Sand Seeker Cottage is a roomy, comfortable, two-story home with four bedrooms (king, king, queen, and twins) and three full bathrooms. Three bedrooms, with King, Queen and Twin beds and two bathrooms are located upstairs; the other King bedroom and bath, along with a large game room which has a sofa-bed, are located downstairs. The two floors and two common areas provide a lot of separation, which can be nice with even the closest of families (i.e. teenagers vs. adults, or working vs. relaxing). It is perfect for the extended family, and can handle multiple generations with ease.

Although we are only a few minutes away from Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach, we are on one of the most isolated beaches in Florida, which makes it perfect for an uncrowded, family vacation. The house is bordered north and south by single-family, oceanfront homes, and on the west by a huge, uninhabited nature preserve. Just a few steps to the east is the Atlantic Ocean, with beautiful sunrises and the sound of endless waves. The closest public accesses are nearly a mile in either direction and with no motorized vehicles allowed, you’ll only see walkers looking for shells and sharks’ teeth.

Outside, it’s only a few steps to the beach. There are plenty of chairs, a fenced-in courtyard with a gas grill, outside hot/cold shower, and a covered area for some shade. The fully equipped kitchen, living room, dining room, playroom, downstairs, and upstairs master bedrooms overlook the Atlantic Ocean; and comfortable first- and second-floor decks overlooking the ocean can give guests a breathtaking view of the sunrise over the water. Perfect for sitting in the shade and watching the activities on the beach below.

The house is strategically located midway between prestigious Ponte Vedra Beach and historic St. Augustine, both of which offer fine and casual dining, shopping, and recreation for all. The City of Jacksonville is less than an hour away, offering big time sports, entertainment and world class medical facilities, including the Mayo Clinic and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

About the Property Owners

Tom Turnage, the owner, lives in nearby Jacksonville, was born and raised in Northeast Florida, and is in the construction and real estate business. He and his wife purchased the house in 2003 as a fixer-upper, and has extensively and continuously remodeled the house since that time. They started renting the house as a vacation get-away in 2004, and have had hundreds of satisfied guests. They continue to use the house both for personal use and as an investment.

Tom was the co-founder of the South Ponte Vedra – Vilano Beach Preservation Association, and remains active in the community.

Why they chose this property

The beach house is about 45 minutes from Tom’s home and office in Jacksonville. He enjoyed surfing in the area growing up, and still loves the private, uncrowded nature of the beach. The house is far enough away from his Jacksonville home to feel like he’s gotten away, but is close enough to escape in the middle of the week even for a single night.

What makes this property unique

Peace and Quiet. The house is located between Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine. It is surrounded by Guana State Park and the closest public beach accesses are almost a mile away. Probably one of the least crowded beaches in Florida. It is a great for those who want to get away from the rat race, but still be close enough that golf courses and good restaurants are a short drive away.

The Fine Print

Rates and minimum night rentals are adjusted for peak times and seasons. Weekly rentals (7 nights or more) get a 10% discount except during the summer months of June and July, when we require a Saturday-to-Saturday weekly rental. We have a two-night minimum stay during the rest of the year, with some exceptions such as Thanksgiving.

Please note that this is a non-smoking house, and does not allow pets. Also, the house may not be used as a venue for weddings, reunions, or other events hosting those not staying at the house. The person responsible for the rental must be at least 25 years old and staying at the house, and the maximum number of guests allowed is ten. We hope you will consider our house for your family vacation.

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
• There is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
• There is a smoke detector on the property
• Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and deadbolt locks