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

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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 8255.5 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Friday Harbor, WA
  • Wescott Bay
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Roche Harbor Marina
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Roche Harbor, WA (RCE)
    ‪9 min walk‬

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

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  • Kitchen
  • Washer
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House Rules

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

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

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Dogs only with prior approval
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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 Jones Island State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Friday Harbor, WA

What's nearby

  • Wescott Bay - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • San Juan Islands Sculpture Park - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Roche Harbor Marina - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • English Camp - 7 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Lime Kiln Point State Park - 16 min drive - 14.9 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. 204 out of 207 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 207 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 207 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 207 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 207 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Jill J.

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

Everything we needed

We had a wonderful time clamming, paddling, and exploring. The point served as an island for the kids' to adventure to at high tide. It was everything we needed! Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia H.

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

Island getaway

Beautiful home, well appointed, amazing location with killer views! All bedrooms & baths were nicely decorated & home absolutely clean! The only comment I have would be to purchase new bed pillows. The ones there were flat & the duvet pillows lumpy. Overall a spectacular property! . lump
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

mary s.

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

Great getaway

The Roche Harbor Waterfront Home was everything and more. With the large space and beautiful views from every room, we couldn't ask for a better place for an early fall vacation. The recreational equipment that was provided by the owners had our kids playing for hours and the short walk to Roche Harbor meant many walks for a bowl of ice cream. Great that we could enjoy all of this with our dog as well. This was our second visit to the home, and definitely won't be our last.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

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

As good as advertised

Property and amenities were all top notch. Owner was prompt with communications. We enjoyed quiet days viewing Westcott Bay and its wildlife, and taking drives and short hikes near Roche Harbor and all over the island. We are a group of five active seniors. The large "great room" provided space for a variety of activities and shared meals. Four bedrooms with three baths gave lots of private space as well. We didn't use the kayaks and bicycles, but those are nice options to have.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Great House, great location

This house is perfect for families. It is spacious, well kept and the kayaks, bikes and ping pong were great amenities. The location is perfect - walking distance to Roche, which made it easy for us to do things separately as well as together without getting in the car. The car charger, albeit slow, was a great surprise. I never needed to use gas on the island in my hybrid. All in all a great stay!!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

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

Michael E.

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

Great Property! Visit Often!

Overall, beautiful home! Nice to have the water toys. All the kids, big and small, were on the water connecting (they live in different areas now). The weather was a nice break from the Houston summer! Beautiful views of the mountains and water! The whale watching was fantastic! The Roche Are was so cute. Coffee, boats galore, and several eateries. Friday Harbor had nice shopping, The Whale Museum, and also nice coffee places. Next time…we are going to take the sail plane ✈️.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 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

Verified traveller

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

Amazing trip and even better home!

We were staying on the island for a wedding at Roche Harbor and this house was amazing. Large and clean and walkable to the small town, water and venue. Thank you for hosting!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chad C.

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

Lovely spot, overall nice home

We enjoyed our stay here, it's a nice spot out of the hustle and bustle and tourist traffic around Friday Harbor. We saw quail, deer and birds nearby and a baby otter we had to rescue from the middle of the road. The house had everything we needed and was a good layout with nice views from the decks. It's a short walk over to Roche Harbor, though note coming back is a lot of steep uphill. Only a few negatives I would say. The house was quite loud, the hard floors and acoustics meant you heard every toilet flush and door all over the house. No big deal but something to be aware of if you have night owls and others who go to bed early. The bikes mentioned in the listing were also not present, though I think the hill to Roche Harbor would have been too steep to ride up anyway. Lastly the shower floor upstairs was quite slippery especially when soapy and I almost fell a few times. Be careful! A non-slip mat or coating there would probably be a good idea. Otherwise we loved the house and didn't want to leave!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristy E.

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

Perfect for family vacation

This home had everything we needed traveling with young kids and a pet. The older kids loved clamming on the beach each morning. The hosts had clam buckets, tons of clam boots and shovels for the experience! We enjoyed kayaking around the bay. Walking or biking distance to Roche Harbor for a sunset and dinner. The home and hosts were wonderful!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 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

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
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