"The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ
[A legal rental of minimum 30 days] This is the story of a little beach house doing its part in preserving a sanctuary on this stretch of sand for the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. For many years the beach in front of the house was known as the home of a famously beloved seal named Honey Girl (Google her). After her passing in the Spring of 2020, other monk seals have taken over residence. One or two of them come to bask in the sun for an afternoon every few days and can be clearly seen about a stone's throw away from our patio.
You and your family (especially the little ones) are asked to participate in our effort in Hawaiian sea life conservation! When the monk seals are here, please help by erecting signs (available) around them to direct people away from the seals.
Don't be surprised if a roosters' crow wakes you in the morning. Located on the spectacular North Shore of Oahu you are surrounded by the Kualoa Mountains (Kualoa Ranch/Jurassic World) and your front yard is a sandy crescent beach (swimmable, sandy bottom) protected by barrier reefs, and turquoise water-great for swimming and watching our sea turtle and seal friends!!
Our comfortably furnished living room opens to the oceanfront patio with spectacular views! A small country kitchen and dining room have an ocean view and we have seen seals and turtles swam by right outside the dining room window. When you are not enjoying the beach (we have life jackets, swimming fins, children's sandbox toys, boogie boards, floaties, freesbee, etc.) there is cable TV (on a 60 in. TV), Netflix, Hawaiian-themed Hollywood blockbuster movies on DVDs, music CDs, books, some toddler toys, puzzle pieces, and board games for your family's enjoyment. How about turning off the TV to gaze at the stars with the little ones (telescope provided). Check the moon phase calendar as you may even be able to catch a full moon rise over the Pacific Ocean (you would never forget the view)!
Bring your fishing rods or spears. You may fish right out front (please obey size and species restrictions) and grill it for dinner on the patio under the stars!
Yoga mats are also available.
When it rains in the afternoon be sure to look out from the deck for 180 degrees of a giant rainbow arch, sometimes even double arches. Let the ocean surprise you during your stay with: driftwoods, drifting coconuts, sea turtles, moon light shooting through the clouds onto the distant ocean, and more! Fall asleep every night to the sound of the soothing waves. Run down a few steps from the patio and jump into the warm ocean waves whenever you want (no life guards, no tourists). Every angle and every view is Instagram-worthy! (Best colors at noon.)
The master bedroom has a private full bath and an oceanfront French door that opens to the ocean that will make you want to stay in bed forever!! Master bedroom has a newly renovated bathroom with a shower with a peekaboo view of the ocean.
The small second bedroom has a queen size bed and a cozy half bathroom.
The open space-design elevated loft area adjacent the living room has two twin size beds, a comfy lounge chair, and a desk with a printer. Fabulous ocean view from this loft space.
There is an inflatable queen size air mattress (about knee-high) that can be deployed in the living room for extra people. In total it sleeps 8, but 7th and 8th person would be on the air mattress.
The full bathroom in the hallway and the master bathroom are newly renovated each with a huge walk-in shower and a soothing rain-shower head.
Mature plantation provides privacy from adjacent neighbors.
Across the street: small convenience store for beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, charcoal, etc. 5-min drive north: Grocery store, pharmacy, Fish Taco, ice cream, 7-11, cold coconut stand, tiki woodcarving stand, and gift shops. 10-min drive: Famous Giovanni garlic shrimp truck in a field with 10+ other food trucks. 15-min drive north: fine dining, golf, spa at the Turtle Bay resort. 17-min drive north: Sunset beach, Banzai Pipeline, world famous surfing competitions (The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, HIC Pro Sunset Beach, Vans World Cup of Surfing, Billabong Pipe Masters, Volcom Pipe Pro, Da Hui Backdoor Shootout & Da Hui Pipeline Warriors, Sunset Open & Sunset Pro Junior).
This is the ultimate Hawaii experience for the family!!
** Air conditioning in all bedrooms and the living room (except the kitchen and bathrooms). In addition, ceiling fans are available in every room and living space.
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Property Registration Number TA-063-051-2128-01, 000054009028, GE-063-051-2128-01
Property # 7495210
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
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
Hauʻula
Located in Hauʻula, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Polynesian Cultural Center is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Turtle Bay Beach and Kualoa Beach Park. Kahuku Farms and Kualoa Ranch are also worth visiting. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and hiking nearby.
Hālaulani / Leeward Community College Station - 58 min drive
Honolulu, HI (HNL-Daniel K. Inouye Intl.) - 54 min drive
Restaurants
Shrimp The Bomb - 6 min walk
McDonald's - 6 min drive
North Shore Tacos - 18 min walk
The Crouching Lion - 11 min drive
Pounders Restaurant - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ?
As of 19 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ on 11 August 2026 start from NZ$1,216, 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 "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is "The Happy Seal" Oceanfront House, watch seals sunbath from our deck while BBQ located?
Nestled on the beach, this Hauʻula holiday home is 0.3 mi (0.6 km) from Hauʻula Beach Park and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Polynesian Cultural Center. Hauula Beaches and Kaluanui Beach are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great vacation property - any closer to the water and you'd be in it. Loved the deck, peak-thru window in primary bath. Kitchen very well stocked. Ample bath and beach towels and loved having a washer/dryer. Saw one seal (Sadie) on the first day. Had hoped to see more but given that there are so few seals left, felt lucky to see one. House very close to highway but the sound of the ocean drowned out the traffic noise.
Our first trip to Hawaii wouldn’t have been the same had we not stayed at “The Happy Seal”. We unfortunately visited during an incredibly wet week but it didn’t matter. Tony was great at checking in and making sure that we were safe during and after the rough storms. It’s right to say we will stay here again because we will 100% be staying there again.
Our family had a wonderful stay at the Happy Seal house! The hosts were great! They were friendly and quick to answer any questions and give advice on the area. The house had everything we could possibly need to have a fantastic week at the beach! I highly recommend it! :)
The Happy Seal is an incredible gem on a beautiful beach! The home provided our family of 5 adults and a baby with plenty of amenities so we felt comfortable and at home. The ocean front deck is a private oasis where we watched the sunrise, Sadie the monk seal, and our family play in the water. The conveniences of grocery stores and food trucks and the overall vibe of this community helped make this an excellent stay. To top it off, Tony was very communicative with directions and helpful hints, and also extremely accommodating with our family's needs. I'd give 6 stars if I could!!
Absolutely the most beautiful vacation of your dreams!!! I cant wait to get back here, it was so relaxing. The house has all the things that you need to cook, relax and enjoy the beach.
Our stay was absolutely magical! The house itself was spotless, beautifully designed, and perfectly situated right on the beach. Waking up to the sound of the ocean and watching the sunrise from the deck felt like pure paradise. The view was breathtaking in every direction, and the beach just steps away was peaceful and pristine. To top it all off, we were lucky enough to have a monk seal visit the shore several days in a row — such a rare and unforgettable experience! This place exceeded every expectation. We can’t wait to come back.
This was our second time visiting Oaho. Our family had a great time at this oceanfront home. We enjoyed being able to sit on the deck and just enjoy the view!! Not in the busy city, but we could get to places in a timely manner. Thanks again
The house is nicely remote yet very near the Polynesian center and many beach areas. Everything was clean and nicely decorated. The host was a pleasure to work with.
The view is great! The owner was great to work with! The house is very comfortable and fits all your needs! Everything was as described in description!
If you want to stay on this side of the island, on the beach, and it fits your party size, don’t hesitate, this place is great. Sadie the seal visited 3x during our stay. Comfortable accommodations. Excellent communication with the property manager.
We loved staying in the beach house! We saw the Hawaiian monk seal on the beach almost every single day, took walks down the beach, went boogie boarding, snorkeling… Tony had everything we needed from shampoo and conditioner, to snorkel stuff, stuff for cooking, and plenty of ice in the freezer! We loved it there!
Sara S.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 12 March 2024
Sara and her family were wonderful to host!
They took perfect care of our beach house!
They are welcome back anytime;)
The property location and ocean access are spectacular. We watched the sunrise every morning from the deck, and every evening the sound of the waves lulled us to sleep.Tony was quick to respond with any questions we had. He also left an orchid lei in the fridge to greet my 90 year old mom with a touching birthday gift.The amenities were modern, clean and well kept. Showers were roomy and modern, and washer & dryer looked brand new.We saw Sadie the seal every day and that was a treat.We were close to most everything we planned on doing in a week.There were 6 of us on this trip and we fit very comfortably in the home.Plenty of beach toys for body surfing at Pounders and snorkeling at Shark’s Cove.Food trucks were close from Laie PCC to Kahuku to keep our bellys happy.Mahalo for a wonderful 90th birthday trip for my mom and a few of her Ohana.
Not only was this home a slice of heaven but the host was such a kind person. They even gifted me a lei with a happy birthday because they took the time to remember i had briefly mentioned it was one of the reasons we vacationed. If i get the chance i am definitely going back!
Perfect location to see the sunrise every morning and watch the waves roll in while enjoying a cup of coffee. Our favorite beach of the week was a suggestion of the owners just a few minutes down the road. We had everything we needed for a great stay and saw two different seals from the back deck. Quick drive to visit our snorkel spots on the north shore and my kids enjoyed swimming right off the back deck.Mahalo for such a great time!
Great stay, enjoyed the quiet beach. Host was very responsive. The house was a perfect set up for our family of 5. Good location & out of the hustle & bustle of the city.
We had a fabulous stay! We were visited by seals on our first day and went for dips in the beautiful ocean every evening upon returning from our adventures. The sound of the waves is amazing and this is a fabulous location to experience local Hawaii! Air conditioning works great and the host was amazing. Super kind and responsive. Would stay again 100%
Our stay was perfect..couldnt have asked for more..The house was on the beach..The Monk Seal was on the beach.We were on the Beach..Except for 1 big storm Our hosts could not have been friendlier.The house was beautifly appointed...All was Heaven
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Great location that is about equidistant to Honolulu and North Shore, so could venture out in either direction each day. Nice beachfront. Management was great. No complaints!
Our stay in Seal house was fantastic. We had 3 adults and 3 kids. There was plenty of room and the house had everything we needed. I really appreciated all of the beach towels, chairs, cooler, umbrella and sand toys. The house was clean and beds were comfortable. Getting in and out is a little hard but the location on the beach more than makes up for it.