Entire home

Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach

Photo gallery for Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach

This house has a great layout to both have your privacy and gather together.
It's hard to beat the views out the back of the house. Sunsets galore.
Watch migratory birds, deer, foxes and more from our screened-in back porch.
Our single-story home sits on pilings with a large garage underneath.
Listen to the purple martins and bay waves from our screened-in front porch.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
9126 Shore Dr, Milford, DE, 19963
  • Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Prime Hook Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Broadkill Beach Beaches
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County)
    ‪28 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1 / King Suite

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 / King Suite

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 / Bunk

1 Double Bed, 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Futon

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1 / King Suite

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2 / On Suite

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3 / Hall

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach

Welcome to The Shorebird, a peaceful get-away in Prime Hook Beach, Delaware. Fully renovated in 2023, our all season home overlooks the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and sits across the street from the private and quiet Delaware Bay beach. Close to the popular Delaware beaches, Cape Henlopen State Park, restaurants, shopping and action for the kids but tucked away from the traffic and crowds.

We’re you're kind of place if you enjoy:
-Being off the beaten path: we're just a small community of homes along the bay and the refuge.
-Sunrise-watching, surf fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding across the street.
-Spreading out or walking the long, natural/uncombed beach while sharing it with horseshoe crabs, shorebirds and treasures that change with the seasons.
-Watching migratory birds and sunsets over the refuge water from the comfort of our huge windows or back porch.
-Catching crabs or fish off the bridge and cooking them for dinner.
-Kayaking, fresh water fishing and birdwatching from the many close-by trails.
-Taking the bikes for a spin through the refuge and neighboring farmland.
-Heading out to the close-by historic towns of Milton and Lewes for great restaurants, antiquing and shows.
-Ending the night with drinks and a fire on the beach.
-Staying in and cozying up to the gas fireplace while stargazing out the picture window.

We strive to have a clean and organized home so that your stay is comfortable. Our guests love the many amenities we provide so that you don't have to pack them: quality sheets & towels, plenty of blankets and pillows and a well stocked kitchen. For the beach we have a kayak & paddle board, 8 chairs, an umbrella & tent and lots of toys. We also have bikes for the whole family, plenty of books, puzzles & games (even an air hockey and mini ping pong table). Come to relax and explore!

Property manager

Julie and Donovan

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)
Minimum age to rent: 25
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
It is unlawful to enter the Refuge for any reason. Please respect signs along roads, trails and our property. Watch for wildlife crossing roads.
Please DO NOT flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper in toilets or septic system could back up. No garbage disposal for this reason.
Because we are a migratory stop for birds, Prime Hook aims to stay as dark as possible. Please use outdoor lights sparingly and turn off before bed.

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 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

Milford

Located in Milford, this holiday home is on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Cape Henlopen State Park and Lewes Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Cape May - Lewes Ferry. Midway Speedway and Lightship Overfalls are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Milford, DE

What's nearby

  • Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Prime Hook Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Slaughter Beach - 18 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Broadkill Beach Beaches - 20 min drive - 19.4 km
  • Lewes Beach - 33 min drive - 31.9 km

Getting around

  • Georgetown, DE (GED-Sussex County) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Backyard - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Po' Boys Creole & Fresh Catch - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Beaches Seafood of Milton - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Wings To Go - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps away from Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Prime Hook Beach. South Rookery Golf Course and Rookery Golf Club are also within 9 miles (15 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. 37 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christina R.

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

Great weekend

My husband and I had a wonderful, relaxing stay at this very comfortable and charming house. The views of the nature sanctuary are beautiful. Its a very short walk to the beach. Its a wonderfully untouched natural beach. The owners are very kind and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. We'll be back. warmwr.littlehaeveveverythiout
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie B.

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

Amazing!

Can’t say enough about this wonderful vacation home. The house is incredibly clean, comfortable, and beautifully decorated, the location is amazing. House is very well stocked with everything a family might need, bedding is fresh and new and comfy. Views of the nature preserve are stunning, and the calm and quiet private beach is only steps from the door. We were over there multiple times a day, for beachcombing and walks (April weather was lovely but too chilly for swimming). A quiet location and easy to get to the busier beaches and towns nearby, we did lots of exploring around the area. It was a perfect fit for our family of five. Julie the host was fantastic - very communicative, shared lots of details about the house and nearby amenities that helped make our stay even more enjoyable. Highly recommend. We hope to be back soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas M.

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

Amazing getaway

We had a great visit! Host answered all our questions about the area before we arrived and we're responsive to questions when we arrived. Checkin was seamless and everything was as shown in the listing. Kitchen was well equipped and we were able to cook a full thanksgiving meal without issue! This area is beautiful and we enjoyed beach walks and the wildlife refuge. If you want a quiet getaway with no crowds but lots of nature and great house this is the place!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donald Y.

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

Fantastic House

Great place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim K.

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

Our Stay on Delaware Bay

The house, the setting and the owners were special. Many good birding spots nearby. The owners recommendations as to restaurants all panned out.
Stayed 30 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph H.

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

Amazing Rental

This property was way more than expected. Lots of room, lots of amenities, and a location that was across the street from the beach and backed up to a wildlife refuge with wonderful views.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tyler C.

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

Peaceful retreat

This house is perfect for a serene getaway. We came for a long weekend in November, so definitely the off season for a beach community. It was wonderful to sit on the back porch and not hear a single human sound, just the birds and the breeze rustling the marsh grasses. The house itself is sunny and clean and beautifully decorated. We especially loved the fireplace and the amazing kitchen. I'm already dreaming about coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michal K.

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

A great mini vacation

It was wonderful staying at the house. Everything you need, the homeowners provide. Stay at this home and you too will write fabulous comments!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Waterfront Nature Lovers Retreat

We’re so happy to have found such a wonderful place to stay. So very impressed with all that Julie & Donovan had to offer. They were readily available to answer any question & help along the way. Their place far exceeded our expectations. They had all the amenities of home and so much more. Gorgeous views & sunset !! Hope to return in the future
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

david i.

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

Prime Hook Vacation

This is almoat a private island. The views alone are worth it. Close enough to markets and attractions but away from the bustle. The host was on top of her game. There was a lot of experience and thought put into this place. We had a memorable time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Orit O.

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

Perfect place

We had a lovely time here!! The home is perfect, clean, comfortable, great views, 2 min from the beach, quiet area, beautiful nature spot. A lot of attention given to every detail...kitchen has everything, interior design is wonderful, easy fireplace, record player extra perk....plenty of space!! Wpuld livw to come again 5 stars!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ed D.

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

Scenic and a great escape!

Great location next to wildlife refuge and beach on the bay. Great seafood and pubs close by. Beach walking, good golf close by as well. House is a beauty, very comfortale with awsome kitchen, living room and bedrooms. Secluded and close (25 minutes) to Cape Henlopen state park and beach which we love.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sean W.

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

Delaware Beach

Mid century decor meets beachy simple chic in a home that sits, and feels, bigger than it is. Great music on the record player and fun games to pass the time between gazing at wildlife and sunsets. Close enough to Rehoboth touristy fun, but plenty distant to feel secluded, too. Was a perfect ending to a week in DC.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Johanna B.

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

Perfect House and Perfect Location

This was my second trip to Prime Hook Beach in September and my first stay at this property. The owners have thought of everything from kids' toys to kitchen implements to labels on the light switches. I love the real plants in the house, too. There are plenty of bikes and beach chairs. The bed is comfortable. The view of the wildlife refuge is stunning. I spent a great deal of time on the back porch. I've rented many houses and condos from VRBO, and this was the best.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beth P.

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

A Beautifully Curated and Stylish Home

Julie and Donovan have put a lot of heart into making this lovely hide-away into a well organized home-away-from-home. With a well-stocked kitchen, a coffee bar, toys and games for the kiddos, beach supplies, a library for book lovers and even a turntable and some good-old fashioned records. Every morning, light poured into the magnificent windows and every evening we watched the sun set from the screen porch. Our stay was comfortable, quiet and restorative. You'll love this place. I recommend it, and these hosts, unconditionally.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Branda S.

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

Weekend getaway

We absolutely loved our stay. The place was exactly as advertised. They have really thought out what people would need; nothing was missing. It even had binoculars for the great bird watching from the living room. It was the perfect place to relax, catch up with friends, read and bird watch. Julie was amazing with communicating information and making sure all was good. We definitely would love to plan another trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maynard M.

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

Delightful Beach Stay

Our stay with you exceeded our expectations. Our 18 year old said it was her favorite vacation AirB&B ever. The setting was intensely restorative and beautiful, full of some of nature’s best kept secrets. Who knew a wild life refuge could captivate, delight our souls and bring such renewal? But pairing it with a close ocean beach, long walks on the sand and many sweet hours in the delightfully decorated, ultra clean and extremely well appointed beach house, brought us a dream vacation. We want to come back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessie S.

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

Exceptional beach home

The house is just as described and so much more - neat and orderly, beautifully decorated and well-appointed with quality linens, soaps, kitchenware, furnishings, etc. It definitely feels like a true home away from home. My children loved being in the house more than going to the beach! There were games, puzzles, books, indoor and outdoor toys for a range of ages, bath toys, and a record player with their favorite Raffi songs! Julie was a great communicator and a welcoming host. I wish all rental homes could provide such a pleasant and high quality experience! Thank you for sharing your lovely beach home with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanmarie M.

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

Beautiful home and location

Highly recommend this property! It’s a beautiful house, just as pictured, and the location is amazing! Perfect for a quiet, relaxing vacation but close enough to local attractions. If you’re a nature lover this is the place for you. Plenty of wildlife to enjoy and beautiful sunsets in the evening that you can view right from the living room or back porch. The owners provide nearly everything you might need and plenty of special touches that didn’t go unnoticed.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda H.

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

Absolutely wonderful property!

This home is beautiful! The place was so peaceful. If you love nature as much as me, this is the place you want to be. The owners provided many needed amenities. It was wonderful being that close to nature, and close to beach. Also, there were many supplies for the beach which was great because there was no need to pack those items.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Deluxe Comfort in the Marshlands

A short winter stay at this wonderful retreat satisfied all of our needs. The house layout was extremely comfortable, with the large bay windows providing a glorious overview of the marshlands, eagles, and foxes. The decor was a lovely kickback to the 60s with special touches from the owners. The kitchen area was a Mecca for food and drink and as a hangout. Although we were there in winter, I would highly recommend this venue any time of year.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sam S.

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

Kitchen was stocked!

The communication with the host was easy and fast. The toys and pack and play made packing easier with 3 kids. The layout of the house and views all around were great. We love to cook and this kitchen was a dream and well stocked. The house was clean and plenty of room for a family of 5.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

JAMES C.

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

My new happy place

First - Prime Hook is an incredibly beautiful spot very quiet and natural. This lovingly cared for home backs to the nature preserve, and is across the street from the beach. There was one day when I saw the sunrise at the beach and the sunset from the screened in porch over the preserve. Second, the owners are lovely and responsive and have clearly put a lot of thought into everything and anything you might actually need. The kitchen has everything you might want if you bake or cook. There are a ton of games and beach items and plenty of nice blankets to snuggle into. Wonderful find. We will be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kurt S.

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

A great quiet get-away.

The description of this property is extremely accurate, as are the many very positive reviews. If you desire a quiet location to enjoy a peaceful vacation, this property will be perfect. Another great advantage of is the diverse range of amenities and supplies provided by the property owner. It is a windfall to be able to travel without having to transport baby gates, portable cribs, books, toys, bikes, kayak, paddle board, beach chairs, towels, bedding, etc. On our one rainy day the air hockey, ping-pong and other games were great for occupying the time of our Grandchildren. We will return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dane W.

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

Perfect in every way

This is one of those rare times where the house is actually better than the pictures (hard to believe, right?!) We had an incredible stay and can’t wait to book again. The house has absolutely everything you could ever need. It is beautifully decorated and feels like home from the moment you walk in. The views…. The views are unmatched- my husband and I spent every night on the screened in porch watching the sunset. Truly, a little slice of heaven. Julie and Donavon were a pleasure to communicate with.. our experience far exceeded our expectations.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

About the host

Hosted by Julie and Donovan

Host profile image
As a little girl, my grandmother called me her shorebird. I fiercely loved exploring the beach from the time I was a small child, collecting shells, rocks and starfish in the early morning hours. She instilled a curiosity of nature in me, always eager to celebrate its abundant beauty and make friends with all creatures. She would have loved Prime Hook--it's is the perfect place to quietly beach-comb for treasures, observe the ever-changing migratory birds and drink in a colorful sky. Come settle in and explore at The Shorebird! ~Julie

Why they chose this property

Our property backs up to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, over 10,000 acres of protected land that is home to foxes, deer, rabbits and more than 200 species of migratory birds--all of which can be viewed while drinking your coffee. We created this home as a sanctuary of peace, welcoming all those who wish to create, explore and connect with themselves and each other.

Prime Hook Beach is a sleepy town--there are no stores or restaurants--meant for shore fishing, crabbing, trail walking, water sports and riding bikes. It is a private bay beach for homeowners and their guests (this includes renters), which is what makes it so quiet. The beach is maintained by residents, so it is a natural, uncombed shoreline. Every day is different, but be prepared to find spawning horseshoe crabs, seaweed, welks and driftwood. Watch the sun rise over the bay, go for a moonlit walk and make a bonfire on the beach to roast marshmallows. Visit the refuge's welcome center and explore their many trails--bring your own binoculars and canoe to launch. If staying put is more your speed, enjoy our kayak and paddle board in the Delaware Bay across the street or surf fish. Bring your own fishing/crabbing gear or visit Ted's tackle and bait shop only 10 minutes away. Catch your own crabs at the bridge into town--Old Bay and a crab pot await you in the kitchen!

Those interesting in larger, ocean waves and bike & kayak trails can head south to Cape Henlopen State Park. We are less than 10 minutes off the coastal highway connecting to many restaurants, golf courses, movies, go-kart race tracks, antiquing, waterparks, Tanger Outlets, Dogfishhead Brewery, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and Delaware's Atlantic beaches such as Rehoboth where you'll find the boardwalk with rides.

What makes this property unique

We renovated the house in 2023, filling it with comfortable furnishings--nothing fancy or precious, but collected and cared for. We like comfy linens and a clean house (consider leaving the sand outside by leaving your shoes on the deck or by the door). A new washer and dryer were installed off the kitchen for your convenience. We like to cook and make coffee, so the kitchen well-equipped for you to make your own meals. The walls are decorated with vintage book plates and lithographs, bookshelves stocked and a record player with some fun vinyl finds! The garage features an arcade-size air hockey table, adult and kid bikes, a paddle board and kayak for the bay and beach toys/chairs (feel free to ask about specifics). Leave the bulky baby gear at home--we have a pack-n-play and a double stroller for use. Bring your own gear for fishing/crabbing/canoeing/water sports and store it in our large garage.

Languages:

English