See all properties
Entire home

The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11

Cottage near Outer Banks Beaches in Nags Head

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11

Exterior
Exterior detail
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Beach
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6850 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Nags Head, NC
  • Place, Jockey's Ridge State Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Nags Head Fishing Pier
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Jennette's Pier
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Nags Head

In Nags Head .With a stay at this Nags Head cottage, you'll be steps from Nags Head Fishing Pier and a 5-minute walk from Outer Banks Beaches. Also, Dowdy Park is within half a mile (1 km) and Jockey's Ridge State Park is within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Cottages in Nags HeadOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Jockey's Ridge State Park - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Nags Head Fishing Pier - 1 min drive - 0.0 miles
  • OBX Laser Tag - 3 min drive - 1.3 miles
  • Outer Banks Hospital - 5 min drive - 3.1 miles
  • Jennette's Pier - 9 min drive - 6.2 miles

Getting around

  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Biscuits N’ P*rn - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Blue Moon Beach Grill - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dirty Dick's Crab House - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Mulligan's Grille in Historic Cottage Row - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Morning View Coffee Company - ‬18 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11

Take a step back in time and enjoy old Nags Head charm at it's best. The larger cottage on the property, 'Surf Shack', has undergone a complete and total renovation. We just finished the kitchen this winter, brand new! It has all the modern amenities we require, plus the old school charm of 1950s Nags Head.

The Surf Shack Cottages are located on the Beach Road at MP 11, directly across from the Bainbridge Beach Access. We're just a few short steps to the beach and very close to the Nags Head Pier, restaurants, shopping and Jockey's Ridge. The Nags Head Pier has live music several nights a week in the summer. Our favorite activity (other than sunbathing, of course) is to take some cold beverages down to the beach and listen to the tunes from the comfort of our own sandy spot.

Surf Shack has 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, Bright airy Living Room with vaulted ceiling, Kitchen and Dining/Sunroom. The largest bedroom has a queen bed and the two smaller bedrooms have full size beds. The cottage is equipped with a new flat screen TV, cable, high speed internet, AC, laundry and a gas grill. Enjoy coffee in the morning or a cocktail in the evening on one of the two front porches.

Sorry to the doggies, but Surf Shack Cottages does not allow pets.

Come stay at Surf Shack Cottages, we know you'll love it!

Similar properties

Beach nearby
Circa 1953 beach cottage...this is 'old school' beach at it's best!
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 266 reviews
Circa 1953 beach cottage...this is 'old school' beach at it's best!

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Porch

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: No smoking is permitted in the house.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Optional golf privileges
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 850 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 26

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking is permitted in the house.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 to the airport?

This cottage is 11.7 mi (18-min drive) away from the Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this cottage.

How close is The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 to the beach?

This cottage is a short 2-minute walk from Outer Banks Beaches and 6.8 mi (10-min drive) from Kitty Hawk Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 offer free breakfast?

This cottage does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11?

No, there is no casino at this cottage.

What time is check-in at The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11?

Free parking is not available at this cottage.

Does The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 have a pool?

This cottage does not have a pool.

Does The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this cottage.

How close is The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 to downtown Nags Head?

This cottage is 0.4 mi away from Nags Head.

Reviews

The Surf Shack,Charming historic cottage, steps to the beach, Nags Head MP 11 Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 101 out of 127 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 23 out of 127 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 127 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 127 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 127 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Theresa D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the location to the beach
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kayla S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Little House

Super cute cottage in the perfect location. Very clean! Would definitely stay there again!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ann E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little beach house! Clean and comfy in a great location. Very convenient to beach access and the fishing pier. Despite being centrally located it was quiet inside. Sitting on the front porch somehow felt private while we watched people coming and going from the beach. Nice and shady in the afternoon. We would definitely recommend. Nothing fancy but really perfect for a little true KDH / OBX experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This cottage is amazing! We had the best time while there. The proximity to everything is great!!! The kitchen was well stocked. The decor was great! The beds were very comfortable. We loved how a lot of the original hardware was still there. It's so nice to see an original cottage kept in such great condition.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leslie K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect for a family beach vacation!

We had a great time staying at the Surf Shack! The house had everything we needed and is in a perfect location - across the street from a beach access and an easy walk to ice cream, restaurants, coffee shops, and more! Stephanie was a helpful and communicative host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

david w.

Liked: Cleanliness

Surf shack

Nice place that has a great location to beach
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tina M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Stay

Excellent Location
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fishing delight

Perfect!Exactly what we thought it would beGreat location to the pierAir-conditioning was perfectOverall stay was a 10!Thank you very much!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bryson S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Second stay here

It was my second time renting this spot and there will be a third. Always easy to communicate with host and have never had any issues at this property. Perfect location and esthetic for the OBX
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Taryn M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Second time staying at the Surf Shack

This was our second time staying at the Surf Shack! It’s a lovely little cottage right next to the beach with all the necessities you’d need for your stay. Just bring bed sheets and bath towels and you’re all set for a great beach vacation in OBX
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janie B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay!

The Lil Surf Shack was perfect for our little family of 3. We had plenty of space and everything was well stocked to suit our needs. The location was perfect! The beds/mattresses could use a little TLC but otherwise, we loved this little place. We will definitely consider staying here again should we ever find ourselves back that way again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Rustic & simplistic

As it states, a taste of old nags head! No frills,.no problem! Loved everything down to the trash service. Love that it hasn't been torn down & replaced with an oversized beach house.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Francie J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Surf shack

Perfect location!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Samuel

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was very charming! And it was close to everything. And it is just a stone's throw away from the beach! Howeverrr... there were just a couple of things that needs tending to. The showerhead and window in the main bathroom need replacing. Also, the doors get stuck. However, we were surrounded by a clean,safe, and beautiful environment!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Location!

Cute little beach box!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Kelli T.

Car Show

Very convenient to walk to the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

4/10 Poor

Tom D., Wake Forest, NC

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice off-season getaway

Stayed at Surf Shack for our first time during our annual Thanksgiving weekend trip. As such, we've stayed at a few comparable properties over the years. It was as cozy as the name implies; however, it truly is a very seasoned cottage in terms of its structure and condition: an old beach shack that needs some TLC investment inside and out. The main living spaces offered everything we needed for a weekend trip to the area and a place to crash at the end of the day after watching some TV in the evenings. The living room was fine for a couple people to kick back and watch the 50" smart TV with soundbar. The kitchen had all the essentials for our limited needs. The queen bed was fine for a couple nights but the small smart TV was strangely mounted on the wall crooked. The side porch had come to be used as storage for assorted beach gear and wasn't really furnished or usable as a place to sit and relax, which sadly was something we typically look for and expected based on the profile pics. The front porch Adirondack bench was very comfortable for sitting with coffee and cocktails. The location overall was also very convenient to the beach, shopping, and restaurants. We noted that VA Dare Trail in that section of Nags Head seemed pretty busy and loud (day and night) compared to the more southern area of Nags Head but it was fine. Owner was very responsive at check-in when we contacted her to get the lockbox code, which has not been sent in advance. The issue was quickly resolved and the other property info we'd received was very helpful. Overall, Surf Shack served it purpose for our brief stay. However, time is catching up with it as a structure and the comfort level of its furnishings in today's competitive vacation rental marketplace.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

regina h.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent location

The first impression was not good. The outside needs a lot of attention as the front yard is very overgrown, the porch rails are rotten and falling apart, the top of the porch/ and windows are peeling and need painting badly, the front porch light did not work properly. The inside is darling, very nicely decorated and had everything anyone could need. The only issue with the inside was the stove clock and controls were falling into the stove and I was afraid to use the stove at all. Just needs some TLC and since I am that kind of person I was thinking of all the ways that I could fix everything. The location could not be beat. Close to the beach, restaurants, ice cream parlors. And it has 3 bedrooms and one bath- perfect for several people. I will most definitely rent here again. I really just wanted to let the owner know in case she is not over there much about some of the things that need attention. We had a wonderful time sitting/rocking on the front porch and look forward to next time.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dave F.

Liked: Cleanliness

great place

we would stay there again i left 2 umbrella poles on porch for whoever would like to use them thanks
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Kenneth N.

Nice little surf shack

Decent little place. Very close to the beach. Bring pillows from home. Kitchen has a kuerig. Lucky 12 tavern doors down has amazing pizza.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cute beach house very close to the ocean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mathew R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Like an old friend

This is about the fifth year in a row that we have stayed at the Surf Shack - it has become a part of the family. Great location, great accommodation. Nostalgic - what the Outer Banks felt like when my family moved there in the 80s.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Janette U.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy cottage

Great location! Charming beach shack
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Keith L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Shabby chic

Fine place for 4 days, like the location across from public access. Grandson loved the outside shower. Separate kitchen and table so nice for playing games away from TV and living room. Bathroom updated nicely and kitchen fine
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2022