Entire home·Private host

Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, tiki hut, firepit, grille, wifi

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On the beach, sun-loungers, beach umbrellas
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds
Exterior detail
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6143 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Panacea, FL
  • Place, Public Beach Access
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Bald Point State Park
  • Place, Alligator Point Beach
    ‪3 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

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

Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, tiki hut, firepit, grille, wifi

'Happy Shack' is the ultimate old Florida getaway. This unique home sits on a large BAY FRONT lot with a sandy shore and private, deeded BEACH ACCESS across the street. A large tiki structure provides shade at the beach. Lots of love and attention have been given to this 1940s military barrack. It has been transformed into an amazing beach bungalow with lots of art, quirky touches, and thoughtful amenities.

The exterior of this unique property includes parking for 4 cars and just 4 steps to enter the home. The front sun deck offers 2 tall Adirondack chairs. The front screened porch provides a relaxing hammock, a patio table for 4, and 2 additional chairs. The back screened porch offers a wonderful conversation area for 4, a dining table for 4, and fantastic views of the large yard and beautiful bay. A private, enclosed outdoor shower with hot and cold water is perfect after a day in the sun. A fish cleaning station and park-style grill are provided for your fisherman's catch! Additional Adirondack chairs are provided at the grill area. The large backyard boasts a stone fire pit with wrap-around seating, an oyster roaster, a horseshoe court, 2 person kayak, two paddle boards with life vests, and a two-person swing by the the bay. The bay enjoys a sandy beach for fishermen and swimmers. Cross the street to our private, deeded beach access.

The interior of this gem enjoys an open living/dining room with gorgeous views of the Bay. Comfy seating in the living rooom and extra seating area ensure a place for everyone. Exit double French doors to both the front and back screened porches. The interior dining table seats 6 for a fantastic meal or high-stakes card games. The well-appointed kitchen offers beautiful wood counters and an abundance of small appliances, chef knives, cooking gadgets, and pots and pans. A breakfast table, seating 2, is the perfect location for your morning coffee. Another exit from the kitchen puts you on the covered, screened porch with Edison lights and a fun beach vibe. It's the perfect location for hours of evening chats and delicious meals with beautiful bay views.

The king bedroom enjoys a smart TV and a convenient sink in the bedroom. The twin bedroom is perfect for the littles or young at heart. A full bathroom with a shower is just down the hall and connects to a laundry area with washer/dryer. Exit the laundry to the outdoor deck and the detached & enclosed private gazebo house that sleeps two in a queen bed. This unique hideaway enjoys beautiful beamed ceilings, amazing bay views, a flat-screen TV, and a convenient sink. (AC & heat provided)

The living room enjoys a smart TV, DVD player, Bose stereo speaker with Alexa (turn her off if you don't like her), and a boom box. Board games, puzzles, DVDs, beach coolers, and kites are also provided.

A beach box with an umbrella, two beach chairs, 3 boogie boards, and sand toys are on the back deck. Life vests of all sizes are provided for water activities. Use kayaks and paddle boards at your own risk, please. Do not leave paddle boards or the kayak on the shore...tides will carry them away! Bocce ball and horseshoes are provided for fun lawn games.

Beds: 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Twins

A boat ramp is less than a mile from the Happy Shack, and there is plenty of room on the property for a boat and trailer with additional cars. Some guests have enjoyed anchoring their boat in the bay behind the house and wade or shuttle to the house (we have a boat buoy; we do not have a dock). The beach tiki is shared with four properties, and the wood flooring is messy from a hurricane, but it provides shade with bench seating. Happy Shack is not recommended for toddlers and children 5 & under, as there is a lot for little hands to get into! Additional videos and photos can be seen on our Facebook page @HappyShackBeach

We have removed decorative bedding & pillows and use commercial-grade disinfectant between guests.

HURRICANES & TROPICAL STORMS: If there is a storm or hurricane, refunds will be provided for the following reasons:
1) The state or local authorities order mandatory evacuations in a "Tropical Storm/Hurricane Warning area" and/or
2) The day that the authorities issue a mandatory evacuation order in a "Tropical Storm/Hurricane Warning" area, we will refund:
- Any unused portion of rent from a guest currently registered;
- Any unused portion of rent from a guest who is scheduled to arrive and wants to shorten the stay, to arrive after the Mandatory Warning is lifted; and
- Any advance rent collected or deposited for a reservation scheduled to arrive during the Mandatory Warning period.
Refunds are not provided for an issued Watch.
This vacation home's great beach location gets high marks from our customers. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Public Beach Access. Features include laundry facilities. The vacation home offers free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washer/dryer, and balcony or patio
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Onsite recreation includes a playground
  • 6 minutes by foot from Public Beach Access and a 4-minute drive from Alligator Point Beach
As a guest of this vacation home, you'll find barbecue grills, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach umbrellas

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart speaker
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dock
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio
  • Yard

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking permitted on the patios.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near the marina
  • Near the ocean
  • On the bay
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Bodyboard
  • Fish cleaning table
  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Paddleboard
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing 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

General

  • Garden
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,539 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 23

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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Lock the doors and return the keys
Return recreational items to their place. Empty grill coals into the bay water.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

No smoking in the house, please.
Travelers must provide photo ID and guest list with names and ages after booking.
Do not leave paddleboards or the kayak on the beach, as they will float away with the tides.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Not particularly suitable for children under 5.

Events

No events allowed
No events/parties, rental guests only.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking permitted on the patios.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Note from host: No events/parties, rental guests only.
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Happy Shack BEACH & BAY! Kayak, paddle boards, tiki hut, firepit, grille, wifi Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 224 out of 229 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 229 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 229 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 229 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 229 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kelly B.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is such a unique home with added touches to the decor that just made us feel like we were at a beach cottage with lots of history. Communication with Allison was and has always been top-notch. She gets back to us usually within a few hours with any questions, sometimes sooner. Also, love having access to both the bay and the Gulf of America!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
This was our second time visiting The Happy Shack and we definitely enjoyed our stay. Everything about the trip was great.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dennis W.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was clean with full equipped kitchen and the a/c kept it cool.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

William D.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy L.

Liked: Cleanliness
LOVED the Happy Shack and hope to return! Everything was just as described and just what you want for a relaxing week (or more!). My 88 year old father said it was the most unique and cool place he has ever stayed in Florida, and he's been A LOT! There was plenty of cookware for staying in and cooking and plenty of room for everyone if we needed a moment of separation. Our FAVORITE thing was the Tiki Hut on the beach. We put up our sunshade the first day, but after that we opted instead for the hut and it's cool shade. It was perfect! The young adults enjoyed the kayak and paddle boards, we cooked a bushel of oysters one night on the pit, and used the grill twice. The entire outside area was just a delight. A lot of thought and care has gone into the furnishing of the Happy Shack and it shows in every wonderful detail. Thank you for a fantastic week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cejay H.

Liked: Cleanliness
We absolutely loved the Happy Shack. We wanted a family trip for rest and relaxation, and togetherness.. that is exactly what we got. Private beach days, home cooked meals and all the card and board games we wanted. The owners were easy to communicate with, and the house had almost everything you would need.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miranda E., Ranburne, AL

Liked: Cleanliness
We absolutely loved our first trip to Alligator Point! The Happy Shack was just that..... happy! Everything we needed plus things we didnt even think about was there and available. The outside and inside games were perfect for family time. The quirkiness of the layout and decor fit the entire vibe of the property perfectly. Every nook and cranny are thoughtfully and beautifully decorated and placed about! Alison was prompt in answering questions and made us feel right at home! We WILL be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
I had the opportunity to travel to this wonderful property with my mother and three boys. We were in need of a relaxing vacation, and this was exactly what we were looking for! We spent some time at the beach every day, enjoyed the property grounds, and relaxed! We did visit the Gulf Specimen Aquarium as well as two restaurants- the Salty Donkey and Tropical Trader. Allison was very accommodating and helpful during our stay. I would absolutely recommend this beautiful slice of Florida to any of my friends and family! We don't ever visit a place more than once (just a family tradition), but this just may be one we need to visit again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Allison was a fantastic host. The window unit air conditioner in the Fowler Room was not working when we arrived. Allison had a new one installed within a couple hours of contacting her. Such great service!! The house was so comfortable and the property is beautiful. Thanks for giving us a much needed amazing vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome !

We absolutely loved The Happy Shac k. Will definitely be back !
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Madge P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Trouble in paradise

Nice and quiet , until they started to build a house acr
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jake W., Newnan, GA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joy B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Happy Shack

This was our first time staying here and it did not disappoint!! It’s a beautiful place inside and out. Very quiet and private. The place is well stocked so we really had everything we needed. Loved that the beach is just across the street.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

George S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Good week

Love the happy shack , really nice very peaceful, had a great time
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

Liked: Cleanliness

This spring break trip was perfect!

This was the BEST place for my family to enjoy a relaxing spring break vacation. The Happy shack was clean and accommodating. We loved having a bay and a beach to enjoy. Alligator point was so quiet and beautiful. This will not be the last time we visit the Happy shack!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Russell T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing

It was a nice quiet place and easy access to the beach
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Xiaona H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very cozy property with a lot of thoughtful details

Our family truly enjoy our stay at the property. Very clean, cozy, and comfortable, with a lot of thoughtful details in the house. Owner always communicates and responds promptly. Beautiful bay at the backyard and great private beach across the street.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie Rutledge S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful little shack on the bay and beach

We fished, swam, played, watched movies, cooked in the well-appointed kitchen and just generally had the best week in the Happy Shack. The bay beach was a surprisingly awesome amenity.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erinn G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Heaven on Earth

We had a wonderful time at the Happy Shack. We visited with our teenage daughter and 2 college age sons. The access to the bay out back and the beach right across the street is ideal. The Happy Shack is nicely decorated. It really feels like a home (not a bare bones rental). Our teenage daughter loved the vibe of the Fowler House (the detached bedroom). Allison was very helpful and responsive to our questions. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathaniel W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Brilliant

The home is perfect. Everything was provided and in good working order. Location is amazing. We are already planning our next visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carol U.

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved it!

The house was clean and decor was unbelievable! I felt like I found a new piece of art daily to admire. The home and grounds make you feel like you’re in your own little beach oasis. My 3 boys fished the beach and bay daily. Easy access to the beach! The beach is so private that we felt we had the entire beach to ourselves. I was worried about there being only one bathroom but the outdoor shower was used more than the indoor..it was awesome. So awesome that my husband is having one similar build for our home. This is really a great place to stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfectly Perfect!

Lovely home where the owners love shows in every attention to detail. Comfy beds, well-stocked kitchen, beach and bay and all on Alligator Point. Our new favorite place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn G., Birmingham, AL

Liked: Cleanliness

Friend Get-Away

The perfect property for kids and adults!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024