Entire home

Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!

Surf City vacation home with kitchen

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Photo gallery for Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!

A kitchen with yellow cabinets, a white refrigerator, a wooden table with two stools, and various kitchen appliances.
A beach with a clear sky, a sandy shore, and a wooden fence.
A wooden deck with a bench, overlooking a road with houses and a beach in the distance.
A bedroom with a bed, a window, a bedside table with a lamp, and a small wooden stool.
A wooden gate with vertical slats, a metal latch, and a concrete base.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Surf City, NC
  • Place, Surf City Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Surf City Pier
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Wrightsville Beach
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.)
    ‪53 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Surf City

Seaside stay .A stay at this vacation home places you within half a mile (1 km) of Surf City Beach and 3 miles (5 km) of Ohana Paddle Sports. Surf City Pier and Southside Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

What's nearby

  • Surf City Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Surf City Pier - 7 min drive - 5.3 km
  • Mayfaire Town Center - 48 min drive - 54.6 km
  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington - 50 min drive - 67.0 km
  • Wrightsville Beach - 56 min drive - 62.1 km

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Surf City Smash - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cape Fear Seafood Company - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Salty Turtle Beer Company - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Shaka Taco - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sear's Landing - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!

If this is the “Ruff Life” then who needs the Good Life? When you take your family, including your four-legged friend, on a much needed vacation to the beach, you'll find everything you need in this joyful 4 bedroom gem with a great sunroom. This home features an open floor plan, two queen bedrooms and two twin beds as pass throughs for additional guests.

Enjoy dinner, drinks and the beautiful blue Atlantic view seated at the high top table in the front enclosed sunroom, or relax with the cook around the butcher block kitchen island. The open floor plan makes socializing a breeze in this 1 story bright, retro styled classic beach cottage whimsically decorated with lively paintings of furry and feathered friends and pops of color.

Your beach access is located directly across the street! Since this house is located on a corner lot, not only will you have loads of parking, you'll have extra space for Fido to play fetch. When you have had enough sun and sand, come on back and enjoy a hot outdoor shower and hose off your pooch and all those toys.

Sweet Dreams: Linens included for all reservations 7 nights or longer. For shorter stays, linens are available to rent through Ward Realty.

Two queen size rooms are located at the back of the home for peaceful slumber. Each room includes an additional pass thru space with a twin bed tucked inside for additional guests - what an innovative use of space! The shared bathroom may just be one of the cutest ones you will see on the island - with rolling barn doors and sea glass colored tile.

North Back Bedroom - Queen Bed with walk thru to North Middle Bedroom with Twin Bed
South Back Bedroom - Queen Bed and TV with walk thru to South Middle Bedroom with Twin Bed
One full bath (shower) shared by all

Location:
Your beach rental is located approximately 2.5 miles south of the Surf City high rise bridge. You'll be near the central part of Topsail Island which puts you close to restaurants, shops, Surf City Pier and more! Be sure to visit some local attractions such as the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and the Missiles and More Museum, which tells the story of our island's past.

Amenities:
Linens are included for all reservations 7 nights or longer
Central Heat/Air
Keyless Entry
2 cable TVs, DVD player
Wireless Internet
Kitchen with microwave (no dishwasher)
Washer/Dryer
Ceiling fans
Enclosed outside shower - hot/cold water
Sundeck with deck furniture & built-in gate

Additional Property Information:
$150 Non-Refundable Fee per Dog - max 4. Sorry, cats are not allowed.
Smoke Free - No smoking allowed by anyone on the premises.
Easy, direct beach access just across the street.
This property does not have a dishwasher.

Trip Preparation:
Rental homes with Ward Realty all have minimum standards to make your stay seem as close to home, while you're away from home, as possible. All of our rentals include fully equipped kitchens, basic small appliances (microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, blenders), pillows, comforters/bedspreads, television(s), central heating/air, and much more!

Similar properties

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms

Bathroom

  • 1 shared bathroom
  • Bathtub
  • Shower

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Limited housekeeping

Location highlights

  • In a village
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

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 (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Deadbolt lock
  • Fire extinguisher

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 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 fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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 professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

64841

Frequently asked questions

How close is Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! to the airport?

This vacation home is 36.6 mi (54-min drive) away from the Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! to the beach?

This vacation home is a short 1-minute walk from Surf City Beach and 7.5 mi (14-min drive) from Sea Haven Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly!?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! to downtown Surf City?

This vacation home is 2.7 mi away from Surf City.

Ruff Life - Classic Island Cottage - 4 BR and Easy Beach Access. Dog Friendly! Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I went with my dog and we had a great week! Just walked right across the street to beach! I sat on the deck a few days just listening to the ocean. No complaints!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Easter weekend stay at Ruff Life

Property is in a great location and has easy access to the beach. Even though it is not directly on the beach it has a great view of the ocean from the deck. Very dog friendly and our furry friend gives it five stars. Definitely will look to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

We enjoyed your house it’s very cute great for pets ! The view is spectacular.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, home and management!

We had a great Memorial Day weekend at the beach. Thanks to Ward for making it possible to book on short notice!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome spot

Loved this cottage! Location is unbeatable and great size house for a small family with pets. Only thing that was weird was the wifi, but honestly we didn't use it much anyway. We will definitely be looking to come back again soon!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

End of summer trip

Property is a cute cottage. Access to the beach was right across the street and so convenient!! Property had everything we needed for the week and working with Ward Realty was very easy.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little gem by the sea

Me, my folks and my little dog loved this house! It was very clean and the location was perfect. My folks had a great time wandering across the street for their own adventures and me and the dog played ball on the beach!beacRubenjoyed the gated deck
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ruff Life Rules!

Great house and location. Super easy check in and out. Nice reminders for trash and recycling pick up.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love the property

Very comfortable stay. Located across the road from a beach access which made things a lot nicer. Communication with Ward reality was excellent. They provided timely check in information as well as other informative texts. Would definitely recommend this to someone with pets. Very pet friendly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So close to the beach!

Having public beach access right across the street was the highlight. It made visiting the beach easy a we went many times through the day. This was an excellent location and good value for the money.The house is a little tired and linens are not included unless you book a whole week. The bathroom is new but you'll have little privacy with the sliding barn doors made of slats. You need to close a few more doors to feel private.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Ruff Life

We thought that the yard was enclosed for our pet, but was not. The street was very busy. We did appreciate the gated porch. The overall house was a nice stay. Did have a problem with the toliet making a high pitch squeal every 2 hours- but we lived with it. View of the ocean was nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ruff Life

The house was fine, a little old, but overall ok for a beach stay, the location was perfect. The one thing that I didn’t like was the lack of hot water, the shower was Luke warm at its best. Other than that is was fine.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy beach get away

We brought our kids to do a week of virtual school from the beach and this location was perfect! After logging off of school we just walked across the street for some beach time. It's been a weird year, but this beach stay was a definite bright spot.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Really wonderful place

The house was small but very comfortable. The location was spectacular - one row off the beach, but with a clear view of the ocean. Other than the lack of dishwasher, we loved everything about the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025