Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks
Dolphin Vista is a 2 bedroom (plus Futon), 2 bath house for 6 guests on a cul-de-sac street surrounded by water with boats and seagulls and dolphins. From Dolphin Vista it's a 5 minute drive to the Surfside Beach entrance. On this part of the Texas coast, you can drive your car, truck, or RV right onto 13 miles of sandy beach. More fun than renting a beachfront house because your car or truck carries all the gear - sun canopy, coolers, chairs, toys, float tubes, towels, dogs, grill, fishing poles, etc. Park near the sand dunes and set up your shaded camp just feet from the rolling surf. Put on the suntan lotion and ...build your sand castle, look for seashells, feed the seagulls, relax and enjoy!
Galveston Island is 20 minutes along the beach road and over the beautiful San Luis pass bridge. Galveston Seawall restaurants are about 35 minutes away.
After your day at the beach, pack up and drive home for a relaxing evening in the quiet privacy of Dolphin Lane. No street parking like most rentals... our double-wide driveway holds 8 cars (and big RVs). Watch the sunset from our high deck. This is a rare resort house with two big skylights for moonlit nights and sunny days and palm trees and fishing dock plus all kinds of BIG yachts and huge ships sailing past along the Intracoastal Waterway in the front. We have a big dock with ladder for fishing and launching your kayak.
Two outdoor grills for cooking in the shade while watching the local boats on the canal or the giant tugboat barges on the Intracoastal waterway. You have a 5 burner stainless steel propane grill (with propane tank) AND a charcoal grill to cook all your favorite entrees. Enjoy Xfinity WiFi for high speed internet, gaming, and TV. Pets allowed with an extra fee. No smoking inside the house. You can relax with fishing and crabbing off the back dock. (Texas fishing license required if you are 18 or older.) Catch the sunset from the private back deck. Relax in the shade under the deck on the two person hammock.
This property has city of Freeport municipal water (not wells) and city sewers (no leaky septic tank) that meets all government standards.
The house is not the typical dark and sandy beach cabin. Two skylights make you feel outside while sitting in air conditioned comfort. You can sleep under a skylight and enjoy the stars and moon. It is fully furnished and decorated; with all appliances except a dishwasher. Each bedroom and the living room has a TV . There is a full size futon in the living room that seats 4 and sleeps two. The house has two layers of siding plus new Pella double pane windows and patio door. This makes it very quiet inside when you shut all the doors and windows. Or open everything up and it feels like an giant umbrella at the shore. One bedroom has a Queen bed and the other bedroom has two twin beds. The futon in the living room folds down to a full size bed. This is a no smoking home inside, but with lots of covered outside places to take a puff.
The neighborhood is very quiet because Dolphin Lane ends in a cul-de-sac one block away, so there's never any fast cars. The streets are very safe for biking, scooters, skateboards and walking. Mature tall palm trees rustle in the sea breeze while you relax on the front or rear deck. Each deck has a stairway. The neighborhood is mostly homeowners and is very quiet and private. The driveway is huge... you could park two 40ft motor homes side by side, plus a couple of cars.
The house has central air and heat. And lots of screened windows for those cool spring and fall days. The prevailing sea breeze blows straight into the front door and out the back door and windows. The kitchen and the living room have vaulted ceilings; and each has a big skylight that makes it feel like you are outside with the sun moving across the room making it bright and cheery.
The front deck has 6 chairs that won't blow away. Half the front deck has a roof for shade and the other half is great for private sunbathing or stargazing. The view of the Inter coastal Waterway from the front deck is entrancing when a big tug boat motors through or a fast deep-sea fishing boat skims by. The rear deck looks at the sunset, and the canal. The neighbors have fishing boats docked in their back yard! The dock has a light for safety.
The owners Bruce and Debbie have run a Bed & Breakfast in Lake Jackson for years and the family does all the maintenance and cleaning and disinfecting. We do not use nomadic cleaning teams. We keep Dolphin Vista maintained and spiffy so you have fun, fun, fun! Check-in is 4:00 pm and checkout is 11:00 am. There is an electronic combination lock so you don't have to worry about losing the key or driving home with the key in your pocket.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 50 lbs per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pets allowed (limit 2) with $50 fee for each
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed outside only.
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items
Lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No more than 6 overnight guests in the house without owner's permission.
Daytime guests should be kept to a minimum.
No loud parties allowed (we are located in a residential community).
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number STR24-000016
Property # 626474
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
This property uses wind and solar energy
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 and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Freeport
Located in Surfside Beach, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Surfside Beach and Quintana Xeriscape Nature Reserve reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Brazosport Museum of Natural Science and Sea Center Texas. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and ecotours.
Is Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks?
As of May 12, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks on Jul 21, 2026 start from $164, 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 Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Texas Surfside Beach Canal House ~Dolphin Vista~ Front and Rear Decks located?
This family-friendly Surfside Beach vacation home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Swan Lake, Surfside Beach and Surfside Jetty Park. Follets Island Beach and Fresh Water Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Such a great location with outstanding views. Would definitely stay here again!
Crystal D.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 5, 2022
Thank you for reviewing Dolphin Vista. The great views of canal traffic and the quiet community make our house a very peaceful getaway. You are welcome back anytime.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie W.
Apr 15, 2018
Quiet street
I loved our stay here! It's not a far drive from the beach and was very quiet at night. Will definitely stay again!
Stephanie W.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 22, 2020
So glad to hear you loved your stay. We think of Dolphin Vista as a quiet place to relax after a fun filled day at the beach. You are welcome back anytime.
Great location. Peaceful and quiet. Beautiful place and comfortable.
Stacey R.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 23, 2022
Thank you for your review. The quiet neighborhood just minutes from the beach makes Dolphin Vista's location the best of both worlds. We hope you stay with us on your next visit to Surfside.
Is a wonderful place and we are so great full to be a part of the stay, thank you so much.
Francisco V.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Lynn P.
Sep 7, 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Couches were stained and dirty. Online photos are from many years ago and inaccurate. Beds had stacks of white linen, clean but stained. Picnic bench outside broke when sat on. Hair in the shower. This place needs a professional cleaning.
Thank you for taking the time to review our property. So glad you loved the house and hope you visit us again.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Anthony M.
Aug 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
The house was OK. They listed the house as a three bedroom and it was a two bedroom spoke with the host. Never got back with me.
Anthony M.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer D.
Jan 12, 2018
Wonderful
We loved the house! The owner is very nice responded quickly to our questions. Everything we needed was there and the bed is super comfortable!! Having a half bath was nice and our dogs enjoyed themselves as well. Only wish we could’ve stayed longer :-)
Jennifer D.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 22, 2020
We are so happy to hear that you loved the house. Dolphin Vista is a very peaceful place to spend the holidays. Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Please come back the next time you are in town.
Debbie and Bruce
This little Gem is so welcoming and perfect! Nice views from both decks, front is the inter-coastal and back is the canal. Great for fishing, kayaking and just relaxing! Very comfortable and room for us all. Thank you!
Kimberly D.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 23, 2022
It sounds like Dolphin Vista was a great fit for you. Since you were here we improved our dock and hope you visit us again to try it out. Thank you for your review.
Nice property, great location on the canal, perfect for relaxing and fishing with crabbing! The dock light is burnt out, but no biggie, we had a lantern we used for night fishing. Great dock space and plenty of parking! The house was clean, would love some basic shampoo or bodywash in the bathroom, but it wasn't a big deal.
Dolphin Vista is a comfortable cottage on silts. It has a delightful view of barge traffic on the Inter-coastal Waterway.
Parking is plentiful and the dock out back allows access to the canal out back.
The drive-on beach access (daily fee or annual fee) is five minutes away.
We got a annual pass for 12.00 and came and went as we pleased.
The carpet was horribly stained. It made us queastion the cleanliness of the rest of the house even though it looked clean. The location is perfect and the neighborhood was awesome.
Jeanne K.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 25, 2020
We do shampoo the carpet often, but some stains are very hard to remove and the white spots were from cleaner that left the carpet looking bleached. We have found the white carpet to be very hard to maintain and had already made the decision to replace it with vinyl flooring. Our plan was to do this before our busy season started, but then Covid hit and we could not find a service to do the job. We have been very busy during the summer and finally have an empty week to get the job done.
I’m sorry the carpet made you question the cleanliness of the rest of the house. We are glad you were happy with the location and neighborhood and hope you give us another chance the next time you are in the area.
Debbie and Bruce
We really enjoyed our stay and had fun crabbing and fishing we did not catch but 3 crabs, and no fish I think it was due to the heat but we had so much fun trying and really enjoyed our stay. i would recommend anyone to try 91 Dolphin Ln in Freeport TX, The Property manager was exceptional and reply instantly.
Cynthia L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 6, 2022
Thank you for the 5 star review. Yes the crabbing and fishing is unpredictable. Hope you come back and try your luck again.
Verified
8/10 Good
Eric N.
May 6, 2018
Cozy, comfortable place to stay near the beach.
Everything we needed for our get away. And the price is right. We wanted a quiet, relaxing get away beforre my wife’s MD Anderson appointments and it was great. The weather didn’t cooperate For beach time but it’s an easy 3 minuet drive to the beach, 15 minutes to Lake Jackson and 40 minutes to Galveston.
Eric N.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 22, 2020
So glad you found the house comfortable and relaxing for your stay. Sorry the weather was not up to par. We hope you can come back to Dolphin Vista when the weather is better.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Leith L.
Aug 1, 2015
Perfect Getaway
Just returned from a week stay and ready to go back all ready. The house, the location, the beach, everything we hoped for and so much more! Quite and comfortable, a perfect place to unwind from day trips to Galveston. The wife and I enjoyed sitting on the front porch mornings/evenings watching the different water crafts traversing the Intracoastal Waterway. The view from the back porch on the canal side reminded us of Venice, our little Italy in Surfside Beach. Highly recommend!
Leith L.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 22, 2020
Thanks so much for the great review. And what a great analogy, our dock view and Venice. Hope you visit again.
Debbie and Bruce
About the host
Hosted by Debbie & Bruce Warren
Debbie and Bruce have lived in their house, Valcour Verandas, in Lake Jackson for 45 years. They have hosted 35 weddings at Valcour Verandas. Debbie is a chef who teaches classes at the community college. They have owned DolphinVista since 2013 and family members do all the maintenance and cleaning so you can be sure it is done right. They live about 20 minutes away, so if you call, any issues can be fixed quick.
Why they chose this property
The sunrise is on the front deck, the sunset is over the back deck. We bought this house because it has vaulted ceilings and two skylights. You have a quiet, private neighborhood with the fabulous beach only 5 minutes away.
What makes this property unique
Not your typical sandy beachhouse. Neat, clean, well decorated. Two skylights make you feel like you are outside while relaxing in the living room and kitchen. City water and city sewer, no well, no septic tank like most beach front houses. AND - LOTS of parking space on double wide driveway the full width of the house.