Entire home

Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage

Beachfront holiday home with kitchen and patio

This isn't Photoshop! Late July sunset over the cove toward Blue Hill Bay.

Our spacious four bedroom cottage faces west offering spectacular sunset views!

A lovely aerial view of the cove. The cottage sits at the head of the cove .

An August sunset photo of the cove. Zoomed in and shot from the front deck.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

Beach view
Parking available
Kitchen
Laundry
Outdoor space
Free WiFi

Place, Acadia National Park
Place, Seal Cove Pond
Place, Long Pond
Airport, Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Half Bathroom

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage

Welcome to Seal Cove, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. This spacious turn of the century shingle-style cottage is set with a westerly view overlooking Blue Hill Bay just steps from the water at the head of the cove, with deeded access for kayaking and beachcombing along the inner reaches of Seal Cove. The private setting includes lawn and gardens with a backdrop of wood and meadows. Located on the westerly side of Mount Desert Island, the cottage is close to Acadia National Park. Closeby are some great trails including Acadia Mountain, Seawall, Western Mountain and access to Seal Cove Pond. From the Cottage it is only a few minutes to Southwest Harbor and twenty-five minutes to Bar Harbor. We know you will enjoy the quietude and privacy of the western side of the island.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Free WiFi

Laundry

Outdoor space

Beach view

Parking available

Have a question?

Beta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Ask a question

Similar properties

View from West Point looking towards Bartlett's Island.

Ocean view
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Strip any used beds and gather used towels

Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish

Turn off the lights and return the keys

Thank you for leaving the cottage broom swept.

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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 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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Seal Cove

Located in Seal Cove, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History and College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Holiday homes in Seal Cove

Tremont, ME

What's nearby

Acadia National Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
Seal Cove Pond - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 15 min drive - 12.5 km
Long Pond - 21 min drive - 10.1 km
Cadillac Mountain - 35 min drive - 33.0 km

Getting around

Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

‪Beal's Lobster Pier - ‬13 min drive
‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬8 min drive
‪Thurston's Lobster Pound - ‬9 min drive
‪Peter Trout’s Restaurant & Inn - ‬12 min drive
‪The Colonel's Restaurant - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Seal Cove holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Seal Cove Pond and Acadia National Park. Long Pond and Flying Mountain Trailhead are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Andrea O.

11 July 2019

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

Perfect peaceful getaway

Our families enjoyed our stay in Seal Cove. We spent the days fishing, hiking, bike riding, and relaxing. Evenings we spent in Bar Harbor or playing games on the screened in porch. We were too tired to go to the fireworks on the 4h after a day of deep sea fishing but we’re happy to watch the neighbor’s display over the cove. Everything we needed was available in the house. Upstairs room got hot but the fans helped. Would have loved a fire pit out back. Overall highly recommended!!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Mindy H.

23 July 2024

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

Didn't want to leave

This cabin is beyond charming. Rustic (in just the way you want a cabin to be rustic), full of curiosities and history, beautifully decorated, on a lovely cove, on the quiet side of MDI. My husband, 3 children and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We had dinners on the screened in porch out back, played board games, read, went tide pooling and kayaking in Seal Cove, and of course explored/hiked Acadia and MDI in general. The kitchen had everything we needed. There is no laundry on site but we knew that ahead of our stay and were prepared for that. Lisa was a fantastic host and very quick to respond to any questions during our time there, including restaurant recommendations.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Ruth H.

15 Aug 2025

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

This is a great Maine house. Suited our family of two adult couples and their mom well. It is, as others have noted, well stocked. My favorite was the Kitchen Aid coffee grinder from way back when. The only negative was a neighbor’s dock needed repair and for the whole week a barge parked in front of our water view and seemed to add some polution too.We have been to Acadia many times and loved hiking our favorite spots. I brought my EV and note to other EV owners: let’s try to get more VRBO owners to install chargers. I’d pay extra for that. There was no super charger on Acadia so to charge quickly one had to drive 30 minutes to Ellsworth. The ability to slow charge overnight would have been great.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan W.

15 Aug 2025

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

They had us with the HUMMINGBIRDS this time! Our 2nd time staying at Seal Cove Cottage, as it would be the only place we would want to be. After having to sell my mom's place elsewhere on the island, we found the Cottage in 2023, and I swear it literally healed any remaining sadness. The house, the location, the sense of what Maine is - is all here. For those visiting/staying for the first time, you will find a well-outfitted home that has plenty of kitchen and pantry items, games, books, binoculars, etc. We brought our own beach/swim towels, which is the only thing I can think of that would be helpful to know.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

6 Aug 2025

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

Wonderful cottage off the beaten path

We loved our stay at Seal Cove! It has a real rustic cottage feel, so if you’re looking for air conditioning and stainless steel appliances- this place isn’t for you. Sunsets were beautiful from the screened in deck. Short walk down to the bay. Getting kayaks into the water does involve a very steep wooden stairwell, so was only possible because we had two strong people to bring them down and up. Something to consider if you plan on boating. That being said, we kayaked right from the property, through the bay and to an uninhabited island. We were able to walk around and look for shells, etc. really beautiful. This cottage is on the quiet side of MDI so it is not touristy and crowded (which we loved) and it is only a 10-15 minute drive to Southwest Harbot where there are shops and restaurants. Most major Acadia trails were about 25-30 minutes away

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana M.

26 Aug 2024

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

Much needed week on the quiet side of MDI

3 adults in their 80’s, one 79, thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful location on Seal Cove in a charming summer cottage. Lovely view but wish the water was closer. The stairs down to the beach are quite steep for older adults with bad knees. Lots of deer and a porcupine who came by daily. Everything in the cottage was as shown and listed on the site. Beautiful cool weather made our week very special. A wonderful location for those seeking peace and quiet and beauty!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M.

22 Aug 2024

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

Lovely, charming, well appointed cottage by the sea

We were really enjoyed walking down to the shore and even swimming in the ocean. Met some neighbors who were friendly and helpful. Beautiful spaces in the house for sharing time outdoors. Bedrooms were lovely. The decor and supplies beautifully attended to.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney M.

16 Aug 2024

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

The perfect place for our family to explore MDI

This charming, quirky, cottage was the perfect place for our family to explore MDI. It is on a quiet road leading to Seal Cove, but still close enough to everything on the island that you can explore easily. As some of the reviews mentioned, the set up is a little quirky, but it just added to the historic charm for us. My 7 year old daughter loved the attic room upstairs and we loved that we could see the water from the master bedroom downstairs! It was hot when we first arrived, and I was worried because not all the windows open, but it was never an issue. We could get a lovely breeze through the house and the August nights were cool. We even got to enjoy the wood burning stove on the chilly mornings and evenings! Our kids loved that it was just a five minute walk down to the water. We walked down to skip rocks, watch the birds, and take out our paddle board (we brought our own, but there was a nearby place you could rent.) As the listing shows in the photos, the cove is a beautiful and peaceful place to watch the sunset. We ate dinner on the screened in porch every night, which was one of my favorite parts. It’s a 12 minute drive to Southwest Harbor on Seal Cove Road (don’t be intimidated by it not being paved - its really well maintained.) We explored so much of this island and can’t wait to go back. Would 100% stay at Seal Cove Cottage again!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joelle B.

10 Aug 2024

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

Quiet cottage

Lovely cottage, well stocked pantry, very relaxing

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

17 July 2024

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

Perfect Week at Seal Cove

We loved our week at Seal Cove. The house was as pictured, charming and handsome, full of character. The sunset views were stunning. (Tip- go to the seal cove picnic area for an especially beautiful sunset view). We cooked family meals and appreciated the fully stocked kitchen. It had everything we needed. We ate most dinners on the back porch. The beds and bedding were comfortable. The birds! We loved listening to the birds, and especially enjoyed the hermit thrushes that sang to us in the morning. We appreciated nearby parks especially Ship Harbor, Wonderland, and Pretty Marsh. It felt easy to head to the east side of the island for a few hours (or more). We ordered several times from Hodgdon's Seafood, which was delicous. We rented kayaks that we were able to use in Seal Cove. Things to note: the stairs are steep and narrow, which wasn't an issue for us but could be good to know. The house was warm in the afternoons when we were there but there were several fans available. We thought it was the perfect location for rest and recreation. We would definitely stay again.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Dana D., Arizona

30 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Good but a bit quirky

This property is definitely on the quiet side, pretty far away from most of the action. If that’s what you want, as we did, the place is great. There’s a nice view of the cove from the dining area and the back patio. It’s a quick walk down to the cove. Hodgdon’s seafood is also a quick walk and their food is wonderful! The house itself is a-maze-ing, as in, it’s a maze. All of the bathrooms are downstairs. The bathroom in the queen bedroom is two rooms: one for a shower and one for a toilet and sink. Then there are two more toilets in two separate rooms, one without a sink, and plus a room with a separate shower. The kitchen is overstocked, something I never thought I’d say about a rental, e.g. there are two crockpots. Every cupboard and drawer is crammed with stuff, making it difficult to find things and nearly impossible to find spots for any food or cooking gear that you bring. The things they have are good, there’s just too many of them. All in all a good, but not perfect, stay.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Megan W.

6 Aug 2023

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

Too Perfect

This quintessential island Maine home is so perfect, you will never go anywhere else on the island as you will never ever want to leave it. If you know classic Maine homes, you could walk into this home with your eyes closed and know where you are. The smells of pine, ocean and beech rose and sounds of your steps on the old wooden floors, familiar clicking of the door handles and flick of the light switches make this home everything it means to be in Maine. The property is beautiful. The beach is 30 seconds away. It’s so incredibly peaceful and still close enough to all the things anyone would want to do. Plenty of games and books and all the home feel is included. You will need nothing more here. And if you do, it’s easy enough to figure it out. Now, to plan a 2x as long stay the next time ❤️!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Happy F.

8 July 2023

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

Quiet side perfection

Our family has been coming to Acadia for 17 years. The home we used to rent is no longer available, so we were delighted to find this beautiful cottage on the quiet side of MDI in Seal Cove. There are so many highlights to love! Coffee in the mornings, dinner in the evenings, and lounging/reading in between on the screened in porch. Cozy evenings around a roaring fire in the wood-burning stove. The upstairs “princess” bedroom our daughter fell in love with, including its own special reading nook. And all of our favorite quiet side activities near at hand through the week. Lisa and family were super helpful in answering all of our questions and arranging extra kindling to help us get those evening fires going. We look forward to renting again next year!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hank O.

2 Nov 2022

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

Late summer retreat

Very charming place on the quiet side, great location at the head of seal cove. Biking, hiking, kayaking, sunsets, star gazing, home cooked meals. If there wasn't so much to see and do on MDI, we would've never left. Hope to enjoy it again soon.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Walter F.

18 Aug 2022

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

Fabulous House in Gorgeous Location

I hate to advertise how special this place is for fear that everyone else will want it. This is a classic, cozy Mountain Desert Island cottage, with a view to die for and a very peaceful setting, close to nature. We’ve been coming to MDI all our lives and this has to be one of our favorite stays. We enjoyed paddle boarding in the cove only steps-away and hiking the mountains nearby. This place has so much to offer. Hope to return again.

Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

D N.

25 July 2022

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

Just what we needed!

We hoped to have a place where we could access the water to paddleboard, visit Bar Harbor, and hike at Acadia and this was the perfect place for us. We had such an amazing week and were so very comfortable staying here. Peaceful, relaxing, clean and comfortable beds, tons of space for our family of four, and beautiful views. It was hard to leave! Thank you- we hope to return one day!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenifer S.

9 July 2022

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

Great spot for a family get away

We really enjoyed our stay. The house was convenient to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. It was well stocked and had plenty of room to spread out. We really enjoyed sitting on the decks and looking at the beautiful scenery. We would definitely stay again.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan J.

27 June 2022

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

Family Maine get away

Lovely stay, wonderful camp that felt like we were in a treasured family home, on the quiet side of MDI.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel L.

4 Sept 2019

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

Charming vintage cottage in secluded location

We had a lovely stay at this beautiful rustic cottage which felt straight out of another era. The gorgeous sunset (really gorgeous all day) views from the back porch were just the icing on the cake. If you want amenities like laundry and a dishwasher etc this isn’t your place, but if you like things simple and unspoiled, you will fall in love with Seal Cove Cottage, as we did. The birdwatching was an unexpected delight (everything from bald eagles to hummingbirds), and deer payed regular visits. Bring a kayak or have one delivered if you want to explore the water via a staircase to a pebble beach. A fantastic lobster pound/fish purveyor (Hodgdon’s) is an easy walk, and the Seal Cove public dock is a short drive/bike/kayak to the other side of the inlet. It has a small park and beautiful views. You can drive to SW Harbor in just over 15 minutes either by paved road or via a quicker (but quite a bit rougher) gravel fire road which cuts through a section of Acadia National Park. Quiet hikes and Seal Cove Pond are very close. The cottage was well-equipped with comfy beds, extra blankets, plenty of books and games, a grill, and a lovely screened area complete with roomy table, where we ate every meal. If you are sensitive to chilly nights, keep in mind that except for one baseboard unit, the wood stove is the only heat source. We had gorgeous weather, so didn’t need it, but it was a charming centerpiece even unlit! We look forward to visiting again and thank the owners for allowing this property to remain such a special slice of the past.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Pattra & Brad M.

22 Aug 2019

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

Great place

We enjoyed our time on MDI tremendously. The house was full of charm and we enjoyed sitting on the porch and looking down into the cove.

6/10 Okay

Debra P.

20 Aug 2019

Liked: Listing accuracy

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in

Just a couple issues

We were locked out of the house when we first arrived. Cabin is old and some windows don’t open or need to be propped up. Couches smell of cat urine. But location was pretty and private. My kids enjoyed the cove and husband enjoyed the screened in porch.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Melinda P.

21 June 2019

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

Sister-time at Seal Cove Cottage

We (3 sisters) enjoyed our stay at Seal Cove Cottage and our time hiking and relaxing in Maine. The vintage (1890s) Maine Cottage is quaint and full of personality. Lovely "nature art", comfortable seating, a back deck for a.m. coffee in the sun and a screened front porch for hanging out in the evening. It has a lovely view of Seal Cove just a short walk down the hill. We were surprised to learn, after a few cold nights, that other than a baseboard heater in the Master Bedroom the woodstove was not just an amenity but the primary heat source. We were grateful for the responsiveness of the owner who provided additional heat sources (electric blanket & heater) for the cold nights in early June. Once warm, the cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed for our stay. We had a wonderful get-away!

Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Edward R., Chicago

26 Aug 2018

Loved every minute. Authentic coast of Maine. Hot days, cool eves, lobster industry early am wake up

Excellent cottage, all the fixin’s, quiet & private, homey and rustic. Well seen to by owner and local support. We’d do this again in a heartbeat.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Eleanor Z.

26 July 2018

Great house, quiet and private. Well equipped kitchen. Comfortable furnishings. Nice decks.

We had a wonderful stay at Seal Cove and look forward to staying at Seal Cove again.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sara J.

20 July 2018

Such a lovely peaceful retreat

I love coming to this house, it’s such a beautiful spot and the house is so lovely. We discover new things to do each year, but there are some classics we keep coming back to. Dinner at Thurston’s lobster pound, swimming at Echo Lake, the Flamingo festival in Southwest Harbor, mini golfing at Pirates Cove, the Wonderland and Ship’s Harbor walks . But the best is floating and kayaking in the cove next to the house. It’s a stunning spot. We’ve even been known to swim, though the water is characteristically frigid. The house is really charming and the kitchen very well equipped. The beds are comfy and the alfresco dining on the screen porch is tops. I just love this house, we always have such an amazing vacation.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

About the host

Hosted by Lisa Rapp

Our family is based in the Philadelphia area.

Why they chose this property

Seal Cove Cottage is a family property purchased decades ago. Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are indeed beautiful and continue to draw our family back for memorable summer vacations. Our cottage, located on the "quiet-side" of the island on a sizeable lot with privacy and wonderful ocean views. It offers comfortable accommodations and water access for kayaking and swimming, with hiking and biking trails nearby. The Seal Cove Town Dock is visible across the cove and Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor, Bernard and Pretty Marsh are close by. Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor are just a short island drive away.

What makes this property unique

We love having our breakfast on the open "morning deck" and refreshing, end-of-the-day drinks on the screened front porch while we watch the sunset over Blue Hill Bay. The water view through the large westerly facing windows is a joy any time of day and in all seasons. In the summer we watch the lobster boats return to the dock with their day catch. Kayaking in the cove is great fun and often the "kids" will set up for a game of badminton on the front lawn or stay up late playing board games on the front porch. Our quiet location, down a dirt lane, off the town road is just the spot to rejuvenate your spirit.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage

Photo gallery for Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom

Bathroom

Half Bathroom

Spaces

About this property

Welcome to Seal Cove Cottage

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Have a question?

Similar properties

Tranquil oceanfront property with semi-private beach on the quiet side of MDI.

House Rules

Children

Events

Pets

Smoking

Check-out instructions

Important information

You need to know

We should mention

About the area

Seal Cove

What's nearby

Getting around

Restaurants

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Exceptional

9.6/10

9.6/10

9.4/10

9.8/10

9.2/10

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea O.

Perfect peaceful getaway

Andrea O.

10/10 Excellent

Mindy H.

Didn't want to leave

Mindy H.

8/10 Good

Ruth H.

Ruth H.

10/10 Excellent

Megan W.

Megan W.

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

Wonderful cottage off the beaten path

Melissa C.

10/10 Excellent

Diana M.

Much needed week on the quiet side of MDI

Diana M.

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M.

Lovely, charming, well appointed cottage by the sea

Barbara M.

10/10 Excellent

Courtney M.

The perfect place for our family to explore MDI

Courtney M.

10/10 Excellent

Joelle B.

Quiet cottage

Joelle B.