Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Tiller bath
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Waypoint bath
Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond.
The views from Island Watch are spectacular. To the northeast is the fjord of Somes Sound, and further south is a more intimate view of Southwest Harbor and several of the offshore islands, all with Acadia National Park's mountains as a backdrop. Island Watch sits on a ridge above the village of Southwest Harbor and has a vista that is as unique as any on the Maine coast, yet is removed from the busier, in-town atmosphere. We are a bit more secluded, but we do have our own private trail that will take you into the center of Southwest Harbor. From there you can board the free Island Explorer bus, wander through an art gallery, have a gourmet dinner, or just have an ice cream at the local café. We are only minutes away from some of the least used and most scenic trails in Acadia National Park. The seven bedrooms of the main house each have their own bathroom. The suite on the lower level has a complete kitchen and fireplace. The main deck area provides a relaxing gathering area for your entire group, where you can kick back and watch the boating activities below. We also have a separate efficiency apartment rental unit, called the Bird's Nest (651708), over the detached garage on the same property. The views are spectacular from the decks at Island Watch. Sit and relax in the quiet splendor of the Maine woods while taking in the panoramic beauty of the islands, mountains, harbors and the village of Southwest Harbor! You're within walking distance to the local restaurants, bike rentals, sailing, boating, an ice cream parlor, and exclusive shops. Some of our local establishments are Beal's Lobster pound, Harbor Table, Clark Point Cafe, Red Sky Restaurant, and the Wendell Gilley Museum.
You will enjoy spectacular ocean and mountain views, beautiful sunrises, quiet times, and the many activities in nearby Acadia National Park. The Rockefeller family constructed beautiful carriage roads throughout the park in which you can enjoy on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage, or by bike.
Come and stay at one of the most beautiful places in the Maine. Experience a quiet family vacation or one with friends. Be active or just kick back, read a book, work on a jigsaw puzzle, or paint a picture — all while enjoying the fresh air and pristine views.
Southwest Harbor has an active marine industry base of boat builders, marinas, and lobster and sail boats. Island Watch watches all of this from its peaceful perch above the harbor. It is the Real Maine...Simple! “The way Life Should Be!”
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Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Pre-approved pets only. $75 per pet.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property # 562837vb
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Southwest Harbor
Located in Southwest Harbor, this holiday home is in the city centre and near a water park. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating and sledging.
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co - 20 min drive - 28.3 km
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 22 min drive - 26.2 km
Cadillac Mountain - 32 min drive - 34.0 km
Getting around
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 22 min drive
Restaurants
Jordan Pond House - 31 min drive
Archie’s Lobster - 9 min drive
Thurston's Lobster Pound - 12 min drive
Abel's Lobster - 16 min drive
Beal's Lobster Pier - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond. pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond.?
As of 3 August 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond. on 4 October 2026 start from NZ$12,151, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Incredible views overlooking Southwest Harbor and beyond. located?
This family-friendly Southwest Harbor holiday home is located in a rural location, within 2 mi (3 km) of Wendell Gilley Museum and Acadia National Park. Long Pond and Flying Mountain Trailhead are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Island Watch was the perfect spot for our family & friends to gather for the week. Location, views and how the house was set up the perfect spot for 16 of us ranging from 5mos to 87 years old. We can’t say enough about the kitchen and how well stocked it was for the cooks in the group and a gathering point for the rest of us. Tucked off the main road but close to town made the location perfect as well. Highly recommend Island Watch in Southwest Harbor!
The house and the views exceeded our expectations. We had plenty of room and the house was very well stocked with kitchen gadgets, puzzles and games. Our hosts were exceptional and we appreciated the opportunity to stay in such a lovely place.
We recently stayed here with a three-generation family of 10 adults, and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. The house is incredibly spacious—the massive kitchen and dining area comfortably fit our entire group, yet the home is large enough that everyone could find their own quiet space for privacy when needed.The VRBO photos are a spot-on representation of the property, but nothing prepares you for the stunning views of Southwest Harbor right from the deck (the sunrises are unforgettable!). The home was also incredibly well-stocked with kitchen tools/utensils and games making our stay effortless and fun. Our hosts were exceptional, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to stay in such a beautiful place. We would return in a heartbeat!
Derrick S.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2026
So glad you enjoyed your stay at Island Watch! It was great to meet you, and we'd love to welcome you back any time.
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Joan and Frank M.
11 June 2026
Liked: Location
Beautiful location with plenty of room for our family of 12. Super clean and the host was fantastic, immediately dealing with the heating system issue on the 2nd floor.The kitchen was well stocked with more things than you would expect. I’d definitely recommend this house when staying in beautiful Southwest Harbor!
Perfect house for large group. We had 9 adults and never felt crowded. Very open floor plan and the kitchen was a 6 out of 5. Loved the path to the downtown SW harbor area. Location was great for Arcadia and Bar Harbor.
This was the perfect house for our extended family. We had three generations there for the week, it was perfect for a big group. The house has incredible views, is very well stocked, and is just a great layout. The path to town was easy, and the house is well situated to many hikes and lakes on the quietside, and not too far from the rest of the park and Bar Harbor. Highly recommend!
13 of our family all had great space, private bathrooms, extraordinary views, the best stocked beautiful kitchen ever and room to roam. We even had deer and wild turkeys roaming the property. We couldn't have dreamed this to be any better! JUST PERFECT!! Susan was a great host too!
We loved loved our stay, the house was perfect, the views amazing. Susan our host is the best. The house has verything u need. Fully functioning kitchen.
We had a wonderful stay at Island Watch. Home was comfortable, clean and the views were awesome! We particularly enjoyed the spacious living area...lots of room for everyone. We would definitely choose to stay at Island Watch again!
Ann Z.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Thank you so much for the kind words, and we’re so happy you enjoyed yourselves- we look forward to hosting you again!
Everything about this property was exceptional. The location is perfect for families, couples, and in our case, high school classmates from Mississippi celebrating their 70th birthdays! There is so much to do in Acadia and this property is the perfect launch pad for any activity that people in your group might want to enjoy. Nearby hiking, boating, and sightseeing. The house was immaculate and very well supplied. The spice drawer was amazing! Beds were more than comfortable, and linens were excellent with plush bathroom towels. I'd highly recommend this location for any group. We look forward to coming back.
Michael R.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 October 2025
Oh, so kind.. thank you for the great review, and know that we'd love to welcome your group's return any time!
Perfect for our group-lots of space to spread out and great rooms to gather in. The wildlife-foxes and deer-kept us all entertained. The view was incredible!
The house was perfect for my family’s trip to Maine! The location was perfect as it was away from the crowds of Bar harbor, but only 30 minutes at the most for everything we wanted to do. The house had plenty of room for everyone to have some space. 6 1/2 bathrooms was great. Our favorite room was the kitchen where we cooked everyday but one. my grown children loved to take the path to town and beyond.we had a fabulous week at Susan and Andy’s home!
Amazing views and great space for our group of 10!
Great views and location for our annual women’s hiking group! Near southwest harbor and close to Acadia’s many many hikes! The kitchen and common space were fantastic; views from the large sitting area(s) were breathtaking.
Marvelous sunrise views from the back deck and upper floor. Very quiet and secluded. Upper floor bathroom required a large rock to shut-would not latch. Fairly anemic water pressure, although no lack of hot water for our 12 guests. Kitchen was fantastically equipped except ice maker never worked and microwave was small and not built in.
Clifford L.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 October 2025
Hi Clifford,
I'm glad your group enjoyed your stay at Island Watch. I'm so sorry not to have known about your door and freezer issues prior to your departure- that's why our numbers are available to you, since we're right down the road and are always happy to help sort things out! (And also a call or text versus a review comment for clarity in the future for your rentals, hopefully. For instance, we have four upstairs bathrooms, and I'd love to know which door you had a problem with. It's a new issue to us, so I wouldn't have thought to go check the closures when we cleaned after you left. We'll be working on that on during the next turnover for sure! Same goes for appliances that may need a service call- our local company is swift, and could have been out the following day after us knowing about it.)
Island Watch is our home, and we take great pride in its appearance and utility, for both our renters and ourselves. Again, I'm glad you were able to enjoy your time on the island despite these setbacks.
Excellent property! Beautiful views from the deck. Plenty of room for gathering and enjoying each other’s company. Great location for discovering Acadia and surrounding communities. The property owners were fantastic and welcoming. I can’t say enough good about our week in southwest harbor!!
Island Watch was an absolute gem! We gathered there for a family vacation and could not have asked for a better setting! The house easily accommodated our family of 10 adults with room to spare. We were all impressed with how well the kitchen was stocked! It made cooking at the house very enjoyable! The views from the living rooms and decks were incredible! It was very quiet and close to many trails with awesome views! Also, easy to get to other locations of Acadia! Our host, Susan, was wonderful and very accommodating. Would definitely go back again!
Joseph G.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
About the host
Hosted by Susan and Andy
We are a family of four lucky to be living and working on this beautiful island. Andy and I both grew up here on MDI (though he is a born and raised Mainer, and I am a Texan transplant). We have two daughters, ages 17 and 14, who have thankfully taken on our favorite pastimes with gusto: hiking, sailing, swimming, gardening and exploring Acadia's gems with our trusty hound are at the top of our lists.
Why they chose this property
Island Watch was built in the early 1960s by the daughter of a lighthouse keeper. The panoramic views and vistas were no doubt reminiscent of her years living on nearby outer islands, and they are most certainly what attracted us to it.
To have such a beautiful gathering spot so close to town but remote enough to feel far away from it all is a unique opportunity that we feel so lucky to have. We look forward to sharing it with you!
What makes this property unique
Island Watch is pet friendly, spacious, quiet, has magnificent panoramic ocean, mountain, islands, and village views. Two fireplaces and two complete kitchens for stretching your group out! We also have Wi-Fi, plus a HD television in many rooms with a wide selection of channels to choose from. On those rainy days, sit by the fire and enjoy reading, or play one of our many board games.
You can walk to the village from our front door; it is a quarter of a mile hike through the woods to town to get an ice cream or browse through our many shops.
All of the rooms have their own bathrooms.
We have safe off-street parking for over a dozen cars.