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Hatteras Island Charmer!

Photo gallery for Hatteras Island Charmer!

Plenty of seating for all to enjoy corn hole games on the deck.
Welcome to The Blue Dolphin.
Spacious family room.
Vaulted ceilings and Cape Hatteras seashore charm.
Game table in the family room. Shelf stocked with games for everyone to enjoy!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8139.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Hot tub
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Salvo, NC
  • Salvo Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Rodanthe Pier
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Hatteras, NC (HNC)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed and 3 Single Beds

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Hatteras Island Charmer!

Important: Want a shorter stay? Aug 17 through Aug 31 are now open for 3 night stays (or longer) !! Book with confidence now!

You've found the perfect family beach cottage. It's a five minute walk to the pristine beach from this spacious, family friendly cottage in Salvo on Hatteras Island. "The Blue Dolphin" is thoroughly cleaned and meticulously maintained. No need to pack beach chairs, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, toys for the kids, or sheets for the beds - it's all provided for you. Immense family room, fully stocked kitchen, enormous outdoor shower, corn hole and hot tub on the wrap around deck, charcoal grill, SO many kids toys, pack and play and high chair - it's all here! What are you waiting for? Book now!

Sheets, paper products and detergent are provided. Bedding: 1 king, 1 queen, 1 pyramid bunk and 1 regular bunk. 3 TVs. Wifi included. Recent improvements include: new outdoor park grill, new ramp to access the stairs for the deck, king sized bed upstairs, new sectional, new hot tub, new siding, new paint on entire house, and new deck.

You will love sipping your favorite beverage in the hot tub under the stars. Read a book on the swing under the house and listen to the ocean waves. Located in the heart of Tri-villages, you will enjoy biking around on the village multi use pathway to the National Park soundside day use area. There you can launch a kayak, have a picnic on the soundside beach or watch the windsurfers and kiters ride the wind. Fisherman, surfers and beach goers like the close access to many 4WD entrances in the park. Drive your 4-wheel drive vehicle onto the beach with an off road vehicle permit at the access point 2 miles away. Walk to the ice cream parlor or Waterman's grill for the unbeatable sunset. Spend your day fishing in the surf, nearby pier or charter boat excursion. The possibilities are limitless.

You must be at least 25 years old to book, and you may be asked to provide proof of age. Max occupancy is 8 total guests, and no more than 6 adults on the property at any time.

Property manager

Grace Stapleton

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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Exterior

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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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
High chair, toys, and pack n play included.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No exceptions.

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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Salvo

Located in Salvo, this cottage is near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Outer Banks Beaches and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Travelling with kids? Consider Rodanthe Pier and Ocean Air Sports. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Salvo, NC

What's nearby

  • beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Salvo Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Rodanthe Beach - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Rodanthe Pier - 5 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore - 22 min drive - 24.7 km

Getting around

  • Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Dough Shack - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Village Conery - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Good Winds Seafood & Wine Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Beads & Beans Obx - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hatteras Island Charmer! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Hatteras Island Charmer!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hatteras Island Charmer!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Hatteras Island Charmer! located?

This family-friendly Salvo cottage is located near the beach, within a 10-minute walk of beach and Salvo Beach. Rodanthe Pier and Rodanthe Beach are also within 3 miles (5 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. 61 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shane S.

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

Family Beach week 2024

Everything was great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Holly U.

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

Great stay

Thoroughly enjoyed the location and house amenities. Thank you Grace for providing a fabulous beach home. We enjoyed our stay in the Outer Banks!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Priscilla B., United States

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

The Blue Dophin in Salvo

What a great location!! The Blue Dophin felt like home. Very clean and super comfortable. Well stocked and with 2 refrigerators, we had room for everything. Cant wait to rebook.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Misti T.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

We had an amazing stay at the Blue Dolphin! It literally feels like home away from home with everything you need! All the kids toys/baby items were a huge plus! The owners are extremely friendly and helpful! We can't wait to return for another stay! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shannon S.

Second time guest

We had another great week in this rental. Grace is wonderful to work with , and the family has kept the home well maintained. We have only good things to say - great amenities, great location, perfect for a family of six.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfect Family Getaway!

Our family of 5 rented this charming property for a long weekend away and it was just perfect! The layout was super convienent-we had lots of room to spread out. The furniture was all clean and comfortable. We had a great time hanging out on the huge deck and in the hot tub. The beach in Salvo is just beautiful, wide and rustic. Will definitely recommend to friends and family and will definitely book again!

10/10 Excellent

Lynne K.

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

Family getaway at the Blue Dolphin

My family loved the Blue Dolphin! This home had everything you needed for the perfect getaway! It was super clean with a well equipped kitchen (extra refrigerator), comfy beds, two baths with great water pressure, a toy closet for little ones along with puzzles, board games, card games, books, beach chairs and beach toys! And did I mention a Hot Tub?! We would definitely consider the Blue Dolphin again when we return to the OBX!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matthew S.

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

Two thumbs up...would definitely stay here again

The Blue Dolphin was just as advertised, and just right for my family (Mom and Dad, and five kids: ages 18, 16, 13, 10, and 5). Very clean. Great location, near the beach...easy walk. We particularly liked the beach toys and the hot tub. Also, I was incredibly impressed by Grace's responsiveness to my questions; I don't believe I ever waited more than 15 minutes for a response to any of my few questions. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Russ S.

A cozy Beach Cottage

The Blue Dolphin is charming and comfortable, and it's located in a peaceful spot on the Outer Banks. We loved the knotty pine in the great room, and the huge wrap around deck. It's a short walk to the beach path, and when we were there on a warm weekend in late October, we had almost the whole beach to ourselves. Salvo has the advantage of seclusion, but it's only about 20 minutes south of Nags Head, where you'll find lots of shopping and dining. Drive 30 minutes south to lovely Hatteras, then take the free ferry to delightful Ocracoke Island. Rent a bike or a golf cart and explore the tree covered lanes, quaint shops and art galleries, then we'd recommend lunch on the shady patio of the Dajio Restaurant. If you're looking for a peaceful getaway where you can relax with pelicans and sandpipers, but still not be too far from shopping and dining, you'll appreciate this little beach house and Salvo.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy S., Greenville, NC

Best Spring Break in a long time!

The Blue Dolphin is a "must return" in my book! The house is extremely comfortable and we wanted for nothing during our stay. Lots of extras provided including a diverse DVD collection (kids to adults), toys galore, corn hole on the deck and all the little consumables that I normally pack for a stay in a rental house (toilet paper, soaps, foil, Ziplocs, coffee filters, etc.) The hot tub was clean and the caretaker came by twice during our week to check on it. The walk to the beach was easy, pleasant and clearly marked. The 2 year old managed it just fine and it was close enough that we could go down in the morning, come back to the house for lunch and go back in the afternoon. The hot/cold outdoor shower was wonderful for knocking the sand off after a busy day of building sand castles. I wish we could've enjoyed the swings and sandy area under the house, but it was under water for most of our trip (BIG storm the second night we were there- but that was fun to watch too!) We experienced every weather condition (except hot) while we were there and took advantage of our one truly mild/sunny day to play in the water at the Salvo Day Use Area. Perfect for the 2 year old to experience "the ocean" (so he thought) and fun for the older kids too. My animal lover found various types of crabs and even a baby dogfish in the shallows. Home layout is extremely important to my family as our twin 15 year olds have autism and need to be monitored for safety. The house could not have been better in this respect! Every corner of the main floor and deck could be watched from both kitchen and living room. I slept on the couch to guard the exits and what a comfy couch it was! With the patio door curtains open and the screen cracked I could watch the stars and listen to the waves. Hatteras Island has always been my favorite spot on the Outer Banks and now I've found our favorite house too!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Misty B.

Perfect!

I absolutely loved The Blue Dolphin. From the very beginning, Grace was so helpful with great information, friendly, prompt with answering questions, & even when we had a minor maintenance issue at the house, she was available and on top of it early in the morning.They even had a bottle of homemade wine for us upon arrival! The house was perfectly cleaned and in excellent condition. It was adorable and tastefully decorated. SO many toys, books, games, movies puzzles to play with on rainy days. They had everything we could ever need in the house-Linens were provided and a starter supply of other products. Lots of beach chairs, toys, boards, beach wagon. It was so incredibly stocked--we will take much less with us next time! Everything was organized and labeled. I loved having a play pen and high chair and gated deck to make it easy to travel with my infant. The ONLY thing I even could have wished we had was a table for outdoor dining and before our stay was over, a picnic table was actually delivered. Great location just minutes from the beach access. LOVED the swings under the house, as well as the hot tub, and corn hole on the deck. We had a small family, but could easily have taken another family with us with plenty of room to spare. Salvo was a lovely community--small, quiet and peaceful. A few restaurants, and shops for convenience, and a few produce stands, ice cream shop, bait stores, etc within easy access. I wanted a more secluded spot vs Myrtle Beach or even central OBX that are more touristy, And we found it! We could drive 25 minutes or so to Nags Head or Avon for activities if wanted. Most of the time there were only 1-2 other families visible as far as we could see on the beach. It was like we had our own private beach! We were a bit pre-season (first week of June), but it was wonderful for us. Water was a tad on the cool side, but warm enough for our splashing and playing. The Beach was beautiful with nothing but sand dunes behind us, so the view on the beach was perfect with no houses/condos in your view. We would absolutely stay again in Salvo and definitely at the Blue Dolphin. I LOVE the fact that we had Friday check in/out. Most are Saturday, so while everyone else is coming and going on Sat, waiting on the bridges, we had the beach to ourselves. We drove right to the house with no traffic on Friday. Ive read traveling in and out of OBX on Saturdays is a pain with traffic. Thanks Stapletons for sharing your paradise!

10/10 Excellent

James S.

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

a great getaway

We enjoyed being in a quiet location but still a short walk to the beach. The house was well-stocked with everything necessary for a week at the beach, especially the kitchen although we found restaurants to visit each night all in the Tri-Village area. The spa right outside the door was perfect to relax and look at the stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rob S., San Francisco

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

Wonderful Second Stay at the Blue Dolphin

So happy to have been able to return to Hatteras and stay at the Blue Dolphin again. Such a charming home with everything needed for a wonderful vacation. Easy access to the beach. Deck is perfect for coffee in the morning or wine in the evening. The hot tub is the icing on the cake. I’ve only stayed twice, but it already feels like home. Sorry Grace, I might just have to move in…
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ethan L.

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

Great experience

Grace was very responsive to my messages and helping me in any way that she could. The place was super nice and close to the beach. We would definitely go back and stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alicia S., Asheboro

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

End of summer stay

Our trip didn't start out good, we had a death in our family and had come down after our check in date. My parents who were staying with us went down on the day to check in. The house met all of our needs and expectations. Keeping in touch with the owners of the home made it even better cause if we had any questions they were there to answer them. The beds were very comfortable, kitchen was nice and roomie where we cooked every night to have family dinners. Love all the special things in the house to, like the label light switches and the laundry stuff all together. The updated hot tub was nice to. Made those long walks on the beach just melt away after we rinsed off before getting in. We love the down stairs shower area to with the little grill. We will definitely try to come back soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Erica B.

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

Charming beachhouse

The check in process was so seamless and not stressful at all. Plenty of beach equipment for use. Short walk to beach. Quiet, relaxing neighborhood. Loved the book with things to do and suggestions for favorite meals!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kari H.

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

Great place to stay!

The home was beautiful, inviting and perfect for us. We truly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Teslah E.

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

Wonderful vacation home

This home was truly beautiful and so well kept. Everything was so clean! Plenty of toys (both indoor and beach) were available for my 1 year old and 3 year old to play with and the house was perfectly set up for a family to enjoy. Just a short walk (< 5 mins) to the beach and a short drive to the day use beach. Dollar General is a 2 minute drive down the street to pick up any necessities. It is located in a quiet neighborhood and is the perfect spot for families to stay. Grace (owner) responded so quickly with any questions that I had. I would absolutely stay here again and intend to book again in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

William B.

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

Quiet and Peaceful Family Vacation.

Our family had an amazing time at the blue dolphin. The house was very clean and welcoming. There was plenty of board games and corn hole to keep us entertained when we were not at the beach just a short walk from the house. There were also beach chairs and boogey boards which the kids loved. The beach was also very clean with no seaweed which was amazing! My wife and I also enjoyed the hot tub at night looking up at the stairs. The neighborhood was also very calm and quiet which was a big plus. The Kona Ice Truck even came by in the evening and pulled right into the blue dolphin driveway when we waves it down. The kids thought that was great! The binder in the house had tons of tips and ideas to keep us busy on non beach days as well. Overrall our family had an amazing time at the blue dolphin.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kimberley C.

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

Great Stay in Outer Banks

The Blue Dolphin had everything you needed to enjoy a beach vacation. We didn't need to worry about any kitchen supplies, paper products, or cleaning supplies. The kids used the toys for building in the sand and boogie boards for the surf. And they also used the board games that were there. The place is centrally located, so we were able to visit both the Hattaras and Kitty Hawk ends of the islands without long drives. The walk to the beach was very short and the beach was not crowded. We enjoyed going back to the beach at night and watching the shooting stars over the ocean. The hottub had a small issue and the owners took care of it right away. I would highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer K.

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

Wonderful home in a fabulous location!

There is so much to love about The Blue Dolphin and this part of the Outer Banks, and we are so grateful to have finally been able to go on a vacation like this!! As first timers, we were prepared with a lot of planning ahead, but all of the great info received from the owner during the booking process and before getting there was SO helpful in making sure we knew what to expect and could get the most out of our trip. The home itself has everything you need for an amazing beach vacation, and the beach itself is incredible. We enjoyed great surf, warm, clear water, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We were so happy we chose this area - as others have mentioned, it was convenient to lots of great restaurants and fun things to do while being less crowded and, in our opinion, just more beautiful than other parts of the OBX, which is saying something! And SO many water sports! The house has a great family set up, and while we wish we could have stayed longer, we had a ton of fun while also finding plenty of time to relax on the beach and play in the waves. Definitely rent bikes if you can't bring them, so easy to ride around the nearby towns and save the car for day trips. Loved having the huge deck and outdoor shower as well as the needed AC when we did wrap up for the night. The owners have thought of everything, thanks so much for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Danny R.

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

Weeks stay at Blue Dolphin in Salvo NC

We had a wonderful vacation stay. The house was very clean and had a good flow. Everything was in good working condition and the property is very well maintained. Close to the beach and close to everything else around Salvo. I had to contact Grace and within a short time got a response. Thank you for making our family stay enjoyable
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

John S.

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

Fantastic stay in Waves NC

Stayed two weeks house was great. Very clean and well maintained. Has everything you would need I actually packed less this year as the house was so well stocked. Close to beach just a short easy walk not an issue at all for two young kids. Host was responsive, hospitable and easy to communicate with. Hope to stay again.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

scott w.

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

The perfect little getaway

We visited Salvo for a Kiteboarding trip. Even though there was no wind for the few days we were there, we had plenty to do to keep us busy. Between the hot tub, corn hole on the deck and beach gear, we had a great time. The two fridges came in handy too. We will definitely stay there again.

10/10 Excellent

Lydia Z.

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

Great house for a family vacation

This was a great house to vacation in! Everything was really clean and stocked. Plenty of beds for everyone and just an overall cute layout and relaxing feel. It was a short walk to the beach but even our 18 month old was fine walking it. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Grace Stapleton

Host profile image
Jed and Grace Stapleton live in Chesterfield, Virginia with their three children. Jed works for a large life insurance company, and Grace is a therapist working for a private practice. Our three kids keep us very busy with their sports, activities and big personalities. Owning a beach house is a life-long dream come true for us, and we're happy to share our beautiful home with you! We hope you enjoy your stay!!!

Why they chose this property

After vacationing in Nags Head for years, we discovered the quaint Tri-Villages on Hatteras Island. We loved the laid back surfer town vibe, and the beaches are the most beautiful in the Outer Banks. The water stays warmer until October, sometimes longer due to the Tri-Villages being located at the very northern end of a southern gulf current. When you get to the beach path, you feel like you've found a secret entrance to paradise.

We loved our Realtor, Maryruth Reiss from Ocean Realty. She was so patient and wise. She showed us many homes, but this one was in the best shape. It just had a fun vibe. We're so happy we took a risk and bought The Blue Dolphin.

What makes this property unique

The wrap-around deck is very spacious and has a new custom table that can seat the whole family. Sitting in the hot tub at night sipping your cocktail, the stars appear brighter and closer than ever. The family room vaulted cathedral ceilings with stained wooden slats gives the home an old time beach feel. Hatteras Island is one of the only places in the world where you can see the sun rise on the beach and set on the sound.

You'll love all the improvements we've made over the years: a swing for kids and a swing for adults under the house; new tile floor in the kitchen and laundry room that looks like a beach boardwalk; new furniture and fixtures in the bunk room, bedroom upstairs and family room. Very few beach houses are this well maintained.

The proximity to the ocean is wonderful. Once you arrive at the private beach path, the walk across the dunes is amazing - the wildlife peeping out of the dunes is enjoyable for both kids and adults alike (many times we have seen deer munching on the greenery on the dunes). When arriving at the beach, you are met with an expanse of beach good for either beach volleyball, or simply digging a large sandcastle. The ocean temperatures are notably warmer than Nags Head.

Enjoy the comfortable Tri-Village area, with it's quaint shops and quiet atmosphere. Life here is much slower paced so be prepared to unwind. It's always hard to leave, and people frequently try to extend their stay.

Languages:

English