Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
6 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 14
Popular amenities
On beach
Garage parking available
Dog-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Rooms & beds
6 bedrooms (sleeps 14)
Downstairs Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed
Downstairs Bedroom 2
3 Single Beds
King North
1 King Bed
King South
1 King Bed
Queen South
1 Queen Bed
Upstairs Twin
2 Single Beds
3 bathrooms
Downstairs Bathroom
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
North Bathroom
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Outside Shower
Outdoor shower
South Bathroom
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included
Unwind and leave the world behind as you step into Carpe Diem. Relax in the ambiance of a true Carolina beach cottage with wood walls, charming beach-themed furnishings and expansive ocean views. The beds in your spacious bedrooms will be made, and bathrooms will have towels. Step out on the deck on the way to the ocean, passing the full hot/cold enclosed outdoor shower with dry changing area. The gate at the top of the stairs keeps your furry family members enclosed in the deck area. Conveniently situated in Surf City, south of the bridge, Carpe Diem allows easy access to fun and shopping, both on and off the island.
Family and friends will lounge comfortably on the spacious deck furniture overlooking the surf. Enjoy meals prepared in the modern, open plan kitchen which is fully equipped with everything needed to create beach side feasts. Grill your catch of the day downstairs or put a cake in the oven for your oceanfront celebration, while you watch the dolphins play in the surf!
In the evening as light fades through the great room skylights, gather to play your favorite movies, TV or music in the surround sound equipment. Little ones can enjoy their own DVD entertainment, relaxing in their rooms. High speed Internet keeps everyone in touch with the folks back home. Access the hall closet for a variety of “fun and games”. Work on jigsaw puzzles, or take a trip through Candy Land, Park Place or Board Walk. If the little ones get too ‘board’ with the games, head downstairs to start your own Foosball, or Ping Pong tournament! The future young NBA stars can practice their moves with the Pop-A-Shot! Browse the downstairs closet of beach toys. Build the sandcastle of your dreams. Boogie board or try your luck with horseshoes or cornhole games on the beach. Whatever you imagine for your beach side vacation, Carpe Diem will help you make it come true.
With most living areas on one level stair climbing is reduced. The main level is a split plan with four bedrooms ( 2 king beds, 1 queen, and a pair of twins), two baths, the center of the house is a great room. Seating for eating includes a kitchen island with 3 bar stools, a 8 place dining table and a 4 place game table in the family room. We regularly host dinners with friends and neighbors. Feeding large groups is easy at Carpe Diem. Send your Barbecue heroes to the large gas grill to do some of the cooking in the patio at the front of the house.
The lower level will be happily taken over by the younger generation. There you will find two bedrooms, one with 3 twin beds and one with a queen size bed and a twin bed, as well as a full bath. The bedrooms open onto the garage which is converted into the fully equipped game room. In the game room you’ll find ping pong, foosball, pop-a-shot, a large TV, loud stereo, card table, mini fridge, built in counter and stools, game closet with beach toys, balls, bingo, etc. Please note that the lower level is connected to the main level only by the outside steps on the front entry to the house. Use the intercom on the cordless phone to call them for dinner. Maybe the kids will invite you down to challenge you to a game.
* Bed sizes: King, King, Queen, 2 Singles, Queen and 1 Single, 3 Singles. * On 2 levels with exterior stairs only - no interior stairs between levels. * Most living areas on 1 level. * Central heat & air, ceiling fans, dishwasher, washer/dryer. * 6 cable (digital service with HD programming and movie channels) flat panel TVs; home theater sound system, Blu-Ray player, 2 DVD players. * Wired/wireless high speed internet access * Oceanfront open deck with built-in seating, safety gate, lounge chairs, and other furniture. * Garage provides ping pong table, foosball table for your enjoyment as well as storage space for your beach items. This area has A/C. * Enclosed outside shower with hot water. * Grilling allowed. Gas grill (gas provided). * No smoking allowed in house. * Partial weeks not allowed. * Storage room and workshop off garage not available
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
$150 pet fee per dog. See house rules for more.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Outside only. Use smoker poles/No butts on ground.
Please read the rental rules for details including requirements for Pets, No smoking, refunds for hurricanes, packing lists, beach safety.
A copy/photo of your driver's license is required. See rental rules for submission
Please report damage so we can get it repaired promptly. Accidental damage is covered up to $1500.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 786212vb
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
Note from host: No guests on property beyond max occupancy of 15.
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
Surf City
Located in Surf City, this holiday home is on the beach. Holly Shelter Game Land and Surf City Beach reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Thomas Tackle and Seafood and Ohana Paddle Sports. Travelling with kids? Consider Mia's Marketplace, or check out an event or a game at Topsail Skating Rink Topsail Beach. Kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 45 min drive
Restaurants
Salty Turtle Beer Company - 6 min drive
Surf City Smash - 6 min drive
Cape Fear Seafood Company - 5 min drive
Shaka Taco - 4 min drive
Daddy Mac's Beach Grille - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included?
As of 12 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included on 17 Aug, 2026 start from S$863, 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 at Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Carpe Diem, Beachfront, Fun Game Room, Outdoor Hot Shower, Linens Included located?
Nestled on the beach, this Surf City holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Surf City Beach and Thomas Tackle and Seafood. Ohana Paddle Sports and Surf City Pier are also within 2 miles (3 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was one of our best beach stays yet! The house was simple and EVERYTHING we needed! WELL STOCKED with all kitchen supplies needed and storage containers for use while on property. So many fun games for the kids and adults to play! Hands down the best deck and beach access we’ve ever had. The outdoor shower was essential! Would stay here again and again! Thank you for the opportunity to stay!
We fell in love with this beautiful beach home. As my son in law said "I wouldn't change a thing! The views of the beach could not be any better. We hope it will be available for our yearly family vacation next year!
Great location and all the amenities you could want!
Had a wonderful family stay at Carpe Diem! Right on the beach and the house had all of the amenities you could possibly think of. Well stocked, clean and a great game room to boot.
Carpe Diem was an absolute gem in Topsail. I now understand how people return to the same vacation property year after year. The house was so cozy and welcoming and the unobstructed view from the deck was a delight. We had a perfect beach within steps distance and everything we needed to cook our meals at home. The children loved the downstairs play room when we all needed a sun break. Check in was easy and we didn’t have any problems all week and communication with the hosts before we arrived helped all go smoothly.
Great place! We enjoyed our stay! Perfect for our group. Great access to beach. We had 7 boys in our group so the game room was perfect! We definitely stay again! Host very responsive and helpful with any questions
We had a truly wonderful stay at Carpe Diem, coming from someone with lots of VRBO experiences. This home was so warm and inviting & so well stocked! We wanted for nothing, from ages 20 to 82!
Vacation home was perfect for a family looking to stay right on shore. We had zero complaints or issues. Little steep trek to the beach which could be difficult to some people. But if you have no accessibility concerns, you'll love your stay! Contact with the host was simple, probably one of the best I've had staying in vrbo properties.
We rented Carpe Diem for the July 4th week to celebrate my birthday and vacation with family. We had a wonderful time being just steps away from the beach and enjoying the spectacular views from the living room and deck. We brought our 4 legged family members as well which is another reason we rented this home. Kevin and Rebecca have thought of everything you could possibly need or want in the house and had a nice welcome bag for us with paper supplies and other goodies. Just 1.5 miles from the center of town, it’s an easy walk or bike ride to restaurants, grocery and other amenities. We will definitely stay here again!
House was fabulous. It had everything you could think of in the kitchen, plenty of beds and right on the beach. We watched the sun rise every day. Plenty of seating in the dinning room for a large group. We had a a wonderful time and would recommend this house to anyone. Owners were great, friendly, and helpful throughout the entire rental proses
This is a nice space with a big, open main area. The bedrooms are large compared to other places we've stayed. We had fun coming together for family and beach time. Super nice outdoor shower, lots of dishes, and other small things that most rentals do not provide. The owner is great to work with, and the beach is very, very close. Enjoy it.
We spent Christmas at the Carpe Diem. My family, my brother's family and our parents stayed here. The house was beautifully appointed, comfortable, and everyone had room to gather in the living room or spread out as needed. We are big foodies and the kitchen had literally every pot, pan, dish, cooking tool and utensil you could possibly need. We absolutely loved the playroom (adults and kids alike!). The house was clean and the beach views were astounding. We will definitely be back!
After 10 consecutive years in our favorite house on Topsail, our family needed to look for a different location this season. Carpe Diem was the perfect fit!
In the midst of a tropical depression the house and game room were great assets.
Kevin is a great host with speedy replies.
Once the weather cleared, we savored the location and mere footsteps to the beach.
Hope to return!
I have rented several vacation houses from NC to Florida and this house is now at the top of my list and we will definitely be staying here again. The house was clean, looked even better in person than in the pictures and is close enough to the bridge that you don’t have to drive 30 minutes to get somewhere. If you have a cart it’s easy to get on the beach with just a few steps to go down to get on the beach. Plenty of entertainment downstairs for kids and adults if it happens to rain as well.
Carpe Diem was a perfect fit for our family vacation! The cousins loved having their own space to retreat to, and called it their cousin clubhouse. With all of the game choices they never even thought to watch TV or go on iPads. The kitchen was well stocked, and beds and furniture were comfortable. House while looking small from the outside was very spacious for the number of people we had. View was amazing. We will definitely book at Carpe Diem again!
Kellie S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Eva H. C.
11 Sept, 2016
Carpe Diem is an excellent place to stay for your vacation getaway!!!! A+++++++++++++++++
This is the second year we have rented Carpe Diem for our summer vacation. The cottage has a fantastic floorplan. The oceanview is breathtaking. The cottage is well equipped with everything you could possibly need. The new amenity this year where the sheets and bath towels are provided and the beds are made upon arrival is such a great addition. Not having to make sure you have all the necessary sheets and towels packed takes a big burden from the overall vacation stay. I highly recommend Carpe Diem to anyone looking to spend a wonderful week on the oceanfront!
Eva Cole
Eva H. C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
This is our first year including linens and have had a great response. We are happy to continue providing this service through our cleaning service at Life Maid Easy.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Kathleen R.
15 May, 2016
Home Away From Home
We spent 2 weeks at this wonderful home on the beach. The home was perfect. Beautifully decorated and fully stocked with everything and anything we wanted or needed. Oceanfront with a huge deck to relax and enjoy the sun and the view.The owners couldn't have been more accommodating or easier to work with. They've thought of everything, and what they didn't think of they provided immediately. I can't say enough good things about the house or the owners. I just hope it's available the next time we go back. I will definitely rent again.
Kathleen R.
Stayed 16 nights in Apr 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
Thank you for the great review. This is our first year of having direct contact with our guests, and what a joy it has been. Everyone has been very complimentary, and we get to hear what is important to our guests so we can make decisions on how to equip the house and invest in upgrades. We want to make sure our guests have a great week at the beach; or in this lucky family's case, two weeks. We're also very happy to see the wonderful photos some of our guests have shared of the fun they've had.
My family and I had a wonderful week vacation at Carpe Diem. Awesome location that is right on the beach. We loved how convenient it was to the beach and pretty much everything else on the island. Outside of the location, the top 2 amenities were the game room for the kids on the 1st floor: axe throwing, ping pong, foosball, and arcade basketball-my grandsons broke all of the high scores on the basketball game. The other great part of the house is the kitchen. We have stayed on Topsail for over 15 years is this house was by far, the most equipped kitchen we have ever had. You name it, it was included. This house was a lucky find and a great time!
Everything was perfect, kitchen well equipped, comfortable beds. The only thing is the AC doesn’t work as well on one side of the house. 2 bedrooms were very cold and 2 bedrooms were warm. A note should mention that you cannot leave anything on the beach overnight or it it will be removed and dispose of. The rest was great, loved it.
Silvy G.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Oct, 2020
Thanks for the info on the Air Conditioning. We had replaced the Air Conditioning and improved the insulation in the house. This apparently caused some imbalance between the rooms during certain weather conditions. We have balanced the ducts in the rooms and made some adjustments to the thermostat. We believe future guests will find Carpe Diem to be one of the best Air Conditioned houses on the beach. (Please close doors behind you) Also please let us know promptly when you have a problem like this with the house so we can get it fixed immediately. We want to make sure your vacation is comfortable.
We just returned from a wonderful week at a beautiful ocean front property at Surf City, NC. We have been coming to Topsail Island for over 40 years watching our three girls grow up and now have their own families. This year we stayed at Carpe Diem for the first time and could not be any more pleased. From the very beginning, Kevin & Rebecca were very responsive to any questions and extremely welcoming to our family. The house suited our needs perfectly and was immaculately furnished and supplied with anything we could need. We would highly recommend Carpe Diem for anyone who appreciates attention to detail and being able to take a few steps out the back sliding doors and put their toes in the sand.
Roger H.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
About the host
Hosted by Kevin Rahl
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests