Vacation Rentals by Owner

Sharks Cove Retreat Rocks!

Guest: Chris (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 12/08/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

Shark's Cove Retreat is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the experience of the North Shore. Situated at the mid point of the North Shore and across the street from the ocean, you can't ask for a better location. It's also in walking distance to Foodland and a short relaxing bike ride away from world famous Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and a bunch of other beaches. The owners have thought of everything- multiple beach cruisers, beach towels, snorkeling equipment, wi-fi, cable, washer/dryer, parking for multiple cars, and expansive deck with a water view. If you have any issues you can call Jack the on-site care taker or the owners. Both are very responsive and accommodating. This is our second visit and we'll be coming back for more!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Surf Heaven...Even more amazing than I had imagined.

Guest: A,J. (St Leonards-On-Sea,Sussex. England.)
Date of Stay: 12/05/11 Review Submitted: 12/06/11

Thank you so much... We had such a great time staying at your vacation house in Sharks Cove. [Still don't understand why they call it that - maybe to discourage visitors] Fortunately, we were not scared off. [We asked around and couldn't find any locals who had ever heard of sharks being there]. The evening we arrived, after we had brought in our bags and sat down on the veranda to rest, we were completely amazed by probably the most amazing sunset I have ever seen in my life, with rays of light coming down through the clouds over Kaena Point. Every evening after that, we made a point of watching similar spectacles in the western sky as we prepared for supper. The location is fantastic. There is a good sized Supermarket within walking distance, [and a Starbucks], even though this is definitely North Shore country, with all the informal, laid-back charm that is famous world wide. I have heard about this place my whole life, and I had to keep pinching myself that I was actually in this legendary place that I had seen so many times in big wave surfing videos and films. We must have just timed it right, because the first day, the water of the cove, [literally right across the road], was smooth and clear, and true to what people had said, amazing for snorkeling, and full of brilliantly colored fish. Then, the next day we watched the waves getting bigger, as the North Shore surfing season began in earnest. Just down the road, [along the bike path], are Sunset Beach and Pipeline. The place is absolutely brilliant. Also, want to say thanks to Jack, the resident manager, who helped familiarize us with the area, and was very kind and friendly, and made us feel very comfortable.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Another year- another great time

Guest: GB (Earlwood, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/29/11 Review Submitted: 12/07/11

This was our second stay at this retreat and we are glad to have returned. Another great time for the 5 days that we were there (next time it will be definitely longer). Shark Cove itself is a great place to snorkle and then able to watch the surfing at Sunset beach was a bonus. The retreat is in a great spot - close to Foodland, beaches and a fantastic sunset off the verandah every night. Jack the caretaker again was helpful and always available if needed.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

avoid this one

Guest: father (NEWPORT, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/01/11 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

This place is dirty (dust, grime, gecko droppings); poorly maintained (bathroom door falling apart, rusty window latches, rusty stove, grimy windows) and suffers from an absent owner who has not visited in a year. The grounds are a mess. The bikes are grimy and rusty with flat tires. We visited four other homes for rent by vrbo in the area and this is the worst, by far. Give it a miss.

Owner response:We are very sorry that these guests didn't enjoy their experience at Shark's Cove Retreat, and we tried our best to rectify their dissatisfaction. When they called to notify us that the house cleaning was unsatisfactory, we immediately sent the cleaner out to address that. When they told us the coffee maker was not working, we sent the caretaker to town to buy a replacement. The unit was cleaned after the previous checkout and sat vacant for two weeks. Two weeks is plenty of time for the salty ocean air to leave a light coating on surfaces, and for the occasional gecko to make a dropping. The guests notified us that the unit was dirty, and we immediately sent someone to address the matter. I believe that the guests were never quite satisfied, which is unfortunate, as hundreds of previous visitors have had very pleasant experiences at our property. The bikes are an added plus that we make available, and there are instructions to talk to our onsite caretaker should they need tires pumped up etc. We didn't make an issue of the fact that these guests disregarded the rules that are clearly stated with the rental agreement, regarding onsite parking for only one car and limits on how many guests may come over. We also didn't make any mention that the coffee maker that was immediately replaced without question, actually worked, but that's okay a back-up is always good. We are not absentee owners as the review suggests, and we have a caretaker who has lived in the back house for over twenty years. We very recently put on a new roof, and extended the eave to cover the deck which created a nice outdoor living area-something that we felt would benefit the experience of our guests. We continue to maintain and fix up our home. While it is far from perfect, it is very well suited and situated to provide visitors with a pleasant, relaxing, and real North Shore experience. Aloha, Dave

Recommended for:Adventure seekers

Awesome!

Guest: John (London, Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/12/11

Fantastic location, beautiful sunsets and a house with everything (and I mean everything) you need. Am looking forward to going back and highly recommend it to anyone. Owners are very easy (and nice) to deal with.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

This house will make you yearn for your next Hawaiian North Shore vacation

Guest: Karenh (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 02/14/11 Review Submitted: 02/21/11

We had the most enjoyable time on any of our Hawaiian vacations at this house. We took full advantage of the cruiser bikes and viewed the most amazing surfing we've ever witnessed. The bike trail terrain across the street is flat and makes riding doable even for people who don't usually ride bikes. Traffic on the North Shore is challenging, off and on, so good bikes can be a huge asset. Beautiful views, perfect location and had everything we needed to prepare food or just relax. Super clean and the linens are definitely high end. Right by Foodland supermarket, and there are 2 great food trucks ("Papukea Grill"...don't miss the tacos...and "Impossibles Pizza"...which stops by across the street Wed-Sun around 6pm and is crazy good, high quality italian food). These food options also make life on the North Shore very affordable as their portions are large for the price. Need anything? The Owners and Jack the Caretaker were great resources. Now we just need to figure out when to come back!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pros and Cons

Guest: idahosandy (Boise)
Date of Stay: 11/20/10 Review Submitted: 11/28/10

Pros: -Views Cons:- traffic noise (constant) -Snorkeling at Shark's Cove -geckos (counted 10 in 2nd BR one a.m.) in the middle of -Bike path the night they make a loud screech! -location near stores/Starbucks - if you have little ones,watch out for busy road traffic -best shave ice next door -no seeums bite after dark on the deck, pack spray! -nice deck w/bbq -laundry (but no soap ) Overall, we got a feel for living like locals for the week and it was fun but next time will probably go the resort route. :)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

How Good is this

Guest: GB (Earlwood, NSW, Australia)
Date of Stay: 11/13/10 Review Submitted: 12/05/10

What can I say- a fantastic location to kick off our Hawaii holiday. Easy access to the cove for snorkling and swimming, Foodland in walking distance and Waimea and Sunset only a bike ride away. Jock the caretaker made us feel welcome and gave his advice as a local. The property was clean and all the amenities you would want. A great place to relax before heading to Waikiki for our Wedding. Will definitely return and stay longer. Thanks again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Mindy19 (Waterford, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 03/02/10 Review Submitted: 03/02/10

Michelle- Once again the place was perfect. The deck was perfect. Our weather was AMAZING for February. The kids snokeled the cove and boogie boarded Waimea Bay. We even walked to the falls and swam this time. We had 8 perfect days of sun and then the Big Waves came and we got to watch the Professionals surf Waimea. Impossibles Pizza that parks across the street just after dark was an absolute treat. Gourmet Pizza and salad at a reasonable price. Thank You so much. P.S. Jack was so helfpul as usual Mindy and the boys

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Guest: The Proctors (Clearwater/Largo, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

What a fabulous location! We hardly needed our rental car, everything you need is within walking or biking distance. The bikes were great, a nice way to work off Ted's Bakery treats and to find gorgeous quiet beaches. The linens were much nicer than any place you'll find...thick Egyptian cotton beach and bath towels, luxury sheets. It was great having snorkeling gear and beach mats/chairs that were GREAT quality, not the kind of stuff you'd hesitate to use or go out to buy for yourself. The patio furniture was quite comfortable for dining and sunbathing, and the BBQ is great to have! The kitchen had everything we needed and more! It's obvious the owners pay special attention to these details that make Shark's Cove Retreat feel like home. We are already planning to return in 2010 to experience the area in wintertime. Mahalo!

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Wonderful North Shore Vacation!

Guest: The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/12/09 Review Submitted: 03/23/09

We had such a fabulous time during our stay in this Shark's Cove home. The house was very comfortable and equipped with eveything we needed to relax. We spent morning and evnings watching the sun rise and set. Everyday we rode the bikes down the beautiful trail between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. The grocery store and Starbuck's was just a few minutes stroll away (we stayed just long enough for the Baristas' to remember how I take my coffee!). We look forward to returning and will definitely do our best to stay in this house again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands, Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/23/09

We had such a fabulous time during our stay in this Shark's Cove home. The house was very comfortable and equipped with eveything we needed to relax. We spent mornings and evenings watching the sun rise and set. Everyday we rode the bikes down the beautiful trail between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. The grocery store and Starbuck's was just a few minutes stroll away. The wireless Internet was a nice convenience and were the washer, dryer and fully equipped kitchen. We look forward to returning and will definitely do our best to stay in this house again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/01/09 Review Submitted: 01/15/09

What a great location. The house was very comfortable and everything we needed was there. The bikes were the best part. I rode the beach path daily. Coffee every morning on the rocks across the street watching Whales! I'll be back.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/08 Review Submitted: 11/14/08

I stayed at this welcoming cottage with family the end of October 2008 and absolutely loved it! I can go into several details, but I won't because there are too many to list! When we walked in, we were extremely impressed with everything - location, decorations, size, friendliness, and much more. I immediately felt like I was in a retreat and felt this could have been my home. We were blessed to have our vacation to be so wonderful and especially want to thank Dave and Michelle for their outstanding hospitality!!! Aloha, Venessa

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Family from Oz (Palm Beach Queensland Australia)
Date of Stay: 07/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/02/08

Wow, where do I start. We had the best holiday we've ever had. Hawaii is amazing, even more beautiful and special than I ever would have dreamt. We really fell in love with everything about it. Our first week was spent in Waikiki in a condo. We had an awesome time at the beach, surfing, shopping, hired a harley, went to the zoo and pearl harbour. We then hired a car and drove up to the North Shore stopping at the beautiful beaches along the way. We stopped for shrimp at Giovanni's truck,yum, yum before reaching the house. From the moment we walked in we were blown away with how fantastic it was. The view from the deck was awesome and everything about the house was just as you described and how it looked in photos. We just loved having the snorkelling gear, beach gear and especially the bikes and everything else that you just don't get when you rent from a hotel. It was also very spacious, and the five of us had plenty of room to sprawl about. The house really is in the perfect location, so handy to everything and being across the road from Shark's Cove was just amazing. We snorkelled everyday and saw some beautiful fish and turtles. We liked exploring Haleiwa and having shave ice from Matsumotos. Rode the bike to Pipeline and Sunset everyday for a surf. We explored Waimea Valley and swam at Waimea Bay at Sunset. Went for a horse ride at Happy Trails. We really just enjoyed absolutely every second of it. We will rave to everyone who asks about Hawaii and certainly recommend your house to anyone who plans to visit. We would go back in an instant if it was possible! It really is Heaven on Earth! Everything was just perfect and wouldn't change a thing except maybe to book for longer next time! Thank you so much for sharing your house with us.

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Great North Shore Beach House

Guest: PamD (Newcastle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/29/08 Review Submitted: 07/08/08

This is a funky 60s beach house with a great location on the laid back North Shore. The location just across the street from Shark's Cove is wonderful. It is also just a short drive from pretty much anything on the North Shore. It was perfect for our family of four with two teenagers. We had a wonderful vacation here and would happily rent this property again. I would recommend this house to friends, but I would not recommend it to anyone with limited mobility. The house is on the second floor, which is good since it gives it separation from the street, which is busy. There is also a short set of stairs between the living room and the rest of the house.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/08 Review Submitted: 06/18/08

We will definitely be back. The place was perfect, with everything you could ask for. Saved a ton on meals by going to foodland and cooking at the house and even used the brand new grill. Ate most of our meals on the amazing deck. I miss it already. The view was beautiful and it was close to all of the great beaches on the north shore. Surfed at Chun's Reef, went several times to Waimaia Bay and Pipeline went to the west side of the island to the Kua Loa Ranch and rode horses. Everything was extremely close and accessible. Sharks cove was beautiful too. I don't know why you would want to stay anywhere else. it is the perfect spot. Jack (the person who takes care of the grounds) does an excellent job and is super nice and very informative. I can't wait to get back there. Thanks so much for having us.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/01/08 Review Submitted: 05/28/08

Our family enjoyed this rental. Our kids swam in a cove across from Kapuhi Street and enjoyed snorkeling in Shark's Cove. The deck is fantastica and the grocery is a short walk down the road. Thank you very much.

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Comfy, casual, laid-back--fits the North Shore

Guest: Quiche (Suwa, Nagano, Japan)
Date of Stay: 03/18/08 Review Submitted: 04/23/08

The description of this property is accurate and honest. The location is stunning--just walk across the street and dive right into Shark's Cove! I should note that Kam Highway can be busy even at night on the weekends, so anyone sleeping in the living room may want to have some ear plugs handy if you're staying during peak tourist season. Noise is not a problem in the bedrooms. The house has a mid-sixties beach cabin feel--very open and breezy. It is an older wooden structure, so it naturally showed signs of wear, for example there were creaking doors that didn't quite latch, but nothing a bit of WD-40 and a screwdriver couldn't fix. The orientation packet could have been clearer about details like the location of the laundry facilities (ground floor behind the deck); the hose for rinsing beach stuff (hidden under the deck halfway down the second set of stairs over on the left side of the house); the fact that you have to call the managers to get the combination for the bicycle locks. Overall, this place is a great value if you are looking for casual and comfy and don't require fancy amenities. I'd recommend it to my friends.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/22/08

Wonderful. We had a breakfast every morning on a big and comfortable terrace where we were watching the whales taking a bath in the ocean :) The house is very comfortable and clean and has everything one needs. I would like to come back there as soon as possible. It is very close to the most famous surfer's sunset beach so you can go there and have pleasure to lay down on gold sands, take Hawaiian sun and watch big waves and surfers (if you are not a surfer yourself). The house has very nice neighbors that are helpful with everything and always smiling. I highly recommend this place.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: martin_HAC122834 (paso robles, ca.)
Date of Stay: 01/01/08 Review Submitted: 01/27/08

WE INDEED HAD A GREAT TIME AT THE CAMPBELLS HOUSE ON THE NORTH SHORE AT SHARKS COVE, THE DECK IS SO GREAT AND THE HOUSE HAD ALL YOU COULD ASK FOR. WE WOULD STAY THERE AGAIN IN A MINUTE. IT WAS WITHIN WALKING DISTACE OF ALL AREAS OF THE BEACHES, AND LITLLE SHOPS AS WELL. WE WANT TO THANK MICHELLE AND DAVE VERY MUCH, MAHALO, MARTIN FROST LARRY DICKERSON, MELISSA FROST AND STEVE GRAHAM

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/17/07 Review Submitted: 11/17/07

10/5-9/2007 - After a couple days in Waikiki, The Sharks Cove Getaway was an excellent way to spend our last few days in Oahu. We traveled the windward side of the island from Oahu and it was gorgeous. Our short stay did not warrant a Costco stop and with Foodland within walking distance we had everything we needed. Close to excellent snorkeling, a walk across the street to Sharks Cove, a short walk to Three Tables and a short drive to Waimea Bay.The house is spacious with ipod dock, high-speed internet access (and a desk with an excellent view of Shark’s Cove), a huge lanai, new bar-b-que, bikes and everything you need to enjoy a day at the beach. A shared full size washer and dryer with soap and dryer sheets was handy.The view from the bedrooms gives the feeling of being in a tree-house. We did not notice there was no TV in the room until our last night. Linens are new and plentiful. The nightly rain was enjoyable. This is the wet side of the island so lots of gorgeous vegetation.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/07 Review Submitted: 11/16/07

10/5-9/2007 - After a couple days in Waikiki, The Sharks Cove Getaway was an excellent way to spend our last few days in Oahu. We traveled the windward side of the island from Oahu and it was gorgeous. Our short stay did not warrant a Costco stop and with Foodland within walking distance we had everything we needed. Close to excellent snorkeling, a walk across the street to Sharks Cove, a short walk to Three Tables and a short drive to Waimea Bay. The house is spacious with ipod dock, high-speed internet access (and a desk with an excellent view of Shark’s Cove), a huge lanai, new bar-b-que, bikes and everything you need to enjoy a day at the beach. A shared full size washer and dryer with soap and dryer sheets was handy. The view from the bedrooms gives the feeling of being in a tree-house. We did not notice there was no TV in the room until our last night. Linens are new and plentiful. The nightly rain was enjoyable. This is the wet side of the island so lots of gorgeous vegetation.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: nabula El Mourid (Not Specified)
Date of Stay: 09/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/03/07

This property is fantastic. It is directly across the road from Shark's Cove and the front deck is perfect for watchinmg amazing sunsets every night. The house is in a great location- across the road from the beach, 2 mins from foodland and 10mins from the cute town centre. The house is very spacious and confortable- i don't think the pictures do it justice. The front deck is equipped with a great setting, sun beds, bbq and arm chairs. Inside the home you will find everything you need- from snorkel equipment to towels. The couches are very confortable!! We loved staying here... it would be great for families or just friends away on vacation.

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