Entire home

Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck

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Outdoor spa tub
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
A heated pool
TV, fireplace, DVD player

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8171 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck

The Knotty Whale 120

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Have a whale of a good time on your next vacation at The Knotty Whale with water views from every window! This bright and beachy ocean-side home offers plenty of stylish comforts for the whole family, pets included! You'll have four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, wraparound decks, and a private hot tub and pool, all just steps from the beach.

On the first floor, you'll find plenty of room to find your own private escape in one queen primary bedroom, a second queen bedroom, and a twin bunk with a trundle room. The queen and bunk bedrooms share a spacious full hallway bathroom. The kids will also love the open bonus area with an additional set of twin bunk beds. All four of these rooms open out to the first-floor deck, and all three bedrooms have TVs. The first floor is also home to the stacked washer/dryer in the hallway laundry closet and the hot tub on the beach-facing deck just outside the second queen bedroom.

But as much as you'll love the first floor, the main floor will have you hooked in no time. Wall-to-wall views of the sparkling blue waves are reflected in the fun and chic nautical style of the open living room, kitchen, and dining area. Here you can spread out but still spend plenty of time together with comfy couches around the living room fireplace, a dining table for six, and a neat island bar with seats for four. Make your way outside to the top deck for the perfect spots for dolphin watching or a cup of coffee at sunrise.

The main floor is also where you'll find a primary with a TV and a private deck. This spot is ideal for soaking up those Hatteras Island sunsets over the sound. Back on the sandy ground level, enjoy The Knotty Whale's refreshing private pool or an easy walk to the beach. An elevated outdoor shower makes rinsing off easy after a day in the sand and sea. This home is sure to be your family's new favorite vacation spot, so make a splash and book The Knotty Whale today!

Things to Know
The private pool is open seasonally from  4/26/2025 and closes 10/12/2025. Dates are subject to change.
This property is managed by Vacasa North Carolina, LLC.

If you are bringing a dog on your trip, the pet fee is already included in your quote when selecting ‘Yes’ to pets. If you would like to add more dogs, please contact us. The pet fee is per stay and ranges between $150 and $200, depending on the bedroom count, and will apply for each additional dog.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 2 vehicles.
2 days notification is required in order to heat the pool. A fee of USD 60 per day must be paid prior to check-in to purchase pool heat for your stay.
Please note: this home resides in a noise-sensitive area and the owners participate in our Good Neighbor protection program. Our smart home technology will alert our team if excessive decibel or occupancy levels are detected, allowing us to reach out directly with a reminder of maximum occupancy and quiet hours. This technology is privacy compliant, and only monitors the presence of decibels and devices-not any personal conversation or information. Thank you for supporting our efforts to be good neighbors!


Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 25 years of age to book. Guests under 25 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

Property manager

Vacasa of North Carolina

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Pool/Spa

  • Private pool
  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Internet access

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3.5 bathrooms
  • Free toiletries
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront
  • Near outlet shopping

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Cycling nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Unit size: 1837 sq ft (171 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: Dogs only. Max of 2.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

72224

About the neighborhood

Map
Rodanthe, NC

What's nearby

  • Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site and Museum - 9 min walk
  • Rodanthe Beach - 1 min drive
  • Rodanthe Pier - 3 min drive
  • Salvo Beach - 7 min drive
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore - 15 min drive

Getting around

  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Dough Shack - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Village Conery - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Good Winds Seafood & Wine Bar - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Beads & Beans Obx - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck located?

Nestled on the beach, this Rodanthe vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site and Museum. Rodanthe Beach and Pamlico Sound are also within 1 mi (2 km).

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Dog-friendly, idyllic beachfront house with private pool, hot tub, AC, & deck Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 27 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 69 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Leslie T.

Nice home
House, pool, hot tub where very nice, need to remove carpet on the stairs - smells very bad. Need new pans for cooking. Unfortunately couldn’t use the beach right infront of the house because of debris from a house collapse prior to our stay but we went to another beach.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

David L.

Bit of a Bummer
Great location, loved the pool but the house was dirty.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jill K.

Great beach house!
We loved our stay at The Knotty Whale! The house was spacious. The beach was not very crowded in early June and the hot tub and pool were great! We will be back!

8/10 Good

Cody L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our week at the knotty whale
A couple cleanliness issues (dirty windows, dusty air vents) issues with amenities (none of the coffee pots worked properly and the direct tv stopped working on the first night) but nothing that ruined our stay. I loved the location so close to the ocean, but it’s already eroded a house next to it into the ocean. I’m worried how long there will be any beach left. The neighbor in the small house next to us was rude to anyone that came within 20’ of his property and yelled for them to leave.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shannon L.

Very nice and well laid out home.
The home is very well laid out and convenient. Everything was very clean and, for the most part, well maintained. View of the ocean is fantastic other than some power lines and a couple of other houses. Literally a 1 minute walk to a shared, but not busy, beach. Pool and hot tub were nice on days that we just wanted to have quiet time. Also, being on a dead end road, there was very little traffic by the house. We had a very nice stay.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle W.

Family Vacation
The Knotty Whale became our home for spring vacation. My husband and I, our children and grandchildren stayed for one week. We had an amazing time and have so many wonderful memories. The home was beautiful and the view of the ocean from the decks was spectacular. Thank you for allowing your house to become our home.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Jenna L.

1st family vacation with an 8 month old!
The location of this house right on the beach made for gorgeous views ! The pool & hot tubs were perfect! Could definitely use a different cleaning company - wasn’t the cleanest VRBO we have booked, also need to provide more than 1 bath towel & 1 washcloth for a full week stay per person . I would recommend this house for sure if they were to get a different cleaning crew !
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sean F.

Total Escape!
If you are looking for a peaceful get away on a beautiful beach this is a great place to visit. The home was clean. Had a great view. Right on the beach. We were the only ones on the beach most of the time. There is a convenience store walking distance if you need to grab any items.

8/10 Good

Angela M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great week in Rodanthe
This was as advertised with lots of room, a few steps from the beach, beautiful sunrises and close to restaurants. Also central location to explore Pea Island and the Hatteras National Seashore.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eva B.

Beautiful & Relaxing
This home is simple & elegant with amazing views. We were delighted with dolphins and birdwatching every day. The house was clean and well equipped for our holiday getaway. Highly recommend you book the Knotty Whale for your next OBX adventure.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Cody S.

nice house with hot tub and beach access
Views were incredible from all the balconies, plenty of space for our large party. Just don’t plan on grilling, ever, the grill isn’t what you’d expect.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Michelle L.

View
The view was spectacular
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

MANDIE D.

Location Great - Home Not Taken Care Of
The good : LOCATION. The home is in a beautiful spot directly on the beach only there is not really a beach there now with the high surf and fallen homes. The sound is one block behind you so that is also nice. The home itself is fairly new, it spacious and has so much potential but it isn't being taken care of. We rent homes in OBX 3-4 times per year, this being the first time we've used VACASA. Never again. Their were holes and mold in the kitchen ceiling, recess lights hanging out of the kitchen ceiling, about 1" of dust on top of doors or any flat surface. The carpet smelled of dog. The couches were stained, dirty and smelled of dog. The furniture is a mix of Hodge Podge thrift furniture that is old and worn. The pillows on the beds were flat and limited. There was one very thin cheap blanket on every bed, nothing extra. Their were roaches in the home, we seen at least 10 during our stay. The vacuum cleaners had been used multiple times without bags so they wouldn't work. Maintenance did come by to bring a new vacuum and repair the whole in the kitchen ceiling. We spent our first two days cleaning and washing the one blanket on each bed so that we felt comfortable sleeping at night but it definitely seemed like the owner of the home isn't very attentive to it or how the rental company is taking care of it. Won't rent again due to how it's kept.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

randall r.

vacasa knotty whale rodanthe
the place is nice and set up well for views and ue of beach/ however we left a day-night early, the fire alarm system went off two nights around 3 am we had a service call /happened again that night / time to go early
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trudi H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful location, drinking my coffee and being right on the beach was wonderful! Great pool!
Wonderful company to work with, if you need anything they are right on it!! Great house with a very nice pool area and hot tub! Love love location! Downstairs air needed to be cooler, if set at 68 it was 78, couldn’t get it cooler than 78.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Kaitlyn P., Oxford, Pennsylvania

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful House
This house was beautiful and we loved the quiet location. It was spacious and had a great view of the ocean and stars. Only thing I would say that needs improvement were the washer and bedroom comforter. The washer smelled very funky and had black stains in it.. and the comforter was very stained and had fur all over it. Other than that, we enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Tanya R.

Not impressed
The only good thing about this house was the view. All furniture, including blankets and pots and pans, are out dated and well past it's prime. All beds were extremely thin and uncomfortable. House was covered in dog hair. Outside property had trash and cigarettes all throughout. Washer and dryer were disgusting. Fridge leaked. Cable/internet constantly cut in and out or stopped working all together. I would not stay here again nor recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Garrett S.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Not impressed
For starters, we arrived at the house to find the road completely flooded (king tide, so I understand, but a warning would have been nice). Then, when inside, found the vents to be completely covered in thick dust, lots of dust throughout the house, wet couches, sand everywhere, a moldy shower curtain liner, a fully rusted shower curtain rod, a moldy cooler with moldy water on the deck, junk and trash in the kitchen drawers, cooking pans/pots need replaced and required extensive scrubbing for any meal cooked. Our stay was Sunday-Saturday and while issues were reported Sunday night, we didn’t hear back until Wednesday. There are whole light fixtures missing/hanging from the ceiling, light bulbs out all over the house and pool area. The price says $60 per day for pool heat but there’s a bunch of taxes on top of that. Constant issues with WiFi. There is NO BEACH in front of the house. The entire shoreline has changed in rodanthe and there is no where to “set up” to have a beach day. There are stained pillows and gross baby equipment in the closet. The grounds are so unkept you have to fight plants to get into your car. Overall highly disappointed and dissatisfied in our stay. These are not issues you should have to deal with on vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Betsy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Great place
It was lovely. The only thing I would change is the stove. Front burner has no settings. It's always on high
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Sharon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
BEACH love
The property was great, super location, nice pool and hot tub. Generally clean. Cleaning as far as under beds, behind things and extra blankets could use improvement. Had to leave two days early because of storm surge, flooding of roads. They wouldnt refund because no evacuation order, even though governor declared state of emergency.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melinda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Off-Season Getaway
Our family stayed at The Knotty Whale for a week in February. The house was very clean and kitchen is well-appointed. We had amazing views of the ocean and enjoyed watching the dolphins swim by. It was great relaxing in the hot tub in the cold winter wind. The only minor complaint was the mattress in the master bedroom was rather thin and lacked support. Overall, we highly recommend and would stay in this house again!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing property
The house was exactly as pictured. House was very clean and well-appointed. It had everything you could ever need in the kitchen. Location was great to the beach. If I had one thing I would change it is more seating in the living area. It sleeps alot of people but the living room only seats five at a time. It was very comfortable and I will definitely book again and again. Vacasa was responsive and helpful when contacted.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy L.

Home away from home
This is the third time we have stayed at The Knotty Whale 120. We are booked for next year too. We love this house and location. It is our happy place! The sofa has been replaced and a mattress topper was added to the bedroom on the top floor. My only suggestions would be mattress toppers for the other queen rooms, new blinds for the queen bedroom and bathroom on the lower level, and make sure all doors lock and unlock. The house was clean and ready for move in and we can't wait until next year!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Randy B.

Wonderful Location
Fantastic ocean views from most locations in the home. The beach access is within steps and never crowded even at peak time periods. Short walk to pristine and rustic Pea Island beach access. Great for a private long walk. The kitchen is well equipped. Only suggestion would be for the owner to provide access to a gas grill and upgrade mattresses in 3 rooms. First encounter with Vacasa as a rental agent and the experience was all positive. The home was clean on arrival and had to communicate with the Vacasa team on some operational issues and their responses were timely and appropriate.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Views, views, views both inside and out
The pictures don't do the views justice. Beautiful sunrise every morning from the kitchen table with huge windows and tons of natural sunlight. You can even catch the sunset as well from the master balcony. House was spotless and great communication with the property manager on check in and throughout stay. The inside was equally impressive. We went in the winter so was great to have such a relaxing atmosphere inside as well when not listening to the sound of the ocean and watching the stars from the hot tub. Would definitely recommend. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023