The Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach - Vacation rental home in Corolla, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Cottage

Welcome to The Half Shell! We look forward to having you stay with us! This classic Corolla beach bungalow offers 3 bedrooms/2bathrooms. The home is located in Ocean Sands (Section L) on a peaceful cul-de-sac and is an painless 6-7 min. 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-nighttime minimum stay during peak season!

Appreciate 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 (Oceanside 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 bicycle and pedestrian path is located at the entrance of the neighborhood.

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

An outdoor shower is located on the ground level adjacent to the utility room. Savor 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 home. 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 entirely-supplied for preparing and eating meals at the home. 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 ideal place for calming and opens to the rear deck.

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

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

min. number of guests: 6

No smoking or illegal drug use.

No events, events, or huge gatherings.

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

Guests will be required to complete a separate owner's short term rental agreement.
We will send the rental agreement via e-mail. 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 e-mail 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 there are exterior security cameras for the safety of our guests and home.

**Please note that the old reviews (prior to 2024) for this property are for another property that we previously owned.**

About the Area

Located near the beach, this cottage is in Ocean Sands, a neighborhood in Corolla. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Outer Banks Beaches and Corolla Beach. Corolla Raceway and Corolla Adventure Golf and Bumper Cars are also worth visiting.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

1 total pets

How to book the best vacation property experience:

How to get the best value:

• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups book their Summer vacations during holiday get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To find the best rental home for your budget, we highly recommend booking in the Spring or Fall. You'll enjoy lower rental rates, better selection, warm weather and the absence of large crowds at popular Currituck attractions and restaurants. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the Summer months.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner whether your vacationing group qualifies for a discount.
• Booking websites typically offer customers an option to add trip insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or additional gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for additional information.
• Look for your local Currituck visitors guide when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, visitor guide magazines contain discounts for nearby tours and attractions.

Selecting and booking the best Currituck rental home:

• Start by choosing your a vacation week and a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your group needs. The Half Shell, Oceanside Beach Cottage, 6 min walk to beach has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed counts & types is commonly available on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, email the property manager before booking the vacation property. Note that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You'll need to establish what is best for your vacation group.
• Some properties allow pets, but some don't. Allowable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added costs may apply. Ask the owner about allowable breeds and types before booking.
• If there's a particular Currituck beach you crave, keep an eye out for properties that are either close by, or those that cater especially to your needs.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. .

Some things to know before you go:

• Take a copy of the owner's phone number and entry/exit procedures for your rental.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a fireplace, A/V setup or coffee maker. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents a lot of problems.
• Keep the property locked while you're gone! Don't let crooks spoil your holiday.
• During check-in, document any damages to the property and immediately contact the owner. Record all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Don't forget to respect your neighbors. Often, adjacent homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking rules is the right thing to do.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Locals can often help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to grab the best tacos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, take a walk through the rental property to confirm you've collected everything. Remember to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the rental a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We suggest inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host is not available, ensure that you take photos and video of the rental to record its condition.
• Did your family have a fantastic time? Most rental management companies make it easy for travelers to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or property manager was wonderful, they would love to hear about it. If anything was wrong and they failed to fix it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your feedback.