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

Outdoor spa tub
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Aerial view
Interior
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 91635 sq ft

Popular amenities

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

About this property

Entire place

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

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.

Property manager

Melissa and Paul Ruthenbeck-Chiaramonte

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Fully-fenced
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Bodyboard
  • Kayak
  • Paddleboard
  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector 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: 1,635 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets
Note from host: 2 housetrained, non destructive pets only.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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 is a carbon monoxide detector 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

About the area

Map
Surf City, NC

What's nearby

  • Surf City Beach - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Surf City Pier - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Southside Park - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Inis Spa - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Sloop Point Plantation - 16 min drive - 17.0 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Buddy's Crab House & Oyster Bar - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Salty Turtle Beer Company - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sears Landing Grill & Boat Docks - ‬4 min drive

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).

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?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

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

This family-friendly Holly Ridge vacation 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 mi (2 km).

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Roxann L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved Wonder by the Sea
Beautiful stay that made wonderful family memories.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Taheim E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome
Had everything I could think of forgetting and great location very clean
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C., Morganton, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
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

8/10 Good

Laura P.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Jimmy V.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Randy S.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Christopher C., Morganton, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Jordan J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonder the Sea
Great property, great amenities, and great owners.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Danny M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Jan L., Raleigh, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Leanne D.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Liked: Cleanliness
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