Entire home

Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Photo gallery for Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Terrace/patio
View from property
On the beach
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
TV, DVD player, video library

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8123 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Outdoor Space
  • Pet friendly

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Herron Island is a small and secluded private Island in southern Puget Sound where you'll see more deer, eagles, seals and whales than people. A short 10 minute ferry ride separates you from all the distractions of the mainland. You can only access the island by our private 12 car ferry. There are no stores or restaurants on the island so you'll experience a level of peace and quiet that is hard to match anywhere else.

Ductless heating and air conditioning keep the house comfy and cozy year round. There are 2 bedrooms plus a large sleeping loft. The master bedroom has a cozy queen size bed and a stunning view of the water. The second bedroom has a comfortable queen size bed. There is a sleeping loft with 4 single beds. There are enough beds for 8. The open living/dining/kitchen area is a great place to congregate, prepare meals and enjoy time together.

There are 2 decks with spectacular views of the Puget Sound year round. Sunrises are nothing short of inspirational. Watching the moonlight reflect off of the water at night is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. Take in the view from the deck or just stay in bed and enjoy from your bedroom window.

You'll have complete access to the beach via our private stairs where you'll find 2 kayaks and 2 stand-up paddle boards waiting for you. The water in case inlet is warm enough to swim in the summer and uncommonly calm year round, making for some of the smoothest water sports you'll find anywhere. Guests enjoy kayaking and beach combing all year. A walk around the island on the beach is a great way to spend an afternoon and see a wide range of the beauty the Puget Sound has to offer. Whether you bundle up in the winter or put on your flip flops in the summer, a walk around the island on the beach is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Puget Sound. The island is just over a mile long and can be circled in under 2 hours at a leisurely pace. Expect to encounter a variety of Northwest wildlife including seals, otter, eagles, herons, deer and porpoise. If you're lucky you'll see the Orca and Humpback whales that have been visiting the island in ever increasing numbers. Listen for them spouting.

After you play at the beach you can rinse away the salt and sand with a fresh water rinse at our beach shed.

A complete set of patio furniture (table, chairs and umbrella) are set up during spring and summer on our upper deck. The gas grill, gas fire pit and a set of Adirondack chairs are available year round. We supply the propane. The lower deck is a great place to slip off to for a little seclusion. Any meal enjoyed on the deck will be one you will remember forever.

There is no cable TV or internet but most people can get some cell coverage and internet via their mobile phones. If needed there are several areas on the island where cell signals are strong. There is a TV, VHS player and a huge library of VHS tapes. Yep! VHS tapes. Our guests consistently rave about cozying up to watch movies from our collection of of vintage movies. We considered adding DSL but our guests have so enjoyed the escape from their technology that we've decided to remain un-wired.

Round trip ferry toll is $25.00 for a car and driver plus $5 for each additional passenger. Ferry lines can get long particularly on holidays and weekends. Please help us keep our ferry lines short by arriving in as few vehicles as possible. Once you arrive on the island there's not much need for a car. You can walk anywhere you want to go. There is no public transportation that can bring you to Herron Island. If you're flying in from out of town plan on renting a car at the airport.

THERE ARE NO STORES, RESTAURANTS OR MEDICAL SERVICES ON THE ISLAND. YOU'LL NEED TO BRING ALL YOUR FOOD. We supply all towels, linen, foil, soap and paper products. The tap water is fine for drinking.

Herron Island is a very peaceful place. Please respect our neighbors peace, privacy and property at all times.

Property manager

Donn Bennett

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Paper towels
  • Coffee grinder
  • Spices
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 1 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevators
  • 1 stairs to reach property
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near the ocean
  • Near the sea
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Fitness center
  • Water sports equipment
  • Kayak on site
  • Basketball nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Marina nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Recycling
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Unit size: 1320 sq ft (123 sq m)

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Obvious care should be taken with kids near water.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Map
Lakebay, WA

What's nearby

  • Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium - 69 min drive - 50.7 km
  • Phillips Lake - 78 min drive - 55.1 km
  • Joint Base Lewis-McChord - 80 min drive - 71.3 km
  • Harstine Island State Park - 86 min drive - 63.3 km
  • Little Creek Casino - 90 min drive - 73.2 km

Getting around

  • South Tacoma Station - 69 min drive
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - 96 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Spencer Lake Bar & Grill - ‬71 min drive
  • ‪Trillium Creek Winery - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Brooklyn Deli - ‬70 min drive
  • ‪Lakebay Marina - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪The Snack Shack - ‬34 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Lakebay vacation home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Trillium Creek Winery, Joemma Beach, and Bay Lake. Joemma Beach State Park and Penrose Point State Park are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful getaway!
We enjoyed our days here with the quiet, peaceful water view. Saw numerous seals and osprey and walked all the way around the island. Beds are super comfy, plenty of cozy amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection!
The home was a perfect spot for us! Herron Island is as magical now as it was when I was young, and it was a joy to share it with my young adult kid. Fresh air, trees, deer, beaches, and that crystal clear water of the puget sound—what more do you really need?
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family weekend
We had a great time! The house had everything we needed and was ideally located for exploring the beach and the island. Thank you so much!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful property
We had a great time while on Herron Island. The house was perfect for us! We enjoyed the outdoor spaces, kayaking, the firepit, grill, etc. The deck is perfect for feeding the deer. And when it rained we stayed inside and played board games. Such a fun time! :-)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Racheal D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short summer getaway
We had a great time on Herron Island. The deer greeted us as soon as we arrived on the property and we were so happy to find deer feed in the kitchen. Definitely a highlight for the teens and pre-teen to hand feed the deer every day. Great calm water for kayaking and paddleboarding. We had a wonderful stay and only wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and lovely stay
This property was very nice and our family of five have a great visit. The highlights included the very friendly dear that visited daily and snacked on the apples as they fell from the tree! Kayaking was very easy and enjoyable and we walk along the beach every day. I would definitely recommend this house and location!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carl P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location, great house and amenities
Love this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Had a very relaxing weekend on Herron Island. The cabin was clean and nicely appointed. Retro VHS collection was fun. Nice deer.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What a great mini vacation for our family! We needed a mid-week Spring Break getaway for me 4 kids to work around our schedule, and this fit the bill! The house is beautiful, clean, and right on the water. The pictures do not do it justice. All of my kids loved kayaking around--it was very safe! My teens stayed in the two master bedrooms giving them a little privacy, while I shared the loft with my younger kids. The owners thought of everything, from well-stocked bathrooms and kitchen, to life jackets and a fire pit. A calm, peaceful vacation. The lack of good cell coverage was a plus--my teens stayed off their phones the whole time. Bring your family to this beautiful home. You won't be disappointed.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

jenna s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Herron Island visit!
Location, location! Whole family had fun- cozy DVD’s for downpour, beach combing and never-ending pickle ball at the park. Thank you for hosting a memorable stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jayme P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
Everything was perfect. we walked around the island when tide was low and jumped in the water when the tide was high. The cottage is stocked with everything you could possibly need. It’s very cozy,comfortable, and picturesque. We absolutely we’ll be back. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sweet and Quiet
We loved our stay on Herron Island. The days and evenings were quiet and peaceful. We kayaked around the island and hiked around at low tide the next day. The home was old-fashioned but updated enough. Everything was clean and very comfortable. We appreciated the well stocked kitchen (spices and tools) and the clean grill. It was all lovely.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love this place
We have stayed here once before in 2020 and again in Aug 2022. Property is exactly as described and has everything you need! Many games and movies provided. Views are to die for and kayaks/paddle boards are provided. Seeing the deer is always a big hit for the kids. There is a pretty good playground in the middle of the island (walkable with kids from the house) and another one at N Beach. So many cool tiny sea creatures to see and explore at low tide. The property manager is very responsive via text during our stays.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cora P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfection on Herron Island
Everything was just as described and pictured. Beautiful setting and right on the water. Hostess had thought of everything to make our stay so comfortable. Walked the island everyday, fed the deer and slept the best in months. Great way to spend time with the family with no social media to distract anyone
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristen S., Seattle, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful location, great for families
Great beach, comfy house, lovely quiet island, well stocked kitchen, lovely communication with the property owner!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful time!
Our family was looking for the perfect getaway to slow down and enjoy time together. This was it! Our kids loved the loft as their little oasis, the massive deck was perfect for spending time outdoors, the kitchen was well stocked, and the island was perfect for long walks. All in all, a great mini-vacation for us. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beds for Goldilocks AND the 3 bears
We really enjoyed our 3 nights of family time at Donn's house. The listing needs to be updated to say that the pellet stove is no longer functional because we spent a LOT of time trying to get it to work before texting Jeanie to find out it's been retired. It was no problem, however, because the electric heat pump kept us nice and toasty. The kitchen had everything we needed. The shower was great, appreciated the bulk soap and shampoo. LOVED not having wi-fi and watching all of those great VHS movies! Although, previous tenants were remiss not to rewind, so we educated our teens on VCR etiquette...ha! Please be kind, rewind! The six beds ranged from very soft to very hard, definitely had a bed type for every person in our family. The location was beautiful. We really enjoyed the peace and serenity of being on Herron Island. We loved walking on the beach at low tide and going on to the beach at night after the fog set in, it was super fun and spooky.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan O., Portland, OR

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing getaway
We loved our Herron Island getaway and Don’s place! The house was comfortable and felt like plenty of room for the six of us. Loved eating outside on the deck, kayaking, walking around the island, watching movies and playing games. The island was very quiet! It was great to unplug.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Justin R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Herron Island getaway
My family and I stayed here for a week and loved it. We walked around the island at low tide, played pickle ball at the park, swam at the beach, kayaked, paddleboarded and fed the deer! The communication with both the owner and hostess was fantastic. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carl P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location
Super nice house with deck and water access. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristina M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway!
We were looking for a property near the water for a girls/birthday/much needed break....this place was perfect....clean and cute home with an amazing view of the water. It was so peaceful and quiet...being on a private island definitely helped with that! Use of kayaks made for an enjoyable paddle around the island. The local deer were very friendly....they sure like to be fed! Both the owner and hostess were very responsive and helpful! We all agree that this is one place we will return too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mandie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great vacation
Our family of four enjoyed a few days at this house feeding deer, beach combing and kayaking. The house is well stocked and communication was top notch. The lack of WiFi was a blessing! Pro tip- bring extra deer food as they are wonderfully friendly!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Whitney H., Shoreline, WA

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
Our family (2 adults and two children- 9 year olds) visited the island and stayed at this property over the 4th of July. This property is paradise! Even more lovely than the photos. It has a vintage and well apportioned kitchen. Spacious, adorable loft for the kids. Every day deer came to visit us and we hand fed them apples from the apple tree in the front yard and pet them. We swam in the beach, ride our bikes, played board games, kayaked. South Beach is quiet and pristine. North Beach is a blastoff kids- dock and designated swimming area. I cannot recommend this vacation home enough. So lovely!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Petr J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful property
The property and Herron Island are absolutely wonderful. One of the best family vacations in long time. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021