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Riki Tiki | Oceanfront Home in Surf City

Photo gallery for Riki Tiki | Oceanfront Home in Surf City

Beach
Exterior
Property grounds
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Deck or patio

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds and 1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Riki Tiki | Oceanfront Home in Surf City

Welcome to Riki Tiki in Surf City, NC! This oceanfront cottage sleeps up to 8 guests! Beautiful views, right on the ocean!

Take advantage of comfortable accommodations without the high price when you stay at Riki Tiki. This small but quaint oceanfront cottage will be sure to surprise you! Enjoy of the convenience of walking from the house out into the beautiful warm sand of the beach. From your bed, you can hear the waves crashing and the seagulls flying over the waters of the Atlantic.
While staying at Riki Tiki, you will be in the heart of Topsail Island; Surf City. There, you’ll find many local restaurants offering great meals at great prices. For those rainy days or when you’re starting to feel the burn, there are lots of locally owned shops where you’ll find the perfect souvenir for your family. After a long day of shopping, you may want to go back to Riki Tiki and cook a meal in the well equipped kitchen. When dinner is over, relax on the porch in one of the colorful rocking chairs.

Riki Tiki is the perfect solution for relaxing yet economical beach getaway. You’ll feel at home here and be planning your return before you leave!

Bed Sizes:
• 1 queen bed
• 2 fulls beds
• 2 twin rollaway beds

Pets:
• No Pets Allowed

Door Codes:
• Personalized door codes will be sent the morning of check-in through text & email - please make sure you have updated/correct contact information upon booking.

Early Check-in/Late Check-Out:
• Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance during the busy season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) We can let you know if early check in or late check out will be available. If we can accommodate your request, we will be happy to! bonus: we do not charge extra!

Bed & Bath Linens:
- Bed and Bath linens are all provided (beach towels are not included)!
• Upon arrival you will find clean bed & bath linens in a linen bag at the property.
** For an additional fee beds can be made, please contact our office to schedule this extra service at least a week before arrival.   

Booking Details:
• Arrival & Departure: Check-In: 3 PM | Check-Out: 10 AM
• Door Codes: Door access codes will be sent the morning of check-in through email & text message

Complimentary items below are provided as a convenience for when you first arrive. (Additional supplies will be the responsibility of the guest):
• 1 roll of toilet paper per bathroom
• 1 trash bag per trash can
• 1 roll of paper towels in the kitchen
• A small "starter set" of dish soap, sponge, laundry pod and dishwasher tab.

Area Guide:
• There are tons of restaurants in Surf City such as Shaka Taco, JM's Seafood and Daddy Mac's on the beach just to name a few plus dining options in North and South Topsail, Hampstead, Holly Ridge and Snead's Ferry.
• If you still have the energy for some nighttime entertainment there are local beach bars, breweries, a wine bar, sports bars and several have live music all year round.
• One of our favorite things to do with friends/family that come to visit here is hire a chartered fishing trip and rent jet-skis or bicycles/electric bikes!

Family Fun Close By:
• Surf City Surf School has amazing surf instructors and your kids will love it! Make sure to check out the summer programs available for kids at Island Ecological Adventures & Touch Tank Aquarium! Take a stroll around Soundside Park, or choose from the other multiple parks in the area and outdoor recreation spots for kids and adults alike with local golf courses and mini golf!
• Inside the home when you arrive, there is a full list of fun places to go, eat and play around Topsail Island and surrounding areas!• You can also check out our "Area Guide" on our website to find a full list of things to do, upcoming events and more!

After Booking:
• We will send confirmation with your guest log-in and Vacation Rental Contract to the email address provided. Please check your spam/junk email and let us know right away if you did not receive an email to your regular inbox. This way we can ensure that you receive all important information regarding your vacation before your arrival, including door codes and final payment reminders!

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About the area

Surf City

Located in Surf City, this holiday home is on the beach. Surf City Beach and Holly Shelter Game Land reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Ohana Paddle Sports and Thomas Tackle and Seafood. Mia's Marketplace and The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with surfing/body boarding, fishing and swimming 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 - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Inis Spa - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Escape Spa - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Surf City Pier - 4 min drive - 3.0 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shaka Taco - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Daddy Mac's Beach Grille - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Surf City Line - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Sear's Landing - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Buddy's Crab House And Oyster Bar - ‬4 min drive

Reviews

9.6

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. 63 out of 76 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 76 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 76 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 76 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 76 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was absolutely perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alex D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of 5 loved the Riki tiki. It was cute cozy clean and right on the beach. We had the best time and will be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea

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

Great vacation

The place was perfect for a family getaway
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim D.

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

Perfect views

Cute house with perfect location, walks right onto beach.. House is small, but cozy!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Apr 2025
We're so glad you enjoyed the cozy charm of the house and the unbeatable beach access. It’s hard to beat that view just steps from the door! Hope to welcome you back again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth R.

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

The Beach is the Backyard

A cute little house in a perfect location. Very easy check in and checkout process.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea H.

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

Right on the Beach!

This property is amazing. You cannot beat the location and the house is adorable. The kitchen is small but well stocked and definitely manageable. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 17 July 2024
We are so happy that you had an amazing stay! We hope that you will come and visit us soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ainslee J.

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

Family Vacay

Our family loved our stay in Surf City! Location of this house couldn't have been more perfect. Beach was beautiful & house had everthing we needed. Would love to come again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mikki H.

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

The cutest house on the beach

The house was clean and well stocked with everything we needed. We have a 3 and 1 year old so being right on the beach was perfect. I watched the sunrise every morning on the beach while the kids slept in. We loved staying here so much and hopefully will again!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 June 2024
Thank you for your review. We are so happy to hear that you loved staying at this home! We hope that you will come back and stay with us again soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher L.

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

Amazing location

Overall great experience. Bethany was a tremendous help with is booking extra days. Will for sure be back
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Apr 2023
Thank you for your review, it was a pleasure meeting you and we hope to see you again soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet M.

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

Surf city

Great place to stay. Only issue was my 84 yr old mom had some issues going up and down the stairs. But she loved being on the beach and able to relax.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

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

Unbeatable location.

The Ocean dominates this place. We have never stayed so close. Our stay was amazing with the sun, the moon and the waves right outside the door.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 30 May 2022
Hi Richard, we are so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay at Riki Tiki! We hope you will come back to visit soon.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Fredlyn K.

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

Wonderful beach week

Cozy, beachy, comfortable. Loved being right on the water. Spectacular views of the ocean, sunrises, sunsets. Loved being able to Walk down the stairs right onto the sand and into the ocean.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 July 2021
We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your vacation!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becky T.

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

Excellent Location!

The Riki Tiki was perfect for our stay this winter. Being right on the beach is fantastic, plus you are very close to many restaurants and shops. The house was clean and had everything we needed. Communication from the rental company was very good. We'll definitely be back, hopefully in the summer!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chrystal W.

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

Great time

We had a great time, we saw dolphins from the decks. The kids searched for crabs with flashlights. A lot of shell searching and even found a couple shark teeth. Thank you for allowing us to visit your sweet town.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2024
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience. We are thrilled to hear you had a great time exploring and enjoying our beautiful beach. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amber K.

Amazing getaway

Came here from Seattle WA and stayed 3 days with my husband. Neither of us had ever seen NC beaches before, being able to just walk right out of the house and onto the beach was so worth it! As another reviewer said the house is rustic but if your in it for location this hous is it.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. You are welcome back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Crysty N.

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

Lovely little beach house

This property was perfect! It was exactly as described and fit our family of five very nicely. More importantly, the view and location were AMAZING! Also, this house had everything we needed, from the linens, to the coffeemaker, beach toys for the kids, chairs on the deck, and a washer/dryer... I really cannot stress enough how perfect it all was. The decor was so cute too! We were very pleased and would 100% stay in this property again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for this property. We are always grateful for any feedback from our clients, as we strive to provide you and your guest an enjoyable vacation.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Candice W.

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

Great Experience!

The house was located perfectly! We enjoyed the nice deck and being able to walk right onto the beach! The house was very clean and plenty of towels, wash cloths, and sheets were provided. The washer and dryer is a bit loud, but who cares when you can listen to the waves instead! This place is perfect for toddlers. It’s so nice just being able to go in and out as you please.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 16 June 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for this property. We are always grateful for any feedback from our clients, as we strive to provide you and your guest an enjoyable vacation.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy M.

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

Family Vacation

We loved this location. Being right on the beach was great. My grandsons loved going out at night looking for crabs. Would highly recommend this beach house. The only thing is they need another step before you get on the sand. The step down is really high and hard to get back up on (especially if you are an older person). Overall we loved staying here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Glen H.

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

Great Little Beach House

The house was perfect for our family. The kitchen is definitely small so it made cooking a bit of a challenge at times, but we knew that going in. The deck is great with acces directly to the beach. There is a public beach access ramp about 100 yards down, but the beach was still fairly quite since there are open lots on both sides of the house. Would definitely stay again and have already recommend the house to others.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Aug 2020
Hi Glen, We are SO happy that you enjoyed your stay! We love the house, too and can't think of a better spot on the beach. The kitchen is really the only thing about the house that we would change, if we could. When the home was initially built in the 60's, beach houses didn't have air conditioners and they were exclusively used during the summer. This meant that a lot of cooking didn't take place so kitchens weren't a priority when building. We are always actively looking for ways to maximize the space and are definitely open for suggestions from those that spend time in the home.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric P.

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

Great little beach bungalow

Our family of 4 was looking for an early season escape from Covid captivity and this house did just the trick. We were able to get away and still distance! Location can't be beat; the ocean is your backyard. Only constructive criticism is that the full bath and kitchen are a little tired. What a great week!!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Debbie A.

Liked: Check-in, location

Quaint

The was like 4 cockroaches and lights outside didn’t work tried using vacuum but was full and wouldn’t pick up anything…..But loved being right on beach
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Oct 2023
We wish you would have reported this immediately as we would have been happy to fix any issues you had. The home is sprayed on a regular basis for any pests.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olivia C.

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

Extra beachy family vacation

This was our 4th year at the Riki Tiki. We have 3 kids (ages 6, 4, & 2). The fact that it is right on the ocean and super quiet at night are just a couple reasons why it’s the perfect vacation house for a young family. It gives us the opportunity to stay out on the beach longer and more frequently. This house is no frills.. super simple layout, however has everything we need for a whole week. We cooked every meal in the tiny little kitchen (you have to get creative with counter space) without going out to eat once. With that said, it’s an older house that could use some work. Some decking boards are loose/exposed nails, kitchen sink faucet wobbly, and overall cleanliness was lacking this time around. There was sand and crumbs all around, dirty windows, killed 4 cockroaches, dirty drawers in dressers in bedrooms, broken fan chains on all ceiling fans… Although we wish to see better care taken on the house, the location is great and the sound of ocean waves kept us sleeping very well every night. I’m going to miss my long sunrise walks along the shore. Thank you Riki tiki for our relaxing annual beach trip!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 May 2025
Thank you so much for returning to Riki Tiki for your fourth year—we’re honored to be part of your family’s annual beach tradition! It’s wonderful to hear that the location, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to the ocean continue to make it a special place for your young family. We’re so glad you enjoyed those early morning walks and relaxing nights listening to the waves. We also truly appreciate your honest feedback about the condition of the home during this stay. We’re sorry to hear that the cleanliness and maintenance didn’t meet the standards you’ve come to expect. Your comments about the loose decking boards, kitchen faucet, dresser drawers, and other items have been noted, and we’re working with our team to address these issues promptly. Cleanliness is especially important to us, and we will be taking steps to ensure our cleaning crew maintains the attention to detail our guests deserve. Riki Tiki is a simple and older beach cottage, and we know it comes with its quirks—but we’re committed to maintaining it with the care and attention that keeps your stay both comfortable and safe. Thank you again for your loyalty and thoughtful review. We hope to welcome you back next year for another peaceful beachside escape!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Kiel R.

The location was great but the house needed some attention.

At our stay this summer we enjoyed the location and loved how close the house was to the beach. The beach was not crowded which was also enjoyable. The issues that we had were primarily bug related. On the first three evenings of our stay we had to kill numerous small roaches in the kitchen, so by the end of the stay we began leaving the kitchen light on. That seemed to help but I am sure they were still present. We also had some issues with the toilets flushing correctly. Despite the issues we did enjoy ourselves, but would have enjoyed ourselves more if we did not have to deal with the roaches. I feel that the issues are correctable and that the property has great potential.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

4/10 Poor

Brian C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Our primary reason for renting Riki Tiki was for the location and the property doesn’t disappoint there. The cottage is feet from the beach and it’s amazing and convenient. The back deck was also great for watching the waves and seeing the stars at night.Beyond the location, the property has serious shortcomings. It’s very small and while there is a kitchen, there is almost no counter space since the stacked washer and dryer is in the kitchen too.The most significant issue was cleanliness and the quality of the furnishings. The house was dirty and many portions of it clearly hadn’t been cleaned in many months. We even found scattered belongings from previous renters under the beds. We had a serious odor problem in the main bathroom when we checked in and we’ll give credit to the leasing company for responding quickly and effectively. That said, there was no way the cleaning people could have missed the very bad odor coming from the bathroom which questions how detailed of a cleaning job they did.Overall, most accessories were poor quality. Kitchen utensils were old and some are broken and appliances were clearly inexpensive. Even the shower curtains were the inexpensive vinyl plain types you’d have in college. We understood that with a cottage, we were getting a small space, which was fine with us, but we didn’t expect the amenities to be so lacking in quality.A very minimal investment in small upgrades could make a big difference with this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Nov 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the unbeatable oceanfront location and the views from the back deck — it truly is a special spot for watching the waves and stars. We’re very sorry to hear that parts of your stay did not meet expectations, particularly regarding cleanliness and the condition of some furnishings. That’s not the standard we strive to maintain, and we appreciate you bringing these details to our attention. We’ve shared your comments with our housekeeping and property management teams so we can address the concerns you mentioned and make improvements where needed. We truly value your input, as it helps us ensure future guests have the best possible experience at Riki Tiki. Thank you again for staying with us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to see the improvements firsthand.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shelly B.

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

Nice stay in Surf City

The property is exactly what you see online. One nice perk was there is a regular coffee pot and a Keurig so you have options! The kitchen is small and while it is fully stocked; we opted for paper plates, cups and plastic silverware. I try to be more earth friendly; but there really isn't room for washing up. Not a criticism; just a heads up in case you want to bring your own. Also; the sofa cushions are pretty thin. You definitely feel the frame when you are sitting on them. So far as the location; you are literally on the beach. There is no long walkway to get over dunes, etc. This is what we found the most appealing. Someone else mentioned the washer and dryer are loud. This is true. I opted to run the washer when we went to bed so it didn't disrupt us watching tv. This is the first house I have stayed at in years where I had to pick up a key somewhere else. Given how common key pads are; this would be more ideal. The different bedroom colors were fun and vibrant; the beach décor was cute without being garish. It's a sweet cottage and we enjoyed it. My earlier comments are not meant as a deterrent; but rather to prepare future guests for what to expect.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 May 2022
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for this property. We are always grateful for any feedback from our clients, as we strive to provide you and your guest an enjoyable vacation.
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