Sea and Tee BHI

JoshJan 4, 202116 min read

Welcome to Sea and Tee! Our family has been vacationing to the island since the mid 2000’s when we stumbled upon the island one lucky summer and fell in love immediately with the simplicity of the island, its connection with nature via the beaches, forest, marsh, conservancy, etc., and amazing beaches with beautiful sunrises and sunsets; all with the benefit of having fun places to eat and visit via the two clubs, maritime market, and marina town. Plus, golf carts and Old Baldy makes for great vacation pictures!

Linda, Josh and Amy purchased the home together in 2020 and decided to name it “Sea and Tee” as a play on the initials of our twin boys Charlie and Tate (C&T) and some of our favorite vacation activities (beaching and golfing!).

We hope you enjoy your vacation on Bald Head. We’re thankful you chose to stay at Sea and Tee. Please be sure to let us know if there is anything missing or you have any questions during your stay and we will do our best to rectify immediately! Reviews are an important way to tell other renters about your stay - please leave one after you leave and we’ll do the same for you!

We put this document together to give you all the information you should need when you visit BHI but if you feel like we left anything off, please feel free to let us know! The Bald Head Island property association has also put together a
nice website of information if you are looking for more.

Getting to and from the island

If you are making your first trip to the island, there is some important information to know in terms of getting the island. Cars are not allowed onto the island so the only way to get here is via ferry from the
Deep Point Marina & Yacht Club. While the ferry and tram systems are actually quite an enjoyable part of the destination in our view, it helps to plan in advance and understand how the system operates.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ferries are very busy during the summer season in particular. Please make sure to make tram reservations for both directions well in advance. However, please note that reservations are for the tram on the island, not the ferry itself, so you must arrive early to the ferry terminal to buy tickets and get in line!

Anyone who is taking the ferry for the first time should watch
this video that explains the ferry process and read the general information tab of the website.
Ferries generally run hourly leaving on the hour from Deep Point and half hour from the island. During peak season, additional ferries run on the weekend leaving every 30 minutes. Schedules can be found here and change depending on the season so please check!
Tram reservations need to be made in advance and can be completed online here
The ferry website has some information on luggage. All luggage needs to be put in bins, boxes, or suitcases and ideally marked with your name. Many people use plastic storage bins to ensure their items are not lost or misplaced. Also please note that large items such as bikes incur an additional fee. Please see the ferry website for more information.
Parking lots for the ferry are located next door to the terminal and cost $11 per day from May 1 - Sep 1 and $9 the rest of the year. I would suggest putting your ticket somewhere you can’t lose it in the car as finding it amidst your luggage a week after vacationing can be difficult! Also, I recommend taking a picture or writing down the parking lot location for finding your spot when you return.
Some additional information on the tram process once you arrive on the island from the BHI website:

Upon arrival at the Bald Head Island ferry landing, you’ll disembark the ferry and follow the signs for tram assignments or golf cart rentals. Tram service to your accommodations is included in the price of your ferry ticket. Tram reservations should be made by calling (910) 457-5003 or by booking online.

Once you’ve been given your tram assignment, you’ll need to claim your baggage and place it next to your assigned tram. The tram will then take you to your accommodations. Most rental accommodations include the use of one or more golf carts as a part of your stay. You’ll want to confirm this with your rental company.

For those who want to fly, Wilmington, NC airport (Code ILM) is about 45 minutes from the ferry terminal. Cars can be rented and Uber/Lyft are typically available for $30-40 although please be aware they may be less plentiful in Southport for your return ride.

House Logistics and Rules

Check in time is 4 PM and check out is 10 AM. We’re always happy to accommodate early check-in or late departures
if possible but it really just depends on whether the house is turning that day.
There is a lockbox located to the right of the front door and left of the rear door. Once you use this key to open the door, please return it to the lockbox. Lockbox code will be provided the week before the rental begins. Additional keys should be located on the counter. Keys to the golf carts should be inside the home as well but are sometimes left in the carts themselves.
Garbage pickup is on Mondays and Thursdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day and only on Mondays after Labor Day. Please make sure the sign on the right hand side of the garage is turned to YES for garbage pickup prior to pickup day. Recycling can be taken to the Public Works center on the Edward Teach Ext. road located behind the Maritime Market.
The fireplace is not available for use by renters.
Smoking is prohibited in the house.
Grill and Propane tanks: We keep two tanks - a spare propane tank outside. If a tank runs out and you are willing to take it to the marina to swap it out, we will refund you for the effort.
Heat/AC: The house has two relatively new head and AC units that keep the house very comfortable. One thermostat is located on the first floor on the wall below the stairs and in the second floor hallway. If you like fresh air and plan to open windows, please adjust the temperature in order to not run heat/AC while windows are opened.
The home has a security system through Wolf Security that should be disabled during your stay. Door chimes will let you know when a door is opened. There is a fire alarm system as well that directly notifies the island fire department. The island is very safe however if you would like to enable the security system during your stay, please contact us and we will provide you with the code.
Exterior Lights: Lighting can confuse or disturb the sea turtle nesting and hatching process. The island requires that all exterior lights be kept to a minimum and blinds be closed in the evening to minimize exterior lighting.
Dogs: We love dogs! We have two goldendoodles (Millie and Penny) who love to roam the beaches here at BHI. We ask however that you follow our house rules for dogs:

A crate is available in the utilities room for boarding your dog at night
Dogs are not permitted in the 2nd or 3rd floors.
Two gates are available - one for the exterior porch to help keep your dog on the property another to keep your dog on the first floor.
If your dogs are better trained than ours, they may stay off the furniture. We do our best to keep our dogs off the couches - please do the same!
A hose is available in the outdoor shower for cleaning the sand off your dog after they’ve been playing on the beach
Please be courteous and try to prevent excessive barking.

Check out instructions:

Keys to the golf carts and any additional house keys should be placed in the silver tray on the counter before departure. Please leave the white golf cart outside, place the charger inside the golf cart, and pull down the rain covers.
DO NOT place bed sheets or towels in the laundry before departure. All linens are cleaned professionally off the island and will be replaced.
Throw out any perishable foods
Pick up and place any trash in the outside trash cans located next to the garage.
Please make sure the grill is cleaned if you used it
Make sure garbage pickup sign is turned to YES (red)

Internet, TV, and other Entertainment

Internet: we use a google mesh system to provide fast internet service throughout the house and exterior

WIFI: SeaandteeBHI-Guest
Password: 14Killegray

We have an Alexa setup in the dining room and guest bedroom. They can give you weather forecasts but also be used to play music on the Sonos and even turn on shows on the Firesticks.
Music: a Sonos is available. Download the Sonos app and connect to the WIFI to listen to music on the Sonos player located next to the kitchen bar. You can also say “Alexa please play XXXX type of music ON THE KITCHEN and it will play the Sonos”
TV:

Spectrum cable provides the TV service for family, master, and 2nd bedrooms. Third floor TV is a smart TV with access to Netflix and other streaming apps.
Family Room TV: you need to change the input using the Samsung remote to watch cable, use Firestick (access to streaming services such as Netflix and many other shows/movies), or play DVD.
Guest and 3rd Floor TVs: these are Firestick smart TVs that immediately open to the Fire TV screens. If you want to watch cable on guest bedroom TV change the input to HDMI 1 in the Fire TV screen.
DVDs (yes, they still exist!) are next to the TV and multiple DVD players are located throughout the house

Books: books are located throughout the house. Please feel free to enjoy and take one but please take one leave one if possible!
Games/Toys: board games, toys, etc. are located in the various cabinets especially upstairs on the 3rd floor. Feel free to enjoy!

Groceries:

The Maritime Market has a decent selection of groceries but they are not stocked in the way you are likely used to at home and we find their prices to be (understandably) more expensive. We always tell friends visiting BHI for the first time to “bring anything they count on or feel strongly about eating.” You cannot assume that it will be in the market.
For those who enjoy libations, please note that you cannot buy liquor on the island (aside from drinks at restaurants) so you need to bring liquor with you on the ferry. Wine and beer is available for purchase at the market.

Kitchen and Other Household Info:

The kitchen is well-stocked with everyday items to use throughout your stay: in addition to the basics, we have a blender, hand mixer, griddle and food processor available. The coffee maker takes ground coffee & paper filters (we always like to know about the coffee maker when we travel!)
Please help yourself to any spices available in the cabinets - we cannot guarantee what’s there but there is generally a good assortment.
If you are traveling with small children, we have a high chair, crib, booster seat, baby gate, playmat and pack and play available in the 2nd floor bedroom.
If you need to fence off the porch for your children (2 or 4 legged), we have a gray fabric gate available in the utility closet that will span the width of the porch opening.
A hairdryer is available in the owner’s bathroom.
If you are working remotely during your stay, a computer monitor (with HDMI cable), keyboard and mouse, are available for use in the owner’s bedroom.
Extra blankets and pillows are available in bedroom closets.
A propane grill is available for use out back.
Hose and outdoor hot/cold shower available out back.
Beach chairs, beach toys, beach umbrella, beach games are available for use in the garage.
Beach towels are provided in the laundry closet.
4 adult bikes and 2 young children’s bikes are available for use in the garage.

Golf Cart Rules and Information

Always plug in the golf carts after you use them! This helps ensure batteries remain charged but also is good for the health of the batteries
We have the carts inspected regularly by Cary Carts on the island but reality is that things periodically go wrong such as flat/blown tires or dead batteries. If you happen to encounter any issues with the carts, please call Cary Carts at
(910) 457-7333 and send us email or notify us through the VRBO app in general if you are aware of any maintenance issues that need to be done. Thanks!
Although golf carts are a fun and whimsical way to get around the island, please be aware that island police take golf cart rules very seriously (we know this from personal experience)! From BHI Association website:

Think of the same laws when you drive your car on the mainland. Violation of laws or ordinances will result in law enforcement action, up to and including going to jail.

You must have a valid driver's license to operate a golf cart on Bald Head Island.
Drivers with a learner's permit must have a licensed driver accompany them.
Open alcoholic beverage containers are prohibited in golf carts.
The speed limit is enforced (18 mph).
Careless or reckless driving is prohibited.
Driving while intoxicated (alcohol or drugs) is not tolerated.
Passengers should remain seated while golf carts are in motion.
Children are NOT allowed to sit on the lap of golf cart operators.
Allow internal combustion vehicles to pass when possible, pull to the right side of road.
Do not hold onto golf carts while riding in-line skates, skateboards or bicycles.
Note: When our kids were babies and toddlers, we would strap their car seats into the golf carts. It made life a lot easier!

Dining Out

Bald Head has plenty of dining out and entertainment options for those who want it. That said, depending on the time of year some places have reduced hours or availability so always check! Some of our favorites with links to menus and online ordering:

Maritime Market, the island’s grocery store has a lot of great options available! The owner also puts out a daily email with a lot of good information on island happenings and deals available including their bulk wine buying program. Be sure to sign up for the daily newsletter on their main website page!

Market Cafe with great breakfast and lunch options! Make sure to check out the breakfast wrap!
Cooper’s Wood Fired Pizza oven (orders can be placed here)
Premade family meals at relatively good prices! Check them out and order here
Ice cream at their side window during the summer!
Building a new Chinese restaurant hopefully ready for business in 2021

Jules’ Salty Grub and Island Pub and Lulu’s BBQ: Located in the marina with a great deck looking out over the marina. Great for typical pub and island food or just having a drink with friends, listening to good tunes, and watching the ferries come in!
Will O’ the Wisp: Also located in the Marina. Great outdoor area, fun summertime music, and pizza
Delphinas: Mexican food, burgers, and pizza! A perfect combo. Also located in the marina
Sandpiper Cafe: Great for coffee, breakfast, and ice cream
BHI Club (membership required): The BHI club has a lot of great options from casual dining to more formal dinners. The Bean Bar for coffee in the morning. Palms for formal dinner or Palms Terrace overlooking the beautiful golf course. Our favorite is to sit outside on the new Horizons outdoor porch perched high above the pool and watch the sunset. Great variety of food and great pizza (available for takeout as well!).
Shoals Club (membership required - closed from Dec-Feb). Sit outside at Sandbar Grille by the pool and have lunch or a drink or Verandahs overlooking the amazing Shoal’s beach. Latitudes bar is great for an evening drink in a beautiful setting or Acqua for more formal dining (inside and outside available).
Noonie Doodle: candy store for the kids (or adults with a sweet tooth!)

Beach Rules

We are Beach Access 31 - just walk across the street through the neighbor’s parking lot and down the boardwalk and you are there! You are permitted to use any of the private boardwalks in the Killegray/Flora’s Bluff subdivision. Some pictures to help you find the entrance locations:
Fires are NOT permitted on the beach without prior approval from the fire department. In the offseason (Nov and beyond) they will sometimes issue permits that you can request at the fire department.
Dog Rules:

BHI is a dog’s paradise. However, there are rules that all visitors must follow. Please read
the current ordinance regarding leashing of dogs before you let your pup run loose on the beach. Unleashed dogs are NOT permitted after sunset and before sunrise between May 1 and Nov 15th. Unrestrained dogs (dogs who do not respond to voice command) are not permitted but otherwise dogs do not need to be leashed between sunrise and sunset.
Please make sure to pick up after your dog’s waste!

Golf carts are NOT permitted on the beach
Turtles nesting

Lights on the beach at night can confuse and disturb hatchlings and/or female turtles who are laying eggs. White/yellow lights are now allowed during nesting season (May 1-Nov15), please use red flashlights at night.
Fill in any holes which can be hazardous to hatchlings
Do NOT disturb turtle nests

Recreational and other fun island activities

Biking: multiple bikes are available in the garage for use by renters. A bike pump is also in the garage.
Beaching: multiple beach chairs, umbrellas, beach toys, etc. are all available for your use in the garage. We just ask that you please take care of these items and put them back when finished
Club Activities: If you wish to obtain membership to one or both clubs, please contact us ASAP (at least 5 days in advance to avoid an additional fee). We have a Lifestyle membership to the BHI Club which provides access to all facilities including golf and tennis and a Shoals membership which provides access to all facilities including the pool and free beach chairs and umbrellas next to the best beach in the US! Membership costs are paid directly to the clubs and vary based on the time of year and length of time desired. Rates for rental memberships and activities can be found
here.

Swimming: Pools are accessed via membership to either the BHI or Shoals Club. BHI pool has a new kids splash pad and slides. Available for use and no additional fee for rental (“Guest”) members.
Golf: Please call the golf proshop to arrange a tee time. Rates vary based on time of year. Golf clubs are available for rental for $75.

Originally designed by famed golf course architect George Cobb and recently renovated by architect Tim Cate, the Bald Head Island Club golf course winds its way over dunes, around fresh water lagoons, along the ocean and through our maritime forest. Links magazine recently rated the course the second-best renovation in the country, just behind the legendary Pinehurst No. 2. Many of the holes are bordered by the natural habitats of herons, egrets, foxes and alligators.
The Bald Head Island Club Course has a slope rating of 143 and course rating of 73.7. While serious golfers will enjoy the challenge the course offers, weekend warriors find it very playable from the forward tees.

Tennis: Available for use and no additional fee for rental (“Guest”) members. Reservations for court times must be made in advance!
Fitness Center: Available for use and no additional fee for rental (“Guest”) members

Kayaking/Stand up Paddleboarding: Rentals and tours available at the
Sail Shop located in the marina, Coastal Urge located next to the market.
Riverside Adventure Company also offers rentals as well as tours and other outdoor activities.
Fishing: BHI is a fisherman’s paradise. There are countless places for anglers to drop a line. Bait and tackle supplies can be purchased at the Marina shop or hardware store (located near the market). We try to keep a rod or two available in the garage. Some of our favorites:

Shoals beach: Great for surfcasting. Bluefish are a common land here depending on the season
Beach Access 1: Walk all the way past the gazebo to the point. Drum, redfish and other fish can be caught. Also a great place for crabbing!
Marsh: Drum, Flounder and Speckled Trout
Fishing Charters and Tours: While we have yet to do this ourselves there are a number of options available for inshore and offshore excursions.
Jerry Waits at In the Loop is often recommended by others!

Trails and forest explorations: The
Forest Preserve Trail loop is a 3.1 mile trail loop through the forest to gain a true understanding of an untouched barrier island forest. Lots of interesting flora and fauna to be seen. Entrances can be found along Federal Road.
Church at the Island Chapel:

An absolutely stunning chapel situated next to Old Baldy across from the Post Office. Services are conducted at least weekly by a rotating group of current and retired ministers. Up to date service information can be found on the chapel’s website.
Info from the chapel on services: “So that the Chapel remains truly ecumenical in spirit, services are conducted by visiting ministers, both active and retired, from all denominations, who have been recommended by Island property owners.”

Visiting Old Baldy and Smith Island Museum of Island History:

Old Baldy is the oldest standing lighthouse in North Carolina. It has maintained its original form and location for over 187 years. The most important purpose of Old Baldy was to mark the Cape Fear River entrance for the maritime sailors. It was never intended as a light for Frying Pan Shoals.
Visitors are able to climb the stairs to the top of Old Baldy and enjoy the unparallelled panoramic views over the island. A must do for first time visitors!
Guided tours of the island can be arranged at the Smith Island Museum
Historic Happy Hour series and other activities such as 5k runs: Participants gather outside of Old Baldy while the museum curators share history of the island and lighthouse

BHI Conservancy: The Bald Head Island Conservancy employs management and restoration strategies to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Smith Island Complex. Currently the Conservancy is involved in the research of sea turtles, vivex/invasive species, maritime forest, water quality, alligators, oysters, dunes, amphibians, deer, and painted buntings.

Sea Turtle Program and Nest Evacuations: Nest evacuations are a must do if possible. Visitors are allowed to watch as the BHIC helps young loggerhead turtles hatch and begin their march toward the ocean.
Kids and
Family Activities: Variety of activities available for all ranges of kids from crabbing and fishing to island tours, birding, etc.

Howl at the Moon: A fun island tradition run by the Maritime Market each full moon. Gather on East Beach prior to sunset, enjoy some beverages and shared food with others and howl at the moon as it rises over the ocean! Check the schedule
here.
Shopping:
Turtle Central Gift Shop,
The Silver Peddler,
Coastal Urge,
RIverside Adventure,
Bald Head Blues,
Island Passage,
The Sail Shop and
Room Service are our regular BHI shopping stops. If you find yourself needing something more practical, check out the
Island Hardware Store. For your bait needs, we go to the Docmaster at
BHI Marina.