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Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch

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Beach nearby, sun loungers, beach towels
Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Exterior
Dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
St. Teresa, FL
  • Place, FSU Coastal & Marine Lab
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Wilson Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, St. James Bay Golf Club
    ‪10 min drive‬

Room options

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  • Kitchen
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About the neighborhood

Panacea

Located in Panacea, this vacation home is by the sea, within a 5-minute drive of Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve and Wilson Beach. .This vacation home is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from FSU Coastal & Marine Lab and 5.1 mi (8.2 km) from Shell Hammock.
View more Vacation Homes in PanaceaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • FSU Coastal & Marine Lab - 4 min drive - 2.6 miles
  • Wilson Beach - 5 min drive - 3.2 miles
  • St. James Bay Golf Club - 10 min drive - 7.7 miles
  • Bald Point State Park - 10 min drive - 8.7 miles
  • Ochlockonee River State Park - 12 min drive - 10.5 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Crooked River Grill - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Aligator Point Tiki Bar - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Eddy Teaches Oyster Bar - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Alligator Point Yacht Basin - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Wharf Express - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch

Welcome to your “Old Florida” hideaway—serene, comfortable, and perfectly located just 500 feet from a private, uncrowded Gulf beach. Guests consistently rate this cottage 10/10 for its peaceful setting, thoughtful amenities, and easy access to nature.

Enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets on the large screened porch while listening to the waves and spotting white squirrels, dolphins, and even manatees in the shallows. Families love the quiet neighborhood where kids can explore safely, build sandcastles, or fish from the nearby pier. Our guests regularly catch redfish and enjoy kayaking the Wakulla River with our provided kayaks and canoe.

Inside, the cottage combines beachy charm with modern comforts—high water pressure showers, a spacious kitchen fully stocked for cooking, and a cozy living area perfect for movie nights. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family trip, or an extended stay, you’ll find everything you need for complete relaxation.

Nearby, explore local favorites like Wakulla Springs State Park, the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, and nearby restaurants in Panacea. Guests return year after year for the tranquility, the star-filled night skies, and that unmistakable sense of “getting away from it all.”

Book your stay today and see why so many families call this their favorite spot on the Forgotten Coast.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private patio. A Smart television and a DVD player are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
Pamper yourself with onsite massages or make use of the other amenities, which include barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Massage

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo
  • Video games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

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

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

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
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico House
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico St. Teresa
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental on the Forgotten Coast Panacea
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico House
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico St. Teresa
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico House
Cozy Beach Cottage Rental Forgotten Coast Gulf Mexico

Peaceful “Old Florida” Retreat : 500 ft to Private Beach : Screened Porch Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sue A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect place for a quiet getaway. The host responded promptly when I needed to ask a question. All you need for that beach getaway is provided by the host! It was perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026

10/10 Excellent

Brittney B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely amazing stay!! We were looking for a quieter place with beach access and this was PERFECT! We loved the short walk to the beach, the screened in porch, and of course watching the amazing sunsets and sunrises. Our kids spent hours playing in the sand on the beach while we fished and enjoyed the views. We caught quite a few redfish from the pier and also saw lots of wildlife - manatees, sea turtles, dolphins, and of course the white squirrels as mentioned in the property description! Already working on planning another trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stuart C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice place, and quiet area to hang out and get away. Enjoyed are stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wow, we loved our time here... especially the wife... very organized, exactly as described and ready to go! Cannot recommend highly enough... you will not be disappointed.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana H.

Liked: Cleanliness
We enjoyed our stay. It was my grandson's first time going to the beach, the home was adult and child friendly. We will be returning soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great escape from busy lives

Family of 5. Kids are 3, 5, 7. We all had a great time. We arrived a little early and requested to check in a little before 4. They accommodated our request. Immediate “wows” as we walked in. Loved the big screened in porch. Perfect to get away from those terribly pesky yellow flies.. sheeeeeesh! Inside was everything we needed as well. Our kids migrated to the couch or our beds, but nothing out the normal home life. Showers were fantastic. Very surprised with water pressure. It was amazing. Having the kayaks/canoe, fishing poles boogie boards, etc made it so much easier. We took the kayaks to Wakulla River. We saw some alligators and two manatee amongst other wildlife creatures. Glad we brought our wagon as I didn’t see one there. The private dock was awesome. Caught quite a few fish out there. And the low tide at night was great to go walk around and see a lot more. The kids were wowed by the change from earlier in the day lol. The night sky when clear was crazy awesome. Took some amazing photos. I think if you somehow convinced your neighbors across the street to charge extra to cut through their yard would be terrific and the icing on cake. Our only gripe was walking down then coming back down the beach to about see the front door. But we understood the assignment prior to booking, so no harm done. I’d pay an extra 25-40 a night for that convenience! First time to the Gulf and I could say we would definitely come back and recommend to anyone on the fence. Thank you guys!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Florida Exploration

We enjoyed the location of the house and the quiet neighborhood. Thanks to the helpful welcome book we had the local information needed to enjoy day adventures at the surrounding state parks and the Gulf Specimen Aquarium. Dad and son booked a fishing trip and had a blast! Everyone in the area was helpful and friendly making for a great time in the natural surroundings of Florida.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dylan L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great weekend getaway

House was great. Has a huge kitchen and a large screened in porch. The walk to the beach was quite easy. Perfect for a family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a really nice property with everything you need as long as you're looking for a laid-back vacation without a lot of attractions. We did see dolphins, a horseshoe crab, starfish, tons of hermit crabs, squirls, and rabbits. The walk to the beach wasn't too bad and the sand was great for sandcastles. The beach does have a few hazard spots next to the pier so don't go running into the water until after your first low tide so you can see where the logs are. Other than that, this was a great place to relax and enjoy the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful area, relax and enjoy nature.

Very nice cottage, had everything we needed. We used the tandem kayak, a little bit of a trek to get it down to the beach. We thoroughly enjoyed it!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

tricia m.

Liked: Cleanliness

Comfy and cozy

Wonderful home. It aided in us enjoying our time in Panacea. We were not prepared to purchase more toilet paper though but that was a quick fix. Wonderful home to rent and we hope to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness

If you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation with the gulf just steps away, this is the place.

Our stay at this beach house was nice. Located just one tier back from the beach, it offered the perfect balance of privacy and proximity to the gulf. The house itself was well maintained, with many amenities that made it feel like a home away from home. The spacious deck was a highlight, perfect for morning coffee and reading the paper.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hamid M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very peaceful

This is our third time at this property, and not the last one, for certain. We enjoyed every minute of our stay; thank you to the generous host for providing everything we needed and making us feel like we were at our own home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eben B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Thanks!

Nice!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lillie E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy cottage

We have always enjoyed our time at the cozy cottage. That’s why we keep coming back!Thanks Shawn and Katie, we really appreciate your beautiful home!
Stayed 34 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

DEBBIE T.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great place to spend a month!

The cottage and area is a perfect place to relax, walk on the beach, cook and read. We cooked a lot at the cottage (went to Crawfordsville and Costco in Tallahassee for groceries) because kitchen was very well equipped. We did not use the kayaks and we don't fish but all the equipment is there for that! The cottage was great for the two of us. Big tv to watch movies on Netflix, Prime, local channels and more. St Theresa is the perfect spot to explore from--we travelled East toward Panacea, ate at the Trident, Angelo's, Hamanackers. Glad we didn't miss Wakulla Springs and the beautiful historic lodge there but especially the boat tour. Golfed in Tallahassee at Southwood, a really nice course. Although it was awesome that we could walk out the door and the beach was a very short walk away sometimes we switched it up and walked on the Carrabelle beach and many times drove to St George Island to walk miles on that white quartz sand beach too. ( P.S. we liked the walk on the St Theresa beach best when it was low tide) Shawn and Katie are super hosts and very responsive if you need them!
Stayed 30 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom G., Clam Lake

Liked: Cleanliness

St Teresa

I enjoyed Turkey Point
Stayed 44 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pearce L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Summer Vacation

Great location to nearby towns. The beach access was easy. The cottage had everything we needed for our trip. This was our second time staying there.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Becky M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Relaxing week away

This was our first visit to St. Teresa beach and we really enjoyed the area! The house was very nice, comfortable and what we look for in a vacation home and a short walk to the beach. The beach is quiet and the people and families we did meet were very friendly. We enjoyed Trident restaurant, the Tiki Hut on Alligator Point and EastPoint Brewery and the local fresh seafood markets! My husband did not have much luck fishing but the week away without a schedule was wonderful! Morning runs and evening walks on the beach were so peaceful! We did have a bear encounter but he was not aggressive, a first for us! We hope to come back for another visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

JOEY P., Kingston

Liked: Cleanliness

Title

Property was great everything was great. The house came with a lot of extras including kayaks, fishing equipment and beach equipment. Nice quiet area. The local beach was ok, but St George island was 40 minutes away. And offered a better beach and places to eat.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chuck H.

Liked: Cleanliness

This was our second stay with the grandkids, still love it!

A little walk to the pier and im fishing! We all loved it and im sure we'll be back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lillie E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay

Always enjoy our time in the Cozy Cottage! Looking forward to next year already!
Stayed 56 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom G., Clam Lake

Liked: Cleanliness

Forgotten Coast

Great winter get-away. Look forward to staying next winter as well.
Stayed 74 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hamid M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great escape

This is our second time in this vacation house, we enjoyed every second of it.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Dawn S., Dalton

Liked: Cleanliness

Love St Teresa Beach and the area

House was clean. Master bed was quite comfortable. There's a nice porch that is screened and great for the morning and evening when it's not so hot. September of course is very hot. No real view of the water and walk to the beach is a bit especially if you have to go to the restroom. Owners were very responsive to any questions or concerns etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022