pool and grill were perfect for barbecuing. We will continue to return to this home twice a year for many years to come.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar, 2020
Holly, thank you so much for your kind remarks regarding Above the Dunes. We are thrilled to hear that you ad your family enjoyed your stay and continue to keep coming back! We look forward to having you back soon!
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