Entire home

EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY

Photo gallery for EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY

Exterior
Interior detail
Third floor observation deck with an amazing ocean view of East Beach!
Chef's Kitchen; island, raised teak breakfast bar, Thermador appliances
Thermador gas range top 6 burners, electric griddle, pot filler,double ovens

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms6+ bathroomsSleeps 182867 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Bald Head Island, NC
  • Bay Beach
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Bald Head Island Conservancy
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Bald Head Island Lighthouse
  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bunk Room Bedroom 5, First Floor

2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds

Crofter Bedroom 6

2 Queen Beds

Master Bedroom 1, Second Floor

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom 2, First Floor

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom 3, First Floor

1 King Bed

Queen Bedroom 4, First Floor

1 Queen Bed

6 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bunk Bathroom 5, First floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Cofter Bathroom 6

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

half Bathroom 7, second floor

Toilet

Master Bathroom 1, second floor

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Master Bathroom 2, first floor

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Master Bathroom 3, first floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Queen Bathroom 4, first floor

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining area

About this property

EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY

EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO EAST BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S CLUB, THE COMMON AND EAST BEACH EVERY BEDROOM HAS IT'S OWN BATHROOM & OUTDOOR SPACE

Where the road ends your Bald Head Island vacation experience begins. Arrive by ferry, navigate the Island by one of our THREE GOLF CARTS, on foot or by bicycle. Relax, slow down…. You’re on “turtle time.”

Bald Head Island, one location with several possibilities. We encourage you to; explore the 14 miles of pristine beaches, hike the maritime forest, kayak the creeks and marshes, soak up the sun, start a new family tradition, couples getaway or celebrate a milestone. It’s all about the magic and the memories. Experience the beautiful Island, sun, ocean and wildlife. Indulge in the infinite water activities; stand up paddle boarding, boating, fishing, swimming, surfing, beach-combing, kayaking, wind surfing and sailing. Discover an endless agenda of activities designed to entertain, educate and pamper or just reconnect, relax and replenish. Nurture your mind with programs offered at the Conservancy, climb “Old Baldy,” a 200-year-old lighthouse, visit the Smith Island Museum and historic sites. Indulge your senses of adventure and most importantly treat yourself to an unforgettable vacation!

Welcome to Bald Head Island! Welcome to, “A Shore Thing”, a luxury vacation home custom designed to feel like your own. Completed on May 21, 2014 to host your family for an unforgettable vacation!

Retire to a comfortable king or queen size bed with silken linen for a restful nights sleep!
“A Shore Thing” comfortably sleeps 18 guests, three master bedrooms with king beds, queen bedroom, bunk room with two full and two upper twin beds and a private crofter with two queen beds, tiled full bathroom and kitchenette. Each of the six bedrooms have an adjoining private tiled bathroom with granite counter tops. Two master bathrooms have Jacuzzi tubs, counter height double sinks with vanities, walk in showers with body jets, hand spray and rain shower head. The third master bedroom bathroom has a double vessel sink, jetted tub/shower combination. Relax in the evening with a Jacuzzi tub or body spray shower with ambrosial bath amenities. All bedrooms have flat screen LED TVs and access to outdoor space; porch, deck or screen porch.


There’s a plethora of outdoor space choices with comfortable outdoor furniture; covered front porch with ceiling fans, second floor deck, third floor observation deck, screened porches and a deck between the house and the crofter. The reverse floor plan maximizes ocean views. The third floor observation deck boasts beautiful ocean views by day, sunsets and star gazing at night! Sip wine as you watch the sun set over the glistening water from the third floor observation deck. On Bald Head Island the sun both rises and sets over water. You can hear the ocean from the house!

Grab one of our fluffy beach towels provided for each member of your family and in less than a minute stroll along the boardwalk, your toes are in the sand on East Beach! Or take one of the three golf carts and drive around the block to East Beach. We’re less than two minutes from the Shoal’s Club, BHI Conservancy and South Beach. It’s a short pleasant ride to the Maritime Market and Marina, choose between a shaded and protected route through the maritime forest along Federal Road or take the more scenic route along South Bald Head Wynd.

Dining out at one of the restaurants/clubs? Eating in, plenty of room for the whole family to gather around the table. The open floor plan accommodates multiple families. Prepare your meals in a well-equipped chef’s kitchen; Thermador Pro appliances, 48 inch refrigerator, 48 inch six burner gas range top with griddle, double convection ovens, draw microwave, ice maker, beverage center, island with raised teak breakfast bar, granite counter tops, farmers sink, pot filler, bridge faucet and dishwasher.

BHI Club and Shoal's Clubs Optional.

Play, explore and discover all day! Spoil yourself you deserve it! Now start packing. Our welcome mat is out and we strive for legendary hospitality at “A Shore Thing”!

Property manager

John and Annemarie Marinelli
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Bald Head Island

Located near the beach, this holiday home is in Cape Fear Station, a neighbourhood in Bald Head Island. The Clubs at St. James and Southport Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Caswell Beach and Kure Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport and North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Bald Head Island, NC

What's nearby

  • Bay Beach - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Bald Head Island Conservancy - 4 min walk - 0.4 km

Restaurants

  • Fishy Fishy Cafe
  • Frying Pan
  • Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room
  • Provision Company
  • Edgewater 122

Frequently asked questions

Is EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is EXCEPTIONAL HOME, WALK TO: E BEACH, MIKE'S BITES, SHOAL'S, COMMON & CONSERVANCY located?

This family-friendly Bald Head Island holiday home is located by the sea, within a 10-minute walk of Bay Beach and Bald Head Island Conservancy. Kent Mitchell Nature Trail and Bald Head Island Lighthouse are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

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. 123 out of 133 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 133 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 133 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 133 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 133 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Josh P.

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

40th Birthday Weekend

Just returned from celebrating my wife’s 40th birthday with friends. The house was fantastic and exactly as described. We enjoyed the golf carts and the proximity to a beach access was wonderful. The owner’s communication was responsive and really helpful when I had questions. Thank you John and Annemarie for a weekend we’ll always remember
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Thanksgiving 2024

Twelve adults, friends and family, stayed for five days over Thanksgiving holiday. Nice location. Comfortable layout and furnishings, with well-equipped kitchen. Two screened-in porches and three decks were a great place to lay out and read. Hosts very responsive to all questions and issues we had during our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey M.

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

Great Home

This was our first trip to Bald Head Island and we loved it. The home is spacious and beautiful. Communication with the owners was excellent. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Myrtle D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect House

The best house we have ever stayed in at the beach ever. It was definitely well equipped in the kitchen. Great location, great people to rent from.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

steve k.

Designer home near beach

Beautiful house, great service!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Rick K.

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

Great Vacation Spot

There were 15 of us that stayed at 209 Portsmouth Way. We had a wonderful time. Property suited our needs very well. The 3 golf carts were a must!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine K.

Excellent Property

Beautiful home; well kept; provided many amenities. We had a great time. Close to the beach.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Karen C., New Market, MD

Perfect Location. Wonderful Owners.

Walking distance to the best beaches on the island and the Shoals Club, this is a great home in a great location. We had plenty of room for our 15 adults and 4 children. John and Annemarie are wonderful and give you all the information you need to have stress free trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kelly B.

Perfect Beach Home

We have been to BHI multiple times, and this is by far the nicest home we have rented. The beds were very comfortable and the kids' room was especially exciting! The rooftop deck with a view of the ocean was priceless. State of the art kitchen was perfect for our group who loves to eat well on vacation.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Quality time in a luxury home

We loved our stay at A Shore Thing. The home was beautiful, clean, and spacious for all 4 families.. John and Annemarie were extremely helpful, as this was our first big family trip to Bald Head. Thank you!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Orrin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Magill Family

Nice house, accommodations are tight. Spotty cell service. Great access to East Beach and Shoals Club.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melany W.

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

Wonderful girl cousins weekend

We had so much fun reconnecting with family from all over east coast. It was our first trip to BHI. Can’t wait to plan another trip! This home has such comfy beds, linens and an amazing kitchen. Weather was too cold but outdoor porches look amazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ray M., Louisville, Kentucky

Another great stay at A Shore Thing

Our 2 weeks here was our second BHI vacation at A Shore Thing. The house had everything we needed for our multiple families. It's great to only pack the clothes you are going to wear. The location to the East Beach is perfect with the beach access only steps away. Great house, ideal location, and awesome owners. Can't wait to return!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

Best Bald Head Trip Yet!

Perfect location close to East Beach (very short walk). Beautiful view of the ocean from the upstairs deck! Beds are so comfortable! This home has literally thought of everything! If you have it at home they have it in theirs and then some! Made our yearly trip perfect!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shea M.

Amazing House! Amazing Host!

Not much more to say other than that everything was perfect. The host was extremely responsive and helped answer any/all questions. The house was perfect. Very high end and had top notch amenities (kitchen, golf carts, bathrooms, showers, etc...). Would highly recommend this house to anyone and everyone. Thanks again for everything!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ray M., Louisville, Kentucky

BHI Home With Everything

A Shore Thing is a beautiful home equipped with everything needed for a beach vacation. We took a chance and brought half of what we normally bring to Bald Head Island. We were not disappointed. The owners have thought of everything. The location was perfect with a short walk to the beach and to everything else in the Cape Fear Station area. Can't say enough good things about the home and the owners!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Megan B.

Beautiful and very well stocked house!

Getting everything you need over to Bald Head Island can be a challenge, so we were grateful to find "The Shore Thing" is completely stocked, and the owners have taken the time to detail out everything they have in the kitchen (down to the spices, trash bags, paper towels, etc.) to make your packing easier! The owners were wonderful to work with and always provide a very prompt response. AND not to mention, the house is fabulous! Beautiful decor, comfortable beds / bedding, and plenty of room for everyone! I can't wait to come back for our anniversary!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mary L.

Family Fun

Our family of 15 (3 generations with grandchildren from 9 months to 10 years) always spends a week on BHI each year. This house is beautiful, well equipped (with baby gate, even!) and you can WALK to the beach and Shoal's Club. Perfect. The three levels give everyone room to get away and the numerous decks are welcome--the top deck even offers a glimpse of the sea. It was a great week, and over all too soon.

10/10 Excellent

Ellen M.

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

Out town came into a wedding a the Shoals club ! Just minutes away ! Perfect !

My we filled all the rooms with family members . Everything was perfect ! Spices - pots and pans that are all in excellent condition to use ! to help us cook a nice meal - Fantastic refrigerator - Thermidor cook top ! Loved it The jacuzzi bathtubs ! We did not need them yet but great to know ! two cribs ! The couches and furniture bathrooms - impeccably clean ! Within walking distance to the beach ! We will be back
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

George S., Southport, NC

Spectacular home

Our family arrived...all 16 of us and we're thoroughly impressed with house. Very well appointed, filled with extras. Every room was beautifully decorated, kitchen had high end appliances and every utensil you can imagine. There were 3 golf carts..4-4-6 sweaters in great condition.bbeach chairs, bikes, boogie boards, etc. All the things needed for a comfortable stay were provided. Location was excellent...2 minutes to the Shoals Club and beautiful beaches. The upstairs deck had beautiful ocean views. All in all, one the the premier homes we have ever rented.

6/10 Okay

tanya c.

Liked: Communication, location

Updating needed

This is an older home in need of repair. Notified the owner of several issues and they were responsive. However for the money you are paying we were all disappointed with the quality and broken items. Location is nice but house needs work.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Angela F.

Great Home, Lots of Room

This is a lovely house! It is beautifully furnished with all the amenities of a real home - plus touches you'd normally only find at a hotel. There is a lot of room and great living space. We had a lot of rain during our stay so we weren't able to enjoy the porches as much as we would have liked. The crofter is a nice addition for added privacy but we weren't a big fan of having to walk outside to all the golf carts given the weather we had. For the normal, beautiful weather, it wouldn't be a problem. Owners were extremely helpful and easy to work with. Highly recommended!

10/10 Excellent

Rene H., Belmont, NC

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

Delightful

Lovely, spacious home with great amenities & attention to detail. Our family of originally 5, now grown to14, has enjoyed BHI vacations for 32 years. This house & all interactions with owners definitely 5 STARS! Great location another bonus. Love love love this house & John & Annmarie. Would definitely rent again. Absolutely everything we needed from ample hot water for so many people to great A/C to state of the art kitchen appliances & gadgets. Beach chairs & toys & bikes too. Spotlessly clean. Kids bunk room was so fun for our “littles” with parents’ bedroom close by. Two masters, 1up/1 down was great. Oh & almost forgot !THE PORCHES!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Margaret D.

A shore thing

Our special week was a family reunion with my nephew and his family. There were 15 of us, all ages, etc. The home truly exceeded all of our expectations. Everything was sparkling, brand new and of a great quality. Kitchen appliances top notch, sheets great thread count. Bathrooms all gorgeous! Four decks to choose from. Fabulous quality deck furniture. Even the silverware terrific quality. We had lots of room. Even toys and scooters were provided for little ones! Fabulous home! Thank you so much!!!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne L.

Beautiful Home, Great Location

From the moment I first contacted the owners with questions about their home, the entire process was, by far, the easiest, most pleasant renting experience...ever....and we have been renting summer beach houses for over 40 years! The owners were quick to respond to questions, very efficient, and accommodating. A Shore Thing is a beautiful beach house. The kitchen was stocked with every thing you might possibly need, Thermadore appliances and a dining table with ample seating for 12. Each bedroom with its own bath and TV was comfortable and beautifully decorated. The 3rd floor deck was a great place not only to view the ocean but also the full moon! The furniture on each of the decks and porches, from rocking chairs, to tables and chairs and lounge chairs, was heavy and sturdy. The 3 golf carts were a plus as were the bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and a huge supply of beach toys for the little ones! The owners have thought of it all!! The location could not have been better! It was an easy walk along the board walk to the ocean and the Shoals Club. Because our departure tram time was a little later than the check out time, I was able to chat with the cleaning crew and see the pride they take in their work. During the week we also met the builder and saw, first hand, his personal interest in the homes he has built on Bald Head. This is a house you will want to come back to year after year.

About the host

Hosted by John and Annemarie Marinelli

Host profile image
We are natives of Massachusetts. We enjoy the beach, wildlife and outdoor activities; fishing, kayaking, and hiking. We love spending family time on the Island and creating lasting memories.
We are happy to share our home with other families. It has been such a rewarding experience to receive emails, phone calls and thank you notes from families who have enjoyed themselves at 'A Shore Thing.'

Why they chose this property

In 2011 we were fortunate to discover Bald Head Island. We were looking for a vacation home on the Outer Banks for over a year and could not find what we were looking for. Purely by good fortune we came across a link to Bald Head Island, NC. We did some research, contacted a Realtor, purchased a lot and flew down to see the Island, in that order. We had never even been to NC before. We fell in love with this beautiful Island, it was EXACTLY what we had been searching for!
Our original plan was to wait four years and then build our dream home. However, we couldn't wait! We were passionate about the Island, it's wildlife, the life style, and the conservation/preservation of this enchanting barrier Island. We got to work immediately; hand picked our Builder, Architect and Designer to help us make our dream home a reality. We could not be any happier with our decision! We know now that it was fate that we found BHI and not an accident.

What makes this property unique

We especially appreciate the casual, relaxed lifestyle of the Island, friendly vacationers/ residents, the varied environments of this spectacular Island and the wildlife.
This past summer we were fortunate to see a loggerhead turtle's nest boil....amazing!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests