Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See all Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See all Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See all Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ā€˜Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See all Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Southern Living
  2. travel
  3. North Carolina
  4. Plan Your Summer Escape to One of These Private North Carolina Beach Cottage Rentals

Plan Your Summer Escape to One of These Private North Carolina Beach Cottage Rentals

By Marisa Spyker
July 14, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

For many of us, 2020 has thrown a wrench into a whole lot of our summer plans. Camps are closed, festivals are cancelled, and anticipated events like weddings and family reunions are on hold. But while it might seem like our favorite season is filled with a long list of don’ts and disappointments, there’s also plenty you can do to enjoy yourself—including taking that much-needed summer vacation.

If you, like many Southerners, have your eye on the shoreline, consider directing your search to North Carolina, where private, socially distanced beach cottages line much of the pristine coast. Here, we dug up eight stellar rental options where you can shelter in paradise safely and serenely.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Island Beach Shack

Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

Live your Nights in Rodanthe fantasy in a cozy one-bedroom cottage situated right across the street from the house made famous in the film. This one comes with a king bed, private pool, kayak, herb garden, and direct beach access. (And, major bonus: Fido can come, too.)

Rent it: $187 per night; airbnb.com

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

OBX Tree House

Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

Situated “steps from one of the nicest/most protected sections of beach in OBX,” this cozy Avon home is the perfect retreat for families looking to get away. The two-bedroom rental boasts an outdoor shower and a unique round design that’s sure to excite the kids, but the real draw is location: Aside from its easy beach access, the treehouse is also a short walk or bike ride to Avon’s grocery stores, restaurants, and pier.

Rent it: From $266 per night; airbnb.com

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

The Starry Banner Historic Yacht

Credit: Courtesy of Vrbo

If you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, why not consider sleeping on a fully restored vintage yacht? This one’s docked in historic Old Town Manteo, just a quick hop over the bridge to the Outer Banks’ famed beaches.

Rent it: $199 per night; vrbo.com

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Sea Breeze Beach Cottage

Credit: Courtesy of Vrbo

Want to be beachfront on a budget? This Caribbean blue, pet-friendly cottage is located right on the sand in Nags Head, with an oceanfront deck for evening happy hours and a bedroom where you can listen to the waves roll in all night long. Ā Ā 

Rent it: $100 per night; vrbo.com

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hammock Island Lookout

Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

If five-star vistas are what you’re looking for, book a stay at this sky-high loft offering “unreal sunrises, sunsets, deck cocktails, privacy” and walking distance to the shores of Wrightsville Beach. As an added perk, the host runs a rental business right on site, where you can snag bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards steps from your front door.

Rent it: $130 per night; airbnb.com Ā 

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Sail On Soundfront Home

Credit: Courtesy of Vrbo

Beaches too busy for you? Kick back at this serene Soundfront home in Hatteras Village. With cozy interiors, a large chef’s kitchen (plus wine fridge), hot tub, spacious decks, killer sunsets, and a private dock, you won’t need to go anywhere else. Ā 

Rent it: $110 per night; vrbo.com

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fragile Magic Oceanfront Home

Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

Quarantining with parents or in-laws? This beachfront beauty in Kitty Hawk has an attractive offering: two top-floor, en suite master bedrooms that each come with their own private balcony. When you’re not enjoying happy hour there, you can lounge in the home’s reading nook, sunroom, double-height living room, or enormous beachfront deck.

Rent it: $236 per night; airbnb.com

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Once Upon a Tide Cottage

Credit: Courtesy of Airbnb

If direct beachfront isn’t at the very top of your list, consider this affordable and super-sweet little bungalow on Oak Island. Just a quick 10-minute walk to the sand, the cottage offers tree-shaded privacy and lots of porch space to enjoy those coastal breezes.

Rent it: $85; airbnb.com

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Marisa Spyker

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 Island Beach Shack
2 of 8 OBX Tree House
3 of 8 The Starry Banner Historic Yacht
4 of 8 Sea Breeze Beach Cottage
5 of 8 Hammock Island Lookout
6 of 8 Sail On Soundfront Home
7 of 8 Fragile Magic Oceanfront Home
8 of 8 Once Upon a Tide Cottage

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

Plan Your Summer Escape to One of These Private North Carolina Beach Cottage Rentals
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.