I’m Shawn Huffines, and I own Dune Life Rentals, an independent vacation rental company managing 34 family homes inside Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC. If you’ve found this page, you’re probably trying to figure out whether the company behind your potential booking is a real person or a faceless management company. The answer is the first one. This page is the story of how Dune Life got started, what I actually do day-to-day, and why I’m still doing it.
How did Dune Life Rentals start?
My family discovered Ocean Lakes years ago, and we got hooked the same way most families do. The mile of private beach, the golf carts cruising by, the kids running between the water park and the pool, the way every part of the campground feels like its own little community. We came back. Then we came back again. Eventually I started thinking about whether I could bring families to Ocean Lakes the way our family had been brought to it.
I bought one beach house inside the gates. That was the start. Just one house, fully stocked, with a golf cart included, the kind of place I’d want for my own family vacation. The first guests came, and they came back the next year. Word spread the way it does in family-vacation communities. One house became two. Two became four.
Today, Dune Life manages 34 properties across multiple sections of Ocean Lakes (verifiable via our current inventory, https://booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings). Each one was chosen the same way I chose the first: would I want my own family staying here?
What does running 34 vacation rentals actually look like?
I run a small operation on purpose. The phone number listed on the website (336-382-1415) rings my actual phone, and there’s no central office between me and the people who book with us. When a guest texts about a question or an issue, they’re texting me. When something needs fixing in a house, I’m the one calling the contractor or driving over to handle it.
Day-to-day, my work falls into a few buckets. I communicate with guests before, during, and after their stays. I coordinate cleaning and maintenance between bookings. I work with property owners on inventory upkeep. I manage the booking system and direct-booking flow at duneliferentals.com. And I walk the campground regularly to check on properties, which is how I actually learn what’s happening in our houses (this part doesn’t show up in any business plan, but it matters).
I don’t try to be every property management company. I try to be one specific kind: the kind that picks up the phone.
Why I include golf carts on every property
If you’ve read the golf cart article (https://duneliferentals.com/blog/golf-carts-included-ocean-lakes/), you already know the math. Short version: the campground is 310 acres (per Ocean Lakes Family Campground), the walk from your house to the water park takes 15 minutes on a good day, and the golf cart turns that into three. Tacking $400 onto a checkout for the thing that makes the whole vacation work felt wrong, so I include it on nearly every property in our portfolio.
Book your next Myrtle Beach vacation
What does “independent” mean for Dune Life?
We are independent, meaning we are not affiliated with Ocean Lakes Properties, the Jackson Companies, or any of Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s official rental arms. That distinction is required by law, and it shows up in the disclaimer on every page of our site.
It also matters practically. Ocean Lakes Properties (the official rental company) manages a much larger inventory and is its own separate business. Dune Life Rentals is a smaller, independent operator inside the same campground. Both are legitimate ways to book an Ocean Lakes vacation. The difference is the size, the structure, and who you reach when you have a question.
How can guests reach me?
– Phone or text: 336-382-1415 (this is my cell)
– Email: shawn@duneliferentals.com
– Booking direct: duneliferentals.com and booking.duneliferentals.com
– Social: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/Dune-Life-Rentals/100094032880648/)
If you’re considering booking and want to talk through which house fits your family, or you’re already booked and have a question about your stay, the fastest way to reach me is text.
What guests have said
The most-recurring word in our reviews is “easy.” Booking was easy, communication was easy, check-in was easy, the house was ready and stocked and exactly what was described. That’s the bar I aim for. Most of our 34 properties carry star ratings between 4.65 and 5.00 on our direct booking site.
A few real reviews from past guests, pulled from our property pages:
“Dune Life was amazing to work with! From the time we started the booking process until the time we checked out, Dune Life made the whole process super smooth.” — Jeff
“The host was very quick to respond with any questions we had. We absolutely love staying in Ocean Lakes and will definitely rent from Shawn again in the future.” — Jennifer
“Shawn was available to answer any questions at any time. The house was just as described, clean, well stocked with anything you would need.” — Rita
These are the kinds of stays I’m trying to deliver every week.
What’s next for Dune Life Rentals?
The growth has been steady but intentional. I’d rather add one more property a year that I can stand behind than triple the portfolio with houses I haven’t personally vetted. The plan is to keep growing slowly, keep answering the phone, and keep being the rental company that families recommend to other families.
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already understand what this business is. Now you know who runs it.
Frequently asked questions about Shawn and Dune Life Rentals
Who is the owner of Dune Life Rentals?
Shawn Huffines. He founded the company and continues to operate it directly.
Is Dune Life Rentals affiliated with Ocean Lakes Properties or Ocean Lakes Family Campground?
No. Dune Life Rentals is an independent vacation rental company operating inside Ocean Lakes Family Campground. It is not affiliated with Ocean Lakes Properties, L.P., Ocean Lakes Properties, the Jackson Companies, or any of their subsidiaries.
How many properties does Dune Life Rentals manage?
Currently 34 properties at Ocean Lakes Family Campground, all viewable at www.booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings.
Can I talk to Shawn directly before booking?
Yes. Text or call 336-382-1415.
What sections of Ocean Lakes does Dune Life Rentals cover?
Multiple sections across the campground, including mid-park, lakeside, and a handful of more inland properties. The specific section is listed on each property page.
Does Shawn own all of the properties himself?
Some are owned directly. Others are managed on behalf of homeowners. The booking and guest experience are identical across the portfolio.
Where is Dune Life Rentals based?
The company operates out of Ocean Lakes Family Campground at 6001 South Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. Shawn’s contact number (336-382-1415) is a personal cell line that reaches him directly.
Sources
– Current property inventory (34 homes, star ratings, golf cart availability): www.booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings (accessed May 2026)
– Founder background and origin story: Dune Life Rentals About page (https://www.duneliferentals.com/about/)
– Ocean Lakes Family Campground size (310 acres) and location: Ocean Lakes Family Campground homepage
– Guest testimonials: Dune Life Rentals home page and individual property pages
– Independence disclosure: site-wide disclaimer on duneliferentals.com
—————————————-
Last updated: July 15, 2026
About the author:Â Shawn Huffines runs Dune Life Rentals at Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC. He started this business with a purpose to provide exceptional stays for families. Reach Shawn at 336-382-1415 or shawn@duneliferentals.com.