Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island

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Entire home

Sunset from the porch is always a bit different - and always beautiful.

Side porch and entrance to the house; sit here in the morning for the best sun!

The front porch is great for sitting, especially in the afternoon through sunset

The screen door lets in the summer breeze and draws you to the view of the cove.

One sitting area has a comfy couch and chair that's great for reading.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

Parking available
Fireplace
Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Barbecue grill
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Swans Island, ME

Acadia National Park
‪79 min drive‬
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
‪81 min drive‬
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
‪181 min drive‬
Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
‪94 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

Porch or lanai

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

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Pet-friendly

Outdoor space

Parking available

Barbecue grill

Ocean view

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Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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

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 Spindle 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

Spindle Cove - 12 min drive - 5.3 km
Acadia National Park - 79 min drive - 19.8 km
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 81 min drive - 20.1 km
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center - 98 min drive - 40.5 km
Cadillac Mountain - 112 min drive - 50.4 km

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 6 miles (10 km) of Spindle Cove, Southwest Cove and Schooner Cove. Acadia National Park and East Cove are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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

Stephanie H.

17 Sept 2024

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

Peaceful and relaxing get away

The house was perfectly situated in a private area with a beautiful view. It was cozy and everything we needed to relax.

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela G.

23 Sept 2024

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

Weekend staycation

The view from the cabin was beautiful. The cabin was clean and comfortable. Our host was great responding quickly with answers to any questions we had. I hope to return!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jen N.

16 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Relaxing

Lovely spot . Enjoyed the trails around the cove. And how close to swans island beaches.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura E.

21 Sept 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

Elizabeth G.

17 Oct 2021

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

Amazing retreat!

We love staying here.....so quiet and tranquil. We don't even miss internet and tv. Awesome trails to hike and the lobster from Tims never disappoints. A wonderful vacation!

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

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

Victoria W.

3 Sept 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

Elizabeth G.

16 Oct 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 Sept 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

10/10 Excellent

Anne T H.

5 June 2022

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

A peaceful retreat

Nice seasonal cottage with great views and a cozy wood stove. Fine Sand Beach and the restored lighthouse are real gems if you ever want to leave that Franklin stove! A great peaceful escape. P.S. I have Verizon and my cell phone did work fine at the cottage.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon G.

29 May 2022

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

Quintessential Maine

We had a great time on Swans. The cabin is rustic, but the view and peace and quiet cannot be beat. The MacDuffie family was super accommodating. An issue arose during our stay which was quickly resolved to our satisfaction. An amazing Maine experience with very friendly hosts.

Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacob S.

12 Aug 2021

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

Magical

This place is magical. The woods are from a fairy tale. The cove is private, with not a soul to see. The house is sweet, well apportioned and maintained. We had a great time here. Our family was forced to get off screens which caused my ‘bored’ kids to look at each other and find fun in nature and other old fashioned entertainment. My only warning would be to those who expect more connectivity - the place has no WiFi and barely any phone reception. In fact the whole island, and much of the region has spotty reception. We had to go to the library in town to make calls, get email etc. So a stay here could be frustrating if you need to be connected, but liberating if you don’t. In our case we were happy to be away from it all and really enjoyed our magical time watching the tides come and go.

Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Travis S.

20 June 2021

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

Reminiscent of days gone by

Our stay brought me back to my younger days spent at a friend’s camp growing up. Our days were filled with walks along the shore, family games, and quite moments. We enjoyed pecan rolls from the small market and a tour of the maritime museum. We also dreamed of someday having our own special place in the future. This place offered a time to reflect and a chance to create new memories with my children. Priceless.

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

15 June 2021

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

An escape from the world!

The MacDuffie family is wonderful and have such a treasure in their property! We can’t thank them enough for allowing us to relax and build great family memories on their cove!

Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mike J., New Boston NH

1 June 2021

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

Peace and tranquility

What a beautiful spot. This is the Maine coast at its finest, without any crowds. We loved the view and watching the tides come in an out. The house is rustic but comfortable and easy to live in. We did not have great weather and took advantage of the fire which really added to the atmosphere. I would highly recommend it and would love to go back.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

28 Sept 2020

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

2nd Time Was a Charm

Our second stay that this rustic cottage, this time with our son and daughter. It was everything we expected based on our first visit two years ago and then some. When you come to Swan's Island you unplug. No news of politics, Covid or natural disasters. Just life with the ebb and flow of the tide on Seal Cove which opens to Jericho Bay. Hiking, kayaking and even skindiving on this trip. The cottage is just a short hike to Fine Sand Beach, one of the island's main attractions. The cottage was comfortable for 5, offering plenty of bedrooms and ample room to stretch out in the main living area in front of the large wood burning stove. The kitchen offers everything you need. When you come to Swan's Island you need to plan to bring all of your food and meals. There are no restaurants, bars or shops. You can get lobster and essentials at the Island's only small store. Other island attractions: Hikes to Noah's Ballast, Irish Point and quarry; visits to the Burnt Cove Lighthouse; unlimited kayaking with boats provided at the cottage; great sunsets with views from the rocky coast in Seal Cove. Truly a unique place, and the MacDuffie family is very accommodating.

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

4 Aug 2020

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

Perfect!

This place is simply amazing. John Paul cares deeply about his property and is kind enough to share it. If you're going to party, its not the place for you. We didn't see another human for over 24 hours. We had everything we needed from the kitchen to the kayak. We loved exploring and barely spent any time inside. Bring plenty of bug spray f you want to be away from the house at night. Thanks for sharing your special place with us John Paul!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Andrew F.

29 July 2020

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

A picturesque Maine cove surrounded by nature

The MacDuffies' cabin was quaint and inviting, and provided the perfect setting to enjoy Maine's picturesque coastline. You can tell that a lot of care was taken to not disturb the natural landscape and beauty of the pine tree-lined cove so that nature was the main attraction. Highlights of our trip included digging for clams and collecting mussels during low tide, exploring the area in the kayaks, seeing the wildlife (spotted a bald eagle and group of Puffins), and viewing the countless stars at night. Besides the distant sound of lobster boats in the morning, the cabin made it easy to feel as if the rest of the world had simply disappeared for a few days.

10/10 Excellent

Amanda F.

14 July 2020

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

Best quarantine ever!

The owner’s are wonderful! The property offers such peace and beauty! We needed to disconnect from the chaos of the world and MacDuffie Cove was just the ticket. Loved being surrounded by nature! Loved the outdoor shower!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth G.

6 Oct 2019

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

Amazing place!

Just what we were looking for....a quieter getaway for the weekend. Nothing to do but sit and look at the views. WiFi would have been nice though....not going to lie. But not having a tv was refreshing. Our truck battery died the morning we were leaving and a policeman came a gave us a jump within minutes. Super friendly! Overall a great mini vaca!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Vicki H., Dighton, MA

8 July 2019

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

Best setting for our favorite family trip ever

We could not have been more pleased with the McDuffie home. I have a history of choosing online rentals with wonderful photos that don't quite live up to reality, but this one does! We had spent a few days camping in Acadia, and with beautiful weather and holiday week it was packed! Coming to Swans Island and experiencing the quiet and peace was wonderful. We simply loved the simple pace, kayaking the cove, eating lobster from the market, endless games of yahtzee, and hunting for sand dollars each evening at Fine Sand Beach. Swimming at the quarry was a treat and dinner at the table watching the sky turn pink every night was amazing. I will say the mosquitos were pretty relentless but a good dose of bug spray and the citronella candles at night did the trick. Everything we could possibly want in the house was included, we only regret it was too warm for a fire! Our kids (10 and 12) have decided they want us to return every year for a week, and at their ages we're thrilled they like our favorite kind of place. Thanks for sharing your home with us!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Alicia J., Emmaus, PA

1 July 2019

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

Peaceful paradise

We had the pleasure of staying at the Cabin in June 2019. I was looking for a quiet, "away-from-it-all" type of property. We couldn't have been happier with the cabin and its remote location. It is quiet! With the exception of an occasional distant lobster boat, the sounds of nature are the only things heard. The cabin had everything we needed. Pots, dishes, coffee maker and blankets. Even in late June several blankets were needed at night. We had one rainy day during our stay and we used the Franklin stove to warm the cabin while we played games. We hope to return to this lovely cabin in the future.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte C., Manhattan, New York

14 Feb 2019

The Perfect Island Getaway!

We booked the MacDuffie Family's peaceful cottage for a long weekend getaway as a surprise family trip for my fathers 60th birthday. Their cottage had everything you could possibly need to enjoy your stay. The first night, we bought lobsters from Kent's Wharf (nearby) and had a lobster bake - the large pots provided came in handy. The island also had a convenience store which is a short drive from the cottage. We brought the majority of our food with us. The cottage is situated on its own private cove and with access to kayaks you could not ask for anything more. During the day we enjoyed exploring the cove and walking to the nearby white sand beach. At night, by the warmth of the indoor fireplace we enjoyed playing games as a family. Checking in/out was very convenient and the MacDuffie family made sure that we were comfortable and enjoyed our trip. I cannot thank them enough for opening up their lovely home to us.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S., Medford, NJ

22 Oct 2018

Rustic Home Away from It All and Surrounded by Natural Beauty

My wife and I had only been to Maine a few times before. While I'd never heard of Swan's Island, there was definitely something about the description of the home and the views in some of their images that said: "Yeah, this is the one." Based on our research and great info from the MacDuffies it was very clear what we should expect. There are no restaurants, coffee shops, or boutiques. There's one general store -- Tims -- that sells basics plus fresh vegetables, meats, and lobster. Don't look for action on Swan's Island. You visit the island for natural beauty, hikes to hidden treasures, great paddling and the peace that you would expect in a place where half the roads are dirt and where wifi is found only at the public library. The home is on a part of the island that is sparsely populated. The cabin overlooks the aptly named Seal Cove. We planned our time around the ebb and flow of the 10-foot tide. The MacDuffies own the land on either side of the cove with hiking trails, and each side is very different in terms of the trees and the forest floor. The west side of the cove has a narrow winding moss-covered trail that looks like it was built by Hobbits. Follow it to the end and you'll discover a wooden lean-to for those who'd prefer a sleeping bag at night on the water’s edge The home's heating sources are wood-burning stoves. There was a chill when we arrived so we stoked the stoves and kept at least one burning. (If it’s cool and you aren't comfortable with maintaining a fire, this isn't the place for you). There is one bathroom with a tub and also an outdoor shower. While there were only two, the home sleeps up to 8. I could imagine it being a bit crowded downstairs with 8. The kitchen had everything we needed. My ATT phone got a signal strong enough to stream some music but too weak to do anything else, thankfully. The outdoor area on the deck is spacious. Three kayaks and a small dingy are available for guests. Definitely paddle out to the far rocks and you'll discover why it's called Seal Cove. You'll also likely see bald eagles, loons and the ever-present, chattering kingfisher. At low tide, dig for clams and you'll find more than you can eat. At sunset our routine was to walk out about 100 yards on the right side of the cove for a clear view west to watch the sun dip behind the trees and the sky above pink up before revealing an amazingly dark sky with an all-u-can-consume buffet of stars. Definitely will be returning.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Marlana M.

2 Oct 2018

Great trip!

We really enjoyed the few days we spent on Swans Island. It was very special to have a cabin on our own cove, and we enjoyed spending time walking along the shore line and exploring. It's also a great location because it's a short walk to the fine sand beach. The cabin was comfortable, with a full kitchen, and the hosts provided us an abundance of information that was very helpful, especially with navigating the ferry system to get on the island. We really hope to stay here again!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

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.

Languages:

English

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Peaceful cottage overlooking private cove on Maine island

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

About this property