Skip to main content
Entire home

Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome

Photo gallery for Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome

Living area
Main living area with sweeping intracoastal views.
Breathtaking views from the upper deck (and almost every room in the house!)
Kitchen fully stocked with all the cooking essentials and gear.
Bathroom 2 is a full bath with a tub/shower combo, rain shower head and wand.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 7151.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Surf City, NC
  • Place, Surf City Beach
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Thomas Tackle and Seafood
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Surf City Pier
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bunk Bed

Common area 1

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome

Relax, refresh and reconnect with gorgeous intracoastal views and a fully stocked home thoughtfully designed to provide an unforgettable getaway by the sea. Spend lazy days unwinding on the beach (a 2-minute walk), or on the water with the provided tandem kayak and stand-up paddle boards, rinse off in the outdoor shower before spending your night soaking in the picture-perfect sunset over the intracoastal from the upper deck hot tub. Wonder the Sea is a newly remodeled beach home featuring all the amenities you need for a laid back (and fun!) getaway any time of year. Enjoy coffee in the screen room, a pre-dinner cocktail on the deck with friends, family dinners in the indoor or outdoor eating areas and evenings by the gas firepit or indoor fireplace. Bring your pup and let them roam the fully fenced yard.

Wonder the Sea is centrally located in Surf City on Topsail Island, near restaurants and shops (a 15-minute walk, or 2-minute drive), an easy 400 feet stroll (a two-minute walk) to the public beach access, and has gorgeous views of the intracoastal waterways. It's the perfect place for a relaxing getaway in the sun! We pride ourselves on providing our guests with a well-maintained home featuring thoughtfully designed spaces and amenities to help you make the most of your getaway!

The Space
Pet-friendly, comfortable, and thoughtfully stocked with everything you need for a beach holiday - including linens, bath and beach towels, two-person kayak, boogie boards, stand up paddle boards, coolers, beach toys, chairs and umbrellas – Wonder the Sea features 3 bedrooms with memory foam beds (in all but the top bunk) and 2.5 bathrooms, with a fully stocked kitchen, outdoor shower, propane grill (propane included!), hot tub, Bluetooth speaker, Wifi, Smart TV, indoor electric fireplace plus outdoor gas firepit, and games! Both the main living area and bedroom floors feature beautiful intracoastal views where you can sip your favorite beverage while watching the boats and birds cruise by.

The house is a two-minute walk from the beach and a 15-minute walk (or two-minute drive) to Soundside Park for launching our kayak or stand-up paddle boards (use of these items is included), and where most of the island’s frequent events happen so you can enjoy a night out without worrying about driving home! We are also a one-minute walk from Kenneth D. Batts Family Park where you can fish, walk along the pier for an unforgettable sunset over the intracoastal or use the picnic tables, basketball court, and playground equipment.

You have full and private access to the entire home, property, and amenities.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

Room
Saltwood Haven - Ocean Views w/ Elevator, Golf Cart, & Private Beach Access
Surf City
  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1 review)
Saltwood Haven - Ocean Views w/ Elevator, Golf Cart, & Private Beach Access

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
2 housetrained, non destructive pets only.
default

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
No parking on grass -Close hot tub cover when not in use, do not sit on it -Cover grill after use, strap to railing at checkout/when windy -No parties
-Clean up after pets -Unauthorized early check in/late check out will be charged at $100/hour, or portion of -Use hot tub at your own risk -No smoking
- $50 handling fee, plus the cost of shipping to mail/pick up items left behind -Trash/recycling must go out on Sunday and Thurs in summer

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

About the area

Surf City

Located in Surf City, this holiday home is by the sea. Seacoast Art Gallery and Missiles and More Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Thomas Tackle and Seafood and Ohana Paddle Sports. Travelling with kids? Consider Mia's Marketplace and The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling.
View more Holiday homes in Surf CityOpens in a new window
Map
Surf City, NC

What's nearby

  • Surf City Beach - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Thomas Tackle and Seafood - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Ohana Paddle Sports - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Surf City Pier - 2 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Southside Park - 2 min drive - 1.7 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Salty Turtle Beer Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Cape Fear Seafood Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Surf City Smash - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Buddy's Crab House And Oyster Bar - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Shaka Taco - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome?

As of 7 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome on 25 May 2026 start from AU$441, 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 Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Wonder the Sea:Sweeping Intracoastal Views, Walk to Beach, Hot Tub, Pets Welcome located?

This family-friendly Surf City holiday home is located by the sea, within a 10-minute walk of Thomas Tackle and Seafood and Surf City Beach. Ohana Paddle Sports and Southside Park are also within 1 mile (2 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. 24 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is my second time staying here—perfect location, great hosts, and stocked with what you need.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Aug 2025
Julie, welcome back! We are so glad you enjoyed another stay and hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Casey T.

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

Amazing house!

Beautiful views! Hot tub was amazing and house was very clean! Incredible place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Roxann L.

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

Loved Wonder by the Sea

Beautiful stay that made wonderful family memories.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The hot tub is a nice touch. The whole home is super easy to use and set up very well. The porch off the back made morning puppy duty a breeze!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

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

Family vacation

The house was beautiful, and even closer to the beach than we were anticipating! Great place to stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Candice M.

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

Great New Year’s Getaway

My husband and I plus our 6 pound Chihuahua had an amazing stay. We enjoyed the hot tub and the easy access to the beach and the walking distance to surf city. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jordan J.

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

Wonder the Sea

Great property, great amenities, and great owners.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

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

Perfect spot for a quiet birthday weekend

We had the best time staying at your home. It was very clean and had all the amenities we needed. The sunset views were amazing especially from the hot tub! We can't wait to stay here again. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 June 2024
Julie, we are very happy to hear you had a great birthday weekend at the house and enjoyed the beautiful sunsets. We hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Awesome

Had everything I could think of forgetting and great location very clean
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C.

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

Second stay here!

We love Wonder the Sea, it was our second time staying with the puppies and we all just love it. The home is imma Kate and very well-stocked. The inland waterway views are beautiful. We will be back !
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Laura P.

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

Fun weekend

We enjoyed the house and the proximity to the beach and area activities. We didn’t stay long enough to take advantage of everything but we would love to return. Hosts were easy to reach and very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Randy S.

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

Wonder was Wonderful!

Very clean and neat! Nice and interesting decor. Fenced yard was perfect for dog. Great view of marsh. All the amentities you could ask for.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 June 2024
Randy, thank you for your thoughts. We are happy you had a great stay and hope to have you again soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David H.

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

Soundside Perfection

We would give this six stars if we could! Location was central to everything, the view was to die for, and the owners thought of every small detail to allow you to minimally pack or have you covered if you forgot anything. Other rental property owners need to take note. We will absolutely be booking with them again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2025
David, thank you so much for your kind words! We are very happy to hear you had a great stay and that we were able to exceed your expectations. That is always our goal! Hope to have you back soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

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

Loved This House

Our vacation was that much better having chosen Wonder the Sea! What a beautiful, colorful, eclectic home with the loveliest views out back. The rental was very pet-friendly and had everything we needed for our pup. Very clean as well with a stocked kitchen and the hosts were extremely responsive. We would absolutely stay there again. Thank you, Melissa!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Apr 2024
Jennifer, thank you for your kind words! We are very happy to hear you had a great stay and enjoyed the house and view. We hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jan L.

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

Great, relaxing getaway!

We enjoyed our stay here! The home was well stocked with everything we needed. We chose it for it's whimsy modern decor. Loved the screened porch off the main bedroom. The waterway and sunset views from the deck were perfect. A quick walk to the beach. We even walked the exact mile into town a couple times. :) Thanks to Melissa for your help during our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David M.

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

Christmas at the beach

Great property for a family stay in Surf City. The house has everything you need for a day at the beach, for paddling in the intercostal, and for preparing meals after a long day. Communication and check in process was great. The house is one street away from the beach and beach access, but it’s just a couple minutes to walk over. Overall we had a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 June 2024
David, thank you for sharing your experience. We are very happy you had a great stay and enjoyed your holiday at the beach!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meghan R.

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

Nice Spring Break Getaway

We LOVED this place. Everything was wonderful with the house, check-in process, cleanliness, supplies, beds were comfortable, outdoor area was awesome and private! And we especially loved the hot tub. The one and only complaint was that no one told us there was a beach project going on (dredging) and you had to go extremely far down the beach away from the pipes and equipment to feel at ease and have space. Other than that we'd rent this again in a heartbeat! Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2025
Meghan, thank you for sharing your experience, we are so happy you loved the house and had a great stay! We apologize about the work being done at the beach during your stay. Our town is usually great about communication, but they also did not inform us that the project was happening near us so we could pass that on to our guests. The great news is the work is complete so the beach will be peaceful again for your next visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C.

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

Amazing Dog-Friendly House

We absolutely loved our long weekend at the house. In addition to being well thought-out for the pups with plenty of food and water dishes, doggie beds around the house and nice covers further furniture, Wonder The Sea is a superb beach rental. The house is as clean, organized and well laid-out as any home we’ve been in. The views over the inland waterway are beautiful and it’s a shirt, pleasant walk to the beach. The communication with the owners was excellent as well. We loved it and will definitely be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 June 2024
Christopher, thank you for your kind words! We are thrilled you had a great stay and look forward to hosting you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leanne D.

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

Couldn’t ask for a better place

We had a wonderful stay here! The house is so well stocked. They have thought of everything you will need for a beach vacation. The view of the sound side is great from the decks and the beach is literally down the street. The hot tub was great as we had a couple colder days. We also enjoyed how dog friendly they have made this property! From the fenced in yard to the built in gates and dog bowls and treats, my two pups got to fully enjoy their time at the beach as well! We would love to come back again sometime!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary D.

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

April Getaway in NC

Wonder The Sea was the perfect vacation home! It couldn’t have been more clean! The home was spotless. We started 3 nights and had everything we needed including plenty of towels. I stayed in the mermaid room and the bed was soo comfortable! The view was just breathtaking. Sitting in the hot tub with the sun shining with that view, I’ll never forget. The walk to the beach was super quick. The locals in the area were very friendly. We felt safe here at all times and had a blast! I cannot wait to come back and bring my family! My kids would have loved this island! Thank you for a great vacation!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danny M.

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

Awesome Experience!!!

We absolutely loved the decor of the home. Really nice design. Close to the beach. We also love all the little extras provided that with most rentals we would have to provide ourselves. Things like coffee, tea, q-tips, makeup towels, wipes, dog treats, linens for each bed (including the couch), hand soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and the gates in the house that help keep the pups safe. You guys are doing an awesome job!! We would stay here again and recommend this property for others.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy V.

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

Gem in Surf City

Loved it!!! House is very clean and super dog friendly!!! Loved having a small yard for the dogs to dry off after a rinse. Also big thumbs up for the quick response times from the owners. Owners have put a lot of thought into this home. The small touches help make your stay very enjoyable. They pretty much provide everything you need, so if you forgot it, they thought about it. Location is really a good alternative from the homes on the beach. Mornings are shaded on the deck for good coffee drinking with relaxing views of the bay. Walk to the beach is easy for some beach time. Relaxing in the hot tub in the evening you can take in some amazing sunset views over the bay!!! Definitely will be back!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 June 2024
Jimmy, thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your kind words. We are so happy you enjoyed your stay and hope to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Julian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonder the sea was as-advertised and had everything we needed to have a great time at the beach with our 2 dogs and 2 young children for a week. The house is conveniently located on the intracoastal side of surf city making it calm and quiet, yet only a 5 minute walk to the beach. The park 3 houses down with a great pier to go out and fish or see sunset is a great perk. We had a great time staying at Wonder the Sea!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

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

Perfect Beachhouse!

Bright and cheerful interior with something to look at in every room. Well appointed and stocked. Just need groceries. Lots of room for family game night inside and outside - games provided. Plenty to do outside with hot tub and firepit. Amazing views of the sunset and intercoastal waterways. The ocean is steps away and the host provides everything needed to enjoy the beach and water. I'd book again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cara s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Apr 2025
Cara, we are very happy you had a great stay. Hope to host you again soon!

About the host

Hosted by Melissa and Paul Ruthenbeck-Chiaramonte

Host profile image
We are avid travelers and have lived and traveled in many parts of the world! We love to stay in vacation rentals where we are comfortable and can connect with the local culture. Each of the properties we host, while unique, were chosen because they provide us with an escape to reconnect, enjoy nature and the local vibe. We spend time carefully renovating each home and strive to provide you with the best vacation possible by creating stylish, comfortable spaces stocked with everything you need (and more)! We would love to host you at one of our other Wonder Getaways vacation rentals and exceed your vacation expectations!

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with the location of the house right on the intracoastal with sweeping views, breathtaking sunsets and prime beach location. Topsail Island is laid back, perfect for a beach getaway to reconnect and recharge. We lovingly updated the house to make the most of the best features it had to offer and hope you will love it as much as we do!

What makes this property unique

Wonder the Sea features gorgeous views from almost every room in the house and plenty of outdoor seating areas. The house is on the intracoastlal and an easy, 2-minute stroll to the beach, which means both the ocean and intracoastal are at your fingertips! The house is open and comfortable, perfect for gathering with family and friends and is located near restaurants and shopping (but not too close that you get noise from those places!).

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback