Imagine this: You wake up to birdsong and the rustle of the nature preserve behind the house. You make a cup of coffee and carry it out to the screened porch. No one else is up yet. The Gulf is only 600 steps away and you’ll be there in 90 seconds to meet the sunrise behind the wheel of the included beach-permitted golf cart, chairs and cooler loaded in the back, headed straight for the sand.
That’s a morning at Cottage by the Sea. And there ’s nothing else quite like it on the Forgotten Coast.
The Golf Cart
This isn't just any golf cart — it comes with a beach permit, which means you can drive it directly onto Gulf County beaches. Drive onto the sand, park at the water's edge, and unload your beach kit steps from the surf. Sixty seconds from driveway to shoreline.
The cart is yours for the duration of your stay.
The Beach Kit – Brand new and refreshed for 2026 Everything you need for a perfect beach day is already here and ready to go:
- Rolling beach cart with wide wheels built for sand - 6 beach chairs - 2 Beach umbrellas - Snorkel equipment - Sand castle toys for the kids - Beach cooler - Boogie Boards - Assortment of beach towels
No need to rent expensive beach equipment or lug it with you. Just load the cart and go.
The House
Built on stilts in the Old Florida tradition, Cottage by the Sea is a single-level, three-bedroom home with 20-foot ceilings in the open living and kitchen area. Natural light pours in through windows along the upper level all day long. 600 steps to the beach, or sixty seconds by golf cart. The choice is yours.
High-speed internet and WIFI is included, as is use of the home phone with unlimited free local and long-distance calls.
Living Room Features: - 49 Inch 4k TV - Netflix included - Family games (Monopoly, Chess, Life, Sorry, Yahtzee and more) - Now with a sofa sleeper - with a comfortable gel foam mattress
Dining Room Features: - Table with six chairs - perfect for family dinner and a board game afterward.
Kitchen Features: - Indoor/Outdoor George Forman Grill - Full array of high-quality pots and pans - High-quality bakeware / Mixing Cups - Table service for 10 - Can Opener/Pizza Cutter/Full set of carving knives/Toaster - Keurig with starter selection of coffee, creamer and sugar/sugar substitutes - Drip coffee maker (12 cups) - Blender - Salt/Pepper
Master Bedroom Features: - King size Tempurpedic Mattress - 32 Inch TV with Netflix - Cell Phone/Ipod Charging Station - Luggage Rack
2nd Bedroom Features: - Queen Size Mattress - 32 Inch TV with Netflix (No Cable in Bedrooms) - Cell Phone/Ipod Charging Station - Luggage Rack
3rd Bedroom Features: - Twin Bunk Beds - Cell Phone/Ipod Charging Station - If you have to work - desk with dual monitors, docking station, USB Printer with paper and a comfortable desk chair to make it easy!
The back porch overlooking the nature preserve is where the day starts and ends for most guests. Fresh cushions, complete quiet, and nothing behind you but wildlife and trees. Bring your coffee out here in the morning. You may not want to leave.
Cottage by the Sea now includes an outdoor shower, as well. After a day on the sand, rinse off before you come inside.
The Little Things That Matter - Hair dryer in every bathroom - Fully stocked toiletry extras in each bathroom — Q-tips, cotton balls, makeup remover, travel shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste kit - First aid kit - Sewing kit
Down the Road — Indian Pass Raw Bar
A mile and a half from the house sits one of the most beloved seafood institutions on the Gulf Coast. The Indian Pass Raw Bar is world-famous for good reason: raw oysters, cold beer, and the kind of atmosphere that only exists in places that haven't been overrun by tourism yet. Go on a weeknight if you can.
This is Gulf County. There's nothing like it anywhere else on the Florida coast.
House Rules, Please Read
This is a quiet property, and we'd like to keep it that way. - No parties of any kind: including weddings, reunions, or large gatherings. This is a home, not an event venue.
- No pets of any kind: Joseph has a severe pet dander allergy and cannot make exceptions, regardless of size or breed.
- No groups where all guests are under 25: at least one guest in the booking party must be 25 or older.
If this sounds like your kind of place, quiet, thoughtful, a little off the beaten path… you've found it. Welcome to the Cottage by the Sea.
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Golf Cart Usage Requires Signed Additional Agreement with Host
Important information
You need to know
Property # 1365376vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Port St. Joe
Located in Port St. Joe, this holiday home is near the beach. Port St. Joe Beach and St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Frank Pate Park and Port Theatre Art and Culture Center. Power boating offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby.
St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Port St. Joe Beach - 1 min drive - 0.7 km
Salinas Park - 2 min drive - 1.4 km
Indian Pass Beach - 9 min drive - 9.3 km
Mexico Beach - 36 min drive - 40.1 km
Restaurants
Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood On St. Joe Bay - 7 min drive
Scallop Republic - 18 min walk
Indian Pass Raw Bar - 4 min drive
Cape San Blas Coffee & Ice Cream - 9 min drive
Pomodoro Italian Grill and Bar - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included?
As of 7 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included on 27 September 2026 start from NZ$508, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Cottage by the Sea - Beach Golf Cart Included located?
Situated near the beach, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve and Port St. Joe Beach. Salinas Park and Money Bayou are also within 15 minutes.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great property at a great price! We really enjoyed our stay. We were drawn to the included golf cart and proximity to the beach access. If you have ever rented one or purchased a Florida beach driving permit, you know how much of a value this is! We would definitely recommend a stay here!
We enjoyed our stay, about a 1-2 minute drive to the beach. We didn't walk, because we have kids and the road was very busy and people flew up and down it. The house was nice, plenty of space for our family of 7. The only hiccup we had was with the door lock and code on day 2 due to the heat making the door swell.
My wife and I stayed 1 week with our 3 young children and had a wonderful time. The house was very clean, updated and organized for convenience, making the care of young children very simple. Being close to the beach access was nice as well and with a golf cart rental it is very easy to reach Money Bayou without issue. Would highly recommend this house to anyone.
My wife and I had a wonderful time with our two sons and their wives. The house is supplied with an excellent kitchen if you enjoy cooking. It has plenty of space for everyone. From the screened in porch to the living room and the square table where we played games each night. The beach is just a short walk across the road. We had a wonderful time.
Beautiful house. Very convenient to all the area beaches. Property owner and manger were both very accommodating and easy to deal with. I would definitely recommend this house.
This property was amazing. It was better than the pictures and is centrally located to a lot of amazing towns. You can get to the beach in 5 minutes or less. There are numerous other beaches within a 15 minute drive that are amazing as well. The owner was great at communicating with us! We had so much fun hanging out on the beach and exploring the area. It is worth it! We will be back for sure.
Great house & close to lots of beaches! Was disappointed the jets didn't work in the tub. Would've been nice to have a welcome/check-in book with basic info and some great things to do and places to eat. Wifi password, check-in check out process. The owner was very flexible and nice to do check-in & check through via text.
My husband and I had a very lovely short vacation at this home. The house is immaculately clean and very spacious. We loved the screened porch with the views of the nature preserve. It is very quiet and peaceful. The walk to the beach takes about 5 minutes and we took advantage of the beach wagon and chairs provided by the owner. There were only the two of us this trip, but the home is spacious and would be great for a family. We hope to return!
We were looking for a trip with our children and grandchildren away from crowds. This house and beach were perfect! We have never stayed at a beach house with so much privacy. No crowds on the beach near the house. A short drive to other beaches when we needed a beach with smaller waves (due to Hurricane Sally). No high rises/condos/hotels in the area!!! Very peaceful. The house had plenty of room for everyone to spread out or be together for games.
I loved it! I did not want to leave and a week was not long enough. If you are big on privacy then this is the perfect place. The host Joseph was fantastic. He answered when I called and replied to my messages very quickly. He was very helpful and my favorite host by far. The beach was quiet and clean. Will definitely be going back. Just amazing and so relaxing! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This house was absolutely amazing. A beautiful home located between several local townships offering a variety of things to do. We enjoyed our stay and would definitely stay again. The house included many amenities that you would find at home. The owner was easy to contact and very helpful during our stay.
This property was amazing. Fitted out to a very high quality throughout. Hard standing parking, no key entry, beautiful master bedroom with stunning en suite bathroom, fully fitted kitchen, out door netted seating. Outstanding. Joseph is an excellent available to sort out any issues or answering questions. Would go back in a heartbeat. Was hard to leave. Xx
Cottage by the Sea has everything you need for an enjoyable and relaxing stay. It’s by far the most up to date house we have stay in the last four years in the area. The kitchen has everything you need. Love the indoor/outdoor grill. Comfortable beds and furniture throughout the house. The pictures online presences the home well. Great parking. We could not ask for anything more perfect. We will definitely stay again. Thank you Mr. Wilbanks for sharing your Cottage by the Sea.
Gayla C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
About the host
Hosted by Joseph Wilbanks
Recovering computer engineer, avid FSU fan (Go Noles!) and Gulf County native. My mother was born and raised in Apalachicola and the best years of my life were spent in Port St Joe. Now I get to come down four months a year and share my home with others who find the forgotten coast a special place.
I take special care of my home and hope that all guests gain as much enjoyment out of it as do! :)