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The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Beachfront cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

Exum Cottage runs of a 12 Kw Solar Array with back up batteries. Beachside
Deck View faces due south so we catch the sunrise and the sunset from this deck.
Beach side of cottage just after sunset.
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 18274.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Atlantic Beach, NC
  • Place, Triple S Marina
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Place, Fort Macon State Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Coral Bay Shopping Center
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed, 1 Double Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina

The Exum beach cottage on Atlantic Beach, NC, is a family home with a three-generation history. Each generation has added photographs, books and original works of art, all of which give the cottage its unique character. Constructed in 1948, when there was only one other cottage on Club Colony Drive, the house was restored after Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and extensively renovated in 2022.

Located on the beach front and surrounded by a garden of native plants, dune grasses and herbs, the house features a hammock for lounging over the sand, a front porch with rocking chairs on the second level and a spectacular panoramic ocean view from the third-floor master suite.

With five bedrooms and three baths, the house comfortably sleeps twelve The warmth and charm of a traditional NC beach cottage are complemented by upscale modern amenities, including WiFi, four flat-screen televisions, Bluetooth wireless technology, an EV charger with/Tesla adapter and solar array that supplies electricity for the entire house with battery back up.

The entrance to the first level is a chart room with maps of the local terrain and waterways, guide books for planning excursions and a sitting area. The ground-level bunk room has its own bath, as well as access to an outdoor shower. On the second floor are three thematically decorated bedrooms with a shared bath, an updated, well-equipped kitchen and an open living-dining room. The third floor is furnished with an eclectic mix of mid-century modern and vintage campaign furniture, family memorabilia, richly colored textiles and art objects from around the world.

Visitors have use of a laundry room, indoor and outdoor games, bicycles, a
charcoal grill, beach chairs and floats, making the Exum beach cottage ideal for a family vacation. Or the recently remodeled master suite, with a coffee and wine bar, a surround-sound stereo system and spacious bath, is the perfect setting for a romantic get-away.

During the summer months, the cottage is available for week-long bookings only that start and end on a Sunday. The cost for linens and bath towels is $25/per bed. The cottage has 9 beds: 1 king, 4 queens, 1 double, 1 top bunk, 1 trundle twin and one rolling twin cot. The property is equipped with exterior Ring cameras for security.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 29
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
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 deadlock

About the area

Atlantic Beach

Located in Atlantic Beach, this cottage is on the beach. North Carolina Maritime Museum and Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Coral Bay Shopping Center and Morehead Plaza Shopping Center. North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Raceway are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Atlantic Beach, NC

What's nearby

  • Anchorage Marina - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Triple S Marina - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Fort Macon State Park - 3 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Coral Bay Shopping Center - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Morehead City Port - 9 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

  • Havelock Station - 29 min drive
  • New Bern, NC (EWN-Coastal Carolina Regional) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Oceanana Grill & Pier - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Tackle Box Tavern - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Southern Salt Seafood Company and Waterfront Restaurant - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Exum Cottage - Beachfront in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina located?

Situated on the beach, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Les and Sally Moore Public Beach Access and Anchorage Marina. Triple S Marina and Circle Regional Beach Access are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 69 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Justin C.

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

Charming Beach Cottage

This was a wonderful getaway for our family! Beautiful and charming Cottage with lots of space but still feels cozy. Great views of the ocean and pier. We are already making plans to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

William M.

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

Great Vacation

We had a wonderful vacation at the Exum property. Communication with the owner was great and the location and house were just what we were looking for. All the amenities, tons of beach, comfortable living space, all around a great place. Thanks for the stay and we will be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Peter C.

Wonderful beach getaway spot for the family!

Very comfortable home well suited for family gatherings...private beach access w great views day & night from a very large deck. Well organized & equipped (ex, kitchen area, beach chairs, nice outdoor shower & convenient washer/dryer area) to support a relaxing time! Responsive property management support if questions arise. Will definitely be returning!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Judy R.

Lovely and quaint home on the beautiful ocean front

This is an older home, but has been well kept. The kitchen has everything you would need at a beach home. There is roomy parking in the front for at least 3 cars. Just walk out the back door for easy excess to the beach. Also, Steve, the owner, was such a nice person from whom to rent this property.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Sharon G.

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

Great deck with ocean view

We stayed at Exum Cottage over the Memorial Day weekend with our children and grand children. Everyone had a wonderful time. The cottage is well equipped with everything you need. Our grandchildren used the beach toys and boogie boards that were kept in the storage area. Also included was a shibumi which was easy to put up to provide shade from the sun while on the beach. The large deck was where we spent most of our time while at the house. The views on the deck were fantastic and all 17 of us has plenty of space to relax and enjoy our meals.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diane S.

Pure relaxation at the edge of the sea

This seaside vacation to me was better than a fancy Caribbean island. It was the simplicity of being on the deck from the early morning through gorgeous sunsets highlighting the fishing pier, usually with a cool breeze taking all worldly worries away. The crashing waves hypnotize you. Never slept better--great bedding and comforts in the house. I would say the house is wonderfully retro--tasteful but not chic. Not extravagant--just honest and basic. The luxury of Steve's place is real communion with the sea, lovely dinners on the deck, walks on the shore, swimming in the waves, starlit nights, heavenly peacefulness.
Stayed 11 nights in Sep 2017

10/10 Excellent

Dennis V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay at an ocean front, pet-friendly property. The place was fully loaded with beach and grilling gear to make the stay very comfortable and relaxing.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jackie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved this property- especially the deck! Great location, accommodating host, a wonderful place for our family to gather. It truly felt like a well-loved home. Loved their collection of books! Check-in was super easy and the kitchen was great.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lu B.

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

Perfect Anniversary Getaway

The Exum Cottage was accommodating just as described with everything you need for a beach vacation. We had an awesome time exploring the area and did not want to leave. The beach is simply amazing! We hope to return soon.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margaret R.

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

Fantastic beach house

This house was perfect. We loved the big porch, grass lawn, and direct access to the beach. The kitchen is very well stocked and there is lots of beach gear - we felt right at home. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Lovely stay at Exum Cottage

We had a lovely stay at Exum Cottage! Property was beautiful. The house was great for our large group (8 adults, 3 kids and 1 infant). Lots of room to hang out and quiet areas for reading. The room upstairs has gorgeous views! Location was great as it is right on the beach and close to restaurants and shopping. Steve was very pleasant and responsive. We hope to return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Amazing Beach Getaway

Steve is a fantastic host and so kind and responsive. Amazing property in a great location. Will definitely look to book here again for our next trip to Atlantic beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Audrey B.

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

Fantastic Family Vacation!

10/10! I can’t say enough of how much we loved our time at the Exum Cottage. Steve is by far the best host we’ve ever had. From the beginning of our family inquiring about this beach home to the very end, he was on top of everything. Steve is also extremely kind and allowed our family an extra night’s stay. We will definitely book this home for future vacations- it’s beautiful, cozy (feels like home), and the perfect place to spend time with family. If you are looking for the perfect beach house, look no further!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn T.

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

Great

Our stay was amazing! We had 14 that stayed in the house and there was plenty of space for everyone. There was plenty of space for everyone to have their own space but a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean that was plenty big for all with room to spare. It was very well kept and clean. The property owner was great and very quick to respond. Will definitely be booking this place in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joe P.

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

Great location!

Located right on the beach and the house has everything you need!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul C.

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

Such a great weekend!

We enjoyed our stay at the cottage. It was clean and very comfortable. The location in Atlantic Beach is close to everything. The ocean views were great. Steve is an amazing host - communicates regularly and follows-up to make sure we had everything we needed. It rained the majority of the weekend so beach time was limited. That said - the cottage makes you forget that it was raining. Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nadine L.

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

Wonderful stay

The house was well appointed and we couldn’t have asked for a better location or a better host. Highly recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jamie R.

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

Better than imagined!

Some pictures made the beach walk look like a distant walk but it was not. There was an awesome grill and the kids enjoyed trying out the skim board. The neighborhood was quiet and the beach was not crowded. the pier was a beautiful walk in the mornings, we found shark teeth and crabs. Beaufort is just a short 15 minute drive with beautiful boats and scenery and shops to check out. The beach is very dog friendly and our pups enjoyed sunny days and playing in the ocean just like the kids. I can’t say enough about Steve he was an amazing host! check in and check out was an easy task although we did not have any specific accommodation requests he was available throughout our stay and I would highly recommend anybody traveling to Atlantic Beach to check out the Exum cottage!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

seung (steve) H.

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

Nice place

It was very pleasure renting place and host was great with lots of very useful information . Very easy to communicate with host. All of my friends were happy with place and will be glad to male trip out here again. Thank you!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Conor H., Durham, NC

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

Beautiful, quiet cottage - great shade on the porch

We had an exec planning meeting over several days. The porch is beautifully shaded with a constant breeze and made the outdoor meetings delightful. The property manager couldn't have been more responsive and friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sissie T.

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

The cottage was perfect.

Our family stayed at this cottage (and the one next door) for my daughter’s wedding. The deck overlooking the beach was a heavily used area by our team and it is very well furnished. The beach vibe of the cottage was wonderful. Especially helpful was the entry floor suite for family who had trouble climbing stairs. The summary: Book this cottage!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelley F.

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

Beach vacation at Exum cottage

The Exum cottage was exactly as shown on the website. The owner was very attentive. The property was clean and the location perfect. Dead end street, so no traffic. Beautiful view and close to restaurants and shopping if you want. Great trip
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

David K.

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

Perfect Reunion Weekend

The Exum Cottage was the perfect location for our reunion. The huge oceanfront deck was definitely the hangout with an awesome view of the ocean and lots of seating. We also loved all the natural wood paneling inside, both new and original, as well as the renovated kitchen and bathrooms. Great showers and water pressure! Streetside there was plenty of parking for a few guests. Electronics - tv, music and wifi - were all there and easy to connect and use. The area was also great with sidewalks everywhere and trails into Ft Macon State Park for walking and bike riding. We'll be back for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jared H.

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

Excellence at Atlantic

This home was perfection on the beach. Incredible location. Well laid out. Nice updates. Incredible master suite. Everything to love, nothing to dislike.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leslie A.

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

Ideal Location

Such a charming house with terrific location and views! Home had plenty of room for our family and everything we needed during our stay. Our host, Steve, was a delight to communicate with. We truly enjoyed our time at The Exum Cottage.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

About the host

Hosted by Steve & Molly Exum

Host profile image
Steve Exum is the president and principal photographer at Exum Photography, LLC. Exum is a North Carolina native who grew up in Raleigh. Steve, his wife Molly, their daughter Bella and son Sawyer live in Elon, NC with their dog Murphy. We are an adventurous family and the Exum Beach Cottage is our go to home for beach adventure. I manage the rentals on behalf of the owners my mother and father Jim and Judy Exum from Greensboro, NC. From this old house, we surf, skim board, fish, shell hunt, sail, sunbath and yes, even scuba dive. This cottage was built by my grandfather James Gooden Exum, Sr. in the 40’s and was one of the original cottages built on Club Colony Drive. Hurricane Hazel blew it down and my Grandfather rebuilt it in 1955. With it’s nostalgic knotty pine walls, this cottage has been the base for huge Exum Family gatherings, marriages and accommodated countless friends for great beach vacations. She withstood a number of hurricanes and the occasional water spout keeping her visitors and contents safe and dry. We Love this cottage and you will, too.

Why they chose this property

This vacation cottage is ideal for a weekend get away or week long retreat for guests more interested in disconnecting from screen time and enjoying face time with one another rocking on the porch or with toes buried in the sand and waves lapping at your feet.

What makes this property unique

This house is intoxicating. Its close proximity to the beach, the Oceanna Fishing Pier, Amos Mosquitos Restaurant, and the Fort Macon Historic site make it very special.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests