This was our third trip to Cedar Island, so we had realistic expectations. If you are unfamiliar with Cedar Island, and you are expecting a typical outer banks type experience, you may be disappointed. Cedar Island is remote, and it's mostly nature preserve. Depending on the season, there are persistent and pervasive mosquitoes anywhere other than the beach. Bring reliable bug repellent. The main attraction on the island is the beautiful, natural beach with calm, shallow water, which is great for kids. You can also book a beach-side horseback ride at the local campground (somewhat expensive, but a very nice experience). There is one store, a gas station/general store that also has scooped ice cream. Dollar General is about a 17 minute drive; big box store is 45 minutes. Bring food, bring essentials, bring beach towels, don't expect good wifi or cell reception. Instead, plan to unplug and enjoy nature. The bug-free, crowd-free beach is a short walk. Hunting, fishing, and kayaking are other options. There's a ferry that goes to Ocracoke if you're looking for a more touristy island. The cottage is wonderful, clean, and roomy. The porch was lovely at night. The price was incredibly reasonable and convinced us to rent this over a hotel room. There was a scheduling error, and the owner graciously credited us an extra night when we had to book a night at the hotel. We would love to stay here again and would definitely recommend this rental.