See all properties
Entire home

Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island

Photo gallery for Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island

Heron House on Westcott Bay. Permit Number 16-0015
Heron House from Heron Point on Picnic Island (at high tide).
Waterfront property on Westcott Bay
Picnic Island & Heron Point
Great Blue Heron on Heron Point, Picnic Island.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Friday Harbor, WA
  • Wescott Bay
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Roche Harbor Marina
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Friday Harbor, WA (FRD)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island

Heron House on Westcott Bay – Waterfront living near Roche Harbor

Welcome to picturesque Westcott Bay, a quiet retreat, 5 minutes walk from Roche Harbor Resort, shopping and all marina facilities. Heron House is a dog friendly vacation rental newly constructed in October of 2017…3 minutes walk to Roche Harbor’s dog park. Fly in, boat in, or drive in, you’re never more than 5 minutes walk to the Heron House.

What to do on Westcott Bay? Well, you could walk 50 feet out your back door to the beach, or stroll, on all but the highest tides, to Picnic Island. Use the two fishing kayaks to paddle around the bay, troll a line, or set a crab trap. On the weekend, paddle over to the Westcott Bay Shellfish farm for their famous barbequed oysters. Maybe you’d like to hike the nationally recognized trails … all without having to get in your car! If it’s a stroll you have in mind, walk the 3 mile loop past the sculpture gardens (off leash for dogs), through Roche Harbor Resort itself, stopping briefly at Westcott Bay Cider for a tasting, catch a rare Pokémon at the lighthouse mailbox opposite the old quarry 9 swimming hole, and … you’re back home.

If drive you must, head over to Lime Kiln Point for some orca watching, tide pooling, or having a picnic lunch. You could drive 9 miles into the big city of Friday Harbor for all the amenities of a small town.

Roche Harbor Resort provides the opportunity to book a whale watching trip, join a kayak tour around the north end of Henry Island, or, if you’re lucky…schedule a wedding 

The Heron House is named for the great blue herons that daily stalk the shallows or perch on Picnic Island. Bring your camera for some close up shots of them or the bald eagles that fish in Westcott Bay.

However you enjoy our home, we’re glad you stopped by.

Cheers,

Dave and Sue and Stella-mae

Property manager

Dave and Sue Ambrose
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

Large front deck great for relaxing meals. Beautiful bay views and lots of sun!

Peaceful Bayside Home the Woods - Sleeps 6 people, 8 max.

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
10.0 out of 10, (90 reviews)
Peaceful Bayside Home the Woods - Sleeps 6 people, 8 max.

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
High chair available, travel bed for babies/toddle
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed
Dogs only with prior approval
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in or around the house
We allow up to 3 well trained and well behaved dogs. The dogs must not wander into our neighbor's yards & owners are expected to clean up after them.
Quiet hours are from 10:00pm to 7:00am.
Please remember, we live on an island. Water should not be wasted.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 16-0015

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Friday Harbor

Located in Friday Harbor, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. San Juan Islands Sculpture Park and San Juan Island National Historic Park are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Whale Museum and Pelindaba Lavender Farm. Travelling with kids? Consider Jones Island State Park and Lolly Gobble Sweet Shop. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Friday Harbor, WA

What's nearby

  • Wescott Bay - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • San Juan Islands Sculpture Park - 7 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Roche Harbor Marina - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
  • English Camp - 8 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Lime Kiln Point State Park - 25 min drive - 19.0 km

Getting around

  • Roche Harbor, WA (RCE) - 1 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Duck Soup Inn - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Lime Kiln Cafe - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Westcott Bay Shellfish - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪San Juan Vineyards - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪San Juan Island Distillery - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Custom Waterfront Home - easy walk to Roche Harbor & Picnic Island located?

Nestled on the beach, this Friday Harbor holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Wescott Bay and San Juan Islands Sculpture Park. Roche Harbor Marina and Posey Island State Park are also within 3 miles (5 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. 208 out of 211 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 211 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 211 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 211 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 211 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Bridget C.

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

Heron House in Roche Harbor

Beautiful home with endless entertainment features. The kitchen is a cooks's dream come true and the bedrooms are well appointed, each with it own private bath.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brandy J.

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

Girls trip

We loved our stay at this property. It was in a convenient location to all the attractions we visited. We had a rental car, but we did see the shuttle often so you could use that to get around. The house was comfortable and clean. The views were absolutely amazing and the neighborhood was quiet. I would highly recommend this house to anyone!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharon P.

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

Exeptional location and property

My friends and I gathered for a reunion in April. We got really lucky with the weather, and took full advantage of the opportunities for kayaking, ping pong, walking, cooking, eating, etc. We've enjoyed a variety of rental homes over the years, but this location is a little more fabulous in every way. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gina S.

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

Beautiful island getway

Great location and easy to get around the island. The view is amazing. Three out of the four beds were king size and one of them were full size. It was great having a large and clean space. I would love to stay here again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melanie C.

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

Rejuvenating and perfect for families

Heron house is the perfect place to relax and unwind. We had 3 generations staying together, plus a dog and it met everyone's needs. The table tennis was great for the teens, and the deck was perfect for soaking up some sun, reading a book and bird watching. The house was very clean and incredibly comfortable, offering a balance of adventure and relaxation. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Baris P.

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

Beautiful, tranquil location

The house is just about perfect. If I had to give any criticism it would be that some of the bedrooms don't provide a blackout capability, so you basically wake up with the sun, but it doesn't stream in through those windows. We were able to launch the host's paddleboard and kayaks right from the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Conor T.

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

Bayside getaway

Beautiful house. There was actually three kayaks and we were able to go out on the bay three times, saw seals, jellyfish, comb jellies, fish, and lots of waterfowl. House also close walk to Roche Harbor and other trails. Rooms were great. Everything clean. Easy to reach hosts
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ali F.

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

Lovely stay on SJI

Great property with beach access, ample space for families with kids and a very well stocked kitchen for meal prep. The one upgrade that should be made for the price and quality of the house is improved bedding - some bedding was dirty and all the sheets and pillows need to be replaced. I would bring my own bedding next time.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Josh S.

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

3rd Time at the Heron House

This is the third time we’ve stayed at the Heron House, and there’s multiple reasons for that:-The house is still clean and beautiful -The location is still awesome-Communication with the hosts is still fantastic-The neighborhood is still quietIt’s honestly a huge part of why we come back to San Juan Island. We refer to the Heron House as “our house” because it feels like home every time we check in. I can’t imagine staying somewhere else!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rob c.

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

Fantastic Stay

Property was clean, perfect place for a family with a dog. We used all the amenities, highly recommend to all
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

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

Idyllic location room for eight comfortably

We stayed at this beautiful property for a week to celebrate my husband’s 70th birthday. Some friends came in on their sailboat and mowed out front and stayed on their boat overnight, but joined us during the day and it was a beautiful calm bay. we did some clamming Yum Yum. Each bedroom had its own bathroom but awkwardly there was no powder room off the living room? The view is beautiful, but if the trees grow up that are volunteering right off the deck to their mature size there will be very little view in the not so distant future. The owners were wonderful and communicative! I would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary D.

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

Dec 2024 stay

Thoroughly enjoyed our time at Heron House after Christmas! Blessed with good weather, so we were able to explore many areas of the island. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen W.

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

January family get away

We enjoyed a very comfortable stay for a week. The bedrooms are spacious and the bathrooms well appointed. The kitchen counters are higher than standard, so tall people rejoice, but petite people may struggle to reach the upper cupboards. We loved touring the nearby sculpture garden as well as the historic sites and state and local parks.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Erin R.

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

Prime Location Near Roche Harbor

This property has a lot to offer, especially for families or groups. We really enjoyed the large front yard and amazing waterfront backyard with its own small inlet. The house is located in a quiet neighborhood but is walking distance to Roche and the Sculpture Park. We also really enjoyed that this home is dog friendly and close to the dog park. The only real drawback to this house was the living room furniture- it was very uncomfortable. The couch and the dining table chairs especially.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan M.

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

Thoughtfully Appointed

Spacious, with a great view, close to amenities. We really enjoyed being cozy and watching the storm on the bay and taking shot walk when there was a sun break. Would definitely bring family again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt K.

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

2nd visit to this great house

Love staying in this house. Spacious home with beautiful views. Lots to do within walking distance.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori L., Monterey, CA

Great stay

Beautiful house, wonderful hosts. Would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Brian W.

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

Very responsive

Beautiful house in a beautiful setting. Owner was very responsive to my random inquiries which was very much appreciated.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Connie C., Mercer Island, WA

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

Great place near Roche Harbor

Within walking distance of the resort and restaurants. Great walking trails and Sculpture garden nearby.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon E.

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

Great birding spot

The Heron House is a great location for viewing shorebirds. We had a lovely wintry vacation, warm and snug by the fireplace.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca H.

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

Repeat Customer

Love this house so much that we keep coming back when we stay by Roche Harbor. Right on the water with great views of the bay and more privacy than staying on resort. Perfect place to stay with a group.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

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

Fabulous stay

This was a wonderful peaceful home that is dog friendly. It was a true joy to stay at this beautiful home.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Clayton J.

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

Beautiful home with a beautiful view

We really enjoyed our stay. Watching the birds from the dining/living room was really great. The beds and baths are all really nice. We would love to stay here again
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

MIKE B.

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

Great getaway

Very nice, comfortable, house on a bay. Well furnished and a lot of room.. Enjoyed time with our family.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beverly R., Seattle

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

Perfect stay near Roche Harbor

Fabulous space for family reunion- loved the house design and view from deck spaces. Comfortable furnishings, bedding and well stocked kitchen. Proximity to Roche harbor excellent.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Dave and Sue Ambrose

Host profile image
We purchased the property in 2015 and began construction June of 2016. We worked through the winter finishing the interior of the house with Sue doing the tile work, stone work and painting. Dave mostly drank beer and watched golf matches :-p We completed the finishing work in October and are proud to offer the house as a brand new residence.

Why they chose this property

This property was irresistible to us mostly because of the beach, the island, and access to the ocean for water activities. We hope you will use the two kayaks and the paddle board to explore Westcott Bay and maybe catch a few dungeness crab in the process. This is the second house we have built together and had so much fun on the first one, that we decided to do it all over again.

What makes this property unique

Beautiful sunrises, abundant wildlife and magnificent views across and down the length of Westcott Bay. Walking distance (3 min to Roche Harbor's dog park and 5 minutes to Roche Harbor Marina. Also, immediate access to a nationally recognized trail system. Don't miss the view from the top of Mount Young.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Hotels

lodges Auckland Region
rentals with pool in Auckland

Holiday Rentals

New Plymouth Holiday Rentals
Twizel Holiday Rentals
Ohakune Holiday Rentals
Otematata Holiday Rentals
Broadbeach Holiday Rentals
Murchison Holiday Rentals
Mosgiel Holiday Rentals
Moana Holiday Rentals
Rotorua Holiday Rentals
Ohiwa Harbour Holiday Rentals
Mooloolaba Holiday Rentals
Paihia Holiday Rentals
Methven Holiday Rentals
Mitimiti Beach Holiday Rentals
Waiheke Island Holiday Rentals
Gold Coast Holiday Rentals
Auckland Holiday Rentals
Papamoa Beach Holiday Rentals
Hihi Holiday Rentals
Whanganui Holiday Rentals
Castlepoint Holiday Rentals
Surfers Paradise Holiday Rentals
New Zealand Holiday Rentals
London Holiday Rentals
Whangaparaoa Holiday Rentals
Moureeses Bay Holiday Rentals
Blenheim Holiday Rentals
Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve Holiday Rentals