Entire home

PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay

Beachfront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay

Property grounds
Sunrise from the porch
Property grounds
Exterior
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12256.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Gwynns Island, VA
  • Place, Chesapeake Bay
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Gwynn's Island Musuem
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Deltaville Marina
    ‪36 min drive‬
  • Airport, Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)
    ‪77 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Downstairs bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 2 Double Beds

Downstairs Bedroom 3

1 Double Murphy Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Upstairs Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Downstairs bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Outside Shower

Outdoor shower

Upstairs bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upstairs bedroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay

Beach front home with large yard. Beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from almost anywhere you stand. Large deck and gazebo for evening gatherings or sit on the separate, private, beachfront deck to watch dolphins, blue heron and eagles play. Watch the sunrise from the furnished roof deck. Enjoy your beverage of choice before laying your towel or setting your chair on the white sand beach to soak up some sun. Tired of sitting, check the crab pots, throw in a fishing line or grab one of the two kayaks and take a journey around the island or watch the sail boat regattas that take place on most summer weekends. Plenty of room for the kids to run and play in the yard.

This home has it all....open floor plan, large sun room, dining area and wet bar. 5 bedrooms, 1 King, 4 Doubles, 2 twins and one murphy bed in a large bedroom that doubles as a second den for the little ones or the teenagers who want their space. 3 full bathrooms, and a large yard to play outside games including corn hole which is provided and a basketball goal. Spacious kitchen with breakfast bar and dual ovens. Two large smart TV's, satellite service and strong Wi-Fi keep you connected if that's your "thing". The house has two detached garages, one of which is available for storage(other than car) and also contains beach toys and another fridge. Crab pots and beach chairs are also provided for your use. The other garage contains a 75 inch smart TV, couches another fridge, a chest freezer and a large ping-pong table. Next to the house is an automatic whole house generator so you will never lose power during a possible summer thunderstorm. Nights can be spent on the sand beach or on the expansive deck or the roof deck. It its raining make yourself at home under the lighted gazebo. Also, in the gazebo is a large gas grill and teak table and chairs. A fire pit with supplied firewood provides a great area for gathering as well. Saturday mornings during the summer, you can find local grown items at the farmers market on the courthouse green located at Matthews Courthouse. While there, be sure to visit some of the quaint shops to find that unique gift or get a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants throughout the courthouse area. If this is your first visit stop by the Information Center located next to the library. Also, go to our points of interest in this special town.

Historic Yorktown, Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg are about an hour away. If history is not your thing, a day trip to visit Busch Gardens or Water Country is about the same distance. ***Minimum 7 nights stay last week in May through Labor Day weekend. Requests for shorter stays outside of these dates may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.***

Your perfect vacation awaits!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in house or on roof deck and no leaning on roof deck rails. Please do not place additional furniture on roof deck.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gwynn

Located in Gwynn, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve and Chesapeake Bay reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Deltaville Maritime Museum and Compass Entertainment Complex. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Gwynns Island, VA

What's nearby

  • Chesapeake Bay - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Gwynn's Island Musuem - 2 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Deltaville Marina - 36 min drive - 40.9 km
  • Deltaville Maritime Museum - 36 min drive - 41.3 km
  • Holly Point Nature Park - 36 min drive - 41.3 km

Getting around

  • Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hole In The Wall - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Howard-Dooley Cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Hatchery Culture - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Table at Wilton - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪Mi Casa Azteca Mexican Restaurant & Cantina - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is PRIVATE BEACH on the Chesapeake Bay located?

Located in Gwynn, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre and within 1 mi (2 km) of Gwynn's Island Musuem and Chesapeake Bay. Bethel Beach and Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 131 out of 138 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 138 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 138 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 138 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 138 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Keven H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great set up for big group!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gab F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was great, right on the water. Great property for kids to run around. Well- stocked with toys and kitchen needs, grill. Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful peaceful vacation with private beach

Sunrises and peaceful bay vacation
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ashley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing time at this location. Brian is a great host and is very quick to answer any questions. This house has everything you need to set yourself up to hang on the beach all day. We brought water shoes and didn't even need them, very sandy bottom. The questionable spots in the water had stakes to keep us away. Couldn't have asked for better weather and we didn't have any issues with jelly fish, which sometimes pose problems in this area. The house is stocked with board games and a ping pong table in the event you have a rainy day. There's plenty of local restaurants and Food Lion for groceries, we highly recommend the White Dog Bistro. We had 2 families in our group and there was still plenty of room and never felt like we were on top of each other. Adding this to our come back list for the future :-D
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A respit from the world.

We had everything we needed to be able to relax and enjoy being together.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A must stay

Perfect location for my brother's celebration of life. Woke up every morning to watch the dolphins jumping and shooting stars at night. Absolutely Amazing!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation!!

This was an amazing place! We have a family of 8 and we fit very comfortably!! We had fun swimming, fishing, playing corn hole and kayaking. Loved having extra fridges in the garage! Brian was a great host!! He communicated very well and quickly!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week at Gwynn’s Island

The property is beautiful! The vacation rental is very nice; we’ve stayed at the house I think two other times! Maybe could use a few upgrades but not absolutely needed! We had a beautiful view with beautiful weather! We love the Island! It’s so peaceful, quiet and relaxing!! Hope to return in 2024!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Porsche S.

Great time !

Enjoyed our time. Although we didn’t get a chance to enjoy outside much bc of cold weather , we had a pretty good time! Bathroom tub need some updates! Thank you for sharing your home with us .
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Virginia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Four generations together!

I can’t say enough about how perfect this house was for us. There were 8 adults plus a baby, and we had room to be together and room to be apart. The location is extremely private and stocked with every game and activity to keep us all entertained! Our favorites were the outdoor shower, kayaks, and private beach. The biggest win was the amazing owner responsiveness. When I texted with a concern, he immediately responded and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. We will definitely book again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

rs d., Front Royal

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winter Rendezvous for 13 old Scouts

13 of us in our Old Farts Camp Out group since 2005 ... from Bristol to Front Royal and points Northern & Central Va. Our Winter Rendezvous of old Scouters, BSA dads, and former Scoutmasters were impressed with the location on the water. Communication prior to our rental was quick and very helpful. Lodging details from entry to exit were very detailed. Plenty of linens, blankets, towels, kitchenware, tools, supplies, and accessories. Small commercial icemaker was a great extra. Decor is pleasing. Plenty of room for our game tables. Little disappointed that the gas fireplace was inoperable, but the firepit with logs from the woods and the sun in the front room and on the decks... was more than enough. We just soaked in the view using plenty of table, gazebo and deck chairs available. We stayed on the Island the entire weekend with a visit to a fantastic little museum that accommodated our off season visit... just had to give advanced notice so Tom could open up and help us around. The little waterside Hole In The Wall cafe diner was quite the experience with an accommodating staff for our odd size troop... fine enough meal with a good choice of beers, burgers and bayfood. Parking is primo plenty. We would return for our summer gathering, but can't quite get a full week with so many still working. Thanks much to the Grizzard Hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfectly clean, beautifully appointed, lovely, spacious home! The property is gorgeous; loved the deck and pier over the water. We came down for a family reunion weekend at another home on the Island, so we weren't home much. There's so much space here and everything we could have possible needed. We're definitely planning to return for a longer period next year! Will add pics later.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacquelyn A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I stayed here with my husband and our kids and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This property was just perfect. It had everything we needed for our stay. We enjoyed it all. My husband fished and caught a few, was definitely exciting! He did find that raw shrimp worked best. From our 4 day trip we caught 1 crab definitely early September wasn’t the best time apparently. lol. The back yard is just perfect for a family with small kids. I have 2 toddlers and they just loved running around freely which was perfect for naps. My 3 teens enjoyed all kinds of games in the garage, it’s like a teen cave. The fire pit was an everyday use, the owner stocked up enough wood for us to enjoy. I cooked everyday and they had everything we needed cookware, silverware, plates, bowls, cups, beer/wineopener, lemon squeezer, you name it they had it. We just enjoyed feeling at home away from home in a beach setting with very chill and relaxing vibes watching the beautiful sunrise and a gorgeous sky at night with countless shooting stars. We’re definitely coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location was amazing with lots of beautiful views. The property is set up so that you can take advantage of the views from a multitude of different locations. The hosts were great and responsive. There was a minor issue with the Wi-Fi and the hosts were quick to respond and remedy. This house is well equipped. I found two funnels in the kitchen. I didn't need a single funnel my whole trip, but it was comforting to know that if I did, I had one as well as a backup. In all seriousness, this place has everything that you might need. Baking cookies, they have you covered. Doing a low country boil, they have that covered as well. We will definitely look at this property next year for our annual retreat.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property is perfect for a family getaway and the host was very helpful. This was our second stay at this property, and we will be back. Thank you for everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property is clean and well maintained. Brian is an excellent host and responds quickly to any questions.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

LINDA H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacay

The house and property were great! Our family has stayed at many rental properties over the years and this house was one of the most well equipt we've stayed at. As well as the cleanist! Looking for to staying again some day!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great Getaway

The house was wonderful. It was clean and open concept. The island was beautiful. Our host was communicative and respectful. It was a fabulous experience. Only a couple things to note:1) There is a huge three story house newly built in the large grass area of the pictures on the listing. This was disappointing as we could not fly our kites very well given the lack of space with this new house next door. The photos on the listing need to be updated. It’s very misleading. 2) the listing photos also have two docks showing but now one of those docks is for the newly built house previously mentioned. So really you only have 1 dock3) it was unfortunate but the old dock was unburied by the erosion caused my the waves. The landlord put poles where this was but inevitably swimming you kick/step on the old metal dock. This stunk as it was directly in the middle of our swimming area. Really cut the swimming area in half. This is a must fix. 4) there is no playground. The listing says there is a playground but that needs updating as well.5) the grill needs replacing. My brother in law loves grilling but when he looked at the grill he chose to pass cooking on it because it was so dirty (this is after he tried to clean it). His recommendation was to replace it. We never used the grill because of this issue.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margaret C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house, yard, and beach were better than pictures. We had an amazing time and it was so hard to leave. Brian was so easy to work with—we have stayed in a lot of properties over the years and appreciate the kindness, cleanliness, and ease of renting this property!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay - Dolphins, Sunsets and Family Time!

Brian was very responsive and easy to communicate with. The house was clean, well-kept, and comfortable. The decks are sunsets are absolutely amazing. We saw dolphins and a variety of birds during our stay. The private beach is beautiful, and the yard was perfect for family games in the evening. Our families really appreciated the privacy and time together. Gwynn island is truly a hidden gem; we loved our stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jana P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gwynn Getaway

Our fourth stay at this beautiful property did not disappoint! Even with the extreme heat, we were able to enjoy swimming and fishing as there is always a breeze on the bay. Thank you Brian and Annette for sharing your lovely home with us. We will be back next summer!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dr Sharon D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Gwynn vacation

This is a WONDERFUL property!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shaun A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Worth every penny! 9 of us stayed there for a week. The house was inviting and spacious, the beds were comfortable, the host was accommodating, the area was quiet and peaceful and the water views were beautiful. We will miss hearing the waves and seeing the bay everyday!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family gathering

Welcoming, well kept home. Easy shore access enjoyed by 4 generations of family. Lots of outdoor deck and yard space to gather for meals or chat.Spacious kitchen area for meal prep.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

The house and property are fantastic. The views, especially sunrises are amazing. The living areas of the house are bright and open making it roomy enough for a crowd. The three bathrooms were adequate, although could use. Some unposted. The kitchen was well laid out and every convenience was present. the kids loved the “rec” room in the garage!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Brian Grizzard

Host profile image
My family has always loved the ocean. For most of my life we spent our vacations on North Carolina's Outer Banks, but the crowds got too big and the vacations I remembered from my youth were no longer possible. In 2006 I accompanied a friend to Gwyn's Island and that day I knew I had found what I once knew when visiting the Outer Banks as a child, a small town with quiet beach. I purchase my first property on the island that same day and have never looked back. Our children grew up visiting the island and we have made increasable memories. We hope you and your family will enjoy 116 Mad Calf as much as we do and build memories that will last a lifetime.

Why they chose this property

We built incredible family memories while at our first property, but, as our family grew, we wanted more space. Its hard to find beachfront property for sale on the island, but in 2017 we were lucky enough to find 116 Mad Calf Lane and we are so glad to be able to share our home with others. Gwyn's Island is a special place, unspoiled by the hustle and bustle of the more commercialized beaches. When you drive onto the island you might feel that when you cross the bridge, I know I do. The stress of life will leave you and will know you are entering a special place.

What makes this property unique

I believe the privacy, the large grounds and private beach are the best features of the house. Plenty of room to be with family or to spread out if that is your goal. There are 5 deck/patio areas as well as a roof deck where groups can gather to give everyone a special place to visit. The ocean is at your fingertips and the gently sloping sand beach offers easy water entry. The covered Gazebo is nice at night and if not at the beach we enjoy watching TV and playing ping-pong in the detached garage.

Languages:

English