Accommodating 7 guests, this vacation home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It offers water views and a patio for outdoor enjoyment. Families can engage in waterskiing, tubing, and windsurfing nearby, with attractions like Surf City Beach and Back in Touch Massage close by. The stay is pet-friendly for your furry companions.
Highlights
Beach equipment
A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun
Welcome to Back to the GypSea, our laid-back Surf City beach home with a little retro soul, lots of personality and plenty of space for families, friends and four-legged sidekicks.
Our 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sleeps up to 7 and was thoughtfully designed to make beach vacations comfortable, easy and—most importantly—fun.
SLEEP + RELAX The spacious primary suite features a plush king bed, private en-suite bath with double vanities and tub/shower, Smart TV and plenty of storage. The second bedroom has a comfortable queen bed, Smart TV and a fun retro-coastal feel.
Then there’s the room everyone remembers—our VW Bus Surf Room! Two twin beds are built into a one-of-a-kind VW bus bunk, creating a fun hideaway for kids…and the big kids who never quite grew up! A Pack ‘n Play is also available. All bedrooms have ceiling fans and sound machines.
Traveling with a 7th guest? A comfortable memory foam roll away bed is available with advance notice.
PACK IT IN, SEND IT UP One of our favorite conveniences is the outdoor service elevator for luggage, groceries and beach gear. After a Long Beach day—or one look at that overpacked suitcase—you may decide it’s your favorite amenity too!
A KITCHEN THAT ACTUALLY LIKES COOKS Our kitchen is stocked for guests who really cook. You’ll find cookware, bakeware, serving pieces, spices and basic condiments, plus a Crock-Pot, air fryer, blender, toaster, pizza stone, Keurig and traditional coffee maker.
Rather let someone else do the cooking? Great local restaurants, live music and entertainment are conveniently nearby.
THE GypSEA BACKYARD Downstairs is where vacation mode really kicks in. Grab a cold drink, claim the hammock and settle into our casual island-style hang out area. Challenge the crew to Giant Jenga, ring toss, Yardzee, checkers or bocce—or do absolutely nothing. We fully support that too.
One of our favorite Back to the GypSEA traditions is the collection of quirky treasures our guests have left behind—signs, license plates, shell creations and other beachy mementos. Guests are welcome to add something of their own and become a little part of the GypSEA story.
After the beach, rise off the sand in our outdoor “wash house” before heading upstairs.
BEACH + WATER DAYS We’re close to Surf City Beach Access #1, which offers step-free access onto the sand. At the end of our street, you can also access the Intracoastal Waterway for launching kayaks and paddleboards.
THE LITTLE THINGS We provide pillows, blankets, bed coverlets and starter household essentials. Bed linens and bath towels are not included, but we’re happy to connect you with a convenient local linen rental service if you’d rather leave yours at home.
Most of all, we want Back to the GypSEA to feel like more than another vacation rental. We hope it becomes your beach place—the one where memories are made, everybody unwinds, and leaving has you already dreaming about coming back.
Come as you are. Leave a little saltier!
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
We’re happy to accommodate a second dog for additional $150 non-refundable pet fee.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3904622vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
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
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
About the area
Surf City
Located in Surf City, this holiday home is near the beach. Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi and Escape Spa are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Ohana Paddle Sports and Mia's Marketplace. Travelling with kids? Consider The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and Topsail Skating Rink Topsail Beach. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours.
Camp Lejeune Main Gate and Visitor Center - 46 min drive - 64.2 km
University of North Carolina at Wilmington - 49 min drive - 66.0 km
Wrightsville Beach - 54 min drive - 61.2 km
Getting around
Wilmington, NC (ILM-Wilmington Intl.) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Surf City Smash - 7 min drive
Salty Turtle Beer Company - 7 min drive
Cape Fear Seafood Company - 7 min drive
Shaka Taco - 5 min drive
Surf City Line - 3 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun?
As of 30 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun on 29 January 2027 start from NZ$1,948, 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 Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Back to the GypSEA- Beach- Pup Friendly- Retro Fun located?
This family-friendly Surf City holiday home is located by the sea, within 2 mi (3 km) of Surf City Beach and Permuda Island. Ohana Paddle Sports and Back in Touch Massage, Yoga, & Lomilomi are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was an awesome property! Exceptionally clean! would highly recommend staying here. Our favorite room was the Volkswagen bedroom, it was a fun room, made you feel like a kid!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 September 2026
Thank you so much Amy for your kind words and review of our Gypsea! We’re thrilled you loved our VW room as much we we do! Even big kids love it, lol! We look forward to welcoming you and yours back to soon!
This house is amazing. Michelle has thought of everything. It is comfortable and so beautiful. The hang out shed is amazing and my kids loved it. You can tell how much this property means to them and how important guest experience is to them. We had an issue with the refrigerator the first day and Michelle went above and beyond to ensure it did not impact our stay. We could not have been happier with our stay!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 September 2026
Hi Jessica, thank you for your kind review and words! You and yours were an exemplary guests, we truly enjoyed hosting and look forward to welcoming you back to our GypSea!
This is a really nice property, very close to the beach. The only negative is that linens and towels weren’t provided which was a huge pain. Yes, there is a linen service available for an additional fee, but who wants to deal that and pay extra? A resort property should automatically provide these items. Otherwise, it was a lovely property and we had a nice stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 September 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the home, the location and your stay with us. We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the linens. As noted in our listing, linens and towels are available through our local linen service for guests who prefer that option, while others chose to bring their own. We understand that this may not be everyone’s preference and appreciate your sharing your perspective. We’re so happy you otherwise had a wonderful stay and we hope to welcome you back to Surf City and our GypSea again!
About the host
Hosted by Michelle Kalasz
We’re Eric and Michelle—a true farm boy and a beach girl who have been married for almost 28 years and have raised 3 amazing kids along the way.
Surf City has always held a special place in our hearts. Long before we ever owned a home here, this was where we brought our kids, made memories, soaked up the salty air, and simply enjoyed being together. It has always felt like our beach home—eventually, we just made it official!
Now that our kids are grown, we love being able to share a little piece of a place that has meant so much to our family. We’ve filled our home with things we love, a little personality, and plenty of laid-back beach charm.
We hope you’ll kick off your shoes, slow down, breathe in that salty air, and make some wonderful Surf City memories of your own.
Why they chose this property
Surf City has been a part of our family story for many years. We brought our three kids here while they were growing up, spending countless days at the beach and making the kind of simple family memories that stay with you forever.
We’ve always loved the laid back, small-town feel of Surf City—the beautiful beaches, friendly people, and that wonderful slower pace that seems to happen the minute you drive over the bridge onto the island.
But there’s something especially charming about the canals. We love the peaceful waterfront setting and the little community that surrounds them, where many of our neighbors are locals who call Surf City home year-round. It has such a friendly, tucked-away feel that makes this part of the island pretty special.
When we finally had the opportunity to put down roots in a place we already loved so much, the canal community felt like exactly where we belonged.
What makes this property unique
What makes our home special is the best of both worlds—you get the relaxed beach life of Surf City along with the peaceful charm of staying at the canals.
Theirs something special about being near the water that makes you slow down a little. Morning coffee tastes better, evenings seem quieter, and you can settle into island time pretty quickly.
Inside we’ve tried to create a home that feels warm, comfortable, and full of personality rather than like a typical rental. We love mixing coastal style with vintage and collected pieces, adding those little touches that make a space feel lived-in and loved.
Most of all, this is a place meant for making memories—whether you’re spending your days at the beach, enjoying the annals, exploring Surf City, or simply hanging out together at the house.
It’s casual, a little quirky, full of heart, and very much our happy place. We hope it becomes a little bit of yours, too.