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Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock

Photo gallery for Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock

Spectacular oceanfront house
View from the water
Looking out
Coming up the path
Contemplation point

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
South Bristol, ME
  • Place, La Verna Preserve
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Place, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Place, Boothbay Harbor Marina
    ‪59 min drive‬
  • Airport, Rockland, ME (RKD-Knox County Regional)
    ‪73 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

+1
1 Double Futon and 4 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock

This spectacular oceanfront house sits on two acres and overlooks peaceful McFarland’s Cove, Johns Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. The location is beautiful and idyllic. It’s located in the heart of New England’s most picturesque region, mid-coast Maine, and includes all the essentials to delight the senses: the smell of fresh sea air, the sounds of the lobster boats hauling in their catch, the taste of fresh seafood and local produce, and the lovely sunrise and sunset views enjoyed from the large porch overlooking the bay. From spring flowers to fall foliage, the area is serene and peaceful.

The house itself is unique and classic. It has exposed wood throughout, pine floors, a nice open floor plan which combines the living and dining rooms, and a fireplace to gather around at night. Outside, a large porch with rocking chairs and a wicker seating area provides a perfect spot to soak in the stunning views. Other features include Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, picnic tables, and a private dock (perfect for swimming and fishing) and mooring. A spacious lawn in the front allows for fun and games.

Although the house is a classic Maine oceanfront cottage, it is thoughtfully appointed with (high-end Serta hotel beds), the linens , the down blankets, the TV (a 50” HD flat screen TV), fully furnished chef’s kitchen. We also have high speed wireless internet access.

The house has five bedrooms and sleeps 12 comfortably (one king, three queens, and one large bedroom with four XL single beds).

Harborside Market & Grill is is less than 5 minutes down the road so you never have to worry about getting your morning latte with the daily New York Times. Additionally, there are many great restaurants minutes away.

Local attractions include:
• Pemaquid Lighthouse – perhaps the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S.
• Boothbay Harbor – one of Maine’s most charming harbors with great shopping and restaurants
• Monhegan Island – a famous artist colony and long-time home of Andrew Wyeth
• Fort William Henry – A National Historic Landmark built in 1692

STRICTLY NON-SMOKING.



Keywords: Classic Maine House

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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

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
One dog may be allowed subject to rules provided with a prearranged agreement, in writing from the owner, with documentation from a veterinarian.

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

About the area

South Bristol

Located in South Bristol, this cottage is on the beach. Jan Kilburn Watercolor Studio and Gallery and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site and Frances Perkins Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Pemaquid Craft Co-op and Penobscot Marine Museum. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing and hunting nearby.
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Map
South Bristol, ME

What's nearby

  • La Verna Preserve - 28 min drive - 16.8 km
  • Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve - 30 min drive - 20.0 km
  • Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park - 35 min drive - 22.1 km
  • Damariscotta Lake - 38 min drive - 29.9 km
  • Boothbay Harbor Marina - 59 min drive - 60.6 km

Getting around

  • Wiscasset, ME (ISS) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬47 min drive
  • ‪Carriage House Restaurant - ‬49 min drive
  • ‪Pinkham’s Gourmet Market - ‬44 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬42 min drive
  • ‪Harborside 1901 Bar & Grill - ‬45 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock?

As of 30 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock on 15 Aug 2026 start from AU$720, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular Oceanfront House with private, Deep Water Dock located?

This South Bristol cottage is on the beach, 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Fort Point, and within 12 mi (20 km) of La Verna Preserve and Biscay Pond. Rachel Carson Salt Pond Preserve and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 29 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

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

We loved it

Three generations stayed here and it was delightful. The bedroom with the twin beds-and the view!-was perfect for the cousins. We especially liked the big dining table and the view from the porch. It is nice to have a dock, complete with fishing gear and kayaks. We look forward to coming back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meg V.

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

Perfection!

Quintessential Maine! A rustic but luxurious cabin on an absolutely breathtaking waterfront. We enjoyed many seafood dinners on the picnic table overlooking the cove. Our children enjoyed kayaking daily. Our host could not have been more friendly or responsive. A perfect stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
John’s cottage was a fantastic spot for our party of 10. The cottage was awesome and the surrounding area was fantastic.Some highlights: watching the seals feast in the cove, feasting ourselves at Coveside, South Bristol Co-op and Kneaded Provisions/Island Grocery. We also enjoyed Harborside. The husband and wife owners were very nice. Carlisle Oysters over at the boatyard was also amazing. That husband and wife team were also very nice and their oysters were delicious!We also loved hiking around some of the local preserves, kayaking out to Witch Island and visiting Daramiscotta, Pemaquid Point and Boothbay Harbor. We look forward to a future visit. Thank you John!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Samir T.

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

Lovely two weeks with unparalleled views

Our family has stayed at numerous South Bristol properties over the years and John's house has among the most stunning views we've experienced from its large back porch. The house itself is unique with a more traditional old-Maine feel than modern cookie-cutter renovations, which was fun. It also checked all the boxes for an easy and comfortable stay: linens and sheets included, well-stocked kitchen, toys/games for our kids, kayak and fishing gear, etc. John was easy to communicate with and quick to respond to any messages.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carla V.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quintessential Maine cottage, Spectacular location

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in South Bristol at this classic Maine cottage, with deepwater dock, fabulous views, and abundant wildlife including eagles, ospreys, blue herons, and an occasional seal. John Holbrook is a gracious and attentive host, and the cottage was perfect for our family providing us an opportunity enjoy the beauty of Maine, kayak, explore, and relax together in this peaceful oasis.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Spot for our Maine Vacation

We grew up in Maine and knew that this was the area we wanted to visit. This classic Maine cottage is on a secluded and beautiful site with plenty of room to roam inside and out. The South Bristol Fisherman’s coop is close for all the seafood we could eat on the picnic tables outside or spacious table inside. And the view from the front porch was amazing any time of day. Loved watching the ospreys and eagles perching right out front. A great spot for our Maine stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle T.

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

Quintessential Maine experience

The view is 100x better than the photo on the listing! My family and I adored this property. Very rustic, but had everything we needed for a family vacation. Beds were comfortable too! Loved it so much!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nathan B.

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

Great Retreat

Location is fantastic, right on the water. Owner had kayaks available for us and was able to refer us for SUP rentals for the week. House felt secluded from neighbors and noise. From the back deck, watched the lobster fisherman pulling up pots sporadically throughout the day. We were a group of five and there was plenty of room for us and then some. Owner provided local restaurant option as well. Only 1 negatives: although not large negative, is the house has a rustic cabin feel in the inside. That means if people are moving around in the house, you can hear them particularly if you are on the first floor and people are moving around upstairs…it’s quaint but something to be aware of. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robin R.

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

Perfect for our family reunion

This was the perfect location and house to gather 3 generations. We came from CA, MI, IL and ME, and we hope to do this again next summer!! The house was just right with 2 bedrooms on the first floor, 3 upstairs and plenty of room to gather. We loved the deck looking out to the water and enjoyed the dock for launching our kayaks, paddle boards and for swimming. The only issue we had was the shower on the first floor was a difficult for my dad to use just an FYI if anyone needs special accommodations for a bathroom. Otherwise everything was great and the house was beyond expectations. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quintessential Maine Camp

We had a wonderful visit! John’s home is everything you’d expect from a Maine vacation home, but upgraded by all the great gadgets and tools in the kitchen! We had 3 generations staying and it was so nice to have everything we needed in the kitchen to cook up breakfast or make a family dinner. We had the best time as a family and were so happy to be there.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel D.

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

A view to die for

John’s property is lovey. The view is amazing, all that one would need was at the house. We had fires in the back yard while looking at the ocean during sunset, and allowed all of us to truly unwind. Definitely recommend staying at John’s property!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meg V.

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

lovely stay

Second visit to this heavenly spot! Can't say enough about the hospitality this time around. Our host went above and beyond to accommodate my family's needs. Gracious and most helpful. The house and grounds were perfect too, that goes without saying. Hope to be back every summer. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott E.

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

Amazing Maine Vacation

What a beautiful property and location for a great Maine vacation! Can't wait to come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judi R.

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

THE WEEK THAT FLEW BY!

The first day was a day of hanging out at the house and watching our daughters and grandchildren kayak. And then......I have no idea what happened to the rest of the week! All “we” know, is that we wanted to stay another week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Alan K.

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

Wonderful Visit

Spacious cottage with a great view
Stayed 14 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jillbfls

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

A perfect sanctuary

In the midst of a global pandemic, social and political unrest, this cottage provided a perfect sanctuary for my family. Other than the location being a bit more rural than we would prefer, the house and it’s view were perfect.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol L.

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

Awesome

Words cannot describe what a fantastic place this is. Could not get enough of the ocean view. The house was perfect for 7 of us.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sweet Joy H.

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

An amazing, wonderful experience

We loved our "home" for two weeks in John's cottage. We had a wonderful time enjoying the views, catching and eating fish off the docks, picking berries for breakfast, and just relaxing around the house and neighborhood. I loved communicating with John and hope to come back again for more amazing memories. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judith S.

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

A rare getaway

This vintage cottage allowed us to share the seaside experience we had as children with our own kids - lots of space to gather, lots of comfortable and private sleeping options, and truly breathtaking surroundings. We also appreciated the work the owners had done to update the small things that really make a multigenerational stay a pleasure (woodfire, games cabinet, well-stocked kitchen equipment, wireless network). Things were laid out intuitively and the housekeeper, groundskeeper, and owner were all available to us during our visit. There were twelve of us staying in the cottage (ranging from 11-50 years old), and all agreed that after a week together it was hard to tear ourselves away. A vacation miracle!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Derek S.

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

Amazing location

What an amazing place! If you rent from John you won’t be disappointed. The dinning room table is huge and perfect for a large number of quests. We went to the fisherman Co-ops and eat lobster at the house almost every night (Osiers in South Bristol). The adults (minus a dad or two who had to help the kids) sat on the porch and enjoyed watching the kids fish of the dock all day! You won’t be disappointed...
Verified

8/10 Good

Alan V.

Fantastic Family Vacation

This is one-of-a-kind place. It is peaceful. The view is magnificent. We had a family reunion there (12). We swam, kayaked, fished, and enjoyed the camp fire in the evenings. The location is beautiful. The cabin is rustic but spacious and well appointed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine L.

Amazing Maine Experience!

I can't imagine a better Maine experience; a well appointed classical cottage in a quiet private cove with dock and just minutes from the village of South Bristol. The house is wonderful. A well maintained historic, rustic style cottage upgraded to embrace an open plan and all the modern amenities. The view from the porch is spectacular and I never got tired of sitting in one of the rocking chairs and gazing over it as I read my book. I spent a week here with my family and my sister's family, which included our adult children. It has five bedrooms, most with queen beds, and a large dining table that seats ten. It is hard to find a house that will accommodate a larger party, all of whom are adults and don't fit comfortably in twin beds. We were able to keep our boat at the dock and also to fish from it, and there are picnic tables and a fire pit for outdoor entertaining. The house was very clean and comfortably furnished. I couldn't have asked for more. We had a fabulous week; I didn't want to leave! The Holbrooks were great hosts and saw to our every need.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

michelle s.

Fantastic coveside cottage

This is our 2nd year renting the cottage for our full family vacation. We have 12 people and all had space and plenty of room to relax, read, nap, play games and enjoy the water. It is quite warm & stuffy upstairs, but recent additions of fans and window fans have helped. For us it was not an issue as we preferred being outside on porch, deck, boat or dock during day. The paths to dock are steep, so we got good workouts everyday. I would not advise these paths for older folks who don’t feel able bodied. There is a fire pit we enjoyed many evenings and plenty of cards, games and puzzles available for rainy days, should they happen. The owner was truly hospitable, available, easy to reach and eager to offer any comforts or solve any problems we had. He allowed us use of canoe, kayaks, safety flotations and fishing gear. We have a harder time leaving this place every time we rent here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C.

Lovely house with spectacular views

Ours was a late October stay and the foliage was amazing. A large home for the two of us but we found it very cosy. There was a nice fireplace with plenty of wood for chilly evenings plus a large propane heater for chilly early mornings. The kitchen was extremely well-equipped - cuisinart pots and pans, several cast iron pans, great sharp knives, mixer, blender, toaster, griddle. Also plenty of bottled water as well water has a “taste”. Probably the only thing I missed was a Keurig coffee machine. Large fridge, great convection oven with cooktop and a dishwasher. The King bed was very comfortable and the comforter kept us warm at night. The amazing sunrise lit up our room and was breathtaking. The house is very comfortably furnished with room for lots of people. 3 BRs upstairs sleep 8 and bathroom w/shower. 2BR downstairs and bathroom with great claw foot bathtub equipped w/shower and a heater! Great private dock for fishing and the porch with 6 rockers was where we spent a lot of time watching the birds - saw a bald eagle several times, boats and overall beautiful views. We hiked several beautiful well maintained trails and even with many places closed for the season we found and ate many a lobster, mussels and clams nearby. The town of Damariscotta was fun to visit and restaurants and shops were open. One rainy day we drove to LL Bean to shop & visit Freeport stores. We had little cell service in the house (AT&T) which was actually pleasant. There was WiFi & Direct tv but we spent more time reading and relaxing - which was the point of our trip. We highly recommend this beautiful warm well appointed home with beautiful landscaping and hope to find our way back again soon. The Owner, John, was also very helpful & available by text or phone for any questions we had. Clearly they love their home in Maine and it shows!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Doug V.

Don't tell anybody about this place, it's awesome!

Not sure where to begin, but the house, the location, the views, the scenery, the food were all spectacular. A great place to see Maine. Hard to beat a 10 drive to get fresh lobster from the coop, or if you're lucky, flag down a lobsterman checking his traps and buy them right off the boat! Plenty of things to do, but also a great place to not do lots of things and just plain relax and unwind. Sit on the porch in a rocking chair and watch the Osprey and the occaisional Eagle perch in the trees right in front of you. The house and furnishings are great. Everything you need is there for cooking. Grocery shopping is 20 minutes away.

About the host

Hosted by John Holbrook

Host profile image
John and Susan Holbrook have four daughters and own an educational tour and travel company in North Carolina.

Why they chose this property

Every summer since 1973 our extended family has made the annual pilgramige to this very special place, McFarlands Cove, in South Bristol, Maine. Our family has grown in size over the years and I felt it was neccessary to acquire the adjacent property to the one that has been so special to us for so long. I rented this property last summer and loved it so much I purchased it as soon as I discovered that it was on the market.

What makes this property unique

We are one of the few houses in the cove with a private dock from which the fishing is outstanding! If you own a boat you may tie it up on the dock or use our private mooring.

Languages:

English
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