See all properties
Entire home

Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks,

Photo gallery for Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks,

Situated on beautiful 1 acre lot backing to 5 acres of Marine forest and canal
Fenced pool seasonally open May 1 to Oct 1. 3 ft to 5 ft depth.
Canal view from ground level in back.
2 kayaks & various-size vests included. 15 min. paddle to Currituck Sound.
Canal & marine forest from the rooftop deck (Eagles Nest). A+ night stargazing!

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Duck, NC
  • Duck Boardwalk
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Duck Woods Country Club
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Kitty Hawk Beach
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional)
    ‪49 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks,

Get the best of all worlds on the Outer Banks in this five-bedroom/three-full-bath getaway. Enjoy majestic treetop views of the canal and marine forest -- with abundant wildlife and birds while having nearby beach access,(2 minutes from the house by car), with private community parking as well as the safety of life guards.
Relax in the large screened porch overlooking the lush natural setting. There are great views from the two master bedroom decks. The first-level rec room with an adjacent kids bedroom provides separate space/time for adults and children.
Two good quality kayaks come free with the rental and can be launched from the backyard dock. Enjoy swimming in your own private swimming pool.

Property manager

Dennis O'Brien

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Semi Oceanfront Cottage

ENJOY SUMMER!BOOK NOW! SEMIOCEANFRONT 2 MIN WALK TO BEACH SEAVIEWS POOL/HOT TUB

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
10.0 out of 10, (241 reviews)
ENJOY SUMMER!BOOK NOW! SEMIOCEANFRONT 2 MIN WALK TO BEACH SEAVIEWS POOL/HOT TUB

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
2 dogs max, house trained, well behaved.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Couples and families only. From Oct. 1 to May 1 a $10 per guest per night will be charged for more than 6 guests.
Dogs allowed on the beach from 6 PM–9 AM between 5/15 and 9/15. They must be on a leash. Waste bags available at Hillcrest beach entrance.

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
On-site 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 that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property Registration Number NO

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Kitty Hawk

Located in Kitty Hawk, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Outer Banks Beaches and Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Nor'Banks Sailing and Children at Play Museum. Travelling with kids? Consider Paradise Fun Park and Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Duck, NC

What's nearby

  • Duck Boardwalk - 6 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Duck Woods Country Club - 6 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Kitty Hawk Beach - 9 min drive - 6.6 km
  • The Sanderling Spa - 16 min drive - 11.9 km
  • H2OBX Waterpark - 20 min drive - 19.4 km

Getting around

  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Duck Donuts - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Grille & Raw Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Coastal Cravings - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks, have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks, pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks,?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks,?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Second Nature-Beautiful, Natural Setting, Private Pool, 2 Kayaks, located?

This family-friendly Kitty Hawk holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Outer Banks Beaches, Scarborough Lane Shoppes and Greenleaf Gallery. Duck Boardwalk and Aqua Spa are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 113 out of 148 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 24 out of 148 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 148 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 148 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 148 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jim F.

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

Pleasant stay

A very comfortable and quiet setting
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ronee P.

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

Super nice

Beautiful place. Great views from porch in back. House was fully stocked with stuff from baby gates to stuff for the beach. We had a wonderful time. Kids loved the pool. Only down fall was the ticks but u are in a wooded area so that is to be expected. Had a water issue mid week however host was super kind and fast at getting it taken care and paid for our dinner that night out. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marguerite M.

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

Great place to stay!

We had a great time at Second Nature!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim F.

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

Second Nature is a very nice place!

Second Nature is a well located, very nice cottage. Our time there was relaxing. The pool is very private and everything about the home met all our needs for a great vacation. My wife and I highly recommend a stay at Second Nature!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob K.

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

Amazing stay at the OBX

We have a great time staying at Second Nature. We loved the pool table and kayaking on the canal behind the house. The house was perfect for our family of 8. We also loved the swimming pool and proximity to the beach. We would love to stay here again in the future if we can make our way back to the OBX. We enjoyed trips to Wright Bros Memorial, Jockey's Ridge, Fishing and activities on Roanoke Island, visiting and climbing the lighthouses and hanging out at the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark M.

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

Fall on the Outer Banks

We loved Second Nature. The location was perfect for our day trips. The home is beautifully decorated, well equipped kitchen, and a relaxing place.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Chris D.

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

2 week southern shores

Great location and amenities. House could use a little TLC with some simple things like cracked toilet seats, and loose pool table felt. Host was wonderful-available and attentive with questions and concerns. We enjoyed seeing the local wildlife near the canal every morning. Check in and out were super convenient.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Relax and Refresh

Have been staying at this property for many years. We consider it our home away from home.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pam w.

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

Beach trip 2023

We had a great family vacation! Although it was chilly when we first arrived, we really enjoyed kayaking and paddle boating for the first time for some of us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Connie H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

The house was great.

The grass definitely needed cut. We couldn’t use the kayaks because the water was so low and the bugs were bad. Also, the walk down that steep hill was difficult for us old people.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James A., Doylestown Ohio

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

Good times in OBX

Everything was great for our trip to the OBX. The house was laid out perfectly for our group. And the kids loved the pool. Thanks for letting us stay for the week. Cheers.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Aaron L.

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

Great location, very relaxing

The house is at a great location, close to the beach and halfway between Duck and Kitty Hawk, so with great access to restaurants, shopping, and activities. The screened-in porch is also great. We were comfortable in the house, which was very quiet and peaceful—a relaxing getaway for our whole family and our dog. The owner was very responsive. One tip: bring your own paper products.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joyce P.

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

Perfect location

We really enjoyed staying here. The porch swing was a hit. My grandson loves fishing in the canal. It's the best of both worlds. Shade and sound in back and beach in front. It was nice being at the beach in the daytime and having the pool in the shade in the evening. The only negative thing is that there was poison ivy/oak around the house and pool and we did come home with some :( Other than that we had a blast.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marsha C.

Perfect Rental

This house has everything one could want in a rental - we loved our stay!!! Enjoyed the walks to the beach and sound, loved having kayaks. The nature surrounding this house is very peaceful and relaxing. The only downside was having to leave...
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2015
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sandy M., Newton, North Carolina

Perfect in every way!!

Our vacation was the perfect blend of relaxation, excitement, entertainment, and communion with nature..The owner was very good in communicating the area's assets and attuned to our needs. The house was very comfortable, from the up to date kitchen to the comfortable beds..and the pool!! We enjoyed just hanging out in the house and on the property..great family atmosphere.

10/10 Excellent

Amy U.

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

Loved our time, as expected

Everything about the home was as the listing said. Very comfortable home that we immediately settled into. Nicely appointed kitchen and other parts of the home left us wanting for nothing. The couple of small issues that came up were resolved Immediately. Great home, great location and great home experience for our long term stay. You’ll love it too!!
Stayed 27 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Bobby F., Kernersville, NC

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

Nice but in need of repairs

The house is in need of repairs. The main entrance door was hard to open there is a bad water leak and a lot of mold donn in game room
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina F., Prichard

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

Beautiful area

We were very pleased with our stay. We spent most of our time in the pool and screened in porch. Fiestaware was a nice touch. Being a collected it was nice to see in a rental. The personal art touches was beautiful. The beach was about a 3 minute drive. It was to far for us to walk. Owner was easy to reach. Place was clean and pleasant. The only semi complaint was the mattress were getting wore out. Besides that no complaints
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

jeffery m.

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

Second Nature is Second to None

The home does need some TLC but… The neighborhood is quiet. The home is well furnished. The wildlife is abundant. The deer are beautiful to watch. The route to the beach allows for walking, biking, or driving complete with a stop light to get you across 12. Not feeling the beach? The pool was great to have. Centrally located between Duck and Kitty Hawk with all the accompanying shopping, eating, and playing. We lacked for nothing. Property manager/owner was great to work with. Can’t recommend this home enough.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark D.

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

Nice comfortable place in a natural setting

It's a great place in a natural setting at the beach with a wilderness feel. The best of both worlds! The beach is a short drive down the road, but you can come back to trees, and shade, and listen to the birds and squirrels on the screened-in porch while relaxing on the bed swing, after spending the day at the beach. The owner was very responsive, and the place had everything we needed. In 15 years of going to the Outer Banks, this is the best-equipped rental we have ever rented....hands down. And it was a welcome treat to have a gas stove to cook on, so much better than electric, and plus, we didn't have that same old issue of reflective plates on an electric stove that the rental companies can never seem to get the right size of. The weather was a bit unseasonably chilly our week so we never got in the pool, but it was in such a nice setting as well. If you are looking for a place near the beach that doesn't have that same old sandy feel, where you can go to the beach and come back and relax in a nature-type setting, this is your place. I highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Ivan P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Property would benefit from a better management

The house is in great location and it looks like it was once was in superb shape. These days there are many little things that need to be addressed. The owner is probably not visiting property as the needed repairs would be apparent for anyone who lives in the property for more that a day. Also be prepared that you need to bring all the necessities: bath towels, beach towels, kitchen towels, kitchen cloths, paper towels, bathroom tissue, kleenex, dishwasher soap, hands soap, dishwasher detergent, rinse aide, GARBAGE BAGS. The house has no leftovers from the previous visitors like you'd use to expect. Don't even think of finding teas, coffees, sugars, oils, etc. You'd need to buy everything yourself. It seems like the management takes everything away. Also, please read the fine print in the instructions that you'll see 3 days prior your visit. You'd need to bring your own sheets among other things. Other included amenities like beach chairs, or pool table are in rough shape. One of the two beach umbrellas is broken, the other one is almost there as well. We didn't even think of looking at the kayaks as life jackets were all piled up outside and did not look attractive.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Eric C.

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

Second Nature

Being that it was late October and pretty much the end of the vacation season some of the issues we encountered were understandable. The property was easy to find. located a short drive to Duck and Kittyhawk. The neighborhood was very quiet. When we first entered, we noted a mix of musty/bleach odor and a few dead palmetto bugs on the floor. The rooms were decorated nicely. The beds were a little too soft for my liking and a bit worn in. There were plenty of blankets for the colder nights. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook and was organized. The living room/dining room was very comfortable. We enjoyed the screened-in back porch and the oversized porch swing was awesome. The game room had a ping pong table/pool table that was in decent shape. We saw lots of deer and birds from the balcony. The observation deck did not provide views of the ocean. Best we saw was the tree tops across the street. A few of the family took the kayaks out into the canal. There is a very steep hill with awkward steps to traverse. The pool was half drained below the filter intake and we couldn't get the hose turned on to fill it so we didn't use it at all. The water was kinda greenish anyways. The beach access was a 17 minute walk so we usually drove. The neighborhood beach was very clean and easily accessible from the parking lot. We thought about staying and extra day and the owner was very responsive to our messages. In the end we decided to head home as scheduled. Not terrible for the $
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Tracy G.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Communication

Great location that needs some love

First, the address is Hillcrest Drive in Southern Shores NOT Hillcrest Road in Duck as listed in the ad. Great neighborhood but no curb appeal, rusty mailbox, peeling paint and dirty pool were immediately noticed. House was nicely furnished and decorated. Kitchen met our needs and screened porch felt like you were sitting in the trees. I paid the linen fee but one of the three bedrooms we used had questionable stains on the linens and pillow sham. The grill was so greasy that it was a fire hazard to use. Only one beach umbrella and 4 chairs were decent enough to use. The pool area had overgrown weeds and the lining needed cleaning. I texted Dennis on Sunday and Robert on Monday about the pool and got zero response. Someone finally showed up on Tuesday and it was much improved but not pristine. The pool guy came back on the morning we checked out. The beach is super close and passes provided. The house had large black ants in some areas. We did enjoy the pool table and the laundry room was a plus.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Tina G.

Liked: Check-in

Not worth the amount I paid!

The home is an “older” well-decorated beach theme home, that needs updating all over. The kitchen was well stocked but the Baking pans were well used and sticky.. the living room has one couch and another very uncomfortable chair. Sitting was not comfortable for a family of four. The beds were not fitted with quality mattresses, so our rest was not great. AC was adequate and so was the water pressure in the showers. The master bath is small……The house needs updated carpets and fresh paint inside and out. The back porch with the bed swing was nice, but the other decks needed replaced. We even had a place that my sons foot went through on the front deck. I reported this to the owner and someone came and covered the hole with plywood. The back yard is steep going down to the kayaks , so there is little back yard area. There is a swing and grill underneath the deck area. The pool was not clean and I reported this to the owner, who said the pool cleaners come twice a week. We were there all week and they never came. The home needs updated all over! Simply not worth what I paid for the rental. It will not be a consideration for next year…..
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

4/10 Poor

Amber S.

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

OBX Family Reunion

Booked our stay for a family reunion with my immediate family & 2 nephews (both under 2 years old). The location & amenities were most important, especially the pool. Our first day there we noticed that the place is not well taken care of: My dad had to spend 6 hours cleaning the pool area & ridding it of poison ivy & pine needles so the babies could play there. The pool was also low on chlorine (we tested the water because it looked questionable). We did not feel comfortable using other amenities like outdoor showers/kayaks because they were grimy, overgrown & had lots of bugs/spiders. Overall the amenities had great potential and on paper seemed exciting but due to the lack of maintenance weren't realistically usable. There is black mold throughout the basement ceiling & around the skylights in the home. One of the adults stayed in the basement area so the babies didn't get the worst of breathing that in during our stay. Additionally the dryer did not work and the people who came to replace it would drop by unexpectedly. The pool maintenance man came by the morning we were leaving of course lol. Lastly, the owner profiled me I assume for being young and cancelled our request for the rental because he thought we'd be too loud. I had to explain extensively why we were planning to be there and who would be there before he approved our request. Why rent your house out at all if you're that worried about the guests? For the price I would recommend finding somewhere else.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Dennis O'Brien

Host profile image
Myself, and my wife Carol have been visiting the Outer Banks since the late 1970s. We purchased Second Nature in 2003 and over the years have made many improvements. We fell in love with the setting as it gave us the best of 2 worlds with the beach on the east side and the marine forest, canal, and the Currituck Sound on the Westside. Its quiet, and at certain times feels like we are in a very remote location far from almost everything. Despite the remote feel we are only 5 to 10 minutes away from everything we need. There is something for everyone at Second Nature, making it an ideal rental cottage for families.

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback