With a stay at Sea Foam Motel in Nags Head (Whalebone), you'll be a 1-minute drive from Jennette's Pier and 8 minutes from Outer Banks Beaches. .This beach motel is 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Cape Hatteras National Seashore and 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Nags Head Beach.
Whalebone Junction Information Center - 15 min walk - 0.8 miles
Getting around
Manteo, NC (MEO-Dare County Regional) - 12 min drive
Restaurants
Blue Moon Beach Grill - 5 min drive
Miller's Waterfront Restaurant - 11 min walk
Fish Heads Bar & Grill - 5 min drive
Sonic Drive-In - 3 min drive
KFC - 10 min walk
About this property
Sea Foam Motel
Sea Foam Motel offers 51 accommodations with complimentary toiletries. Rooms open to balconies. This Nags Head motel provides complimentary wireless Internet access, with a speed of 50+ Mbps. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the motel include a seasonal outdoor pool.
Make yourself at home in one of the 51 guestrooms. Rooms have private balconies. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a seasonal outdoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless internet access and a vending machine.
Featured amenities include laundry facilities and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Things to do
Seasonal outdoor pool
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Seasonal outdoor pool
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Vending machine
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
On the beach
Accessibility
No elevator
More
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 5:00 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
The seasonal pool will be open from May 23 to September 26
Sea Foam Motel Reviews
Reviews
8.4
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Parking is limited especially for ♿️ spaces. Sea Foam is still one of the best historical landmarks ever. Staff is polite and checks everyday if you need anything.
Staff is great. Rooms are clean. There are plenty of great shops nearby and many within walking distance of the motel. The beach is just steps from your back door, with a great view. I love the back porch of the rooms.
The Sea Foam Motel is a hidden gem. It's our favorite place to be when we visit the OBX. The staff are very personable, friendly, and down to earth! Their rates are very affordable to be right on the beach and includes a pool! We love that they are pet friendly. Our little fur babies absolutely love it there! We are hooked and will be life-long quests! Our next trip is already booked!
Teresa
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Barbara
Jun 6, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
This is a definite step back in time motel! Location was good and room was clean. Bed was very hard, pillows not good, no central ac-loud window unit, no hairdryer.
We had a king bed with an ocean view. We had the best experience. This place is not fancy, but it's everything this new married couple needed. Plus, we loved playing cornhole by the pool and waking up to the sunrise.
We loved how cozy and homey everything felt. The metal keys were a sweet touch. Only knowing one star because our bottom level oceanfront was blocked by a sand dune and we couldn’t see the ocean.
Loved the flashback style of the motel, and especially the old-fashioned key with the plastic room number key! The wood-paneled room was cool, and since it was a two-bed room it was very large. And I was able to park right in front of my room, although no need for a car to get on the beach, or to a cool stop like the legendary Sam & Omies.
Steve
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Brenda
Apr 12, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It was nice ocean front..wish the patio was more private..not enough chairs for each room outside..view was amazing..rooms are dated..beds were very comfortable that was a plus..the staff was very nice and very helpful..we did not have hot water the first night..but they fixes it as soon as i Emailed the office..
Our 2nd floor room was beachfront. The Nags Head
Outlet was within walking distance as well as a huge
"beach" store. The Sea Foam is an older historical
motel that was recently sold. Yes, it is in need of repair
and updating, however, it was clean, the beds were comfortable, and decent water pressure. It fit our needs.
Word is that the new owners have big plans.
This place needs more than updated, it needs actual repairs. There were roaches, I even saw one in the room. The pool wasn’t open for the entire week we were there, which was one reason we booked this place. They didn’t even tell me at check-in, I found out through other guests.
The cleaning staff was wonderful and so was the location. That was about it. Wouldn’t recommend or stay here again.
I cant in good faith give 5 stars for a motel that is severely dated however...I will say this place is "clean" on the inside, the grounds need some love. (Theynare currently doing renovations snd I am excited to return to see the updates). This little gem is hands down the best little hole in the wall motel that is ON THE BEACH and allows fur babies. Check in was a breeze and I love how connected they are to their history. They have coffee cups for every year the motel has been open - since 1948!!
Thank you for a wonderful stay! We look forward to visiting again very soon!
We had an ocean front room with the historic wood paneling. It was charming and comfortable. I loved having the ocean access.
The only complaint came from my teenage companion. She was surprised at the lack of outlets for charging her many electronic devices. Myself, this was to be expected and I didn't stress over it!
I will definitely stay here again when visiting the OBX. Thanks so much!
Sharlene
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Gail
Jun 15, 2026
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
This is a very old property so we understand not being modern or in tip top shape, but broken tiles in the floor or around the sink should be replaced quickly. Bathroom floor has not been scrubbed or mopped in some time. Location ocean front is perfect. Request the second floor for ocean view as dunes block the bottom view. Permit to open pool had not come through, so we were extremely disappointed that it wasn’t open.
Our entire reason for choosing Sea Foam was being on the beach with a pool. Well the pool was closed when we got there and remained closed the ENTIRE time, and still closed when we left. We had grandchildren who really looked forward to the pool. We were offered that we could drive down to the sister hotel but that completely missed the point of paying for a motel with a pool.
The motel was cute but desperately in need of repairs. Doorknobs falling off/very difficult to turn. Peeling doors. Just generally not well maintained.
Definitely clean, and the office staff and housekeepers were very kind and pleasant.
Floor has soft rotten spots. Floor was filthy. Advertises pool but was closed (in June). Floor was not level. Bathroom so small no room for towels or even a towel rack. Window/floor leaked when it rained pooling water inside. Curtains old and thin letting all the sun through before dawn. The ac was cold and newly replaced mattresses were comfortable to be fair. Office closed when needed them. Emailed complaint after leaving and got no response.
We had a wonderful stay at the Sea Foam Motel! One of the best parts was being able to walk straight onto the beach from our room. Having both a front and back door made it so convenient, and we loved relaxing on the patio with the ocean just steps away.
Waking up to an incredible ocean view every morning was the perfect way to start the day. The beds were comfortable, the room had plenty of space, and there were more than enough outlets for all of our devices!
If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable, beachfront stay in the OBX with easy beach access and beautiful views, we definitely recommend the Sea Foam Motel. We’d happily stay here again!