Entire home

Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access).

Photo gallery for Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access).

Terrace/patio
Exterior
Living area
Living area
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10139.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Northport, MI
  • Leelanau State Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Grand Traverse Lighthouse
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Christmas Cove Beach
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Blue Bedroom

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bunkhouse

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Orange Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Hall Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area

About this property

Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access).

Cathead Bay Sand Castle sits on the shore of Lake Michigan and is in a private community on Cathead Bay. It is one of the best kept secrets of Northern Michigan. We are literally on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula! The light house is five minutes away.

The house is surrounded by a nature preserve and sits at the foot of the Leelanau State Park Dunes. You can cross the road and take a hike up the dunes and usually you will have them all to your self, because the public has to park miles away and hike in to get to them.

The beach is pristine with fine, sugary sand and not rocky like the Grand Traverse Bay side can be and it is sandy as far out into the lake as you can walk. This beach seems almost tropical and you can walk the shore for miles, depending on how high the lake is. The lake height can vary greatly from year to year. If you head south you will end up, after the last house, in an area of protected lake shore that is also part of Leelanau State Park.

This house feels more like a colorful ocean beach house than a lake house and it is very cleverly designed. Closing the huge pocket doors between the Kitchen and Living Room creates a giant Master Suite, since the master bedroom w/full bath is off of the living room. At night there is great privacy from the other bedrooms which are towards the front of the house near the front sitting room.

There is another full bathroom in the hall near the two bedrooms that has a walk in tiled shower. The master bathroom has a large tub with shower.

The Bunkhouse next to the house has 1 bunk bed and a twin size bed, so this area can sleep 3. There is also a large sectional couch and TV in the bunkhouse. It is a big a hit with kids and also allows parents to get some quiet time. The Bunk house does NOT have a bathroom.
The bed sizes are as follows:

1st Bedroom in the main house MASTER -King bed, sleeps 2

2nd Bedroom-Queen bed, sleeps 2

3rd Bedroom-1 Twin size Bunk bed, sleeps 2 and 1 Twin bed, sleeps 1.

Total of 7 can sleep in the main house in beds.

Bunkhouse(Separate from house)
1 Bunk bed and one twin sleeps 3.

Bath #1: Full with walk in shower

Bath #2: Full with large tub/shower

All of the bedrooms look out to the dunes and the sitting room, kitchen and living room all have a great view of the lake. Every bedroom has a mirror.

The house has wifi and cable, with a tv in the living room of main house and one in the bunk house.

The town of Northport is about 15 minutes down the road and it has a great grocery store(Tom’s) and some restaurants and bars. You can be in Leland with the quaint shops of Fishtown and Suttons Bay with all of it’s shops and restaurants in 25-30 minutes. If gambling is your thing, there is the Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown, which is a little north of Sutton’s Bay. The “Big Town” of Traverse City is about forty five minutes south and so is Glen Arbor, home of our favorite coffee, Leelanau Coffee Roasters and for everything cherry there is Cherry Republic. The Leelanau Peninsula is home to several wineries that have tours.

The house faces west, so you will see some of the most amazing sunsets you have ever seen. At night there is no city light pollution so the sky is loaded with stars.

Whether you want to sit and relax all day by the beach, swim, go off exploring the many hiking trails in the area, check out the nearby towns, take a bike ride, hit the casino, plus so much more, we think you will be glad you chose Cathead Bay Sand Castle.

The deck has a table with seating for 8, two lounge chairs and a couple of other chairs..

Linens and towels provided. Please bring your own beach towels.

Their are extra blankets, but if you plan to stay in the bunkhouse during the cooler days at the beginning and end of summer, we recommend bringing sleeping bags or whatever you think you'd need.

Rates vary with the seasons. Summer weeks from late June to the end of August are Sat to Sat only. Plus Pet Fee, Cleaning Fee and Tax.

NO RVs ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY.
PLEASE REPLACE ALL MOVED FURNITURE.
PLEASE CLEAN UP SAND IN THE HOUSE.




PLEASE READ OUR RULES AND POLICIES AND INFORM ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP. THEY WILL BE ENFORCED.

Property manager

Mike Guerin
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Groups found having parties will be charged $700.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
2 dogs max.No cats.$300 unreported pet fee.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking in house = $700 fee. Butts anywhere=$300
All dog droppings, cigarette butts, litter of any kind must be picked up outside. Failure to do so will incur a $200 fee.
Dishes must be placed in the dishwasher and washer turned on before leaving. Failure to do so will incur a $50 fee.
All garbage must be placed in the garbage cans outside(Not left inside) before leaving. Failure to do so will incur a $100 charge.

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
Note from host: Groups found having parties will be charged $700.
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 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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Northport

Located in Northport, this holiday home is on the beach. Grand Traverse Lighthouse and Mission Point Lighthouse are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Aurora Cellars and 45 North Vineyard & Winery. Ready for a night out? Consider Willowbrook Mill and Castle Farms. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby swimming, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking.
Map
Northport, MI

What's nearby

  • Leelanau State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Lighthouse West Natural Area - 2 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Grand Traverse Lighthouse - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Christmas Cove Beach - 21 min drive - 15.4 km
  • Grand Traverse Bay - 59 min drive - 63.1 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Northport Brewing - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪New Bohemian Cafe - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Northport Pub & Grille - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Tribune Ice-cream & Eatery - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Barb's Bakery - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access). pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access).?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access).?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cathead Bay Sandcastle, Northport, Lake Michigan(Direct Beach Access). located?

Nestled on the beach, this Northport holiday home is just steps away from Leelanau State Park and Lake Michigan. Grand Traverse Lighthouse is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away.

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. 65 out of 70 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 70 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 70 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 70 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 70 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robert J.

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

Dune stay

awesome place
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda K.

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

Great Vacation in Michigan

Another wonderful trip to this location. Perfect setting. Friendly host. Well maintained home.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

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

Cathead Bay 2024

Always a great trip to the Sandcastle! We had great weather and love staying at Sandcastle. All of the amenities you could need and a fully sticked kitchen. Very clean and great beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah E., Louisville, KY

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

Great beach house

Very clean, bright space in a beautiful location.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda K.

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

Beach Vacation

A lovely, well kept home in a nice quiet area.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aaron B.

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

Wonderful vacation home!

Stayed the week of July 4th, and loved every minute. The location is absolutely amazing. Lake out the back door, dunes out the front door. The house is simple, yet perfect. Well furnished with everything you need, and just enough space to give our family quiet time. Grocery store, bakery and ice cream a short drive away!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim w.

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

Great Family Vacation :)

We had an amazing time enjoying the well-appointed house, gorgeous beach, and incredible sunsets! The house had everything we needed for our stay - plus fantastic views of Lake Michigan. There was even a deck with a large dining table and a fire pit area for s'mores at night :) The host was responsive and great to work with. We would love to stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ella B.

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

The best stay

We had the most amazing stay at this house. The location is stunning and the house is cozy and has anything you could need. The beach is pristine and peaceful! We can’t wait to come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brooke D.

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

Beautiful location

This property is on the most beautiful beach I have been to in northern Michigan. It was very relaxing and safe. My 2 year old daughter and dog had the best time playing on the beach and on the sand right outside the house. It was the cleanest property I have ever stayed in and the host was always available and very responsive. We loved this property and can’t wait to come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin L.

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

Cathead Bay retreat

fantastic, the quintessential beach house. Everything my family was hoping for and more.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne C.

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

Perfect

Sunsets are picture perfect, beautiful beach, couldn't ask for more!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris P.

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

Beautiful Sunsets

Our stay at Cathead Bay was wonderful. The house was tidy and welcoming with beautiful views. Access to the beach couldn't be easier, and the view of the lake was unsurpassed. The sunsets in particular were perfect. We loved our stay here and would return in a heartbeat.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel B.

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

Heaven

Wonderful house in one of the most beautiful and serene settings in the midwest. Loved every bit of it.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Thomas L.

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

Fun at Cathead Bay

A remarkable place on this planet. Sugar sand, child friendly slope into Lake Mi, sandbars, etc. The house is most pleasant and the entire ezperience was terrific. This was our third time renting this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy D., Grosse Pointe Woods

Beautiful beach house

Very quiet....sand dunes across the road were great!!! Grandchildren loved the sandy area right off the deck and beautiful small but sandy beach on Lake Michigan. Took walks daily down the beach. Beach house was very comfortable, updated and beautifully decorated.

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

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

A Little Slice of Heaven

Always a fabulous trip! Enjoyed new additions (runner to beach, air conditioner in Man Cave, stick vacuum and new location of fire pit). Kitchen is always well equipped. Beds are all comfy! We look forward to coming back every year! Anne
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Fred/Heather N.

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

Perfect

Our family of 4 loved this place. The house was clean and well equipped, with gorgeous views out each window. The beach is beautiful and quiet. The fire pit was put to good use, and we were able to see shooting stars and the Milky Way while sitting at the fire each night. No complaints at all.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott K.

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

Stunning

We've spent many vacations in Northern Michigan and the Sandcastle is one of a kind. The pictures don't do justice to what you see in person. This beach can hang with any beach in the world. The house was perfect for our group. Well stocked and everything we needed to be comfortable. The location is perfect. Nice and remote, but Northport is only 15 minutes away. Leland, Sutton's Bay, Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes are all close by and are great places to visit. If we get the chance we will stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Gabriella S.

Beautiful Location

The location is absolutely beautiful. The house is very nice and open. The beach is literally right there and it was lovely. The only downsides were that you can smell the septic tank. Some days were worse than others but it is behind the house and probably needs to be emptied. It was definitely tolerable but something that was unpleasant when being right outside the house. All and all it was a great week!

10/10 Excellent

Megan B.

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

Must see

Connie made our weekend super easy and stress free! My husband and I really wanted to get married at this house because we thought it was so pretty and she was able to get this okayed with the owner. The house didn’t disappoint and the views are a must see! We will definitely return and will be using Connie in the future. I wish this cottage was mine to keep! 💙
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bridget K.

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

Best Beach in the World!

My sisters and I rented this cottage for a 70th birthday celebration. Our family had built a cottage on Cathead more that 65 years ago. It was magical to be there again. First, let me say that the beach was just as beautiful as we all remembered. The water was so clean and clear. And even though it was October, my oldest sister went in for a quick dip! And if you like to walk along the beach like we all do, the hard backed shoreline made that so easy for all of us "seasoned" beach-goers. And the pad that led to the beach was much appreciated - made walking over the dune easy. My Dad always said that Cathead was the most beautiful place in the world - and we all agree. The cottage was lovely and well equipped. And it felt like a cottage, not some home that you would find in the city/ suburbs. It had several spots to gather, if someone needs some quiet time away from the group. Mike responded to any questions we had about the cottage in a timely manner. Thank you for sharing your wonderful cottage - my sisters and I all had a great time!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ilene T., Ann Arbor, Michigan USA

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

Slice of heaven on earth!

This property was exactly as advertised but gave us so much more. We loved being able to see the lake from inside and listen to the waves all night. The beach was amazing, so clean and sandy. We walked for miles in both directions multiple times, picking up driftwood and pebbles to become treasures. Sunsets were dramatic every night in every kind of weather. I was the only one to appreciate the Dark Sky at 3am with the Milky Way arced overhead, but I could not resist laying on the sand in the dark to let it all wash over me (the stars, not the waves). We saw plenty of shooting stars, and I got a glimpse of the Northern Lights on our final night. We would rent again in a heartbeat, if available.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan C., Michigan, USA

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

Lovely Stay on Cathead Bay

We enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property SO much! Great space for us, and those views out the window each morning were absolutely stunning! Even on a drizzly grey day we thoroughly enjoyed a couple beach walks (just bring something a good raincoat that also serves as a windbreaker). Loved the firepit & grill. Separate heat controls in each room which was great for accommodating someone who's chilly all the time & someone who's naturally warm all the time. Master has a huge tub, faucet and handles for it in the front, plus shower on the end, a little challenging for getting into the shower for us (not spring chickens anymore) but still doable, just be careful. We've stayed many times on the Leelenau, but this was our first time this far north, as far as you can possibly be. Northport is still just a short drive away. The scenery on the Leelenau definitely is as beautiful as you could possible see anywhere. We absolutely loved the house & the location, and thank our host for a beautiful stay! We definitely would love to book again sometime. It was amazing! The majesty of Lake Michigan is incredible.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Celeste H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda K.

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

Perfect Beach Getaway!

The whole family enjoyed this wonderful beach house. Plenty of room for hanging out and enjoying family. The location was so great. It was quiet and peaceful. Lots of time spent walking on the beach. It was everything we were looking for on this trip. The town of Northport was really nice too. We REALLY enjoyed the New Bohemian Cafe. Thanks again for a perfect trip.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Mike Guerin

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

We instantly fell in love with this house, which is smack dab in the middle of a dune on the shore of Lake Michigan! It doesn't get much better than this. Being surrounded by a State Park is also a big bonus. This remote location is one of a kind. Beautiful sunsets and excellent star gazing(If you own a telescope bring it). There is virtually no light pollution. We hope that you will stay with us and see it for yourselves.

What makes this property unique

Private community. Leelanau State Park sand dunes on one side and beautiful Cathead Bay, Lake Michigan on the other.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests