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Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield

Photo gallery for Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield

Beach
One mile from the end of that point by water is the Cornucopia marina.
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Cornucopia, WI
  • Apostle Islands Mainland Sea Caves
  • Meyers Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Apostle Islands Marina
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Birch Room

1 Queen Bed

Cherry Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

Juniper Room

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Moon Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms

2nd Bathroom

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Private Master bath

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield

"A living canvas of color, scent, and touch no artisan but Divine inspires."
Gitchigumi - Ojibwe for "Great Water" is the largest freshwater lake by area in the world. The Lake is powerful, magnetic and transforming in any season. Our humble beach front home is situated on 20 secluded acres on the Lake's south shore. We have 400' of sand beach 100' from the house and easily accessible (no stairs). The stream that runs through the property is teaming with brook trout, beaver, otter and ducks. One half mile walk down the shoreline is another trout stream that marks the south west boundary of the Apostle Islands National Park.
We have a boat launch ramp on the property, but there is no dock or mooring in the bay. Boats can also be launched from the marina in Cornucopia 2 miles away by water. Any boats kept in our bay would have to be anchored or beached if wave action permits.

The Lake must be respected as it can be pristine one minute and brutal the next, but contrary to those unfamiliar with the south shore waters, the bay waters can be comfortable to swim in from the middle of June to the middle of September. That depends entirely, of coarse, on your courage level and the weather. Wake boarding, snorkeling, body surfing, fishing, hunting, boating, four wheeling and walking the beach are frequent pass times here in the summer. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing and sledding are winter sport.
My brother and I purchased this property from our father in January 2017 and completed the extensive remodeling a year later with cherry and birch flooring, cherry and juniper paneling. It is a simple home on an exceptional piece of property. The Ice and Sea Caves are world class attractions and can be seen from our front deck. The caves are accessible by foot in the winter when the ice is safe and your dressed for it. They are accessible in the summer by boat or by hiking trails that start at Myer's beach one mile to the east.
If you think the lake is beautiful and intimidating, build a fire on the beach at night some time, lay on the sand on a clear night and try to imagine your place in the clearly visible Milky Way.
The view alone is humbling, but the experience is.........spiritual.

By the shores of Gitche Gumee,
By the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,
Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis.
Dark behind it rose the forest,
Rose the black and gloomy pine-trees,
Rose the firs with cones upon them;
Bright before it beat the water,
Beat the clear and sunny water,
Beat the shining Big-Sea-Water.

At the door on summer evenings
Sat the little Hiawatha;
Heard the whispering of the pine-trees,
Heard the lapping of the waters,
Sounds of music, words of wonder;
'Minne-wawa!" said the pine-trees,
Mudway-aushka!" said the water.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Property manager

Hans & Vicki Martens with Co-owners Tim & Janet Martens

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Beach view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
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

No pets allowed
There are exceptions made (special circumstances)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Groups exceeding 13 on the property at any time by permission only. Remove beach sand outside the house and shoes inside please.
Keep garbage contained in garage, house or vehicle. Keep bath towels in the house.

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

About the area

Bayfield

Located in Bayfield, this holiday home is on the beach. Apostle Islands Marina and Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Superior and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Cornucopia, WI

What's nearby

  • Meyers Beach - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing - 14 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Madeline Island Ferry Line - 29 min drive - 35.6 km
  • Apostle Islands Marina - 31 min drive - 36.3 km
  • Apostle Islands Cruises - 31 min drive - 36.3 km

Getting around

  • Duluth, MN (DLH-Duluth Intl.) - 119 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Siskiwit Bay Coffee & Curiosities - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little Nikki's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Village Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cornucopia Sweet Shoppe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Fisherman's Hideout - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake Superior Ice/Sea Caves Bay Lodging. Near Apostle Islands & Bayfield located?

Nestled on the beach, this Bayfield holiday home is 0.5 mi (0.8 km) from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Meyers Beach. Lake Superior and Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 126 out of 128 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 128 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 128 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 128 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 128 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Victoria M.

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

Fabulous Getaway

The cabin was great! The location was fabulous! We loved the private beach! We couldn’t have enjoyed it any more than we did!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle O.

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

Perfect location and accommodations

We have a large family of 8, we enjoyed our stay, everything was perfect from the location, the view, the beach, beds, etc. we will be back and can’t wait! Our only regret is not staying longer! Thank you for a great experience!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pat A., Chippewa Falls WI

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

Most beautiful and relaxing

This is a perfect location and lodging for any age group. The owner is amazingly helpful and prompt.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Forrest W.

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

A great place on Lake Superior!

Our family returned for a second year and had another great time! Great beach, cabin, and location.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sally N.

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

Beautiful Lake Superior stay

We had such a great time! The location is convenient to Bayfield and the surrounding area, and the walk down the shore to Meyers beach and the sea caves was beautiful. This location was private and peaceful. There were mosquitos out, but that's to be expected in summer with woods, streams, and wetland all around!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judi E.

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

Beautiful Serenity

This is a favorite family vacation. A truly beautiful area and cabin.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bill G., Crosby

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

Great View

Stayed for the annual Apple Fest in Bayfield. Nice and private but yet close to all the attractions.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara L., Wisconsin

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

We love this special place.

The house is clean and comfortable and has all we need, but we come for the beautiful sandy beach and clear water of Lake Superior. Nearby town of Cornucopia is nice too!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa P.

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

Family Trip

Stayed with several family members for a few days in late June. Beautiful view of Lake Superior, but the weather during our stay was cold and rainy so we did not get to enjoy the beach or outdoor deck. The house is very nice and well kept. Everything was as advertised except WiFi (there wasn't any). The owners were very helpful and answered questions promptly. Overall, we had a nice stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

claire C.

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

Perfect Fall Getaway!

This is an ideal spot to stay for enjoying a beach, taking in the fall colors, and relaxing! We came for the whistlestop race, but will be back for winter sea cave exploration or summer beach fun. We’ve stayed at a few different VRBOs in this area, and this is by far the best! Thank you so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lori S.

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

Will keep coming back!

We were so blessed to find this property a few years ago! The owners are very kind and accommodating! Thank you for another wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristen B.

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

Amazing

This is amazing property. View and access to a beach lakefront is like no other. Home is well equipped and property has all the needed amenities for great relaxation and entertainment. We had a wonderful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pat A., Chippewa Falls WI

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

The Best Without a Doubt

In all aspects, this is the place to be. With beautiful spanning view of the big lake, to excellent accommodations and peaceful surroundings, this made for our winter paradise.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christoph R., Jordan

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

Gorgeous and Secluded Property on the South Shore.

This was a very nice and peaceful cabin on the South Shore of Lake Superior. Whether you want to go for a hike in the beautiful wilderness or just a enjoy a bonfire on the shore, this is a great spot to get away from your busy life with friends and family. We would love to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

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

Wonderful Getaway

The location of this property couldn’t get any better! So private and quiet with a huge sandy beach! We swam almost every day and used all the boats available (canoe, kayaks, and rowboat). It was so much fun to sit around campfires in the beach and to swing in the 4 hammock-type swings! The large dining room table easily accommodated our group, and the deck was wonderful for smaller groups to sit and chat.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Courtney L.

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

Perfect beach!

My family and I absolutely loved the private beach. We had camp fires every night! It was nice to have so much private outdoor space to enjoy. The cabin was clean and comfortable - it was lacking some storage space (no closets or dressers in the bedrooms), but that wasn't a big deal. We spent most of our time outside.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather/Toby M.

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

Magical

That was the word we kept coming up with while we staying here. The beautiful cabin with gorgeous wood paneling and floors, the sound of the waves at night, the beautiful beach and water. Our whole family for ages 6 to 76 thought it was wonderful. Some took kayaks and paddled up the little creek to find a heron, a muskrat and a beaver dam. Some went into Bayfield, just a half hour away and looked in the shops which had wonderul artisan pieces. Some went on the ferry to Madeleine Island for the afternoon, exploring the beaches and scenery and having lunch at the Beach Club which was great. (whitefish tacos). I myself swam and played in Lake Superior, pleasant after that first dip. The water is shallow pretty far out so children are safe to play there with just a little supervision. Loved the Driftwood Boat!! And the swings!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amber L.

Great property and beautiful bay views!

Very nice, well kept property. Our family enjoyed day tripping to Cornucopia, kayaking to the sea caves, and ferrying to Madeline Island. Beach campfires were lots of fun. Water was still very cold but that didn't stop us from taking quick dips. Loved beach combing for rocks and sea glass. Great place for the 10 of us to stay over Memorial weekend. Highly recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

Great vacation spot

Beautiful location and cabin. We shared the place with another family, 4 kids total plus 2 couples. We all had plenty of space. We enjoyed playing on the beach and watching storms role in. Great location for visiting the sea caves and the Apostle Islands. The weather changes quickly next to the lake, so be sure to pack for all conditions, even stocking hats in the summer or swim suits when it’s cloudy!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S.

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

Truly a gem

This place is even more than what we thought we were getting. The frontage is vast and it’s set up nicely with seating and swings. Beautiful spot. The house is great for a crowd. The owners should consider an outdoor shower or a foot wash to prevent so much sand getting in. That is our big suggestion. Otherwise it’s a memorable location.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John K.

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

A Beautiful Place

Hans' place was exactly what we were looking for - peace and quiet in a secluded setting. The house easily accommodated our family group of seven adults. Spent most of our time on the deck which had great views and the beach area below. We went to Bayfield and Cornucopia for provisions and a few meals but otherwise just hung out at this beautiful property. Kayaks were a nice plus. Lake Superior was changing day to day - almost calm one day and larger waves the next. Nice hiking trails in the area - sea cave trail from Meyer's Beach was beautiful.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Barbara R.

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

Wonderful winter cabin

The cabin is perfectly situated on the lake facing north. The livingroom and kitchen are dated however everything was very clean and comfortable. Plenty of plates and cookware. The beds were all comfortable with very nice linens. The property is gorgeous with plenty of places to snowshoe. The ice was thick at least 100 feet out and we were able to go up and down the shore easily in snowshoes. This property would be amazing in the summer or fall. Cabin is set far back from the road with slight noise only from the front of the cabin. You can’t see any neighbors so the privacy and quiet are glorious! We saw deer and a wolf or large coyote walk right in front of the cabin on the lake. Sunsets were amazing to the west and you can see the edge of Myers Beach to the right. If there was an open weekend this summer I would have booked it again!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy H.

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

Beautiful cabin in a beautiful setting

This is a beautiful property. However, do not be an idiot like me and book this property prior to June and expect to sit outside enjoying a campfire. They call it off-season for a reason. We stayed here in early May 2023. I was prepared for the cold, but I was not prepared for the constant wind that accompanied it. I tried my hardest to make the best of a bad situation, but in the end, we mostly stuck around inside of the cabin because the constant cold, unrelenting wind was just unpleasant. Even with a roaring fire going, it just was not remotely enjoyable to sit near the lake. It's a very nice cabin, but it was not worth paying nearly $500/night during the off-season, and my family really did not enjoy what was supposed to be our big family trip. That all said, I do think the cabin and the property are incredibly nice. I imagine if we had gone later in the season, nights out by the lake would have been extremely peaceful and beautiful. I also think the owner undersells the cabin itself - It was a very nice cabin with beautiful hardwood throughout. The only thing I didn't love about it is the kitchen is a bit small and dated. Other than that, it's a wonderful place to stay. I appreciated that the owner had the cabin remarkably well stocked as well - booster seats for kids, every utensil/pot/pan you could need, kitchen staples. Lots of firewood. All in all, loved the location and cabin, but will be forever haunted by my poor decision to stay here during the off-season.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

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

Perfect, peaceful, pristine setting!

This comfortable, clean home had all of the conveniences we needed to relax and rejuvenate. We absolutely loved being here!!! The large open floor plan with comfortable couches and large dining/kitchen area, the deck with plenty of chairs overlooking the woods and Lake Superior, and 4 of 5 bedrooms with awesome lake views and comfortable beds was perfect for our family (two parents and two young adult children). It was such a magical, peaceful, and beautiful north woods/great lake setting - more gorgeous than what the photos convey. One of the most spectacular places we have found! There are paths for walks in the woods and easy gradually sloping paths to the water where soft sugar sand awaited our visit. The bay water where it was sandy and shallow was clear and warm - perfect for swimming, snorkeling, floating about, kayaking, and rock hunting. We could walk out in the water and along the shore for a long way. We did not see any other homes from the home unless we went down the beach. Neighbors were few and far away. Most of the time there was no one else that we could see hear and it felt like our own private paradise. The neighbors we ran into were lovely. The stream through the property is gorgeous. We met a beautiful blue heron up close. Breezes through the birch and pine trees were magical as were the sunsets. There was plenty of cut firewood to enjoy a camp fire on the beach as well as benches to sit on. Cornucopia is very close has a great general store that had everything we needed, some lovely gift shops, a great coffee shop, and four restaurants. We only got take out from two restaurants - it was so pleasant to prepare meals at the home as all of pots, pans, spices, utensils, were provided and the setting was truly unmatched. It was great having 2 kayaks, a canoe, and a rowboat down at the beach to use! Solar lighting for the paths to the lake and the handrails for the steeper path were nice, making getting to the shore very easy and safe for someone older like me with bad knees. We planned to spend more time in Bayfield and the Apostle islands, but enjoyed all there was to do in our ‘own back yard’ so much that we did not want to leave the home most days. We did go on a sunset sail from Cornucopia one evening and it was marvelous! Raspberry and blueberry picking and live music one afternoon outdoors at a winery near Bayfield one afternoon was also fun! The museums and fisheries in the area were nice to explore too!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lynn B.

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

Very peaceful right on Lake Surperior.

We loved the property and peacefulness of it. It was our annual girl's weekend of 6 friends, and we all had enough room to stay comfortably. It was clean and had everything we needed to have a great weekend. The only complaint we had was the mouse that visited us on the last night. We were there in the fall so it's not uncommon to have mice looking for a place to winter...but we are not fans of having them share our space. lol Host was very responsive to our needs. We would not hesitate to return to this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Hans & Vicki Martens with Co-owners Tim & Janet Martens

Host profile image
My brother and I grew up in Cornucopia. We spent our waking hours on motorcycles and snowmobiles and made them go places they weren't designed to go. Fishing, hunting, down hill skiing, boating, and countless other activities were how we pasted the time and pass it did. This property has been in the family for 50 years. I retired in 2017 and my wife Vicki and I live in Minneapolis with our 5 adult children and 10 grand children nearby. My brother Tim, his wife Janet and their two children live in Brule, Wisconsin on a 200 acre hobby farm, about 40 miles away. Tim runs a logging business and Janet is a nurse practitioner. My wife Vicki is a substitute teacher and a model grandmother. I worked for Johnson Controls as a service technician for 28 years before retiring in July of 2017. For the last 20 years or so I have shared the pastoral responsibilities for a church in Blaine, MN with 5 other men. To acquire this property is a dream come true and my brother and I do not take it for granted.

What makes this property unique

You would be hard pressed to find any other property like it on the south shore of Lake Superior.
1. We have unparalleled access to the Sea Caves.
A. The only private drive down access to the ice by snowmobile.
B. The only easily accessible shoreline within walking distance of the caves.
2. Private trout stream
3. 20 acres of land
4. One of only a handful of private properties with drive down access to the sand beach lake shore.
5. And a private boat launch.

Languages:

English