Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

Pet-friendly

Fireplace

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Ocean view

Explore the area

Swans Island, ME

Acadia National Park79 min drive
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse81 min drive
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)92 min drive
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center98 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio

Outdoor shower

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Welcome to our website. As we look ahead to the 2024 season (roughly from Memorial Day weekend to mid-October), we have already given family members the first opportunity to bid on weeks for their vacations. All open weeks remaining are now visible on the VRBO calendar. We have a minimum booking of three nights. In addition, we prefer and prioritize 7-day rentals that begin and end on Saturdays. Please let us know if you have any questions. We appreciate your interest in our beloved family home on Swans Island!

A 35 minute ferry ride from Acadia National Park brings you to beautiful Swans Island, situated in the archipelago of Blue Hill Bay. A short drive to the far side of the island takes you to a peaceful cottage overlooking a private cove.

This tranquil cottage has four bedrooms, one bath and an outdoor shower, a spacious main room, a generous kitchen and wrap around porch. On cooler evenings, snuggle up to a wood stove. Furnishings and amenities are simple, tuned into the natural unspoiled surroundings.

Once settled in, you can watch the sunset from the porch, dig clams in the cove for dinner, or explore the pink granite coastline in a rowboat or kayak in search of the perfect picnic spot. Hike to a fine white sand beach or on trails that meander along the shore, keeping your eye out for seals and dolphins playing in the bay.

Except for the wind, surf, or seabirds, peace and quiet are your constant companions. And while you may be familiar with the stars, they may never have seemed so close before.

Property manager

The MacDuffie Family

Amenities

Kitchen

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

Ocean view

Fireplace

Kitchen

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)

Let us know if you want to bring a pet.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Swans Island

Located in Swans Island, this cottage is by the ocean. 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. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.

Swans Island, ME

What's nearby

Acadia National Park - 79 min drive
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 81 min drive
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 98 min drive
Village Green - 103 min drive
Cadillac Mountain - 112 min drive

Getting around

Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 94 min drive

Restaurants

Swan's Island Tea Room - 9 min drive
Swans Island Fishermens Co-Op Pound - 11 min drive
Boathouse Gifts & Take Out - 10 min drive
Captain's Galley - 13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island located?

Situated by the ocean, this cottage is within 3 miles (5 km) of Southwest Cove, Spindle Cove and Schooner Cove. Acadia National Park and East Cove are also within 12 miles (20 km).

10

Exceptional

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

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Laura E.

21 September 2023

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

Swan's Island

Great remote and rustic cabin.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria W.

3 September 2023

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

Gorgeous and relaxing

This was our second time staying at this lovely setting and we hope to be able to return. The cottage is comfortable and cozy. Our time was spent enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings, hiking, kayaking, rock scrambling and plunging into cold Maine water. Bald eagles, seals and porpoises were highlights in the long list of wildlife sightings. The MacDuffies are accomodating and friendly hosts. Our time on Swan's was the renewing break we needed!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

16 June 2023

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

Peace, quiet, nature-filled.

We love this property for the time it gives us in nature and to connect as a family without electronics. The host is wonderful!

Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth G.

16 October 2022

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

Amazing time yet again!

This is such a special place to visit. It was our fourth year back and every year it's always a great vacation. So peaceful and it's great just to get away and mandatorily have to unplug. Thanks again and we hope to be back next year!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Victoria W.

4 September 2022

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

Natural beauty

We wanted to sleep with one eye open not to miss any moments of the beautiful view of the cove and the ebb and flow of the tides. We spent our days walking mossy paths and rocky coastline and making excursions to swim in cold water. We were in luck with only a half day of rainy/cloudy weather. The cottage is comfortable and includes everything needed for cooking and relaxing. The one store on the island is well stocked. We loved our time on Swan's Island and look forward to returning!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by The MacDuffie Family

The two MacDuffie brothers bought the property in the 1950s and used an existing house away from the water until the mid-1960s, where the current oceanside cottage was built. The property is now managed by the MacDuffie Family LLC (a family trust), primarily by the next generation of MacDuffies. Most of us have spent time at Swans during the summer for our entire lives. It is a very special place to us and we're always happy when we can find renters who appreciate those special qualities as much as we do!

Why they chose this property

Our families have deep roots in New England, with most of us born in Maine. The two brothers who purchased the property spent summers on Mount Desert Island as boys and explored all of Blue Hill Bay via boat. Having a summer house on Swans Island appealed to them as a way to keep family connections strong to this special part of the state.

What makes this property unique

The house overlooks a lovely small cove (we call it MacDuffie Cove) that is part of the larger Seal Cove. (Yes, if you row out far enough, you're very likely to see seals popping up around you.) The view from the front porch is unbeatable, with the rise and fall of the tides; the wonderful combination of pine trees, pink granite shoreline, and water in the cove that is always changing color; lobster boats and sailboats on the horizon; the painterly sunsets. No other properties are visible from the house; the nearest sign of civilization is the barely-visible flashing light on Castle Rock, near Blue Hill. With no phone, no WiFi, no TV, conditions are just right for a peaceful retreat from one's everyday over-connected life. (There is a cell signal at the house and 24/7 Internet at the Town Office and Swans Island Library for when you absolutely need to be connected.) Walking, biking, running, hiking, rowing, kayaking, visiting the beach, exploring island sights, reading on the porch, playing games, snuggling up to the wood stove are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

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