For $11.99 million, you can live like Jonah in the whale The mansion at 710 Shoals Watch Way goes by ?Castello della Balena,? Italian for ?Castle of the Whale,? or, as locals call it, the ?Whale House.? It can be yours for a cool $11.99 million.

As of early 2026, the most expensive house on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, is typically an oceanfront estate in the multi-million dollar range, often located along South Bald Head Wynd or Shoal’s Watch. A prime example is the "Castello Della Balena" (Castle of the Whale) at 710 Shoal’s Watch, which has historically been listed for as much as $15 million and recently sold in the $6.75 million range. These ultra-luxury properties feature 5 to 6 bedrooms, 270-degree views of the Atlantic, and custom architectural designs by figures like Chuck Dietsche. Because the island is car-free and accessible only by ferry, these homes often come with "guest memberships" to the exclusive Bald Head Island Club. Currently, the market features several high-end listings around the $5.9 million mark, such as 35 Cape Fear Trail. These homes are prized for their privacy and proximity to the dune ridges, offering a "barefoot luxury" lifestyle that is rare on the East Coast. Prices remain high due to limited inventory on the 12,000-acre protected island.