Vacation Rentals by Owner

dock of the bay experience

Guest: BGC (Tavres, Florida)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 12/24/11

rental was very comfortable for our family of three and accompanying family of four. we brought our 23' center console bay boat and dock was adequate. launching was a little challenging due to few ramps available to accomodate our larger boat. rental has lots of bath towels, comfortable beds and is nicely decorated. we recommend this rental.

Owner response:I am so glad that you enjoyed your stay at Dock of the Bay. We love it there. There’s nothing like the peaceful, quiet bay to make you forget about the rest of the world. I apologize for the current boat ramp situation (closed ramp at Shell Point and Oyster Bay ramp in need of repair). Maybe Wakulla County will eventually build another ramp in Shell Point or lease the existing ramp and correct the slope, so that it is safe for public use. That is what they promised. We look forward to having you stay with us again!

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

Just Another Day in Paradise

Guest: Linda R. (Harpers Ferry, Ia., USA)
Date of Stay: 03/01/11 Review Submitted: 04/26/11

Never in our wildrest dreams could a place be so perfect. From the instant we opened the front door until the day that we closed it to return home, our experience at "Dock of the Bay" was everything we had hoped. Deb and Jerry know how to please their guests to the point that "we can't wait to get back next winter"! I was so fortunate to find them online, never dreaming our vacation would be so perfect right down to the lovely linens and heavenly beds, to a fully equipped kitchen - everything was there at our disposal including golf clubs to a fish cleaning station right on the boat dock. Everything was so tastefully decorated and folks were friendly everywhere we went. Taking our boat was one of the smartest things we ever did. Rod couldn't wait everyday to get out in the beautiful bay and hope for a great catch or not. We would spend many an evening out in the bay watching some of the most incredible sunsets. This is heaven folks, quiet, beautiful, no traffic and the place to be for one of the most relaxing vacations ever. Don't wait too long to make your reservations. Hats off to Deb, she is the Queen of the Rental Industry. Your every wish is her command. A most grateful couple, Linda and Rod

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Location! Great Time!

Guest: Jeff (Mississippi)
Date of Stay: 06/16/10 Review Submitted: 12/08/10

I booked this unit for a vacation with my parents. The area was a bit different from what I am used to. We normally vacation in the Keys and deal with the expensive hustle. What a nice change of pace. The unit was plenty big enough for one teenager, four adults, and a couple of pups. To have a unit with a dock right out back and Gulf access within five minutes for reasonable price was a blessing. Plenty of fishing, snorkling, and fresh seafood to eat. (Try Posey's Steamroom if you head to Panacea) It was actually close enough to Tallahassee for the girls to go shopping for the day and still be home for dinner. Deborah was great to work with, and I will be contacting her again. P.S. My daughter loved the pool table, she became a shark during our stay.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Guest: Gail & Rich & Friends
Date of Stay: 04/29/10 Review Submitted: 04/29/10

We have had a great month at Shell Point and loved every minute of it. Dock of the Bay worked so well for us. There was lots of room for everyone and the kitchen is perfect. We had everything we needed. You must have had a great time decorating and we enjoyed all the birds and Florida scenes throughout the home. We had no problems with anything and hope to return soon.

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Guest: Rose Brindger
Date of Stay: 10/27/09 Review Submitted: 10/26/09

Awesome time! Thanks for making a perfect setting for reminiscing a 40 yr. span friendship, great music, wonderful beach and fond memories. Looking forward to our next visit.

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Guest: Peter Wagner & Family
Date of Stay: 10/09/09 Review Submitted: 10/08/09

We enjoyed the lovely house. All rooms are decorated so nice that we felt the sea inside the house. The fishing on our own dock inspired us for more fishing. Thank you!

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Guest: Beth Lane & Friends
Date of Stay: 09/20/09 Review Submitted: 09/19/09

Had a very nice, relaxing weekend. Really nice place! Thank you!

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Guest: Harrison & Joan McCaughey
Date of Stay: 09/06/09 Review Submitted: 09/05/09

We had a wonderful vacation & 33rd Anniversary celebration. It was great to have such a nice home to come back to each evening! Thanks!

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Guest: Terry, Tammy & Kendal King
Date of Stay: 07/20/09 Review Submitted: 07/19/09

Good set up - everything you need. Enjoyed it!! Will come again. Eat at Hook Wreck Henry's :-) yum!

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Guest: Mayo, Lori & Cody Tucker
Date of Stay: 07/01/09 Review Submitted: 06/30/09

Fishing on the beach at Alligator Point was fun! The pool was great! We were very impressed with your home! Had a great relaxing time! Hope to come back again! Thanks!

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Guest: Rick & Suellen Miller & Friends
Date of Stay: 05/11/09 Review Submitted: 05/10/09

Fishing w/Cap'n Jody Campbell - Awesome! He knows where the fish are & how to catch them :) Accommodations - excellent! Had a wonderful time - we'll be back!!! We love this area :)

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Guest: Courtney & Andrew Anderson
Date of Stay: 05/03/09 Review Submitted: 05/02/09

Caught starfish and crabs on the beach! Spring Creek Restaurant was wonderful - try the pies! Wakulla Springs boat tour is a must - alligators, turtles, fish & birds. Went to the Blue Crab Festival & FSU graduation.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/03/09

Your place was great! It was so clean and comfy. The beds were perfect, the linens were awesome and you just had everything we needed right there!!! So nice to have TV's with all the videos & dvd's available to us too. It was a great place to stay!!!

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Guest: Peggy & Ross Jewiss
Date of Stay: 03/21/09 Review Submitted: 03/20/09

We had a fabulous time at your house. It was a very different house and area than the lakeside executive home we have had in the Kissimmee area the last 3 years, but that made it even better. In fact, if the good weather had arrived earlier it would have been a perfect week. We stood at the beach and shook our fists at the sky. You could see the edge of the clouds over the gulf. Central Florida had sun all week but the sun didn't arrive until Tuesday evening at Shell Point. In fact, on one day we took a drive to St. George Island where we almost rented before we found your house to rent. The sun was out on the island (4 miles from shore) but it was black and raining on the shore. That's how close the sun was! We decided against renting a boat from the local marina due to cost, but I put up a notice in the local mail room there to see if anyone might be willing to rent a boat for part of a day. One of your neighbors offered his big boat but it wouldn't start and we ended up putting his Jon boat in and Peggy and I had an afternoon on the water. Being right on the water, it would have been nice to have a boat there all the time, but the few hours we had was really nice, too. The Saturday we arrived, the area was "Party Central" and we wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into, but Sunday and the rest of the week was quiet and laid-back. I came home with a major sunburn for the first day the sun came out. I ran to the dock with my book and iced tea and managed a doozy of a burn even before lunch. It was cool and breezy but the sun apparently was hot... sun screen after that! We had a great week and could easily see ourselves going back next year.

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Guest: Iain & Susan Harnden & Family
Date of Stay: 01/03/09 Review Submitted: 01/02/09

Wonderful place. Had an amazing New Year. Thanks Deb & Jerry!

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Guest: Kathy & Darryl Hatcher
Date of Stay: 11/18/08 Review Submitted: 11/17/08

Very relaxing, accommodations were great; rented a boat; fished & went up the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers, saw an alligator - Great time!

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Guest: James, Mitch, Bobby, Jermaine ...
Date of Stay: 09/08/08 Review Submitted: 09/07/08

We enjoyed your home very much. It has been the most relaxed time we have ever had. Our 2 year old loved the golf cart. Hope to be back again soon!

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Guest: Carol Weldon
Date of Stay: 08/31/08 Review Submitted: 08/30/08

We really enjoyed last weekend at Shell Point. Your places are awesome, just like home and not a stuffy motel.

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Guest: Lori & Tom Jeter & Friends
Date of Stay: 08/16/08 Review Submitted: 08/15/08

Very much enjoyed the home and setting. Very comfortable and clean. No worries while here. Thanks you for sharing your home; led to a happy family reunion nearby, plus a neat 50th wedding anniversary.

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Guest: Chris Bisson & Family
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 07/31/08

Our first family vacation. We created some great memories here and my husband was able to share his childhood memories with Mr. Revel and his kids.

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Guest: Mason Family
Date of Stay: 07/17/08 Review Submitted: 07/16/08

Had a wonderful time and your home was awesome! No fishing this time - just sailing and enjoying the rest. My husband especially enjoyed remembering his childhood in this Village many years ago. Great memories!

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Guest: McKibben Family
Date of Stay: 07/05/08 Review Submitted: 07/04/08

Thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great house! Went scalloping, canoeing down the Wakulla River, went to Cape San Blas & St. George, enjoyed great fireworks at Sopchoppy; everything was FANTASTIC!!

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Guest: Melvin & Kathy Lankford & Family
Date of Stay: 06/22/08 Review Submitted: 06/21/08

Keeper trout hard to come by. Caught lots of ladyfish and blurs ... some sea bass and Spanish, along with one surprised tarpon (90 lb.). As always, great place. Thanks!

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Guest: Jeff Bourn & Family
Date of Stay: 06/21/08 Review Submitted: 06/20/08

Inshore fishing great as usual. Caught a lot of trout, but only a couple of reds. Caught 12+ keepers. Offshore was slow at first, but on the last day we slayed the grouper (but no keepers). We caught 2 8-ft. sharks and 2 cobia (42" and 38"). Great place to stay. Be back soon.

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Guest: Julian Taylor & Family
Date of Stay: 06/04/08 Review Submitted: 06/03/08

We all had a wonderful and relaxing time. The only thing is that we had to go home. Thanks so much for a wonderful home.

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Guest: Jerry & Anita Megna & Family
Date of Stay: 11/23/07 Review Submitted: 11/22/07

Your home is beautiful. Loved the nautical decor. Enjoyed our stay!

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Guest: Sandy & Bonnie Hamilton
Date of Stay: 11/13/07 Review Submitted: 11/12/07

We had a wonderful 2 days fishing with Capt. Campbell. Your home is fabulous - much more than expected. We had a great time!

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Guest: Jack & Shirley Thornton
Date of Stay: 10/25/07 Review Submitted: 10/24/07

Just learning to fish the area. We had a wonderful time. Your house is very nice and very comfortable. The quilt on the king size bed is beautiful. It was nice to be close to our son and family. Thank you so much.

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Guest: Jackie & Wright Finney & Friends
Date of Stay: 09/23/07 Review Submitted: 09/22/07

20th Annual Endless Summer Sailboard Classic!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/07 Review Submitted: 08/05/07

Very clean, comfortable, and well stocked place to stay. Everything we needed was there.The community pool was a great asset in this hot July weather. We will definitely stay again!! Thanks for a great weekend.

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Guest: Sandra Meadows and Family
Date of Stay: 07/31/07 Review Submitted: 07/30/07

We enjoyed our stay!! It was clean, comfortable and very well equipped. Hope to stay again! Thanks!

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Guest: Janine Jones & Family
Date of Stay: 07/21/07 Review Submitted: 07/20/07

Thanks so much for sharing your place with us. It was like being home. The home is BEAUTIFULLY decorated, we fell in love with it! The community is wonderful and nice neighbors. The weather was wonderful and we did use the Shell Island Boat Rental (GREAT PEOPLE)... We will definitely be back!!!!!!!

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Guest: Mike & Margie Stan
Date of Stay: 06/08/07 Review Submitted: 06/07/07

Enjoyed the house. It was a nice reunion with family. Had a lot of fun on the dock with pelicans. They were eating our catch out of our hands.

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Guest: Jeff, Jessica, Cohen, Amber Ealey
Date of Stay: 05/21/07 Review Submitted: 05/20/07

We came down to stay with parents and grandparents. We had the best time. We loved the house and the time to chill with family. Thank you for providing such an awesome trip and experience. House divided --- GO DAWGS! / GO AUBURN!

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Guest: Tim & Lora Boggs & Family
Date of Stay: 04/08/07 Review Submitted: 04/07/07

We really enjoyed your home. It was so much more than we ever expected. Plenty of entertainment found within the house (cards, board games, etc.) The time to relax and the fishing was great. Went to Gulf Specimin Marine Lab and really ejoyed the "touch tanks"! What a great place to spend Spring Break and Easter. Can't wait to come back. Thanks!

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Guest: Robin Fisher Family & McDaniel's
Date of Stay: 04/03/07 Review Submitted: 04/02/07

Thank you Jerry & Deborah! We enjoyed your home, the beach and the pool. Wakulla Springs was fun. Thanks for the tip! What a great spring break!

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Guest: Bob & Jean Richards
Date of Stay: 03/31/07 Review Submitted: 03/30/07

We had a wonderful time here. The house is nice and we enjoyed being here.

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Guest: Christopher Gallo
Date of Stay: 03/17/07 Review Submitted: 03/16/07

Enjoyed the house. Very nice place. I put in about 100 games of pool in 2 days.

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Guest: Nancy & Mic Tillman
Date of Stay: 01/02/07 Review Submitted: 01/01/07

What a great New Years! Everything in the house was fabulous. Of course we will be returning. Thanks so much for sharing your home with us. Had a wonderful seafood dinner at the Harbor House.

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Guest: Barbara Osborne & Family
Date of Stay: 12/27/06 Review Submitted: 12/26/06

A great stay. Everything was so convenient. Saw a lot of family and had a great Christmas. Only problem was 2 power outages.

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Guest: Melton McNeill & Fishing Buddies
Date of Stay: 11/15/06 Review Submitted: 11/14/06

Great time! Good fishing with our guides, Jody C & Jerry A. We always enjoy coming here and going to Posey's, who cook the fish we caught.

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Guest: Gary Connolly & FSU Parents
Date of Stay: 11/05/06 Review Submitted: 11/04/06

Great vacation spot. Easy directions to FSU. Relaxing - beautiful place. All had a great time! Thanks so much! Go Noles!

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Guest: Dar & Bill Long
Date of Stay: 11/02/06 Review Submitted: 11/01/06

What a relaxing vacation. Loved the wildlife and butterflies. Bill got a haul out with Capt. Jody. And our little rascals (Jack Russell & Terriers) had a great time,too. Wonderful place to stay. Very homey & relaxing. Thanks so much.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/03/06

What a great vacation! The most relaxing one I can remember. Fishing was great, wildlife was excellent to observe and weather certainly cooperated. The home was clean and everything was at our fingertips. Loved the pool table! Thanks again!!

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Guest: Pam & Paul Hansard & Friends
Date of Stay: 10/09/06 Review Submitted: 10/08/06

19th Annual Endless Summer Saiboard Classic - Sorry about the blue dot on the ceiling ... I finally won one (game of pool) on the break.

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Guest: Mike Deloah & Friends
Date of Stay: 09/18/06 Review Submitted: 09/17/06

Just wanted to let you know we had a great time at Dock of the Bay this weekend! Didn't have much luck with the fish, but we got to see the Tigers beat the Noles, so that evens it all out! All of the neighbors were nice. A few stopped to comment on our Clemson flags and stickers. We even ran into some people we had classes with at Clemson. It was a great weekend! Thanks again, Mike

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Guest: Suellen Miller & Friends
Date of Stay: 09/10/06 Review Submitted: 09/09/06

Caught a boat load of fish with Capt. Jody Campbell. Ate too much at Posey's Steam Room every night. Had a great time. This is a great place! We'll be back!!!

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Guest: Amy & Richard Deloach & Friends
Date of Stay: 09/04/06 Review Submitted: 09/03/06

Had a great time. Very nice place to share Labor Day with family and friends. Thank ya'll!!!

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Guest: Joe & Maggie Lhotsky
Date of Stay: 08/24/06 Review Submitted: 08/23/06

Enjoyed our time here - very quiet and peaceful. Took long walks and bike rides. Our grandchildren live in Crawfordville, so it was perfect.

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Guest: Julian Taylor
Date of Stay: 08/15/06 Review Submitted: 08/14/06

Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed staying at DOCK OF THE BAY. It was great. We all had a good time and caught some fish. We will e-mail you the pictures. Hope to go again in October.

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