Vacation Guide
Our Hold option, when booking a reservation online, allows you to hold your desired vacation rental property without submitting a deposit for 24 hours. During those 24 hours, one of our certified vacation planners will contact you to address any questions and help you complete the booking process. If you wish to release your 24-hour hold, you may contact our team of certified vacation planners by email or phone to cancel your tentative booking anytime.
Yes! Bluewater Vacation Rentals strives to have you return year after year. To enjoy your home the same week next year, take advantage of our advance reservations feature for a nominal Advance Hold Fee of $50 plus tax. As a current-year guest, you have the first opportunity to book your vacation home again for the following year until 10:00 AM on your check-out day. Thereafter, these dates are released to the general public for advance reservation availability. Please contact our office for further details.
Yes, some of our vacation rental properties offer nightly rentals with a 2- or 3-night minimum stay. Nightly rentals can only be booked off-season or last minute, except for a few properties that offer year-round nightly stays. Before confirming your partial-week stay, approval for a nightly stay must be granted by one of our certified vacation planners and, in some cases, by the homeowner.
Most of our vacation rental properties do not provide beach equipment for guests. However, if you would like to rent beach gear, our friends on the island can help! Visit Island Essentials or Beach Butler Rentals for more information.
Yes, linens and towels are provided during your stay.
Golf carts are highly utilized as a method of transportation on our island; however, there are rules and regulations to be followed should you choose to bring your own golf cart. Some complexes, communities, and rental properties prohibit using and parking golf carts on the premises. This information can be found in your Vacation Rental Agreement or in the detailed property description on our website. For more information on the local rules and regulations on golf carts, please reach out to the town where you’ll be staying.
Yes – Pets are welcome on our beaches year-round. Please remember: Pets must always remain leashed, and it's important to clean up after them.
All kitchens should be stocked with your standard cooking and kitchen needs, such as pots, pans, baking sheets, plates, utensils, glasses, etc.
Reservations & Payments
RESERVATIONS You may book your Crystal Coast vacation online, by phone, or in-person at one of our rental offices. A completed Vacation RentalAgreement (“Agreement”) will be forwarded to you with specific terms & conditions by email. This Agreement will include all possible charges; however, you may elect to decline any “optional” charges by contacting our team of vacation planners via email at Reservations@BluewaterNC.com or by phone at (866) 231-5892.
PAYMENTS If you agree to the terms of the Vacation Rental Agreement, we require the initial payment to be made at the time of booking. The Initial Payment includes approximately 55% of the total rent amount, reservation fee, Travel Insurance premium (if purchased), and applicable taxes. If you are booking more than 30 days prior to your arrival, you and your vacationing party have the flexibility to make any payment, at any time, for any amount in your Guest Portal account following your Initial Payment. Your remaining balance, which includes the remaining rent balance, any add-ons (i.e., linens), and applicable taxes, must be paid in full 30 days prior to your arrival date. If you are booking less than 30 days prior to your arrival, you and your vacationing party will be required to pay in full. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and ACH/eCheck. For customers who do not have access to email, the Agreement will be sent via fax or US Mail to be signed and returned within 7 days; however, your payment is still required at the time you book the reservation. After receipt of your initial payment and signed Agreement, we will send you a confirmation receipt.
Bluewater will place your reservation payments in an interest-bearing trust account at First National Bank, located in Jacksonville, NC with such interest earned by Bluewater Vacation Rentals. The Guest agrees to the advance disbursement of rents to the Owner prior to occupancy [not to exceed 50% (fifty percent) of the total rent] and disbursement of fees to Bluewater to pay for goods, services, or benefits secured for the Guest prior to occupancy.
Cancellation Policy
CANCELLATION TERMS
Should Tenant have to cancel for any reason, please notify Agent immediately in writing (fax 252-354-8965, email Accounting@BluewaterNC.com, or US Mail). Cancelled reservations are placed back on the rental market to be re-rented. If your cancelled reservation is booked for multiple weeks or a monthly stay, that time frame will be made available to rent as a shorter stay option to other guests.
a. If the property is re-rented for the specified period, monies will be refunded less a $250.00 cancellation fee, any discounts/expenses required to re-rent and the Travel Insurance Premium. Under the cancel/re-rent program all money paid will be forfeited unless the property is re-rented for the entire cancelled period and for the original rental amount.
b. If re-rented for the original rental amount, all monies paid will be refunded less the cancellation fee of $250.00, reservation fee and travel insurance premium.
c. If re-rented at a lower rental amount, your refund will be decreased by the difference between the original rental amount and the lower rental amount, as well as the $250 cancellation fee, reservation fee and any travel insurance premium.
d. Should Tenant require or request to be moved to a different property or a different date at the same property, which must be approved by the Owner, the Tenant will be charged a $250.00 non-refundable fee.
You will be notified of the re-rent status and any refund due to you via email once the property re-rents or the departure date has passed. Should the property not re-rent, you may choose to reinstate and use your reservation any time up to the departure date subject to availability. Agent reserves the right to book reservation for less than the contracted length. The reservation would need to be paid in full before arrival. If you wish to reinstate, email Accounting@BluewaterNC.com with that request. If you purchased travel insurance, you can contact RedSky Travel to make a claim. RedSky Travel Insurance 1-866-889-7409 www.SunTripPreserver.com. Agent reserves the right to automatically cancel reservation if payment is not received in full 30 days prior to the arrival date. Failure to cancel in writing will result in charging the final payment to the Tenant’s credit card.
Pet Policy
Some properties do not allow pets anywhere on their property, including on the deck or in the yard. If the property you have rented allows dogs, either through the “All-Inclusive Pet Program” or if an additional pet fee is required, it will be stated within the property description and a specified fee is charged per pet if applicable. Please note that this is limited to dogs only and, in most cases, a maximum limit of 2. If you do not notify the Bluewater of a dog or the actual number of dogs on the premises and pay the specified fee, eviction without refund may apply and Bluewater reserves the right to charge your credit card for pet fees. Cats are never allowed in any property at any time. Any guest bringing a pet into a “No Pets” property will be evicted without a refund. Pets are not allowed in pools or hot tubs. “Leash Laws” apply and the law requires you to clean up after your pet.
Private Pool & Hot Tub Policy
POOL Tenant is responsible for the proper care of the swimming pool. Pool use is “At Your Own Risk”. It is a parent or guardian’s responsibility to watch children at all times during pool use. Children must not be left unattended during pool use. No diving into the pool is ever allowed since serious injury, paralysis, or even death could occur. Damage to the pool itself due to tenant misuse will result in additional charges.
HOT TUB Tenant is responsible for proper care of the Hot Tub. Suggested Hot Tub occupancy in the Instruction Manual must not be exceeded. The Hot Tub must be covered when not in use to retain heat. Do not sit on the hot tub cover or use it for storage. Damage to cover or Hot Tub due to misuse will result in additional charges. Please do not set the Hot Tub thermostat higher than 104 degrees. Due to high temperatures, Hot Tubs are not suitable for small children or pregnant women. Children under the legal age should not be left unattended. It is not wise to sit in the Hot Tub longer than 15 minutes at a time.
It is imperative everyone (adults and children) shower before entering the Pool or Hot Tub to remove sand and suntan lotion from their feet, hands, and body. An instruction manual is provided for the Hot Tub. Any questions regarding the safe use and operation of the Pool and Hot Tub should be referred to Bluewater Vacation Rentals (252) 354-2323.
The Tenant does hereby covenant and agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless both the owners of the property and their Agent, Bluewater Real Estate, from and against all liability, loss, damage, claims, or actions (including costs and attorney fees) for bodily injury, paralysis or death, and/or property damage, to the extent permissible by law, arising out of or in connection with the misuse of Pool and/or Hot Tub.
Golf Cart Policy
GOLF CART POLICY Privilege Disclaimer: I, and my guests, acknowledge that the use of any Golf Cart is “At Our Own Risk”. By entering into a rental contract, we agree to relieve and hold harmless Bluewater Vacation Rentals and Real Estate and the Homeowners of the property for any and all debts which might occur from accidents involving the golf cart. Bluewater Vacation Rentals and Real Estate and the Homeowners of the property are not liable for any damages or bodily harm incurred with guests’ use of golf cart. We understand that there is no insurance of any type on said Golf Cart. We also agree to pay for any damages done to the Golf Cart itself. The Golf Cart must stay in the subdivision where the rental property is located and stay on paved areas only. The Golf Cart Driver must abide by all Stop and Speed Limit signs. Golf Carts may not be operated at a speed that is greater than reasonable and prudent under existing conditions and in no circumstances at a speed greater than 20 MPH. Reckless driving will result in the revocation of Golf Cart privileges for all rental guests for the entire rental period. Golf Carts may not be operated in a careless or reckless manner. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to operate a Golf Cart. Anyone operating a Golf Cart must have a valid state-issued driver’s license in their possession while operating a Golf Cart and must comply with all conditions and restrictions on their license. Golf Carts are required to be operated in accordance with all state motor vehicle laws, local traffic laws, and local ordinances. Golf Carts may not be used to tow another cart, trailer, or vehicle of any kind including a person on roller skates, bicycles, skateboards, or other devices. Golf Carts are required to yield the right of way to traditional motor vehicles.
Beach Equipment Policy
BEACH ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED NIGHTLY. The town of Emerald Isle has adopted a new ordinance that requires all unattended beach equipment (including shade tents, canopies, volleyball nets, chairs, umbrellas, etc) be removed from the beach each night. All unattended items left on the beach between 7pm and 8am are now illegal and will be confiscated and removed by town staff.
Partial Week or Additional Day
Most vacation homes are available to rent for less than a full week. Full week rentals have first priority and partial week (2- or 3-night minimums) or additional day rentals cannot be made more than seven days in advance during the summer season. The nightly rate for partial week rentals is calculated by dividing the weekly rate by 4. Therefore, if you stay for 4 or more days, the cost will be the normal weekly rate. Travel Insurance rates are the same for partial week rentals. Partial week rentals must be made by phone, as all Internet reservations are for full weeks only. Please call us to inquire about a nightly stay.
Cleaning
Upon arrival to your rental home, please notify us immediately if you are not satisfied with the cleanliness. We will send Bluewater housekeeping staff to address the cleaning deficit. If Bluewater has not heard to the contrary within one hour of check-in, we assume that you have found your rental home in acceptable condition. No discounts will be given at a later point for lack of cleanliness.
Maintenance
Each Bluewater rental property has an informational guide that addresses general maintenance concerns. Specific issues are posted on the refrigerator at each rental property to address things specific to your vacation home.
All efforts will be made to expedite repair, but no refunds will be made for mechanical failures of appliances and/or electronics or interruption and/or loss of utilities (including internet and cable). Please also report any inoperative and/or missing equipment to our maintenance department.
For routine maintenance problems during business hours, please call (252) 354-6128 between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM in the off-season and 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM during the in-season. For after-hours emergencies only, please call (252) 354-2323 and follow the prompts. Remember, Bluewater-authorized maintenance technicians have the legal right to enter your rental home as required to accomplish needed repairs.
Mail & Packages
If you are receiving correspondence via US Mail, FedEx, or UPS during your vacation, please have it sent to Bluewater Vacation Rentals at 200 Mangrove Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594. Please make sure to tell the sender to put the name of your rental home on the address label. Please do not have anything sent to your rental property as there are no mailboxes available.
Rental Properties For Sale
Occasionally, a rental property may go on the market for sale. In such a case, we reserve the right to show the property to qualified buyers. We will make every effort to schedule the showing at a convenient time and to avoid interrupting your vacation. Your cooperation is appreciated. If your rental property is sold within 180 days of your rental departure date, your lease will be enforced. If the property is sold more than 180 days from your departure date and is no longer offered for rent, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs or refund your money.
Selection of Rental Properties
All vacation homes rented by Bluewater are furnished and decorated by the individual homeowner according to their personal taste. Since the majority of our homes are rented sight unseen, you should do all you can to communicate your expectations and needs prior to your arrival. All of our rental homes have complete interior, exterior, and view photos available online for your vacation search. Simply go to a specific rental home’s page and use the photo gallery to view the entire home. If you need further information about any specific home or condo, one of our vacation planners is here to help! Need help planning? Send an email to Reservations@BluewaterNC.com or call (866) 231-5892 to get started!
