Entire home

Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6

Beachfront holiday home with kitchen and balcony

Photo gallery for Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6

Exterior detail
Property grounds
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 63406 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

View in a map
Port Angeles, WA
  • Place, Elwa River Casino
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Place, Port Angeles Ferry Terminal
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Olympic National Park Visitor Center
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Airport, Port Angeles, WA (CLM-William R. Fairchild Intl.)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 4

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6

CORONAVIRUS POLICY: see bottom of page.

SEE BELOW FOR RENTAL RATES, ADDITIONAL FEES, & MINIMUM STAYS:

RENTAL RATES, MINIMUM STAYS:
Holiday & Weekend Rates, & Minimum Stays
(2-4 nights)
1 King bedroom at Fixed Advertised Low Rate rate. We encourage couples & smaller groups.
2 additional king bedrooms@ $150 per room/night

ADDITIONAL FEES:
Early Check in/Late Check out
$100 per hour (as time permits)
Cleaning $275
Refundable Deposit $500
Damage Protection Policy $89
Firewood $3 per log (or bring your own)
Tax & VRBO Service Fee (varies)
GET TRIP INSURANCE !!

NO KIDS under 13 (13-18 years old OK)

ABOUT THE DUCK POND HOME & ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 2-6:
We are NOT a “Party House”. If you can’t leave our home the way you found it, best not to book ! We no longer provide bunk rooms, nor accommodations for more than 6 maximum.
The Duck Pond Beach House property is completely gated from the street & entrance into the property is through a coded gate. So you feel like you are within your own private world once you enter the Duck Pond property.
We only allow those on the rental agreement to be on the property at any time. No drop bys, gatherings, events or parties of any kind. No exceptions !
The raised 2 story 3406 sq ft home has the main living on the 2nd floor. The home is not disabled accessible due to the stairs, nor is it kid friendly. The top floor (2nd floor) is rented out for 2 based on single/double occupancy at a fixed advertised nightly rate. We rent by the bedroom beyond the first King room, (Single/Double occupancy) @ $150 per room/per night. This large king bedroom, has its own ensuite 3/4 bathroom, a 1/4 powder room in the hallway, & a very large great room with soaring 12' ceilings, floor to ceiling windows & doors, allowing you seasonal unobstructed views in all directions of the Olympic Mountains, evergreen bluff, Freshwater Bay & Beach, year round daily surfers, the Straits of San Juan de Fuca & Canada across the water. The great room includes a living room area with wood burning fireplace, seating for 6, large communal dining table with 8 chairs, bar seating for 2, & fully equipped chefs kitchen with all NEW KitchenAid stainless steel appliances: propane range/convection oven with builtin downdraft, large electric microwave/convection countertop oven, large capacity dishwasher, large fridge with ice maker & all the kitchen amenities you would want to whip up a fine gourmet meal. This area spills out onto an observation deck that hovers over the landscape to the north where you can watch the wildlife below on the surrounding grounds, across the pond & in the bay, birds on the water, soaring around & above you, passing ships, & Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC across the water. There are 4 Adirondack chairs, a round outdoor dining table & seating for 6. In addition there are 2 more Adirondack chairs as well as a NEW Weber propane BBQ grill. There are 8 more Adirondack chairs: 2 on the front deck plus bench; 2 off upper king suite; 2 off the lower back door deck; 2 off the lowered king bedroom deck.

ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR 4 MORE:
The 1st & 2nd floors have 2 more LOCK OUT king bedrooms, that are only unlocked & made available for additional guests over the initial 2 guests upstairs for an additional per room/night fee based on single/double occupancy @ $150 per room/night. Therefore we can accommodate 2 - 6 registered guests maximum (as appropriate) for an additional charge of $150 per room/night, single/double occupancy. It includes a 2nd & 3rd king bedroom 3/4 full bathroom on 2nd floor, & Full bathroom on 1st floor, laundry room (if available), media / game / library room. These 2 king bedrooms are ideal for couples, kids over 13, or adults that do not want to share a bed. NO young kids under 13 permitted. We have stairs everywhere, balconies, sharp corners, stone floors, breakables, white carpets, tons of full height glass windows & doors, uneven grounds, gravel asphalt driveway, fire pit & large unfenced pond. The house is fragile & contains a lot of objects that could get easily broken. The pond is a potential hazard. So we urge that you watch your kids like a hawk at all times. We assume absolutely no responsibility.

ADDITIONAL AMENITIES & FEES:
Firewood, kindling, paper & matches are provided to start a fire in the wood burning fireplace, but there will be a charge if you do not replenish the wood storage box below the fireplace. You can get more wood from our family woodpile supply that is on the west side of the under observation deck. The restocking charge is $150 if not replenished. Our firewood usage charge is $3 per log as a convenience & chargeable amenity, or you can bring your own firewood. We will deduct these charges from your deposit after check out inventory.

EARLY/LATE CHECK IN/OUT: $100 per hour if time permits.

INTERNET:
We have STARLINK low orbit Satellite since 2020. It’s been reliable, but can fluctuate or cut out for a few minutes, due to increased heavy demand, passing satellites, & strong winds. LITE, 5G and hotspots would be your best backup.

ABOUT THE PROPERTY:
The Duck Pond Beach House is located behind its own private gates off the street, on Freshwater Bay at the Elwha River Mouth, Washington's newest rapidly growing black sand surf beach. The Elwha River had 2 dams that were removed in 2012 & 2014. When that happened, 100 years of built up silt washed down to the Straits of San Juan de Fuca. Over the past few years all that sand got redeposited against the shores of Freshwater Bay at the Elwha River Mouth, forming over 150 new acres of black sand beach & driftwood. Before this occurrence, the beach was nearly impossible to walk over due to it being covered with cobble rock. Now the new black sand beach grows & grows every day, constantly charging its shape, which draws more & more visitors to witness this amazing phenomenon & enjoy this spectacular place.
The Duck Pond is located on the largest of two freshwater ponds, separated from the Elwha River by a Dike that is privately owned but open to the public for beach access. The beach in front of the pond is also privately owned by those along this stretch. The Duck Pond property is just under 4 acres including a large 1.25 acres grass lawn, fresh water pond, & house, & almost 2.5 acres of private black sand & driftwood strewn beach, which the public often use as well. At present, dogs are welcome on the beach as long as the owners keep them on a leash at all times & pick up after them, but this privilege could be easily revoked at any time by the owners of the Dike & beach if these dog walkers do not keep them on a leash at all times or clean up after themselves.

NO PET POLICY:
Absolutely NO pets allowed due to severe allergies, wear & tear & the difficulty to keep the grounds dog poop clear which can cause disease & harm this fragile environment & wildlife.

SURROUNDING AREA & WHAT TO SEE:
The Duck Pond is well located to most of what the Olympic National Park & surrounding areas have to offer. You are only a few minutes away to start your adventure on the Discovery Trail which is just off of Place Road & the hwy 112, or up Race Road & up the mountain in town to Hurricane Ridge, or west to Crescent Lake which is only 15 minutes away, Sol Doc & the Hoh Rain Forest are just beyond there, or you can drive up to 2 hours along the Scenic hwy 112 west to the furthest westerly point of the Continental United States to Cape Flattery & Lake Ozette where you walk the boardwalks to the Pacific Ocean. You can reach almost anything within an easy day trip & hikes in all directions.
Sequim & Port Townsend are within 30 - 60 minutes away to the east as well, where you can explore more of what each area has to offer, farms, cideries, wineries, breweries, Dungeness Spit & Recreational Park, & historic downtown Port Townsend, great restaurants & shops, & Chimacum Valley, for farms, cideries, wineries & shops, etc. These areas are rich with agriculture & historic tales.
The town of Port Angeles is only a 10-15 minute drive east into town for groceries, bike, boat & ski rentals, restaurants, bars, breweries, cideries, wineries, shops & the Coho ferry to BC.
In addition, Victoria, Vancouver Island BC to the north is a short 90 minute ferry ride across the Straits of San Juan de Fuca where you can explore some more, go to gorgeous Butchart Gardens, drive & explore this enormous Canadian island, or enjoy High Tea at the Empress Hotel right there in Victoria Harbor. Just make sure to bring your passport, & make your ferry reservations there & back to secure a place in line. If you choose to go over by foot, no reservations are necessary, & ground transportation once you get there is easy & efficient.
Easy access to everything, yet you feel worlds away at the Duck Pond without the hustle & bustle of city life. Relax, Reflect, Explore. Your only limit is your own imagination.
ENJOY YOUR STAY at our home the Duck Pond !

CORONAVIRUS POLICY 09-01-2024:
Clallam County has vaccinated over 77% of its residents. If anyone in your party feels under the weather, or is sick, best to stay home. We cannot afford any additional cases in our remote area. We are experiencing a seasonal upswing.
For anyone canceling overseas travel, we offer an extraordinary option for your family & friends. We offer wide open nature spaces & fresh clean air to explore & enjoy the virus free wildlife of this region. All parks & beaches are now open.
Our excellent 5-Star cleaning staff go the extra mile by adding additional precautions & disinfectant. This is to protect our guests, staff, owners & our Duck Pond home. We ask our guests to do the same.
Our 60 day cancellation policy stands firm. Best to cancel before the 60 day period if you are in doubt about your trip. Once time gets closer to your desired stay, you can try to rebook if dates are still available. No refunds less than 60 days of your arrival date. We STRONGLY encourage TRIP INSURANCE!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17
Discourage small kids.
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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
Property Rental Agreement and Rental Rules must be agreed to, signed, and returned within 4 days of booking or your reservation will be cancelled.
No guests are allowed on property or may drop by, unless pre-approved by owner, and listed on rental agreement due to insurance restrictions.
NO Sandy / Muddy / Wet clothing, shoes, equipment or bags inside house at any time. Leave on porch.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Port Angeles

Located in Port Angeles, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. While the natural beauty of Olympic National Park and Olympic National Park Visitor Center can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Port Angeles Ferry Terminal. Travelling with kids? Consider Clallam County Fairgrounds and Feiro Marine Life Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Port Angeles, WA

What's nearby

  • Elwa River Casino - 14 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Port of Port Angeles - 14 min drive - 18.7 km
  • Port Angeles Ferry Terminal - 15 min drive - 20.0 km
  • Olympic National Park Visitor Center - 18 min drive - 19.9 km
  • Lake Crescent - 23 min drive - 35.9 km

Getting around

  • Port Angeles Bus Station - 20 min drive
  • Port Angeles, WA (CLM-William R. Fairchild Intl.) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Yodelin - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Higher Grounds Espresso And More - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Little Devil's Lunchbox - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Sabai Thai - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Fairmount Motel & Restaurant - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Duck Pond Beach House on Freshwater Bay @ Elwha River Mouth / 3 kings / sleeps 6 located?

Nestled on the beach, this Port Angeles holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Port Angeles Dog Park, Port of Port Angeles and Olympic National Forest. Madison Creek Falls and Clallam County Fairgrounds are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 124 out of 136 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 136 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 136 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 136 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 136 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steph

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

Perfect!

This was absolutely perfect and met all our needs! Super clean! Location was absolute key!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

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

Wonderful home

Our group of 6 adult friends so enjoyed our stay at this beautiful and fully equipped home.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel B.

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

Family Vacation

Beautiful house. Enjoyed the outdoor deck with amazing view and grill. plenty of space for 3 adult couples. Host reponded quickly to any issues.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erika B.

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

Family Vacation

Duck Pond Beach House is stunning. The views are breathtaking and the location was perfect for our needs.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Really, really nice!

The location is amazing and the house can very comfortably accommodate up to 10 in fine style. We enjoyed the short hike to the river mouth to watch salmon leaping in the evening. Renting eBikes to cruise up to see the former dam sites was cool as well. Only negative was that the decks had some nails poking up that needed to be pounded in but I didn't bring a hammer!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzan W., Mount Pleasant, SC

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

Perfect family vacation

Duck Pond House has it all - clean, spacious, and comfortable with wonderful views. The open floor plan was perfect for our family of five to eat, play, and laugh. We enjoyed escaping the busy daily life and reconnecting at April's retreat. You'll find everything you need whether you're staying for a few nights or a week plus. We enjoyed our morning walks on the beach and our evenings overlooking the pond. We saw so many bald eagles and other birds of prey along with deer and so much more. Perfect stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve R.

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

Wow. Just a beautiful place to stay for our Olympic visit

This house his in immaculate condition, fully renovated on a quiet street with a view of both the pond and the bay. An excellent kitchen and uniquely beautiful deck. April was great about walking us through all aspects. Some of the house rules did get a chuckle but they’re all designed to keep the house beautiful so I get it. You will have no regrets staying here. Quick tip if you’re going to cook in the house. Stop at a supermarket in Port Angeles on your way in. There’s no great place for a quick run out to grab things.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

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

What a place!

We've been doing vacation rentals in the Northwest for nearly 30 years, and while we've had more impressive houses (not many) and more spectacular views (tough competition around here), we've never found a more peaceful setting. Talk about serenity! I do agree with a previous reviewer about all the rules -- the most extensive we've come across -- but even though we didn't mop every countertop or squeegee the shower doors, I hope we're welcome back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shannon A.

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

Elopement stay

We chose this beautiful home to stay at with our immediate family while we eloped in Olympic. Duck pond was so beyond stunning with amazing accommodations-literally everything you could need was on property. We loved seed wildlife everyday from ducks,otters, and a mother doe and fawn. Duck pond is also close to a walking trail that allows access to the beach on Elwha river which was stunning to see. You can also view the vancouver islands from all the back windows and deck! Thank you to April for housing us! We would love to be back in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Janice Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Beautiful Beach House but not the best hospitality

The house is gorgeous and we enjoyed our two-night stay. If you’re looking for a place to stay with family or friends, it has everything you’d want: beautiful setting by the beach, big rooms with comfy beds, spacious and well decorated living areas and lots of outdoor space. However, I have a few suggestions. First off, make sure you read the fine print of the listing. We had to pay an additional fee for having a seventh person and they locked one of the rooms and bathrooms. There was also not a lot of flexibility when I asked for early check in or extra towels. The washer and dryer was also broken. Lastly, there are a lot of house rules, which didn’t make us feel very welcomed. If it was about just the house, it was great, but all the other things made us nervous to stay there.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yvette D.

Beautiful, luxurious home on the water

Duck Pond is a beautiful, spacious home with spectacular views. There were 8 of us, (2 families) and we had plenty of sleeping and living space. There is a great TV room/living room space on the lower level that was a perfect hang out space for the teenagers. We had been camping prior to our stay here and the comfortable king sized beds in the 3 larger rooms were amazing. The kitchen is large and well stocked, like someone lives there full time. The home is beautifully decorated and very comfortable, although not great for young kids (delicate trinkets and white carpets abound). The location is ideal- very close to Port Angeles and the entrance to Olympic National Park. We enjoyed early morning walks on the beach where we saw multiple bald eagles and tons of shore birds. We spent much of our time lounging on the back deck. It was great for star gazing and the Perseid Meteor Shower which was near peak the days we stayed. A great place to relax and visit the park.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Peter R., Arlington, VA

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

A beautifully appointed home and gorgeous setting

We had a delightful stay at the Duck Pond and would rent it again in a heartbeat. We have rented through VRBO often and have sometimes found that the property isn’t as nice as the photos would imply. The Duck Pond is the opposite. I’m not sure the photos, lovely as they are, adequately do justice to how beautiful the setting really is. It probably helped that we had exquisite weather for all but one day of our stay. The location is a very short trip to the Olympics National Park but you can spend your entire day just enjoying the beach where you are. The house is rich with supplies and high quality cookware (there is even a designated wooden spoon just for curry dishes — it inspired us to make curried chicken salad!). The high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows really provide for a lovely environment. I really can’t think of a single disappointment other than the fact that the prior tenant didn’t adequately clean the grill. This house is a rare find and I hope we get the opportunity to visit again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

APRIL S.

Beautiful Property

Our stay at Duck Pond was wonderful. We were in town for a baseball tournament. Three families stayed here and our 12 year old boys loved the property so much they didn’t want to leave. The adults raved about how comfortable the beds were. Even when the sun rose early, we were able to sleep through it - and didn’t want to get out of bed! The boys loved the bunkbeds and their “own area” downstairs. The layout of this house fit our needs perfectly. It truly couldn’t have been any more perfect! We regret not staying past the tournament to spend more time in the house and explore the beach. About the house: Pictures don’t do it justice. It’s so beautiful inside and the views are amazing. The whole house is fully stocked: from the kitchen to the bathroom! Beautifully decorated. About the owners: Completely responsive and easy to contact (we had to report that the gate sensor wasn’t working and she had it fixed within hours). If we ever make it back to Port Angeles, we wouldn’t bother looking elsewhere to stay. It’s Duck Pond or Bust!!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

2/10 Terrible

Rebekah W.

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

Beware would not recommend.

this was my 27th anniversary trip with my family and son that is dealing with a rare cancer. We needed this trip. We have rented Dozens of homes my husband and I own three companies in CA and we take pride in renting great homes and leaving them is perfect condition. This was a nightmare. Beware! We recently rented a 8 bed home with two elevators, 22 family members and we received not only 100% back in our deposit but ZERO complaints on our stay. DO NOT rent this home!!! Its a nightmare. This home owner is going to send you 14 emails the day before you check in with a Massive LIST of do's and don't. Down to why we should be grateful they are letting us use the WIFI. BY THE way. IT doesn't work. You can not shower and use the bathroom at the same time (no water pressure). You can not run the dish washer and use the shower at the same time. If you make one mark on the deck they charge $200.00 a board to repair. They will charge you for leaving the lights on. They will charge you for the towels. THE emails and warnings are insane. Your told the day before the washer and dryer Although listed on the site DO NOT work and if you try to use them she will charge you. She told me I can wash my clothes & hang them to dry outside. That's what she does when she travels. GET ready for a note on everything in the house, If you use the hand soap SHE will make you replace it. This is a scam to get THEIR home remodeled. GET insurance. They are scammers. The amenities offered are not true.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Natalia B.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Gorgeous house, cheap experience

I want to start it’s a beautiful house, great views and location, however we would never want to come back. The house has a very convenient architecture, designed for live! It has a great location too. The experience is far from being perfect. The host is expecting you to live FOR the house and not to house serve you and welcome you as a customer. Endless rules and restrictions. You are afraid to make the wrong move all the time. What happens here is that you rent a luxury property and have a cheap experience.. never come along well. $3 per log has been highlighted in many reviews.. My biggest aha moment happened when I asked for a favor and checked if early arrival (1-2 hours early) was possible at all. The answer was - each hour is $100. Really?? Please stop it, increase the price and don’t charge for each and every opportunity, this is so disappointing. Think about customers, they will return if you care about them. Interesting enough that at the same time you as a customer are being asked to do a favor all the time - ie to perform duties of the cleaners: to squeeze the glass door in the shower .. really?? In the pandemic times do I have to clean the shower?? Especially when I found a hair on the wall in the masters bedroom shower my reaction was - hire better cleaners and not beg your customers to do the job they have already paid for. Speaking of overall cleanness: the house has a lot of artifacts which is entertaining to see around, not in the kitchen though as it is hard to find things you need. Lots of things you’d never use and clean often.. And finally- we were provided access codes 15 min prior to check in. Outside of the VRBO application. So, I had to assure my husband to drive 4 hours away from home without keys just relying on the promise of the owner that “we’re in good hands”. What if my phone is out of the coverage while on the road? Or the battery dies?? Put yourself in the customer shoes.. Too much concentration on the property and not a lot of efforts to think about the customer. P.S> I really wanted to make the review as balanced as possible but the cherry on the top was the post-stay experience where my son forgot his sunglasses and April notified us via email suggesting us to pay for shipping (which is fine) of the sunglasses. We were provided with the receipt from UPS where an amount of $1.55 was handwritten as a GAS EXPENCE. Seriously, A DOLLAR and FIFTY FIVE CENTS?? 😊 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice home.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Neil L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at Duck Pond Beach House. The views of the pond and the Strait of Juan de Fuca are stunning - you can just sit on the deck for hours watching the water and wildlife. Walking on the beach at sunset was absolutely amazing. The house itself is beautiful, spotless, and super comfortable. We used the primary bedroom and bath and appreciated the extra half bath too.It does feel a bit like staying at a friend’s place, with a few things to do before checking out like washing and drying towels and starting the bedding. Not a big deal, and the house rules are mostly the kind of things we do in our own home anyway - like taking shoes off and being careful with water use - just to keep everything nice.All in all it was a peaceful, relaxing escape and we’d happily come back for the views and quiet alone.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Diane S.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home Nice Location

A very nice home has everything you need for a nice stay. We enjoyed the location walked to the beach every day and loved the view from the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Jane L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property is in a great location, walking distance to the beach and a short drive to town and hikes. We loved that it has three bedrooms with king sized beds and bathrooms for each room. It was well furnished, minus the non-stick pots and pans that were all quite scratched up.The main reason we aren't able to give this five stars is because the rules were quite intense. There is signage around the house with many rules (e.g. wipe up all standing water, do not use the towel bar as a grab bar, etc.). I imagine the owner has had issues in the past, which led to the signage, but as a respectful group, it only led us to feel like we were walking on eggshells during our stay. It's worth noting as well that the septic system is sensitive, so guests are advised to not use too much water at the same time (e.g. space out showers, don't run laundry and dishwasher at the same time). The checkout list was also quite extensive, requiring us to take out the trash from all rooms, strip the beds, and start the laundry. Overall, the property was very nice. The deck has lovely views, and the spaces were comfortable. I would recommend staying here, but would recommend folks to be prepared for the rules.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Casey B.

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

Great Base to Explore the Olympic!

My family of five had a great time at April's home. We enjoyed the quiet setting with deer, birds, pond and sea views. The home has everything you need for a comfortable stay! We appreciated its proximity to Port Angeles and the park.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
After much debate, we decided this was our favorite place we have stayed over the last 10 yrs of rentals.The pics really don't do the place justice, especially of the view outside the house. The beds were incredibly comfortable, I should have seen what mattresses were there because I think I slept the best I have in a long time.Kitchen well stocked.Felt very private and away from it all.Nice to be a bit closer to some of Olympic's hiking areas.Loved being able to walk to the beach every day.Communications were great--our responsibilities were well communicated.Definitely hope to return
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous and spacious property, very well appointed and maintained.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn C.

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

Beautiful accommodation

We had a lovely stay at Duck Pond. The home was beautifully decorated, the kitchen well equipped, and the view was stunning. It was an easy walk to the beach and close to the Olympic National Park.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Trudy S.

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

Beautiful water views

Duck Pond is a beautiful home with views of the water where you can watch ships passing in the strait.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Annette L.

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

Beautiful but walking on eggshells

April’s home is beautiful, spacious, and well located. The wildlife was beautiful. It is clean and provides everything needed, except that there may not be enough water for all the guests to shower at convenient times - with a penalty if a service charge is required to repair the septic system. There will be a LONG list of rules provided, including the obvious, as well as others we’ve not experienced with other rentals. We felt a bit nervous while we were there.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by April Gillette

Host profile image
April is a retired certified Interior Designer from Los Angeles CA, and Jim a retired fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity from Seattle WA. Both met while working on the 1995 Jimmy Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in Watts, CA. They married in 2001 and moved to the Santa Ynez Valley north of Santa Barbara, CA in 2011, and are finally starting to settle into the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State since 2014 where they plan to retire.

They run several VRBO properties in the Pacific Northwest, including Casi Cielo Tuscan Vineyard Estate in Forest Grove OR, Bond Ranch Retreat in Sequim WA, Mt. Pleasant Garden View Main Ranch House and Cottage in Port Angeles WA, and the newly acquired Duck Pond on Freshwater Bay at the Elwha River Mouth in Port Angeles WA.

Why they chose this property

The Duck Pond is a amazing property located off Scenic View hwy 112 bypass on the San Juan de Fuca Strait. Its positioned on its own large protected freshwater Duck Pond estuary & Freshwater Bay beach at the Elwha River Mouth. You have spectacular seasonal views of the snow capped Olympic mountains, sweeping Freshwater Bay coastline, the newly formed black sand beaches, driftwood, shipping lanes & Canada.

Its ever changing black sand beaches & spectacular weather, when all else may be overcast & gray, attracted us to this property as well. You never get board at the Duck Pond because there are tons of things to do right outside your door year round, or just stay inside & read a good book. Outdoors there are long walks along historic well known Place Road, beach walks, surfing, body boarding, wind surfing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, crabbing, fishing, beach combing, driftwood structure building, bird watching, river walks, hikes on nearby Olympic Discovery Trail, Hurricane Ridge, trips to Crescent Lake, Sol Doc, Hoh Rain Forest, Salt Creek, Lyre Creek, Neah Bay, Cape Flattery, Lake Ozette, western beaches like Rialto, Ruby & beaches 1-4 to name just a few, are all within a few mintues to an hour or so away off either hwy 112 or hwy 101.

Victoria, Vancouver Island BC is right across the channel by way of a 90 minute ferry ride from downtown Port Angeles, which is only 10-15 minutes away by car. Easy shopping & great restaurants, bars, cider, beer & wine tasting are also found in town or just 15 minutes further due east in Sequim. Port Townsend & are only an hour away to the east as well, where there are historic sites, festivals, great restaurants & tasting rooms to enjoy. Hurricane Ridge is only a short 20 minute drive up the mountain from the center of town.

The location, views & natural beauty of this environment just cannot be beat to experience the best that Washington state has to offer. The Olympic Peninsula is the place to be offering endless adventures.

What makes this property unique

The Duck Pond Beach House is a spectacular property including 3 parcels. 1.25 acres where the home stands, large extensive lawn, garden and freshwater duck pond estuary. 2.5 acres of privately owned black sand driftwood strewn beach on Freshwater Bay at the Elwha River Mouth.

The 2 story home has 12 foot soaring ceilings with floor to ceiling windows and doors all around creating a reverse fish bowl effect where you can seasonally see out from almost anywhere in the home, to views of the Olympic Peninsula snow capped mountains, sweeping Freshwater Bay coastline, newly formed Black sand and driftwood strewn beaches, shipping lanes and Canada across the channel. With the main living on the second floor, you are above it all with seasonal unobstructed views. The rooms are large and airy with beautifully crafted casement, crown molding, millwork, and hardwood floors, quality and craftsmanship not seen much the likes of in this area. The house was designed by a well known architect out of Seattle in 1999, and constructed in 2000, and completed in 2001the year April and Jim got married.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests