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Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available

Beachfront holiday home for sun and fun

Photo gallery for Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available

view of house
Our back cove and front meadow (both are part of the view from the house)
kitchen
living room - ocean view and wood stove
Guest bedroom overlooking the Back Cove and the Carrying Place

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Swans Island, ME
  • Place, Acadia National Park
  • Place, Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
  • Place, Bar Harbor Whale Watching
  • Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    ‪100 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available

Cove-side Meadow House, Waterfront Views, Swans Island, Maine
Four bedrooms, one bath, sleeps seven

This beautiful country home is located just steps away from a sandy beach in a quiet cove, perfect for young children, for swimming in warm weather, and for beach combing year round. Grassy fields surround the house, which has views of the ocean on two sides. There is a spacious and bright living/dining area with a fully equipped kitchen, wood stove, and spectacular views of the ocean and meadows. Upstairs, there are three main bedrooms, two with double beds and one with a single bed. On the third floor is another bedroom with a double futon. The third floor also has a sleeping loft with a single bed suitable for an older child. All bedrooms offer views of the ocean. 25 acres of meadow, woods, and pink granite shorefront invite exploring!

The house is fully insulated and will make a comfortable cool-weather retreat as well. WE OFFER A STEEP DISCOUNT FOR MONTHLY RENTALS IN THE OFF-SEASON.

A small grocery store is just a five-minute’s walk away. The Island’s much loved Fine Sand Beach is a short distance away.

We have WiFi at the house (high-speed internet through a TDS landline), which works very well for remote work, including video-conferencing. Free wireless service is also available at the town library, just a ten-minute’s drive away.

The island features sandy beaches, coves with smooth stones, spectacular hikes, fishing, and swimming in a local fresh water quarry. During summer months the town offers frequent “Town Breakfasts,” concerts, and other community events.

Another lovely house shares the property. Perfect to rent jointly for larger groups. See it's listing under 'Peaceful Shoreline Cottage'VRBO #287807.

The building includes a separate studio apartment which is occupied some of the time by Ezra Johnson, a 26-year-old full-time lobsterman. The studio is entirely separate from the rest of the house and Ezra has very long working hours, so will not be around much. When he is there, his is very quiet.

Travel to Swans Island requires a 30-minute ferry ride leaving from Bass Harbor, Maine. Maine State Ferry Service operates the ferry and makes 5-6 roundtrip crossings per day. Advance reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the Bass Harbor and Swans Island terminals. (Without a reservation we recommend arriving at the terminal at least two hours before the boat is scheduled to depart. And note: with a reservation you must arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time or your reservation will be forfeited.)

There is no alcohol for sale anywhere on the island.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Ocean view

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Peaceful Shoreline House
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9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (17 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:30 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 2 pets total)
Pets are on a case-by-case basis.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Swans Island

Located in Swans Island, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Southwest Cove, while Wendell Gilley Museum and Blue Heron Gallery are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Swans IslandOpens in a new window
Map
Swans Island, ME

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 90 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Frenchboro Offshore Store and More - ‬160 min drive
  • ‪Swans Island Fishermens Co-Op Pound - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Boathouse Gifts & Take Out - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Tea Room - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Coffee Love - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Cove-side Meadow House - Waterfront Views: year-round rentals available located?

Nestled on the beach, this Swans Island holiday home is 2.1 mi (3.3 km) from Southwest Cove and 2.1 mi (3.3 km) from Spindle Cove. East Cove and Acadia National Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.4

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. 9 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

emily p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a magical place. Our family loved our time swans island!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Joshua C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location and setting are amazing!Host was responsive and answered questions promptly. Accommodations are simple and basic. Logistics regarding ferry schedule are complicated and require additional expenses.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Isabell D.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Magic location

We truly enjoyed the wonderfuk kocation if the Meadiwhouse with beautifuk views allaround it was very foggy and rainy so we took advanrage of the grzat bookselection and games.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Theresa B.

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

Peaceful time away

Perfectly situated close to a cove beach (walking distance). The kids loved it! We had a bit of fog this week but still made the most of the sea air, beaches and quality time reading and playing games. So many memories! Thank you to the owners for sharing your home with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie B.

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

Wonderful

My sister, her partner, and I stayed at this property and had a wonderful time. The home itself is beautiful and well appointed. The deep bathtub under the skylight in the bathroom was particularly delightful. The property is also sprawling and beautiful--the dog we brought along had a ball frolicking in the backyard meadow. The closeness of the beach was also a major perk--only a 2 minute walk away! Would definitely recommend this magical place to anyone!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Emily C.

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

Perfect Spot

We had such a great time with endless things to do around the island within walking and biking distance of the house, we rarely got in the car. The property itself was great as adults could relax or unwind for the day while kids ran around in the back yard and played. And if we needed anything we could run up the hill to TIMs. Such a perfectly wonderful spot. We feel so lucky to have gotten to spend time here!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heather P.

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

Recharge your batteries at Swans Island

If you're looking for a relaxing and private getaway, then this is the place! Our family had an amazing time while staying on the island for the week. The cottage provided plenty of room for our family of 4, and the views of the ocean from the living room were beautiful. We enjoyed the local beaches and spent time at both the lighthouse and the lobster museum, where we learned about the island's rich fishing history, and a little more about where we were staying! It felt so good to just hang out and not have to rush around. We are definitely are thinking about coming back next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

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

Highly recommend Meadow House

Comfortable house with lots of room centrally located. We thank the owners for sharing their house with us. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Blair F.

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

GREAT STAY

We are a group of 8 artists who retreat annually on an island in Penobscot Bay. This was our 18th year and yet our first trip to Swans Island . We rented both the Meadow and the Cove house and just LOVED OUR STAY. The location was quiet, accessible to amazing walks and views of the ocean and Milky Way at night. We were able to have dinners at both the Meadow and the Cove house and enjoyed the antique nature of the houses. One foggy cold day we were able to enjoy a lovely warm fire and even cook dinner on the woodstove which was an added treat. There was plenty of space for each artist to have quiet and alone painting time as well as places for us to get together to talk about our work or share a cup of tea on one of the porches. We loved it and hope to be back next year! Thank you to the family for sharing this special home!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth K.

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

Wonderful Home on Magical Swans Island

This was our second trip to swans island and we loved it! The house was spacious with plenty of sleeping spaces. We travelled with a young family so the stairs and steps to the sunroom were a challenge, as was not having laundry facilities. I love the artsy, rustic feel of the property and the gorgeous views of the ocean. We experienced two short power outages while we there due to rainy and windy weather… didn’t bother us much, but could be an issue for some. Overall, loved our stay and gracious hosts!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Matthew H.

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

Wonderful Place

Nice house, as advertised. Always good to be on Swans Island
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Rebecca W.

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

Great location!

We rented this house for my mother and we, her adult children, came and went. The location is fabulous, a short walk to the isthmus which has swimming and great kayaking on both sides. It’s also a longish walk or a short bike ride to Fine Sands, a beautiful beach. I highly recommend bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, etc, as Swan’s Island is delightful in its lack of touristy attractions. The house was great, and the owner couldn’t have been nicer. The furnishings could use a little updating, but the kitchen had everything we needed and the wifi is excellent. We only wished we had longer!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

mary m.

Swan Island

We were on Swan Island 20 years ago and it is as beautiful as I remember it to be. The location of the house we rented was fabulous. Water views back and side of house. We received information about the house beforehand but I wish we had been informed of the TV situation in case of a rainy day. Who today has a VHS TV the size of an IPAD. I assumed it would have been a DVD player / TV. Brought multiple DVD movies but were unable to watch them. Did however get to read 5 books and play backgammon again. For the most part it was a great vacation. The people on the island were as friendly as ever. If the pillows and the pots and pans and the TV were updated I would have given it 5 stars. Needed utensils for hard shell lobsters. Since we were there last they opened "The Tea Room". It was great for pastry and sandwiches. Tim's general store was also handy. Great looking breads,soups and other types of fresh foods. The house was clean and my HGTV person took over planning how I would decorate it if it was mine to do so.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Janet R., New York

Family vacation

This is a beautiful and comfortable home. Our family felt truly privileged to spend two weeks in a house that was sited, designed, built, and furnished with tremendous attention to detail and artistry. Located within walking distance of trails, beaches, and even the one store on Swan's Island, the house met the needs of all members of our family. Among our favorite features were the well-equipped kitchen, the simplicity of the household furnishings, the antique kitchen table that expanded to accommodate many visitors, the comfortable chairs and good lighting that invited one to spend time with a book, and the outdoor charcoal grill. For anyone seeking a complete escape from hectic and commercial daily life, this is an ideal spot.

About the host

Hosted by Julie Carr

Host profile image
The owners are a family that has summered or lived on the island for forty years.

Why they chose this property

Our family had been coming to Swans for summer vacations since 1970. In 1993 our parents decided to move to the island full time to begin the Atlantic Blanket Company. They raised sheep, harvested wool, died the wool with natural dies made on the island, and wove beautiful blankets. The business did quite well (was even featured on the Martha Stewart show!). In 2006, they retired from the island, and now their four children and their partners own the houses together.

What makes this property unique

The best thing about Swans Island is how stunningly beautiful it is! If you love the ocean, this is the place to go! While there are no movie theaters, restaurants, or bars, there are endless stars at night, wild flowers all summer long, long walks on the rocks, and fresh lobster any day of the week.

Languages:

Spanish
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