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Cabin

Keyhole Cabin by the Sea

Photo gallery for Keyhole Cabin by the Sea

Tide pool on the beach with view of Cadillac mountain
Long view of the beach, a sunny day with fog on the western half of the island.
Beach combing and boat watching on our private beach
View from our beach at high tide
Beach at high tide looking toward the outer islands

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio
  • Free WiFi

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Keyhole Cabin by the Sea

Our comfortable cabin is private. Surrounded by woods with a view of the ocean and passing boats through an opening in the trees. Our beach is accessible via a long boardwalk leading from the side yard. Great beach walking and shelling and a place for picnics.

In addition to full kitchen with oven and microwave, there are three bedrooms sleeping 5 with a roll out bed for an additional person. There are two large bedrooms: one with a queen and the other with a twin and a double. The third bedroom has a single bed. All rooms have electric heat when needed. The cabin has complete housekeeping facilities and sheets and towels are provided. The cabin has wi-fi and internet capability.

We are within a few minutes drive of Southwest Harbor for dining and shopping. Acadia National Park is easily accessible all over the island and offers lots of opportunities for hiking, bicycling and kayaking. There are sailing opportunities in Southwest Harbor, and Northeast Harbor and boat trips to the islands.

You will never tire of exploring one of our country's most beautiful islands.

We rent weeks, Sunday to Sunday.

Keywords: Private cabin, ocean view, beach access, in woods with view of ocean, access to beach via boardwalk, easy access to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, stores in Southwest Harbor, freshwater swimming
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Books and games available. Deck has safety railing

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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

Rental Sunday to Sunday Only

Important information

You need to know

Property # 403502
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 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 neighborhood

Southwest Harbor

Located in Seawall, a neighborhood in Southwest Harbor, this cabin is in a rural area and on the beach. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Acadia National Park and Acadia National Park's Visitors Center. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and horse riding.
View more Cabin Rentals in Southwest HarborOpens in a new window
Map
Southwest Harbor, ME

What's nearby

  • Acadia National Park - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Wonderland Trail Trailhead - 4 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead - 4 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Wendell Gilley Museum - 5 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - 6 min drive - 7.2 km

Getting around

  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 24 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Archie’s Lobster - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Milagro's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Little Notch Bakery - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Jordan Pond House - ‬33 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Keyhole Cabin by the Sea pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Keyhole Cabin by the Sea?

As of May 17, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Keyhole Cabin by the Sea on Aug 9, 2026 start from $280, 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 Keyhole Cabin by the Sea?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Keyhole Cabin by the Sea?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Keyhole Cabin by the Sea located?

Nestled on the beach, this Seawall cabin is within 3 mi (5 km) of Acadia National Park, Wonderland Trail Trailhead, and Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead. Wendell Gilley Museum is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) away.

Reviews

10

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. 19 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel and Lydia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay at Keyhole Cabin! The cabin was clean, cozy, and well equipped. We loved our morning walks along the boardwalk to watch the sunrise, explore tide pools, and watch the boats go by.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

katherine M.

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

Perfect tranquility

Our family was so pleased with our stay at key hole the kids were begging to come back the following year before we had even left. Highlights were srarching the beach and exploring the tide pools.The location was perfect for a quick trip to any points on mount desert Island or the surrounding islands. The home had everything we needed
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlene D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a perfect week at the Keyhole Cabin! It was exactly as described, clean, cozy, quintessential beautifully rustic and peaceful cabin and setting! There was more than enough space for our family of 3, we cooked most of our meals and didn’t lack any kitchen wares- lots of clean fresh towels and linens, the charm and serenity was just what we wanted. Loved the rocky beach for walks, finding interesting shells and stones and watching the boats go by- the “quiet side” location was great for us and we were still able to do the main Acadia and Bar Harbor attractions on the other side of MDI when we wanted to. Couldn’t have been happier!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zane B.

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

Loved it

It was exactly what we were looking for. It is on a dead end road in a beautiful area. It was so quiet and peaceful. We could sit on the deck and watch deer walk by regularly. There’s a path down to the private beach (which is more like stones in Maine) and play in the water, catch crabs, or look for sea glass. There is not a TV which we liked, but plenty of games and books to Spend evenings after a day at Acadia or just right on the property. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katrina E.

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

Quiet rustic cabin

My family of 6 really enjoyed our time at The Keyhole. Although the living area is a little tight for 6 the room sizes were very nice and offered area to spread out. My kids loved going down to the ocean to look in the tide pools and we were close enough to explore Acadia, especially swimming at Echo Lake. My kids loved the games and Legos. The kitchen had everything we needed and the gas grill was awesome to have. The hosts were very responsive if we had questions. I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a more quiet place to explore Acadia.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula T.

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

Peaceful and quaint

If you are looking for a trendy spot, this is not it. But, if you want a cozy place that reminds you of your grandparents house when you were growing up, this is your place. Everything you need is here, well except for coffee that first morning. Groceries are not too close, so be sure to take in some basics with you. Plenty of pots and pans, dishes, linens. We loved the keyhole view and the walk to the beach is not bad. This is an older family cabin and it definitely feels like that, which we appreciated. Neighbors are not too close so we had plenty of privacy. Bed was comfortable(we only used 1 of the 3 bedrooms), as was the other furniture in the house. We did find the key box a bit awkward, but once we got it opened we had no problems. That is why an 4 for check in. Otherwise, seamless and owner/manager sent great directions and answered questions. All in all we had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica C.

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

Turn off and Relax

We had a wonderful stay at The Keyhole. It is clearly a cabin whose walls are filled with love and history. The path to the beach was magical, the water full of tidepools for our son to explore and rocks for building castles and animal habitats. The stars were gorgeous. The owners were so gracious and communicated with us throughout the covid pandemic in a way that was so understanding and flexible, we knew that we would be able to have a stay at any point safely with them and we really really appreciated their understanding. Get your covid tests, follow Maine covid policies, pack your food and necessities (though we found plenty of curbside options), and come have a wonderful socially distant vacation at The Keyhole! Thank you Cat and Susan and families! We hope to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

megan R.

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

Magical Place to Unplug

This is a special spot, perfect for the way my family likes to have vacation. The house is cozy, the beach is epic, the proximity to Acadia is fantastic. And we felt so lucky to be on 'the quietside' - South Harbor is great.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marie P.

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

A great time in Maine and at the Keyhole

We had a wonderful time staying at the Keyhole! The property was roomy enough to comfortably fit 4 of us. The space was well furnished, the beds comfortable, the kitchen was full of all the cookware and utensils we needed. The property is centrally located and not far from all the parts of the island you'll want to explore. It's a quick drive to get lobster rolls at Beal's, Thurston's or Charlotte's, and Acadia is not far at all. Bar Harbor is only a 25-30 minute drive too. We also loved the beach and the wooden path to it, and enjoyed making a fire on the beach on our last night. The view is beautiful and peaceful. Our stay was fantastic - thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Fantastic beach cabin for the family

My family and I (wife and 3 boys) had a very comfortable stay at the keyhole. It's nestled in a quiet location and just a short walk down the boardwalk to the harbor. The house comes "equipped" with numerous games and puzzles that our family enjoyed playing in the evenings. We look forward to future visits to MDI and staying at the keyhole again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John W.

Homey, private, and comfortable!

Homey, private, and comfortable. Rustic, but it transformed a mostly rainy week into a relaxing vacation! Excellent service from the owner and her sister who takes care of the property.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

The Keyhole is great for a family vacation!!

We recently stayed at the Keyhole with 4 adults and 2 little boys, it was perfectly rustic Maine! The cabin was well stocked and the new grill was perfect. Our boys loved walking the boardwalk to the private beach and spent many many hours there. The beach was beautiful and quiet with great views and sounds of lobster boats. It was an excellent location to all the attractions of the island. We will definitely be retuning to the Keyhole!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

lee c.

A Great Hidden Cabin

What a treat, so glad we found this cabin & went ahead & booked it. Nothing fancy just a Great secluded rustic cabin surrounded by woods & an easy walk down to the beach. The beach & tide pools were great, my children (& myself) had some much fun at mid & low tide looking for sea life. We even a lovely small beach fire one night & the stars were amazing. The adults & children enjoyed this place alike. Great location, minutes from lovely Southwest Harbor & Bass Harbor. Easy drives to Acadia, be just about anywhere in 20-35 minutes. Close to swimming in Echo Lake, wonderland trail is a nice easy hike just down the road. Cabin can get pretty warm during the day , but we were always at the beach or elsewhere on the island during those hours. The owners are responsive & easy to reach. Well worth taking a look at this place. We will stay here again the next time we return to MDI.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Petar Z.

Quiet and relaxing getaway!

My wife and I had a beautiful time at Keyhole cottage in the summer of 2015. Although Southwest Harbor is a busy summer vacation destination, the cottage offers absolute privacy and serenity. Oh, we had a guest almost every morning - a playful deer watching us from a distance. All amenities and vacation entertainments are well listed in the rental description, I am not going to repeat them. I'd like just to say the cottage offers everything you would miss leaving your home. Even WiFi was good and fast. There is easy access to the beach (has tables and benches) and the spot offers beautiful views. The cottage is secluded and feels so private but at the same time it is in the center (or very close) to hiking trails, downtown South Harbor, Acadia park and Bar Harbor. The owners are very polite and helpful! We found this treasure and loved it! And will be back in summer 2016.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Patti I.

Cozy, great location!

Our family of four had a wonderful stay at The Keyhole. We loved the privacy of the setting, the quick access to the beach and the close proximity of Southwest Harbor. The cabin was cozy and comfortable...a great getaway! We would definitely stay there again!!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

A great family friendly spot.

We had a wonderful time staying at the Keyhole. The cabin is small and rustic, but well appointed, and you couldn't ask for a better location! We had the feeling of being in a remote location, but were close enough to town to make it convenient. The views are spectacular, and the kids spent plenty of time combing the beach for treasures. The owners are friendly and accommodating. Thank you! We will be back!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 22, 2020
Thank you Rachel for a lovely review. We are looking forward to having you stay at the Keyhole again this summer.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Serenity surrounded by beauty

I have stayed at the Keyhole a few times over the years, and it always feels like coming home. I am a photographer, and couldn't stop taking pictures while on the island, it was beautiful everywhere we went. We enjoyed delicious lobsters, and quiet breakfasts on the deck. We never managed to hike all the trails we wanted to, and I will be happy to come back to do some more.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Joan C.

Time to Breathe

I have been coming to Keyhole Cottage for many years; the last time three years ago with my wife, who died less than a year later. This was the first year I've been back since then. Keyhole Cottage is a place to take time to breathe; to sit and listen and watch without the interruption of television; though there is wifi and so you can always check the news if you really want to. Since you are in the midst of Acadia National Park you are close to all the attractions that that wonderful place has to offer: hiking, bicycling etc. You can see the sunrise from Cadillac Mt, or you can walk a hundred yards to your own beach and to do the same. The accomodations are more than adequate and the cottage has a nice deck with the keyhole view of the water.A great place to be.

About the host

Hosted by Catharine McKibbin

Host profile image

This is our family summer cabin, that we built on family land. Our family has been summering in Maine since the 50's, and my sister Susan lives in SW Harbor with her family.

What makes this property unique

Peace and Privacy

Languages:

English

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