Entire home

Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi

Photo gallery for Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi

Exterior
Backyard on the bay. Grill, fish cleaning table, outdoor shower and firepit.
Sunset May 2018
Beautiful Bay Views from the Back Porch
Two Person Kayak with Paddles

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6143.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Panacea, FL
  • Public Beach Access
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Alligator Point Beach
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Bald Point State Park
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi

'Happy Shack' is the ultimate old Florida getaway. This unique home sits on a large BAY FRONT lot with a sandy shore and private, deeded BEACH ACCESS across the street. A large tiki structure provides shade at the beach. Lots of love and attention have been given to this 1940s military barrack. It has been transformed into an amazing beach bungalow with lots of art, quirky touches, and thoughtful amenities.

The exterior of this unique property includes parking for 4 cars and just 4 steps to enter the home. The front sun deck offers 2 tall Adirondack chairs. The front screened porch provides a relaxing hammock, a patio table for 4, and 2 additional chairs. The back screened porch offers a wonderful conversation area for 4, a dining table for 4, and fantastic views of the large yard and beautiful bay. A private, enclosed outdoor shower with hot and cold water is perfect after a day in the sun. A fish cleaning station and park-style grill are provided for your fisherman's catch! Additional Adirondack chairs are provided at the grill area. The large backyard boasts a stone fire pit with wrap-around seating, an oyster roaster, a horseshoe court, 2 person kayak, two paddle boards with life vests, and a two-person swing by the the bay. The bay enjoys a sandy beach for fishermen and swimmers. Cross the street to our private, deeded beach access.

The interior of this gem enjoys an open living/dining room with gorgeous views of the Bay. Comfy seating in the living rooom and extra seating area ensure a place for everyone. Exit double French doors to both the front and back screened porches. The interior dining table seats 6 for a fantastic meal or high-stakes card games. The well-appointed kitchen offers beautiful wood counters and an abundance of small appliances, chef knives, cooking gadgets, and pots and pans. A breakfast table, seating 2, is the perfect location for your morning coffee. Another exit from the kitchen puts you on the covered, screened porch with Edison lights and a fun beach vibe. It's the perfect location for hours of evening chats and delicious meals with beautiful bay views.

The king bedroom enjoys a smart TV and a convenient sink in the bedroom. The twin bedroom is perfect for the littles or young at heart. A full bathroom with a shower is just down the hall and connects to a laundry area with washer/dryer. Exit the laundry to the outdoor deck and the detached & enclosed private gazebo house that sleeps two in a queen bed. This unique hideaway enjoys beautiful beamed ceilings, amazing bay views, a flat-screen TV, and a convenient sink. (AC & heat provided)

The living room enjoys a smart TV, DVD player, Bose stereo speaker with Alexa (turn her off if you don't like her), and boom box. Board games, puzzles, DVDs, beach coolers and kites are also provided.

A beach box with an umbrella, two beach chairs, 3 boogie boards, and sand toys are on the back deck. Life vests of all sizes are provided for water activities. Use kayaks and paddle boards at your own risk, please. Do not leave paddle boards or the kayak on the shore...tides will carry them away! Bocce ball and horseshoes are provided for fun lawn games.

Beds: 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Twins

A boat ramp is less than a mile from the Happy Shack and there is plenty of room on the property for a boat and trailer with additional cars. Some guests have enjoyed anchoring their boat in the bay behind the house and wade or shuttle to the house (we have a boat buoy, we do not have a dock). The beach tiki is shared with four properties and the wood flooring is messy from a hurricane but provides shade with bench seating. Happy Shack is not recommended for toddlers and children 5 & under as there is a lot for little hands to get into! Additional videos and photos can be seen on our Facebook page @HappyShackBeach

COVID-19 - We have removed decorative bedding & pillows and use commercial-grade disinfectant between guests.

HURRICANES & TROPICAL STORMS: If there is a storm or hurricane, refunds will be provided for the following reasons:
1) The state or local authorities order mandatory evacuations in a "Tropical Storm/Hurricane Warning area" and/or
2) The day that the authorities order a mandatory evacuation order in a "Tropical Storm/Hurricane Warning," area, we will refund:
- Any unused portion of rent from a guest currently registered;
- Any unused portion of rent from a guest that is scheduled to arrive, and wants to shorten the stay, to arrive after the Mandatory Warning is lifted; and
- Any advance rent collected or deposited for a reservation scheduled to arrive during the Mandatory Warning period.
Refunds are not provided for an issued Watch.

Property manager

Allison Ager
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Not particularly suitable for young children.
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Events

No events allowed
No events/parties, rental guests only.
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Pets

No pets allowed
Contact owner for approval, extra fee applies.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking permitted on the patios.
No smoking in the house please.
Travelers must provide photo ID and guest list with names and ages after booking.

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
Note from host: No events/parties, rental guests only.
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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Panacea

Located in Panacea, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Bayside Marina and St. James Bay Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Bald Point State Park and Public Beach Access. Snorkelling, waterskiing and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
Map
Panacea, FL

What's nearby

  • Public Beach Access - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Alligator Point Beach - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Bald Point State Park - 14 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Wilson Beach - 18 min drive - 18.8 km
  • Mashes Sand Beach - 20 min drive - 19.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Angelo & Son's Seafood Restaurant - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Alligator Point Tiki Hut - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Tropical Trader Shrimp Co. - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Jim Dog's Deli And Pizza - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Big Daddy's Pizza - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, firepit, grille, wifi located?

Nestled on the beach, this Panacea holiday home is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Public Beach Access and 2 mi (3.2 km) from Alligator Point Beach. Wilson Beach and Mashes Sand Beach are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

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. 211 out of 215 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 215 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 215 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 215 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 215 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joy B.

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

Happy Shack

This was our first time staying here and it did not disappoint!! It’s a beautiful place inside and out. Very quiet and private. The place is well stocked so we really had everything we needed. Loved that the beach is just across the street.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

George S.

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

Good week

Love the happy shack , really nice very peaceful, had a great time
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

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

This spring break trip was perfect!

This was the BEST place for my family to enjoy a relaxing spring break vacation. The Happy shack was clean and accommodating. We loved having a bay and a beach to enjoy. Alligator point was so quiet and beautiful. This will not be the last time we visit the Happy shack!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Russell T.

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

Amazing

It was a nice quiet place and easy access to the beach
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Xiaona H.

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

Very cozy property with a lot of thoughtful details

Our family truly enjoy our stay at the property. Very clean, cozy, and comfortable, with a lot of thoughtful details in the house. Owner always communicates and responds promptly. Beautiful bay at the backyard and great private beach across the street.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie Rutledge S.

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

Wonderful little shack on the bay and beach

We fished, swam, played, watched movies, cooked in the well-appointed kitchen and just generally had the best week in the Happy Shack. The bay beach was a surprisingly awesome amenity.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erinn G.

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

Heaven on Earth

We had a wonderful time at the Happy Shack. We visited with our teenage daughter and 2 college age sons. The access to the bay out back and the beach right across the street is ideal. The Happy Shack is nicely decorated. It really feels like a home (not a bare bones rental). Our teenage daughter loved the vibe of the Fowler House (the detached bedroom). Allison was very helpful and responsive to our questions. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathaniel W.

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

Brilliant

The home is perfect. Everything was provided and in good working order. Location is amazing. We are already planning our next visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol U.

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

Loved it!

The house was clean and decor was unbelievable! I felt like I found a new piece of art daily to admire. The home and grounds make you feel like you’re in your own little beach oasis. My 3 boys fished the beach and bay daily. Easy access to the beach! The beach is so private that we felt we had the entire beach to ourselves. I was worried about there being only one bathroom but the outdoor shower was used more than the indoor..it was awesome. So awesome that my husband is having one similar build for our home. This is really a great place to stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula C.

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

Perfectly Perfect!

Lovely home where the owners love shows in every attention to detail. Comfy beds, well-stocked kitchen, beach and bay and all on Alligator Point. Our new favorite place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn G.

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

Friend Get-Away

The perfect property for kids and adults!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Kristi P.

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

A unique little house on the bay

The house has such charm; it's not your everyday cookie cutter rental. The wifi -TV mostly - is not as easy to work as a typical cable setup, but we managed OK. The Internet worked well. We didn't use the Boombox so I can't speak to that. I would have preferred a firmer mattress in the main bedroom, it was a little too soft for me. The twin beds in the second bedroom were much firmer, but we were already set up to use the king bed. The kitchen is a little quirky, but everything worked. The drawers, especially, had far too much redundant stuff in them that you had to sift through to find what you needed. We were provided with only one roll of bathroom tissue and one roll of paper towels, and had brought an extra roll of each, but only had to open one roll of our tissue. There were also way too many towels, etc for the bathroom and shower, leaving a lot less space to put our clothing, etc. We enjoyed using our own kayaks in the bay, and had a nice walk on the nearly-deserted beach. All in all, we had a fine time, also enjoying the various eating establishments in the area - the Tiki Hut at the marina and several places in Panaea.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen B.

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

Wonderful as always

Happy Shack was comfortable and perfectly located with bay in the backyard and private access to alligator point beach just across the street. Our children and grandson loved the house while Nana and Pawpaw loved the peaceful detached bedroom AKA the fowler house! Outside shower is also a Huge plus! Never felt crowded even with max number of guests allowed for this perfect little home on the ocean!!! We will be back for our 3rd stay next year!!!!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jake W.

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

Great!

Location can't be beat: on the bay, right by the beach too. Nice kitchen for cooking, kayaks to enjoy the bay, clean, comfy bed, good wi-fi, I could go on and on!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica A.

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

Amazing Quiet Retreat

The property is exactly as pictured but much more beautiful! It is very roomy and cozy with all the amenities you could ask for! When we weren't at the beach we were relaxing on one of the many porches watching the water or playing horseshoes. There are plenty of fish in the bay from the back yard and even seen a dolphin in the bay right off our shoreline. And if you want to know what freedom is, use that outdoor shower! Its an incredible experience! Allison was an excellent host and any questions I had were addressed almost immediately! She also checked in on us after some pretty bad storms passed through on our first night. I highly recommend the Happy Shack and will definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carter C.

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

As advertised

As advertised
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie M.

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

Happy Shack of relaxation

My family and I had a wonderful stay at the Happy Shack. We loved watching all the wildlife- dolphins, bald eagles, pelicans, fish, and of course the sweet white squirrels! The kitchen was well stocked with all the supplies we needed to cook all of our meals, and the home came with plenty of necessary accessories for use on the beach or for fishing. We loved everything about our stay on Alligator Point- thank you so much for allowing us to share your Happy Shack!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

O E.

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

Loved staying at happy shack.

What a peaceful lovely well appointed home! It has the best of the beach and bay. Easy communication with the host. Thank you for the most relaxing vacation!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Penny M.

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

Joy by the sea

This is our 2nd stay in Alligators Point . We are learning all the great places to go and the fresh fish doesn’t hurt . Plan on going every year .
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter R.

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

Great place!

Really enjoyed our trip to alligator point at the happy shack. was perfect for what we needed and fit us all just fine. Thanks again
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda F.

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

Relaxing Vaca

This home was perfect for a quiet, relaxing warm -weather vacation....beach walking, kayaking, fishing and so much more with a rather short drive. The isolation of alligator Point was wonderful. Thanks 😊
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dana B.

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

Relaxing

This property was perfect for quiet time to relax. It had all of the things you would need and more. We will definitely book again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

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

Happy Shack Review

Beautiful house and property. Nice peaceful area to stay. Only complaint would've been solved if I would have did a little more research on the area. Most anything to eat is a 30+ minute drive and no breakfast places we could find other than fast food (still 30 minute drive). Would absolutely stay at Happy Shack again, I would just come prepared to cook at the house.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Josh T.

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

New Years Eve Trip

We had a great time here over New Years!! Can’t beat having both the beach and bay to enjoy! House was clean, comfy, fun and very well equipped. Kitchen had everything and more! Cooking oysters on the pit was super fun. Loved the yard so cute and the porches were the best!! The sunsets were beautiful. Thank you for sharing your happy place with us!!
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joel G.

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

Wonderful time of relaxation!

Alligator Point forced us to slow down and relax. The Happy Shack was so cute! It was chilly for most of our stay, but the beautiful view of the bay and the short walk across the street to the beach made up for that. Loved the outdoor shower! The kitchen had EVERYTHING you could possibly need in it!!! We ate at Huttuns and also got some fresh shrimp to cook up from My Way Seafood. It was all amazing! If you’re looking for a place to unwind and relax, the Happy Shack is definitely for you!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Allison Ager

Host profile image
We are Allison and Robert from Tallahassee, FL. We have three grown sons. We live and work in Tallahassee. Allison grew up visiting Alligator Point as a kid and Robert came to love it while attending Florida State University. The Happy Shack is a breezy reflection of who we are. We have poured our hearts and souls into transforming this property into the ultimate beach getaway!

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with the old Florida charm that we saw in the Happy Shack. We stumbled on this property in the spring of 2016 and recognized that with a lot (a whole lot) of elbow grease, we could have a little slice of heaven at the coast. Originally built in 1941, the Happy Shack served as officer quarters at Camp Gordon Johnson also know as "Hell by the Sea" located in Carrabelle, FL. It's beautifully weathered and awesome! The eclectic details are all around you, be sure to take them in. We are pretty sure you will feel that you 'fell into' the most amazing cottage on Alligator Point! Don't let the the 'old gal' fool you....she's a gem! The backyard is private and sprawling. Perfect for a game of Boccee Ball, oyster roasts, bonfires, horseshoes or simply watching the sunrise and sunsets. We've added bird, bat and squirrel houses for our critter friends.

What makes this property unique

Besides the breezy vibe that Happy Shack offers, there's a bit of 'famous' here as well. Best selling author (9 books) Connie May Fowler owned this home for 17 years and the gazebo house where she wrote, is now named the 'Fowler House' in her honor. You will find her books in the home...read them, they are wonderful! Connie adapted "Before Women had Wings" for Oprah Winfrey. The result was an Emmy-winning film starring Oprah and Ellen Barkin. Her latest writing (April 2017) "A Million Fragile Bones" is all about her life at the Happy Shack and the BP oil spill that broke her heart.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests