Entire home

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

Family-friendly holiday home in Bald Head Island with a hot tub

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 18266.4 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
Bald Head Island, NC
  • Place, Bay Beach
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Bald Head Island Conservancy
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Bald Head Island Lighthouse
  • Airport, 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 treetop/sunrise views by day, sunsets and star gazing at night! Sip wine as you watch the sun set 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”!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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. Bald Head Island Lighthouse and Oak Island Lighthouse are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at The Clubs at St. James and Southport Marina. Travelling with kids? Consider North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport. 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
  • Oliver's on the Cape Fear
  • Frying Pan
  • Provision Company
  • Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room

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. 127 out of 137 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 137 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 137 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 137 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 137 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

10/10 Excellent

Kathy W., Richmond, Virginia

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

A Shore Thong is the perfect place!

We just stayed for a week in this wonderful home! We have rented houses in BHI for 12 years now and this is the first house we have rented that we want to continue to go to both because how amazing the house and location are, and how it also accommodates are growing family. We always go to East Beach, and the fact that there is a boarded walkway close by all the way to the beach was fabulous! We didn’t have to trudge through the sand to get to the steps that go over the dunes. It was probably a five or six minute walk. Two members of our family prefer the pool and walked daily to the Shoals club, which was also right there. We love doing activities at the turtle Conservancy, and that again was right there. And we absolutely love Mike’s bites Which has the best Italian ice! We frequent that as well and it is right there. I haven’t even gotten to the amazing house. Six bedrooms 6 1/2 baths everyone had their own bathroom, large living area opening into the kitchen, I have never been anywhere with a more stocked and equipped kitchen than this house ever(including my own!). They had everything including a rice cooker, crockpot, etc. All the appliances and utensils… everything was high-quality! My son and his wife love espresso, and they even had an espresso pot for the stove(exactly what they use at home!). The house is aesthetically beautiful as well. Finally, the owners are so responsive to any question we had. The perfect house!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth B I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 childhood friends and our spouses met at BHI for an annual friends weekend, this house was perfect. The sleeping arrangements and bathrooms allowed each couple a queen or king plus their own bathroom. The kitchen was fully stocked, there was absolutely nothing we needed that was not available. We had a ball!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home and perfect for large families. We definitely appreciated the large dining table and several outdoor spaces. Conveniently located in Cape Fear Station and everyone had a great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
“A Shore Thing” was perfect for our three-generation family! Huge refrigerator, gas cooktop, and double ovens along with accessories galore made making meals easy and fun for our cooking teams. Six and a hal bathrooms was fantastic — every bedroom had its own bath. Hosts were helpful, friendly, and gracious. We’ll be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet P.

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

A Shore Thing

Great location. Well stocked kitchen, games, dvds, books etc. Communication with the owners was excellent. They were quick to respond to any questions. Would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

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

Jeff W.

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

Family Sray

Great experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

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

Ashley a.

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

Weekend escape

We stayed here with 3 other families. We had 15 people and it worked perfectly! The house is great and the owners very responsive and kind. I loved the location and the wooded walk to the beach. Would definitely stay there again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 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

Nicholas O.

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

Family Vacation 2024

Our family of 13 stayed at "A Shore Thing" June 15-22 and had a fantastic time on the Island and in the home. The home is very spacious, yet warm and inviting. Our tightknit family loves to cook together and "gather in the kitchen" and this home is perfect for that. The very large and well equipped / stocked kitchen and huge dining table allowed us to unwind and relax after a long day at the beach and BHI Club over homecooked meals. The house location has a short-cut walk to the beach and is a very short golf cart ride away as well. It is our experience that you really only needed to bring your clothes and personal items as the house provides all you'll need to enjoy a week at the beach - including three golf carts in excellent shape, beach items such as chairs, and umbrellas, and all house amenities to make it feel like home. The hosts were easy to communicate with, although we didn't need a thing while staying at the home. We would not think twice about staying at this property again - it was a great experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Total Perfection!

Everything was more than what we could hope for- the owners are delightful and the property, location, and amenities were perfect for our needs. We could walk to the beach within minutes to capture the beauty each morning provided. We will be back again- hopefully with our children and grand children.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bryan Sayers, Winston-Salem, NC

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

Great house!

This house was great for our needs. The owners were very responsive and we would certainly stay here again. Tons of room to spread out and a great location too.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

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

Family Vacation

We really enjoyed our stay on BHI. The Island is so beautiful. A Shore Thing is a beautiful home and it accommodated our 15 family members easily and comfortably. The beds and the showers were great, however, it was really dusty, there were dust clumps even on the walls. I guess its not easy to clean in between guests but it really needs like a good deep cleaning. My little nephew has a lot of severe allergies and we did our best to clean so his allergies wouldn't be triggered. There were also a few issues but Annemarie and John were very helpful and took care of contacting maintenance/repair. They also, were very prompt in replying to my emails. The only other thing that bunmed us out some was that one of the Golf Carts wasn't charging right and left us stranded 12 min from the house when we were driving around the Island for a family photography shoot and then another time on our last night when we were going to dinner at BHI Club. Both times it was very inconvenient as you can imagine such a large family we needed all 3 Golf Carts and the times it kept breaking down were in the evening so we couldnt even rent one because the rental place closed at 4 pm. The first time Annemarie and John had it towed to a repair shop and they returned it to us saying it was fixed but obviously it wasn't. It was frustrating trying to deal with that and get everyone where we needed to go. But we went to have a relaxing vacation and for the most part it was and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

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

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

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

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