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The Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach

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January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for The Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach

Beach nearby
Interior
Property grounds
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Corolla, NC
  • Corolla Raceway
    14 min walk
  • Corolla Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars
    15 min walk
  • Currituck Golf Club
    4 min drive
  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional)
    59 min drive

Room options

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 Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach

Welcome to The Half Shell! We look forward to having you stay with us! This classic Corolla beach cottage offers 3 bedrooms/2bathrooms. The house is located in Ocean Sands (Section L) on a quiet cul-de-sac and is an easy 6-7 minute walk to the wide, flat, beaches of Corolla. The beach has lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Avoid the traffic with flexible check-in/check-out days and a 4-night minimum stay during peak season!

Enjoy all that Corolla has to offer during your stay! The Half Shell is located 1 mile south of Monterey Plaza (Food Lion, Lighthouse Bagels, Philly Steak Subs, Agave Roja, Big Buck's Ice Cream, Whalehead Brewery) and Tim Buck II (Seaside Farm Market, La Dolce Vita, Doppio). Harris Teeter and Duck Donuts are located 2 miles south. Historic Corolla and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse are located 4 miles to the north. Corolla's 4x4 beaches are 5 miles to the north. Corolla Greenway bike and pedestrian path is located at the entrance of the neighborhood.

The utility room (including washing machine and dryer) is underneath the house on the ground level. This space is not connected to the main living area of the house and is only accessible from the outside. There is a keypad on the door to the utility room; the code will be provided on check-in.

An outdoor shower is located on the ground level adjacent to the utility room. Enjoy the convenience of the dispenser of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the outdoor shower! There are hooks in the outdoor shower for hanging up towels and clothes. There is a hose behind the outdoor shower for rinsing off your feet and beach gear when you return from the beach! There is also a clothes line for hanging your wet items.

From the ground level/carport area, there are stairs on both the front and back of the house. The front steps lead to a deck overlooking the cul-de-sac and front door which opens to the family room. The rear steps lead to a covered deck with seating (off of the great room) and a screened porch with picnic table (off of the kitchen). Cafe lights are available to plug in on both the covered deck and screened porch.

The first floor features a family room, dining area, breakfast bar, kitchen, bedroom with queen bed, and bathroom with a shower (with doors to the bedroom and family room).

The TV in the family room is equipped with a Chromecast and GoogleTV. GoogleTV will allow you to view live channels. Guests are able to login to their own account(s) for streaming services (i.e. YouTubeTV, Netflix, etc.) or stream directly from their phone, tablet, or computer.

The kitchen is equipped with standard appliances including a refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. It is fully-stocked for preparing and eating meals at the house. We have a Bonavita coffee maker and electric burr grinder. We also have a single cup Keurig. Other appliances include a toaster and air fryer. There is a pantry cabinet for storing your groceries.

The second floor is open to the first floor with a family room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. There is a TV in the second floor family room that is only connected to a DVD player. This TV does not have live TV or a streaming device. The second floor family room is the perfect place for lounging and opens to the rear deck.

The queen bedroom (on the west side of the house) opens to a private deck off the front of the house and a jack and jill bathroom. The twin bedroom (on the east side of the house) opens to a deck which spans the entire back of the house.

All of the bedrooms have memory foam mattresses. Bed linens will be provided and beds will be made upon your arrival. Please note, bath and beach towels are NOT provided and guests will need to bring their own. Please note, if you choose to use the upstairs family room sleeper sofa, you must bring your own linens for that bed.

Dogs are welcome with a pet fee!

Similar to most beach accesses in Corolla, please note that there are several steps to cross over the high dunes to the beach.

Check-in time: 4:00PM
Check-out time: 10:00AM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Maximum number of guests: 6

No smoking or illegal drug use.

No events, parties, or large gatherings.

RVs, campers, trailers, and golf carts are not permitted at this property.

Guests will be required to complete a separate owner's short term rental agreement.
We will send the rental agreement via email. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to review the agreement prior to making your reservation.

We strongly encourage guests to purchase travel insurance.

There is always potential for hurricanes, strong storms, and flooding in a coastal area. A full refund will only be issued in the event of a mandatory state or local evacuation.

We partner with a local property manager in Corolla to handle any immediate concerns that might arise during your stay. However, we will be available by text, phone, or email during your stay! Please reach out to us if you any questions about the property prior to booking! We look forward to having you stay!

We are continually updating the property (both inside and outside) and will update our photos accordingly.

**Please note that the old reviews (prior to 2024) for this property are for another property that we previously owned.**
During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from Outer Banks Beaches. The cottage offers free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Within a 15-minute walk of Outer Banks Beaches and Corolla Raceway
This cottage offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Corolla cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Will Warren

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Near the beach

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Kitchen island

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • DVD player

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 1 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near the sea

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Recycling

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

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

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 pets
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Pet fee will apply.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include 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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

The Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Emily B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Stay at Corolla
Our family had the best stay for a long weekend at this property. You can’t ask for more when it comes to great hosts - communication, every detail of the description is spot-on, and absolutely zero issues. They even give you a nice welcome bag. As parents, we appreciated the clean house and well-stocked kitchen/appliances, and the very comfortable beds. The kids loved the decks and porches, private outside shower, and quick walk to the beach. We even got the kids to play the boardgames - extra treat! The property is also very conveniently located near 2 grocery stores. Definitely worth another stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Stephen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great hosts
Very nice house about a 5 minute walk from the beach. The host politely checked in with me.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monica M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Corolla Fam
IT WAS PERFECT!! Location, amenities etc!!! We had the best time and will return!!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

April V.

Liked: Cleanliness
So home like, owners are full of care
Our stay was full of joy, feeling at home, spacious. The owners are so ready to help and communicate. Definitely a five star review.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

The Science P.

Perfect Beach Cottage for cozy family (and dog) Thanksgiving!
We just returned from a lovely stay at this home. It is very clean and well-appointed with an updated kitchen and furnishings. The home is well-designed - the master bedroom and bath upstairs and 3 bedrooms and bath downstairs allowed 3 generations of our family to sleep comfortably and still have privacy and some personal space when we wanted. It is very tech-savvy as well - with flat-screen TVs in various rooms and great wi-fi- it kept the teenagers happy and let the grown-ups check in with work as needed. The kitchen was great - super clean with all of the small appliances (coffee-maker, toaster oven, toaster, mixer, etc) and pots and pans we needed to cook Thanksgiving dinner! Hair dryers in each bathroom were a nice surprise, and being within walking distance to groceries and shops was a bonus. The beach and dunes are beautiful here and Will and Lindsay were kind and thoughtful hosts - checking that we arrived safely and had what we needed, and making our family (dog included) feel welcome. We loved it and will definitely visit again. Thank you for a great vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Susie G.

Great location for convenience to the beach.
We stayed for a week. The owner was very nice and easily accessible via text and always very prompt! The location to be beach was amazing. I think it was a little tight for our family (6 of us) but we had an amazing week.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Che B.

There She Blows!!
Bottom line, we had a great time at White Whale Cottage! 4.5 stars! Despite the hiccup on the day of arrival with the cleaning company, once we took care of that, we were set for what was the best vacation we'd had in a long time. The outdoor shower was amazing, and the living area offered plenty of room for the five of us and our dog. The house was very close to the beach, so for 6 days we basically woke up, ate bagels from Lighthouse Bagels, went to the beach and then went back to the house, or into town, for dinner. If I had any critical commentary, it would be that the mattress in the MBR was a bit uncomfortable, but that's probably because we are used to sleeping on a king-sized bed. So, like I said, we had a fantastic time and thank you for allowing us to use your place!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Chef M.

The need to unplug was fulfilled
First time to the outer banks did not disappoint. Short walk to the beach made my barefoot for the week goal easy! Already looking to make a return next summer! Also our dog, Larry, found his Zen.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Rebecca F., Frederick Maryland

Nice house and fabulous location!
For our 3 generational family vacation of 7, this property was perfect! Just about a block from the beach, a couple of houses from the tennis courts, 2 blocks to the walking/bike paths and maybe a 1/2 mile to Harris Teeter/Pizza/Ice Cream, (and seriously what else do you need at the beach!). Not a large kitchen, but very usable, and plenty of dishes, pans, etc. We used the outdoor shower daily and ate dinner out on the deck most nights. The upstairs deck catches a nice breeze in the evenings. The bike path goes all the way up to shopping at Tim Buck ll so we did that a number of times. All in all, a great place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

melissa v.

Family Time
a great beach vacation for the second year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Lori L., Arlington, VA

Relaxing and cozy
Nice to spend time with our adult kids all together - house was nice - a little small for everyone upstairs, but we managed! Swinging and eating on the deck was perfect. Only issue is a/c not able to cool upstairs and it got very hot but we used the fans!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

James G.

Loved it!
Great location. Clean and well appointed. Nice neighborhood. A great value.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Malvika A.

Warm, cozy and very close to the beach!
We really enjoyed our stay at the White Whale cottage. Location of the house is amazing, very close to the beach. Overall the house was well kept and clean. The kitchen was stocked with basic dishes you would need for a week. We were 6 people in the house with a dog and were comfortable in the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Melanie B.

Cozy Cottage For a Relaxing Vacation and Peaceful Retreat
This is my second time staying at the White Whale Cottage. It is such a comfortable and cozy home. I would recommend this home to anyone that is looking for a peaceful vacation, ladies getaway or relaxing retreat. The views of the ocean from the top floor are wonderful. I enjoy spending time on the decks, the porch swing and in the cozy comforts of the home itself. I am already excited for my next stay at the White Whale next year! The countdown is on!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Lynn R.

Great vacation
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at White Whale Cottage. It was beautifully and thoughtfully furnished, with clear emphasis by Lindsay and Will on providing a relaxing and convenient getaway. The cottage was welcoming, clean and comfortable, and included amenities from the well-stocked kitchen to entertainment options ranging from multiple tv's and games to dozens of "beach reads." The location was quiet and relaxing, just the right mix of privacy (no close cottages behind or on either side) with a community atmosphere, yet convenient to nearby commercial areas. The beach is easily accessible with an informative and knowledgeable lifequard. This cottage provided flexibility for us and our extended family, including two dogs, with the beach and jogging/bike path, and the breezy decks with porch swing and hammock for my beach reading. Will and Lindsay provided a much more personal and attentive rental experience than we have received from any commercial beach rental agency. Will promptly and graciously addressed our questions during the rental process and remained available for communication throughout. They provided a very thorough information packet including distances to amenities, plus recommended nearby eateries, that we found to be time-saving and convenient, since we had not stayed in this area before. The cottage has many steps and a few older features but is overall updated and reflects their many personal touches. We have stayed in several Outer Banks cottages and enjoyed this one the most. We can easily recommend White Whale age to others and would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

Marjolein v.

We loved our stay in this beautiful beach cottage!!
The house is very spacious and nicely decorated! It's only steps away from the beach and from the upper deck you can see the ocean. The kitchen has everything you need and you can choose where you want to eat, it's all very comfortable and cosy. Unfortunately we had a lot of rain during our stay but the tv, dvd-player and games in the house kept us occupied and as soon as the sun was back we would run to the beautiful beach! We can highly recommend this house!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

Great location!
Loved this location. Very short walk to uncrowded beach with lifeguard. House was clean, tastefully decorated and comfortable. Kitchen very well stocked. Dog kennel helpful, as well. Shopping very close by.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Ed C.

Loved, loved this place!
I know everything feels better at the beach, but we absolutely loved this vacation home! We have been to the Outer Banks two other times, and although we enjoyed our stay, the places we stayed at do not offer even half of what this place does. Comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms, seating outside (the hammock was our favorite), and all the kitchen supplies you could think of, from plates to pots and pans, to paper towels, dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap! Also a short walk to the beach, tennis courts right by the property and supermarket right there. Beach access is private so eventhough we were there during the 4th of July week, it was not crowded at all. Property owner was super friendly and professional. Definitely will stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Deborah S.

Great outdoor space, cozy and close to the beach
We had a great stay at the beach. There was plenty of room for our family of 5 with each of our kids having a bedroom to themselves. The outdoor space was great - a picnic table for eating and chairs on the top deck to watch the stars. The hammock on the middle deck was great for relaxing. The house was two blocks from a very private, non-crowded beach. It was easy to come and go from the property to the beach and if you were sick of the beach, lots to do in town from mini-golfing to go-karting to shopping to dining. The kitchen was fully stocked with whatever utensil or pan you could need for cooking while there and the grill outside was great for grilling. It was also great to have an outdoor shower to leave the sand outside and not have it trekked inside. It was a really pleasant stay and we can't wait to get back there next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Thomas W.

White Whale Cottage
We had a fun stay. The dog kennel was a great amenity. 2 Blocks away from the beach. Corolla is a lot of fun. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Sivya W., Hoboken

Just What We Needed
Perfect get-away for me & my husband, with our dog. The layout of the home was a perfect set up. It was very cozy, comfortable, and clean with nice furnishings. We cooked almost every night, and the kitchen was fully stocked with every pot, utensil, and appliance we needed. The deck was a lovely spot to drink our morning coffee and enjoy an evening cocktail. And the hammock was a perfect relaxing reading spot. The house was very conveniently located for a short walk to the beach, 1/2 block to the tennis court, and less than 1/2 mile to the grocery store. We enjoyed the new GreenWay for jogging and biking. And, the owners were very helpful with questions and always accessible. We definitely would recommend this house to anyone looking for a relaxing time away.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Frederick B.

Very Nice House With a Great Location. We had a great stay in OBX.
My family was very favorably impressed with the house. The description, pictures and location are spot on. We arrived just after check-in time (Sunday traffic is better than Saturday, but there was still a slow down going through Duck) and the house was ready (including made up beds), for us to unload our stuff and head to the beach for a couple of hours. The kitchen is well stocked with cook ware and dishes, the decks on both levels are very nice and the cable and wifi had no problems handling the needs of 3 teenagers to be connected for the few hours we weren't at the beach or exploring. Our small dog had plenty of room in the shaded kennel under the house, and I would say it is big enough for any size dog. The beach is as close as described - less than 5 minutes to walk from the house to the staircase over the dunes. We appreciated the lifeguard stand right there as there were a number of days of great waves for boogie boarding (and even had a few hours over the week with surfers catching waves further out). The dog loved chasing sand crabs in the evening as the sun was setting. Will is a very proactive owner, responding to all communications/questions promptly while we were navigating the renting and pre-arrival processes, and also reaching out to be sure that everything is okay during our stay. We didn't have any issues while there. The nearby shopping center with the Harris Teeter, is just a 10-15 minute walk - though we mostly drove there and to the other commercial areas in Corolla and Duck. The Duck Boardwalk on the sound is only a 15 -20 minute drive and a nice place to watch the sunset. There were 5 of us and I would recommend this house to anyone looking for a place in Corolla.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy B.

Great, cozy home with a fantastic location!
Me and my girlfriend stayed here for a week and had a wonderful time! Well stocked for whatever your needs may be and the beach is just a short walk away!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016