Entire home

Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Photo gallery for Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Deck with propane fire pit. You'll spend a lot of time right here.
Deer tracks on the beach. You'll see lots of friendly deer on the island.
Orcas off the west shore of Herron. Our cabin is on the east shore.
Wake up to a view of Case Inlet on Puget Sound from the master bedroom.
Queen size bed in master bedroom.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 81320 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Beach view
    Beach view
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space
  • Pet friendly
    Pet friendly
  • Washer
    Washer

Explore the area

Map
Lakebay, WA
  • Penrose Point State Park
    32 min drive
  • Bay Lake
    33 min drive
  • Phillips Lake
    78 min drive
  • Tacoma, WA (TIW-Tacoma Narrows)
    63 min drive

About this property

Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!

Herron Island is a small and secluded private Island in southern Puget Sound where you'll see more deer, eagles, seals and whales than people. A short 10 minute ferry ride separates you from all the distractions of the mainland. You can only access the island by our private 12 car ferry. There are no stores or restaurants on the island so you'll experience a level of peace and quiet that is hard to match anywhere else.

Ductless heating and air conditioning keep the house comfy and cozy year round. There are 2 bedrooms plus a large sleeping loft. The master bedroom has a cozy queen size bed and a stunning view of the water. The second bedroom has a comfortable queen size bed. There is a sleeping loft with 4 single beds. There are enough beds for 8. The open living/dining/kitchen area is a great place to congregate, prepare meals and enjoy time together.

There are 2 decks with spectacular views of the Puget Sound year round. Sunrises are nothing short of inspirational. Watching the moonlight reflect off of the water at night is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. Take in the view from the deck or just stay in bed and enjoy from your bedroom window.

You'll have complete access to the beach via our private stairs where you'll find 2 kayaks and 2 stand-up paddle boards waiting for you. The water in case inlet is warm enough to swim in the summer and uncommonly calm year round, making for some of the smoothest water sports you'll find anywhere. Guests enjoy kayaking and beach combing all year. A walk around the island on the beach is a great way to spend an afternoon and see a wide range of the beauty the Puget Sound has to offer. Whether you bundle up in the winter or put on your flip flops in the summer, a walk around the island on the beach is a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Puget Sound. The island is just over a mile long and can be circled in under 2 hours at a leisurely pace. Expect to encounter a variety of Northwest wildlife including seals, otter, eagles, herons, deer and porpoise. If you're lucky you'll see the Orca and Humpback whales that have been visiting the island in ever increasing numbers. Listen for them spouting.

After you play at the beach you can rinse away the salt and sand with a fresh water rinse at our beach shed.

A complete set of patio furniture (table, chairs and umbrella) are set up during spring and summer on our upper deck. The gas grill, gas fire pit and a set of Adirondack chairs are available year round. We supply the propane. The lower deck is a great place to slip off to for a little seclusion. Any meal enjoyed on the deck will be one you will remember forever.

There is no cable TV or internet but most people can get some cell coverage and internet via their mobile phones. If needed there are several areas on the island where cell signals are strong. There is a TV, VHS player and a huge library of VHS tapes. Yep! VHS tapes. Our guests consistently rave about cozying up to watch movies from our collection of of vintage movies. We considered adding DSL but our guests have so enjoyed the escape from their technology that we've decided to remain un-wired.

Round trip ferry toll is $25.00 for a car and driver plus $5 for each additional passenger. Ferry lines can get long particularly on holidays and weekends. Please help us keep our ferry lines short by arriving in as few vehicles as possible. Once you arrive on the island there's not much need for a car. You can walk anywhere you want to go. There is no public transportation that can bring you to Herron Island. If you're flying in from out of town plan on renting a car at the airport.

THERE ARE NO STORES, RESTAURANTS OR MEDICAL SERVICES ON THE ISLAND. YOU'LL NEED TO BRING ALL YOUR FOOD. We supply all towels, linen, foil, soap and paper products. The tap water is fine for drinking.

Herron Island is a very peaceful place. Please respect our neighbors peace, privacy and property at all times.

Property manager

Donn Bennett
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Air conditioning
Gym

Similar properties

House Rules

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

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Obvious care should be taken with kids near water.

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please respect our neighbors peace, privacy and property. Walk anywhere on the beach but please picnic and play only on the beach in front of house.
Fires only in propane fire table on deck. No wood fires, fireworks or firearms anywhere on island.
No loud music outside from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Please no potentially offensive language or music.

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
Long-term renters welcome
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Lakebay

Located in Lakebay, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Penrose Point State Park and Rocky Creek Conservation Area, while Paradise Theatre and Harbor History Museum are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking, snorkeling, and water skiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails.
Map
Lakebay, WA

What's nearby

  • Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium - 69 min drive - 50.7 km
  • Phillips Lake - 78 min drive - 55.1 km
  • Joint Base Lewis-McChord - 80 min drive - 71.3 km
  • Harstine Island State Park - 86 min drive - 63.3 km
  • Little Creek Casino - 90 min drive - 73.2 km

Getting around

  • South Tacoma Station - 69 min drive
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - 96 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Spencer Lake Bar & Grill - ‬71 min drive
  • ‪Trillium Creek Winery - ‬30 min drive
  • ‪Brooklyn Deli - ‬70 min drive
  • ‪Lakebay Marina - ‬32 min drive
  • ‪The Snack Shack - ‬34 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secret Island Beach House. Waterfront, Kayak, Paddle Board, Fire Pit, View! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Lakebay vacation home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Trillium Creek Winery, Joemma Beach, and Bay Lake. Joemma Beach State Park and Penrose Point State Park are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 96 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Alie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful getaway!
We enjoyed our days here with the quiet, peaceful water view. Saw numerous seals and osprey and walked all the way around the island. Beds are super comfy, plenty of cozy amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfection!
The home was a perfect spot for us! Herron Island is as magical now as it was when I was young, and it was a joy to share it with my young adult kid. Fresh air, trees, deer, beaches, and that crystal clear water of the puget sound—what more do you really need?
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family weekend
We had a great time! The house had everything we needed and was ideally located for exploring the beach and the island. Thank you so much!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful property
We had a great time while on Herron Island. The house was perfect for us! We enjoyed the outdoor spaces, kayaking, the firepit, grill, etc. The deck is perfect for feeding the deer. And when it rained we stayed inside and played board games. Such a fun time! :-)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Racheal D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short summer getaway
We had a great time on Herron Island. The deer greeted us as soon as we arrived on the property and we were so happy to find deer feed in the kitchen. Definitely a highlight for the teens and pre-teen to hand feed the deer every day. Great calm water for kayaking and paddleboarding. We had a wonderful stay and only wish we could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and lovely stay
This property was very nice and our family of five have a great visit. The highlights included the very friendly dear that visited daily and snacked on the apples as they fell from the tree! Kayaking was very easy and enjoyable and we walk along the beach every day. I would definitely recommend this house and location!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carl P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location, great house and amenities
Love this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Had a very relaxing weekend on Herron Island. The cabin was clean and nicely appointed. Retro VHS collection was fun. Nice deer.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
What a great mini vacation for our family! We needed a mid-week Spring Break getaway for me 4 kids to work around our schedule, and this fit the bill! The house is beautiful, clean, and right on the water. The pictures do not do it justice. All of my kids loved kayaking around--it was very safe! My teens stayed in the two master bedrooms giving them a little privacy, while I shared the loft with my younger kids. The owners thought of everything, from well-stocked bathrooms and kitchen, to life jackets and a fire pit. A calm, peaceful vacation. The lack of good cell coverage was a plus--my teens stayed off their phones the whole time. Bring your family to this beautiful home. You won't be disappointed.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

jenna s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Herron Island visit!
Location, location! Whole family had fun- cozy DVD’s for downpour, beach combing and never-ending pickle ball at the park. Thank you for hosting a memorable stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jayme P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
Everything was perfect. we walked around the island when tide was low and jumped in the water when the tide was high. The cottage is stocked with everything you could possibly need. It’s very cozy,comfortable, and picturesque. We absolutely we’ll be back. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet and Quiet
We loved our stay on Herron Island. The days and evenings were quiet and peaceful. We kayaked around the island and hiked around at low tide the next day. The home was old-fashioned but updated enough. Everything was clean and very comfortable. We appreciated the well stocked kitchen (spices and tools) and the clean grill. It was all lovely.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love this place
We have stayed here once before in 2020 and again in Aug 2022. Property is exactly as described and has everything you need! Many games and movies provided. Views are to die for and kayaks/paddle boards are provided. Seeing the deer is always a big hit for the kids. There is a pretty good playground in the middle of the island (walkable with kids from the house) and another one at N Beach. So many cool tiny sea creatures to see and explore at low tide. The property manager is very responsive via text during our stays.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cora P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfection on Herron Island
Everything was just as described and pictured. Beautiful setting and right on the water. Hostess had thought of everything to make our stay so comfortable. Walked the island everyday, fed the deer and slept the best in months. Great way to spend time with the family with no social media to distract anyone
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristen S., Seattle, WA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful location, great for families
Great beach, comfy house, lovely quiet island, well stocked kitchen, lovely communication with the property owner!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful time!
Our family was looking for the perfect getaway to slow down and enjoy time together. This was it! Our kids loved the loft as their little oasis, the massive deck was perfect for spending time outdoors, the kitchen was well stocked, and the island was perfect for long walks. All in all, a great mini-vacation for us. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beds for Goldilocks AND the 3 bears
We really enjoyed our 3 nights of family time at Donn's house. The listing needs to be updated to say that the pellet stove is no longer functional because we spent a LOT of time trying to get it to work before texting Jeanie to find out it's been retired. It was no problem, however, because the electric heat pump kept us nice and toasty. The kitchen had everything we needed. The shower was great, appreciated the bulk soap and shampoo. LOVED not having wi-fi and watching all of those great VHS movies! Although, previous tenants were remiss not to rewind, so we educated our teens on VCR etiquette...ha! Please be kind, rewind! The six beds ranged from very soft to very hard, definitely had a bed type for every person in our family. The location was beautiful. We really enjoyed the peace and serenity of being on Herron Island. We loved walking on the beach at low tide and going on to the beach at night after the fog set in, it was super fun and spooky.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan O., Portland, OR

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing getaway
We loved our Herron Island getaway and Don’s place! The house was comfortable and felt like plenty of room for the six of us. Loved eating outside on the deck, kayaking, walking around the island, watching movies and playing games. The island was very quiet! It was great to unplug.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Justin R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Herron Island getaway
My family and I stayed here for a week and loved it. We walked around the island at low tide, played pickle ball at the park, swam at the beach, kayaked, paddleboarded and fed the deer! The communication with both the owner and hostess was fantastic. Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carl P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
Super nice house with deck and water access. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect getaway!
We were looking for a property near the water for a girls/birthday/much needed break....this place was perfect....clean and cute home with an amazing view of the water. It was so peaceful and quiet...being on a private island definitely helped with that! Use of kayaks made for an enjoyable paddle around the island. The local deer were very friendly....they sure like to be fed! Both the owner and hostess were very responsive and helpful! We all agree that this is one place we will return too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mandie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great vacation
Our family of four enjoyed a few days at this house feeding deer, beach combing and kayaking. The house is well stocked and communication was top notch. The lack of WiFi was a blessing! Pro tip- bring extra deer food as they are wonderfully friendly!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Whitney H., Shoreline, WA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise
Our family (2 adults and two children- 9 year olds) visited the island and stayed at this property over the 4th of July. This property is paradise! Even more lovely than the photos. It has a vintage and well apportioned kitchen. Spacious, adorable loft for the kids. Every day deer came to visit us and we hand fed them apples from the apple tree in the front yard and pet them. We swam in the beach, ride our bikes, played board games, kayaked. South Beach is quiet and pristine. North Beach is a blastoff kids- dock and designated swimming area. I cannot recommend this vacation home enough. So lovely!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Petr J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful property
The property and Herron Island are absolutely wonderful. One of the best family vacations in long time. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Donn Bennett

Host profile image
My wife and I have lived in the Pacific Northwest most of our lives and raised our kids here as well. After traveling the world for most of our lives we've come to realize that the Pacific Northwest is truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share our homes with so many nice people.

Why they chose this property

We discovered Herron Island in southern Puget Sound about 10 years ago and immediately fell in love with it. We were amazed that such a beautiful place could exist so close to our Seattle home, without ever even knowing it was there. We enjoy sharing our "secret" island with others. We have 2 homes there. We hope you will love Herron Island as much as we do- ENJOY!

What makes this property unique

The first morning we woke up on Herron Island to see the sunrise on the Case Inlet we knew our lives were about to change. Within a couple years we owned 2 homes on the island and were making plans to someday make this our permanent home. Herron is less than 90 minutes from Seattle, but once I get on the ferry across Case Inlet I feel like I'm a million miles away. The peace we experience here is like nothing we've experienced anywhere else.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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