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Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach

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Magnificent views and sunsets.
Caught off your own private dock in the backyard.
180 degree water views.
Club House and Main Pool
Aerial view

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 537.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pool
  • Washer
  • Gym

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Sandbridge Beach
  • Place, Ocean Breeze Waterpark
  • Place, Virginia Beach Boardwalk
  • Airport, Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Bunk Beds

Great Room

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

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

About this property

Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach

Vacation in a tranquil setting on beautiful Back Bay. View incredible sunsets from your back yard after a day of swimming and fishing in the fresh water of Back Bay or after a day of surf and sand on the beach. Play tennis at our clubhouse, swim in two pools, hike or bike through a nature trail in Back Bay, go kayaking, rent jet skis right next door or go fishing in the Atlantic Ocean on the Pier at Sandbridge Beach right across the street. If you wander long enough on the nature trails of Back Bay's 4,600 acres of Wildlife Preserve you could end up in North Carolina! Back Bay is listed as one of the top 10 Must See Virginia Beach activities with a 92% thumbs up rating.

This cottage is located at Outdoor Resorts in Virginia Beach at Sandbridge Beach, Unit #132 . This cottage has a full kitchen and bath, sleeps 2 adults and 3 children, has killer Wifi and is located right on the water with your own private dock and deck with a large awning across the street from one of the two pools and bath house.

One of the many remarkable things about the location of this unit is the almost constant gentle breeze across the covered deck. You'll find it impossible not to relax in one of our cushioned outdoor chairs with the sounds of the bay and its cool breeze blowing across the shaded deck. The master bedroom has a full size bed and a second bedroom has bunk beds. The large great room has reclining chairs, a futon, dining area and full size kitchen. There is also a full size bathroom and outdoor shower. The walls are knotted pine and the floors are hardwood. It is a gorgeous unit.

The deck practically sits on top of the water and has top of the line Adirondack Chairs, a table with plenty of seating and a gas grill. This cottage is located in one of the only places in the world where you can wake up on the banks of a fresh water National Wildlife Preserve and walk across the street to swim or surf in the ocean. It is impossible to find accommodations any closer to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. To check out this incredible national treasure just Google 'Back Bay Virginia'. The ocean and beach is less than a 2 minute walk across the street from the front of the resort. It is truly a remarkable location.

All rentals will come with a complete linen package included in the cleaning fee. This will include professionally cleaned bed linens, bath towels, washcloths, and kitchen towels. The cleaned linens and towels are then stored for a week prior to use. You will still need to bring your own beach towels. Also, I will also make sure the unit has a starter roll of paper towels, toilet paper and a trash bag. The first thing you should do upon arrival is dip your feet in the bay and NOT have to run to Walmart. We do not allow guests to bring their own towels and linens. We do require you to bring your own beach towels, as our towels are not permitted out of the cottages, thanks.

The Summer Combo Package is incredibly popular and is reserved almost every week of the summer by one of our guests. $400 gets you the combination to the owner's shed. Some of the items include bicycles and helmets, beach chairs, basketball, tennis rackets and tennis balls, Kayak, stand up Paddle Board, life vests, bath towel and linens, fishing rod and tackle box (for liability purposes actual tackle must be purchased separately - there is a store just outside our gate) and more! The package is priced near the cost of renting just a few bikes for the week from local vendors. Please note we own and rent two units and this package serves each unit on a first come first served basis only. If you have an interest, please inquire about the Summer Combo Package as soon as possible.

If you rented from me in a previous year, let me know when you book and you will qualify for last year's pricing. There must be someone in your party staying in the unit who is older than 25. Maximum adult occupancy is 2 adults.

The outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend and close Labor Day weekend.


Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym

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House Rules

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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children will love this place.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
We are pet-free at this point.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non-negotiable.
This is a quiet neighborhood. Any disturbances can result in cancellation of the balance of your stay without refund.

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
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Virginia Beach

Located in Sandbridge, a neighbourhood in Virginia Beach, Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Ocean Breeze Waterpark and Hunt Club Farm are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Hilltop Shopping Center and Pacific Avenue. Consider The Dome for a night out or JT's Grommet Island Park if you're travelling with kids. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and ecotours.
Map
Virginia Beach, VA

What's nearby

  • Sandbridge Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Naval Air Station Oceana - 23 min drive - 17.4 km
  • Ocean Breeze Waterpark - 24 min drive - 19.0 km
  • Military Aviation Museum - 25 min drive - 24.7 km
  • Virginia Beach Boardwalk - 27 min drive - 21.4 km

Getting around

  • Virginia Beach Station - 27 min drive
  • Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Sandbridge Island Resturant and Raw Bar - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Back Bay Market and Deli - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Sage Kitchen at Anderson's - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage on Back Bay Wild Life Refuge at Sandbridge Beach?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 115 out of 147 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 147 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 147 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 147 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 147 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris N.

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

Loved being right on the water

We had a great time. The host was very communicative and the space was cozy. All the neighbors were friendly too!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelsey P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
We really enjoyed the location! We were not expecting the place to be as outdated as it was because from the pictures it looks very clean and on the newer side. So that was a bit of a surprise to us. But after getting over that hump, the stay was very enjoyable! We could walk to the beach every day, enjoyed dinner and breakfast at a restaurant that was walking distance, and got to go kayaking! The water sports rental place is right next to the RV park. We never drove anywhere and had a great little stay! Looking forward to coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tom S.

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

Great Getaway

Awesome view, great location! Property Manager and owner were very attentive and readily available if needed.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Sam C.

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

Small and old place

The place is little too old and too small for 2 people.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Sandy N.

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

Peaceful

The view was beautiful and very peaceful . It’s quiet little community, which was exactly what I wanted.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christina D.

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

If you love a beautiful sunset it gets no better than this spot!

We were here for a short stay while visiting family stationed in Norfolk. The property is clean and well maintained for its age. The kitchen space and patio are more than suitable for making family meals and enjoying each others company. My only complaints are not the fault of the owner or property manager. The weather was not ideal and it was cold. The only thing I would change is bringing more blankets or just going when the weather is warmer. Otherwise we had a lovely stay. The host/manager communication was excellent. She gave great advice on where to bring our kids to entertain them and there is a lot of great info upon checking in on where to shop/eat/ etc. We would definitely recommend staying here! The views from the patio are spectacular. I have several great photos if given the opportunity to I would love to share!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eunice S.

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

Peaceful

Everything as expected. Previously owned property in the resort. Safe & peaceful place to be
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aaron G.

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

Waterfront

The place was absolutely perfect! You can't possibly get any closer to the water. Views of the sun setting are incredibly beautiful. Downtown Virginia Beach is only a 20 minute drive. I highly recommend staying here ! We will definitely be returning! Thanks for everything!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany C.

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

Will return

This place was nice for the 2 of us. Very relaxing and quite. Neighbors we're very nice always saying hello when we walked by. If you don't like bugs and nature it's not for you. Place was very clean and had everything we needed. Would definitely return in future.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gina M.

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

Long Weekend Getaway

We unfortunately didn't get to spend too much time at the property, we had family staying at a house up the road a few miles. I would say it is perfect for two adults. There isn't much room in the main bedroom for anything but the bed so we used the second room for our bags. The place was clean and the views are unbeatable. Beautiful sunsets. The property manager is very responsive, luckily we did not need to contact her during our stay. I would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Patricia B.

Cozy, comfortable but not posh

If you want to be near the water, this is it, unless you get a houseboat. Rain or shine, we had a great time just staring at the water, (from indoors or out, comfy chairs) watching the gulls and the sunsets. We could hear the surf at night and early morning, and it was certainly an easy walk to the beach. We stayed between Xmas and New Year's and the place was toasty warm, despite an earlier review. Also found it quite clean and nicely stocked with dishes and pots and pans.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Stephanie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A clean, small, older RV with a large porch directly on the bay with perfect sunset views. Recognize this is just an RV with a hallway two people cannot pass side by side through. It does have a full kitchen with full fridge, microwave, gas oven, sinks, and lots of pans, dishes, grill utensils. It had all we needed for cooking. There are thin little spiders up in the vents. They weren’t very interested in us so we just ignored them. AC was great, though it was only 80 while we were there. The bunk room did not get the AC. It was fine in the main room and master. I would not call that a comfortable mattress, it was an adequate mattress. Pictures are pretty old. Didn’t see any games and there wasn’t a hot tub at the main pool anymore. My son loved the bunk room and found it warm but comfortable, but he’s pretty skinny. I found it nice and loved being on the deck. I would really like the sliding door to have the handle attached fully. I was always worried every time I moved it, afraid it would break off. It’s a very pleasant community, very friendly. They are very small lots with just enough room for an RV and porch but neighbors were quiet and I didn’t hear them much at all. It is one of the furthest lots, which is nice with less traffic but it’s a longer walk to beach. We walked it anyway, twice a day! We drove to the National park at the end of our stay, very nice. We could see the resort from there! Sandbridge is lovely and I would return. Great communication.
Paddle board at sunset
The resort from the National Park
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Interesting

We had a little trouble checking in. We did have to chase the key down. Also it was a LOT smaller than it looked in the pictures! The bed was comfy, but it really was small. On the plus side I do not think you could be closer to the water!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barry R., Cincinnati Oh.

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

Great location right on BackBay in a gated community. It is perfect for a couple or small family.

Booking was a breeze. Owner responded quickly and communicated everything we needed to do to check in. To check in we had to call 15 min prior to arrival and when we got there so they could let us in the gate. Susan was very friendly and helpful getting us checked in and answered any question we had. Although it rained most of our stay, we were still able to sit out under the large porch/deck and enjoy our coffee in the morning and sunsets in the evening. Even got a little fishing in, right off the dock. We really enjoyed our stay. Thank you.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Martha J.

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

Water is Right There

The best part about this visit was the seat on the Back Bay! There is a wonderful covered patio to enjoy during the morning, daytime, and then the grand finale...the sunsets. The RV Resort was a bit of a pleasant surprise...very safe..very friendly...very clean, very quiet....Ice, close to the beach, trash pickup, lots of comforts! The kitchen was very well set up so you could fix your own meal, bring in take out, or stumble in after eating out. WE nicknamed it the Kaetaj, a generous label as a cottage...but we had a fantastic time and enjoyed every minute of the cozy, (maybe older), but fished, kayaked, biked, and relaxed! The ease of checkin was very much appreciated. Great communication and the speaker and tv set to a welcome music channel was a great hello!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelley C.

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

Great stay at Sandbridge

We had a great week at this property. The home is exactly as described in a nice RV/mobile resort. It’s cozy and has everything you need. The views are amazing. Absolutely gorgeous sunsets and very easy access to kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing. It was the perfect size for our family of 4. The kids loved the bunk beds, and the queen was quite comfortable. You can drive to the front of the property and walk just a short walk to the beach, or (as we did) park at the park right down the street. Parking is $5/day and there are showers, a playground, a place to rinse off, and picnic shelters. We had a couple of very minor issues and questions upon arrival and the property manager, Susan, was friendly, responsive, and very helpful. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marci B.

☀️ WE'RE HOOKED ☀️

This was just what we were looking for. Extremely clean and well kept. Amazing views, peace and quiet but still had all the activities for the kids (sports equipment package well worth the cost) with a nice dock to relax on and watch the kids play. Sunsets are incredible and unobstructed. As a protective mom, I love that the water isn't too deep but deep enough that the kids can do all the water activities. There are 2 clean pools, sand volleyball court, ping pong, and a quick bike ride to the beach. Love the neighborhood!! The owner was extremely accommodating. The wifi was super fast which was perfect for me since I was working while in this last minute vacation. We're reserving 2 weeks next year! Lots of activities around that we didn't have time to explore.

6/10 Okay

Ralph D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Sandbridge camper

We enjoyed our week because of the location, near our children. camper was smaller than expected. cramped for two people; more than two would have difficulty. A bit expensive due to size and location in the park. Evidence of damp and mold in corner by futon. Futon did not open. Suggest getting a regular toaster and Keurig brewer. Might take up less counter space than toaster oven and regular coffeemaker. Liked the gas stove. Well stocked with supplies in kitchen and bathroom, towels, etc. Property manager was very helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Kaitlin D.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Good location - some issues with RV

Pros: the location can’t be beat and being right on the water with the constant breeze was clearly an advantage over other locations in this RV park. We were able to bike right from the RV to Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. We drove to the beach cause we had stuff to carry but it was only a mile. Cons: The RV is older and the plumbing kind of broke down during our stay so we couldn’t use the shower and had some funky smells for a bit. This was fixed and we were reimbursed for a portion of our stay but it did keep us from truly relaxing into vacation for the first couple days. It also wasn’t super clean. The outdoor shower never worked and there were some misleading things about the listing. The picture of the pool makes it look huge but it is very tiny and we never used it. The bikes that are a part of the rec package are rusted and very specific sizes, making them hard to use for real biking or for varying sizes of kids. I’d suggest bringing your own if you intend to bike outside if the RV park. This is definitely an older RV and that will be part of your experience. For us it was very much worth it if we could be right on the water. My husband and I had our coffee by the water every morning and when my daughter napped my son could fish or kayak, but maybe just manage expectations. Things also weren’t clean since you are just relying on the people who stayed before you to clean dishes, etc. We pulled out multiple dirty dishes from the cabinet, threw out a few random pieces of garbage from previous users that were tucked into the futon, and found a crumpled paper towel in our bed the first night. In the end it all was okay but I wanted to give folks a heads up!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Connie C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
There was an issue with the toilet, however Susan got it taken care of right away.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Sherry C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sitting on the porch watching the fish jump up from the bay was delightful. Our trip was relaxing, just what we needed to wind down. We went for walks around the park, the people we met were friendly. Everything we needed was near by. Unfortunately we didnt go to the beach due to rainy weather, but it was still a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Sherri K.

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

Overall - great little vacay spot:)

Overall everything was great. Paul was easy and nice to work with during communication moments. View was absolutely beautiful. Lovely little resort. Quiet and friendly neighbors. The 2 pools were clean and quiet for afternoon dips after the beach. The beach had easy access. Convenient restaurant near by.Kitchen had all the necessities. The camper could use a good power wash on the outside and the mattresses could be a little more comfy. Otherwise we loved the stay. Thank you:)
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a Great Time! Exceeded our Expectations! Don't be afraid to book this little piece of paradise on the bay in SandBridge Beach. We had family staying in a 12k a week beach house and family staying at the False Cape condos across the street and we could not have been more happy with our 400sq ft Cottage on the Bay. The community and surroundings are beautiful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel H.

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

Family vacation

We really enjoyed our stay. Very quiet didn’t even hear the neighbors the whole stay. The most peaceful view off the deck, my daughter caught a fish almost as soon as we got there. I would recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Finch J.

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

Easy and lovely

Loved staying in this small rental. Had everything we needed or wanted, including board games. Everything was pretty straightforward, with not extra hassle. Really made our visit easy and homey.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

About the host

Hosted by Paul DiNardo

Host profile image
My name is Paul and I have owned numerous waterfront properties for over 2 decades Surfside at Sandbridge, formerly Outdoor Resorts of Virginia Beach. My family and I used to live here during the summer months.

Why they chose this property

A much loved the cottage, you will love the location in the resort. Newly updated beachy furniture and decor, with a very beachy feel, you will feel like you are on a beach get away.

What makes this property unique

If you have even been to Aruba you may have noticed the gentle blowing trade winds. The almost constant cool breeze off of the bay across the deck on this unit is the closest thing to Aruba we have experienced. If there is ever a summer weekend this unit is not rented, you can find me here taking a nap outside listening to the sounds of the bay and gentle breeze.

Languages:

English