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PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide

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Endless Sunsets
Exterior
Kids Room
Terrace/patio
Beach

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 102800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Clinton, WA
  • Place, Maxwelton Beaches
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Boeing Future of Flight
    ‪51 min drive‬
  • Place, Boeing Everett Factory
    ‪58 min drive‬
  • Airport, Seattle Paine Field Intl. Airport (PAE)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 3

3 Twin Bunk Beds

Bonus room

1 Queen Bed

Master Room

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Geust Room

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide

NO BANK WATERFRONT HOME
(with CENTRAL AIR ULTRAVIOLET TREATMENT SYSTEM)

CENTRAL AIR ULTRAVIOLET TREATMENT SYSTEM has been in place. All air circulation is fully sterilized by a Honeywell UV100 system installed in the building central HVAC system.

Get ready for your well deserved STAYCATION.

The sound of the waves, deep sandy waterfront and grassy front lawn, spacious deck and gorgeous home are just a few of the perks of ONCE UPON A TIDE beach house. Once you get off the ferry on Clinton, you will have the sigh of relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. This beautiful charming home is where you want to be to enjoy life in a home far away from home. One of the few sandy beaches on Puget Sound. Stroll on the beach, dig clams, go crabbing, fishing, build sand castles, watch the cruise ships go by or simply enjoy life in a stunning oasis. As you call it a day, the memory foam mattresses in all the rooms in this house will allow you to have a very restful and comfortable sleep.

As you go up a spiral stair case, it takes you to a huge master bedroom/loft adjoining a huge kids’ bunk room. There is an extra bedroom downstairs by the laundry and living room.

If you want to go on vacation with another family, there is another house behind it that sleeps about 4-5 (VRBO 4629474).

Enjoy winter storms or summer sunshine knowing the power will stay on with the back up generator. 15kw genset to keep the lights and heat on.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
No bank walk right out onto the sandy beach
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
This house is not intended for parties. It is meant to be a quiet place to relax and build memories. This is to be respectful of our neighbors.
If you are thinking about using our place for a wedding, birthdays, women's retreat, etc, please send us an inquiry with your dates/ideas in mind.
We apologize for our strict no animals policy, but our son has severe allergies to pets of all kinds(even supposed allergy free cats and dogs).

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Clinton

Located in Clinton, this vacation home is on the beach. Callahan's Firehouse and Boeing Future of Flight are cultural highlights, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Everett Mall and Alderwood Mall. Traveling with kids? Consider Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and Blooms. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby.
View more Vacation Homes in ClintonOpens in a new window
Map
Clinton, WA

What's nearby

  • Maxwelton Beaches - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Deer Lake - 10 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Fort Casey State Park - 38 min drive - 47.3 km
  • Boeing Future of Flight - 51 min drive - 24.6 km
  • Boeing Everett Factory - 58 min drive - 28.2 km

Getting around

  • Everett Station - 57 min drive
  • Seattle Paine Field Intl. Airport (PAE) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Hong Kong Gardens - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Jet Java - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Island Nosh - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Spoiled Dog Winery - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide ?

As of Apr 23, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide on Apr 24, 2026 start from $918, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide ?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is PARADISE SANDY WATERFRONT ON WHIDBEY ISLAND Once Upon A Tide located?

This Clinton vacation home is on the beach, 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Maxwelton Beaches, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Island Greens Golf and Useless Bay. Deer Lake and Marguerite Brons Memorial Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 33 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 36 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rita N.

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

Family Vacation

Wonderful stay right on the beach. Excellent host
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katia G.

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

Lovely, relaxing beach stay!

Our family of four was in Whidbey Island for a wedding - and did we get lucky with this property! Spacious, comfortable, super well appointed and well maintained. We slept with the sounds of Puget Sound’s waters outside, enjoyed rambling walks along the beach and in the charming neighborhood. Enjoyed breathtaking sunsets over the Olympics, and more…. The home is well laid out for a family, and the kitchen is so well appointed that we were sorry we didn’t have more meals to prepare! Our hosts were warm, thoughtful, and responsive. highly recommend this home!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rita N.

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

Beach stay

Lovely house to stay with family or close friends. Beach fun and beautiful sunsets
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mollie J.

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

Great property!

This property was great for our large group. There is an awesome outdoor space and it is in a great location. Most of the beds are in a bunk room, so be aware of that, but it was fun for our group!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marie H.

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

Beachfront delight

Enjoyed the wonderful gourmet kitchen to cook and then gather family as we looked out at the beautiful Puget Sound steps away; thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rita N.

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

Aiti

Despite the chill lovely time on the beach. Hope to return for years to come
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vincent C.

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

A wonderful escape to the beach!

My family (wife, and children aged 2 and 7) had a wonderful time staying here. Easy check-in process, every kitchen amenity, and amazing beach access right out the front doors. Chris and Jacqueline are fantastic hopes and I look forward to staying with them in the future as they open their availability.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel L.

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

Great Place with a Great View

Very spacious and well equipped house with a spectacular view of the Sound and sunsets. Table fire pit on the deck was a hit in the evening. Kitchen was great for preparing meals for our family of eight. Host was very accommodating and helpful with our final arrangements. Highly recommend this gem on the water!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark W.

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

Amazing location

Our stay was amazing. Such a beautiful spot and everything was as advertised. The owner or manager went above and beyond when they located and shipped our phone, watch and iPad chargers to us after we accidentally left them behind. We are definitely comming back. Thanks!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer H.

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

Great beach house

My family spent a wonderful 4 days in December. House was beautiful and extremely clean! Hosts were very accommodating and helpful. We throughly enjoyed our time there! My only "ding" would be regarding temp difference upstairs and downstairs- it was very cold (full disclosure it only seemed to bother me and no one else in the family) and we never could figure out how to work the fireplaces. Definitely loved and recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vincent C.

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

Second time at Once Upon A Tide was Twice as Nice!

My only hesitation in sharing a second glowing review is that I'll never find an opening in the calendar to return to this wonderful home on beautiful Maxwelton Beach. Chris is a wonderful host, providing detailed information leading up to your stay. The home has everything you could possibly need or want to enjoy the long summer days at the beach. Thanks for another fantastic stay and memories to last a lifetime.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patrick W.

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

Amazing location and great house

The house emphasizes the reason to be here. It’s all about the location and the beach. The kitchen and living room are large and modern. The kitchen has everything we needed. The deck is perfect for dining, grilling, and just relaxing while we watched ospreys, seals, eagles, and even deer wander past. It has decks on the second story that make excellent viewing areas for the spectacular sunsets. We will be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff G.

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

Beautiful Whidbey

We only stayed for a couple of nights but this was a perfect location to spend time as a family and take in the natural wonder of the island. Other than hanging out on the beach collecting shells, building a fire and playing yard games with sunset, the kids enjoyed their huge bunk bed room and fuseball, and the kitchen was great for throwing together a few meals. (Pickles is a great deli btw!!!!) I had a few questions about the property, some of which I missed in the opening instructions text, And the property manager was not only helpful and quick to respond, but also exceedingly kind.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura F.

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

Wonderful house in great, quiet location

We had a very nice extended weekend stay at this house on the south end of Whidbey Island. The house was very clean on our arrival. The kitchen is very spacious and well outfitted with many appliances and dishes. It's probably the nicest kitchen in any house rental we've been in. The beds were comfortable. We all enjoyed playing foosball. The spiral staircase was easy to navigate for our family, but it might be challenging for young children or elderly. The neighborhood is quiet and the beach is wonderful for walks, with many beautiful rocks. We had a very peaceful stay appreciated the responsive communications with the owner.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jock W.

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

A Magical Spot

We found Once Upon a Tide completely by accident as we live in North Carolina, we’re completely unfamiliar with Whidbey Island, and started looking for a place very late in the season. How we ended up here is just short of miraculous to us. If you like being right on wide expanses of water with a background of majestic mountains, broad tidal flats, whale sightings, parades of curious seals, diving ospreys, stalking herons, living in the ultimate quietude of a dead end gravel road, with the blackest night sky for viewing the boundless heavens, then this is the place for you. A top tier kitchen and expansive indoor and outdoor eating areas make it perfect for family gatherings. The three bathrooms are extra large and pretty exquisite. Of the three bedrooms, the children’s bunk room is the most conventional, adaptable and also offers the most privacy and separation from the noises of the rest of the house. The master bedroom is basically the landing/hallway of the spiral stairway which goes down the very large kitchen/dinning/living room below. There are no walls or doors to separate you from the noise from below or from people using the stairs to access the bunk room. What is listed as the third bedroom is actually the laundry room of the house with a fold out bed in it. Despite the initial surprise of the unconventional bedroom layouts we all got quickly used to it and adapted accordingly. Besides, the attractiveness, ease, comfort, and convenience of the rest of the of house and property completely overshadowed the bedroom idiosyncrasies. The owners are wonderful. Very very responsive, helpful and considerate in all regards And, to the delight of our grandchildren, they have chickens! Who are very grateful for your kitchen scraps. We want to come back every year! Thank you Chris and family.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine Q.

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

Stunning!

We highly recommend “Once upon a Tide”. We have come to Whidbey Island for short getaways from the city for years and have stayed in many places. “Once upon a tide” beats them all with a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains, a long sandy beach for early morning and sunset walks, and a spacious lot with enough lawn area for ball games. We saw and heard many bald eagles with their young ones; there were deer, herons, and even a shy coyote. The house itself is cozy and inviting. Rentals are often impersonal, minimized for potential damage and maximized for the number of beds. This house is a clearly a family home and their happy spirit lingers everywhere. The kitchen is better equipped than my own with a large cooking range and oven, an extra griddle for pancakes, all possible coffee equipment, and lots of utensils, silverware, plates, cookie sheets, a kitchen aid, cutting boards…if you look carefully enough you will find everything you will ever need. We loved the big dining table that had room for all of us to enjoy meals together. As promised the beds/mattresses were fabulous; there were big comfy hammocks and beach chairs available on the large deck, in addition to a beach fire pit. Our kids fell in love with the large grey beanbag-like couch in the living area (Not squishy! Truly comfortable even for adults!) Perfect! The house works best for one large family (like ours) or 2-3 families knowing each other well because the bedrooms offer limited privacy. The master bedroom is located on the spiral staircase landing – although the space is generous and has fabulous views, a fire place, a truly impressive master bathroom and closet, it has no doors and everyone accessing the bunk bed room has to walk through there (unless they use the outside deck stair case). We loved the large sunny room with the three bunk beds, foosball table and dart board – it is really pretty and offers amazing ocean views. The “third” bedroom offers privacy but also houses the washer and dryer. We wish the bedroom layout was explained more clearly to set the right expectations. It worked well for us after the initial surprise. In any other way, communication with the hosts was seamless; the neighbors were super friendly. We made great memories. Overall, a really great, indeed stunningly beautiful place! We hope to come back with some more time to spend and our crab cages and kayaks.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Katy C.

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

Inexcusable owner behavior

Upon arrival at this property in June we discovered the owner had not sent us a code or keys to access the property. We tried to contact the owner, Chris, by phone and through VRBO with no success. We were very disappointed especially because my son was visiting from Ireland and our family was excited to relax together. The following day the owner called and apologized profusely—she had simply forgotten to send us the key code and she had been unavailable because she was at an event with her phone off. She refunded our money and offered to give us a free stay in the future. Mistakes happen and I was happy to accept her apology and offer for a future stay. I made a reservation in September for my birthday and invited girlfriends. We were excited for the upcoming trip but shortly before the trip was to occur I received a text in the middle of the night from Chris, the owner. She was very sorry but informed me that she wanted to cancel my September reservation because she had family that decided to visit and she wanted to let them stay at the Whidbey house. I have never complained about a property but the behavior of this property owner was more than just an understandable one-time mistake.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ellen A.

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

Beautiful location & comfortable home

We spent a week here in the snow! The home was very comfortable and clean. Chris was an amazing host for us. This is a great family vacation home. It was beautiful in the winter with snow -- I would love to see it in the summer -- the beach was covered in snow while we were there -- so, we will just need to return in the summer!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendy B.

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

Teen dream

We stayed with our kids (20 & 16) and their friends. This place was perfect! The kids had their own giant room with a deck, foosball and darts with access to the beach. After a tough year with Covid it was so wonderful to spend time with everyone and see them laughing and playing. The kitchen was awesome. Loved the big tables for gathering. I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ahmad F.

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

Perfect!

Very Nice Property and Hosts! Orca Viewing off the rear deck is priceless!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Trisha G.

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

Beautiful home and amazing location!

We greatly enjoyed our family stay! This beautiful home was a perfect island getaway! Everyone slept well on the comfortable beds and had a great time cooking together in the well supplied kitchen! The view is unbeatable and the shore endless exploration!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristen E.

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

Beautiful Getaway

We had a wonderful time staying here - great property and amazing hosts! Being right on the water was a must and the sandy, walkable beaches made our stay. This was a perfect (and clean!) family home and the kids room was perfect for our three. Overall, just a fantastic property and the hosts were extremely communicative and available. Can't wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

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

Better than we imagined!

The house and views are even more beautiful in person! It was the perfect weekend getaway to relax and a great location for us to explore the island. The house was very clean and checking in and out was a breeze. We would definitely enjoy staying here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David A.

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

Nice location on a sandy walkable beach.

Easily island stay just a few minutes from the ferry.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew H.

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

Perfect getaway

What a lovely break!! This beach home was perfect for us. The back yard was an indescribable playground. Our sons built mini forts with driftwood, dug holes and buried each other in the sand. We had wine on the balcony and cooked for our friends. It was definitely a blessing!!! My husband cooked meat and potato pies in the well supplied kitchen. The coffee was terrific!!! Thank you for opening your home for others to enjoy!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by Chris

Host profile image
Our family has always been blown away by the beauty of Whidbey Island. Our dream has become a reality. As you stay in our home, we share with you the unforgettable sweet and serene time that we experience each time we are here.

Why they chose this property

ONCE UPON A TIDE is not very far from the city but yet it feels like you are some place far because of its tranquility.

What makes this property unique

Short ferry ride and short drive from the city.

Languages:

English
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