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Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat

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St. Martins Shipyard Cottage
St. Martins Shipyard Cottage
Shipyard Cottage - View of Quaco Bay from the deck
Shipyard Cottage - Private deck
Shipyard Cottage - Launch kayaks at high tide

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 71500 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
West Quaco, NB
  • Saint Martins Beach
  • Quaco Museum
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Sea Caves of St. Martin
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Saint John, NB (YSJ)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat

Step off the lawn and watch the highest tides in the world rise and fall twice daily, an ever-changing oceanfront view that’s yours alone.

St. Martins Shipyard Cottage is a luxury three-bedroom beachfront retreat that combines coastal charm with every modern comfort.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Private beach access right from the lawn
- World’s highest tides at your doorstep
- Panoramic ocean views from every main room
- Cozy wood-burning fireplaces and a covered deck for morning coffee and evening BBQ’s
- Minutes to the Fundy Trail Parkway, St. Martins Sea Caves and local dining
- Spacious layout with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms
- Modern comfort: Central AC, high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart TV, a jetted tub, full kitchen and laundry
- Four guest kayaks & life jackets for all ages
- Peaceful privacy - your own oceanfront retreat, not shared with anyone

THE COTTAGE EXPERIENCE
Shipyard Cottage offers the best of both worlds: a cozy, comfortable home with everything you need, paired with the kind of natural setting most visitors only dream about. Gather around the dining table, or curl up in the comfy living room chairs.

The covered deck, furnished for comfort, is a cozy outdoor living room where salt air drifts in, songbirds add their sweet soundtrack, and wildlife often makes surprise appearances against the backdrop of sweeping Fundy ocean views. It’s the perfect spot to gather for a family barbecue and savour moments that become cherished lifelong memories.

BEDROOMS & LAYOUT
The main floor includes a bright and open living space, a well-equipped kitchen, and dining area overlooking the ocean. Three restful bedrooms and two bathrooms make it easy for families or friends to spread out in comfort. The jetted tub in the upstairs bath adds a touch of luxury, while modern furnishings and fresh linens create a warm, welcoming home.

OUTDOORS & SURROUNDINGS
Step outside and you’re immediately in the heart of Fundy’s beauty. Launch the kayaks, beach-comb for shells and driftwood, or walk on the ocean floor when the tide recedes. Discover a natural flowerpot rock formation just along the shore, the same kind made famous at Hopewell Cape, but found right here outside your door.

A short drive takes you to the iconic St. Martins Sea Caves, the entrance to the world-famous Fundy Trail Parkway, and local restaurants serving fresh seafood straight off the boats.

RAINY DAY COMFORTS
Inside, you’ll find both cable and Smart TV (with access to your streaming accounts), plus a family games cabinet and DVD library, perfect for cozy downtime. These thoughtful touches make stormy Fundy evenings just as memorable as sunny days on the beach.

A PLACE WITH A STORY
In the 1800s, this very property was the site of the Capt. John Marr and T.H. Bradshaw shipyards, where wooden sailing vessels were built and launched. Sharp-eyed explorers can still find old ship spikes or remnants of the age of sail, reminders that this serene retreat once rang with the sound of shipbuilders’ hammers.

WHY GUESTS LOVE IT
Guests call the views unforgettable, the setting peaceful, and the private beach unmatched; the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Lock the doors
Return the key to the lock box beside the door.
Put all trash in bags. Black bags are located in the mudroom locker.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

West Quaco

Located in West Quaco, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Quaco Museum, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Fundy Trail Provincial Park and Saint Martins Beach. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
West Quaco, NB

What's nearby

  • Quaco Museum - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Betty Thibodeau Library - 4 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Harbour Park - 6 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Sea Caves of St. Martin - 6 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Fundy Trail Parkway - 25 min drive - 18.4 km

Getting around

  • Saint John, NB (YSJ) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Worlds Famous Chowder Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Spinney’s Seafood - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Coastal Tides Family Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Shipyard Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sea Side Restaurant - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Wake Up to the World’s Highest Tides – A Private Fundy Beachfront Retreat located?

Nestled on the beach, this West Quaco holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Saint Martins Beach, Macs Beach and Harbour Park. Quaco Museum and Betty Thibodeau Library are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

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. 50 out of 52 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 52 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 52 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property. Very clean and the location was amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A fantastic week on the Bay of Fundy - the accommodations and nearby town of St. Martin's were perfect. The whole group (3 generations) had a great time. If we lived closer, we would be back every year...
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house with spectacular view. The perfect place for a vacation in this area. The lawn leads down to the beach where you can skip rocks and watch the tide go in and out on the bay. Kayaks are available for fun on the water. Games are available for fun in the house. The house is beautifully decorated and contains everything you will need. Questions to the owner were answered quickly. As my daughter in law said, "The Perfect House!"
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jodie-Mae F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous views of the tide coming in and out. Very clean and cozy. This home has everything you would need. The owners thought of everything to make our stay comfortable and memorable. Baby deer walking through the yard daily and even a bald eagle came and landed on the trees a few days. The topper is the gorgeous sunrise over the water and in the evening watching the fog come in of you’re lucky. A fantastic place. Will be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Rebecca T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location and proximity to the water is absolutely unbeatable! The back porch overlooking the Bay of Fundy was idyllic! The kitchen was well-appointed and had everything we needed for meal prep and cooking. The size and seating of the kitchen table was great — perfect for our family of 6. Another favourite spot for meals was the bistro table on the back porch. Lots of options. The overall cleanliness was very good. The beds were comfortable; variety of pillow firmnesses to choose from was a nice amenity. Provision of shampoo and soap was great as well. While the quality of the furniture in the living room was excellent, it did not accommodate our family of 6 (there was only seating for 3). The foam cushions on the hearth were not really a great substitute for living room sitting. An L-Shaped couch that can seat more people would be a great improvement to consider as well as some throw blankets and cushions. Overall, a really lovely property!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

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

Aug 3 to Aug 10

We had a great week stay. The cottage was very clean and a beautiful place to stay. Everyone had fun exploring the area and checking out the many natural attractions. We would definitely go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jerry S., cloyne, Ontario CANADA

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

Perfect stay!

Everything was absolutely incredible. The cleanliness was perfect. Location was handy for all of the major attractions in the area. Highly recommend a spot for anyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennet V., Canada

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

7 Wonderful Days

What a gorgeous spot. You could sit on the porch and look at the water for hours, Clean house and so well stocked you would be shocked! I would highly recommend anyone stay here.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie C., Quebec

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

Perfect

We truly enjoyed this cottage it was exactly what we were expecting and more. Beautiful setting!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janna B.

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

It was ALL perfect

It is sooo beautiful
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

David H.

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

Serenity by the sea

This is a wonderful place to stay for a week, quiet and peaceful with beautiful sea views. The owners are incredibly responsive to renters' concerns and the house is spotless. There are lots of places to visit in the St Martins area for hiking or more gentle walking. Highly recommended!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Darby H., Chestertown, MD US

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

Fun in Fundy Bay

Perfect jumping off spot for exploring all that the Fundy Bay has to offer. Fabulous waterfront with a flowerpot formation just a short walk from Shipyard Cottage . Beach is perfect for a picnic. The house is private and full of personal touches by the host. Very special in so many ways. St. Martins has all kinds of interesting places to explore.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Beatiful

Beatiful
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

laura h., Toronto

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

A magical property

This was a wonderful place to spend a relaxing vacation with my family. The only thing I wish I had known would be to being water shoes to explore the one of a kind ocean floor during low tide. I have never experienced anything like this place and likely won't again. We feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to experience this place
Stayed 12 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

JoAnna K.

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

Perfect getaway!

This is a beautiful cozy cottage! We learned to love St Martins and enjoyed the pictures and history books about St Martins very much. The kayaks were perfect for this water loving family and we kayaked and rode the waves near shore at high tide and splashed at low tide. Lovely place to do rock collecting. We collected driftwood at low tide for our campfire on the beach. Kitchen is elaborately stocked with almost any item you would need. We soaked in the quiet mornings, with the sound of the waves rolling in at low tide and the nearby lighthouse foghorn. The nearby general store stocks about anything you would need!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria V., BOLTON

The most amazing property and such welcoming homeowners.

The most amazing property and such welcoming homeowners, who provided freshly made cookies upon our arrival! Every part of the house has a spectacular view and all the amenities you could want and need. Kayaks, outdoor grill and ocean view deck, TV and DVDs, gorgeous handmade quilts in every bedroom and beautiful local kitchenware pottery. Very much enjoyed the private setting on several acres, so you truly have your own beach and sunsets. The beach is unique in that the tide goes so far out that there are many inlets and areas to discover with low tide. A most relaxing get away from it all, yet close to local well known and must discover sites such as the St Martins Sea Caves and Bay of Fundy Trail. Shipyard Cottage is a spectacular spot and so glad we were able to experience it!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jean L., New England, United States

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

Spectacular views from a unique and comfortable home

The location was beautiful with the Bay of Fundy as our backyard. We enjoyed kayaking the water channel around high tide and walking out farther at low tide. The home was very well maintained and quite comfortable. Valerie met us and left behind fresh cookies on our arrival. We enjoyed watching sunrises at breakfast and playing cards in the evening in the dining area during sunset. Valerie has several gorgeous handmade quilts for the beds and has some nice artwork around the home. The kitchen is well stocked including some handmade pottery cups and bowls. There are restaurants and a general grocery with freshly made sausage nearby and many sites to see and trails to walk. Our family of four thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would love to come back again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Emma A.

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

Wonderful vacation home

The whole process was a delight, from the original booking process to checking out. The hosts were very pleasant to deal with and answered any questions I had promptly. The property and cottage were beautiful, even better than the photos show. Situated about 1/2 hr drive from Saint John and 2 hrs from Hopewell rocks, with the Fundy trail (about 15 mins to the trail entrace) and Fundy National Park (about 1 hr to entrance) in between. Saint Martin's was a cute little place and fun to visit and experience the local small town life. Everything and anything you can think of was supplied. Really all you would need to bring is yourselves. Pillows, spare toiletries, sunscreen, bug spray, board games for the rainy day(s), books, DVD, baseball gloves, bat and balls, wifi and the list goes on. We had an amazing time and would book again in a heart beat.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

John T.

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

Top Notch

The Shipyard Cottage was a well-equipped, comfortable house in a beautiful, peaceful location. We enjoyed it so much that we actually stayed in and ate in more than we had planned and expected. We enjoyed the use of the owner's kayaks, going out 5 of 7 days and exploring the wetlands and stream nearby. (Note: Kayaking is only possible within 1-2 hours on either side of high tide; otherwise, it's a long portage back to the house!) The house has a fully-equipped kitchen (appliances, cookware, essential spices/oils, coffee filters, laundry/dish detergent), two full baths with good water pressure and hot water supply, and comfortable bedrooms with the owner's hand-made quilts covering the beds. We also enjoyed the short walk (30 minutes) to West Quaco lighthouse, and to the amenities of the charming town of St. Martins (including a terrific butcher counter at Huttges general store). We also enjoyed exploring the rocky beaches exposed at low tide. In summary, the cottage was clearly a cherished second home, which made it a cozy and comfortable place to stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rachel P.

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

Loved it

This was our first trip to New Brunswick, Canada and we are so very glad we stayed here. The location was perfect and the view of the Bay of Fundy was spectacular. The Fundy Trail is nearby and the Sea Caves and quaint little town too. We also visited the nearby lighthouse in the evenings and walked at low tide from the house to get a view of the Flowerpot that can be seen to the right of the house. We went to the Hutges General Store a few times for groceries and they were so helpful, we enjoyed Sandpiper Gift shop and Shipyard Cafe. Valerie is helpful with any questions that come up. What a wonderful and cozy home to stay in while being close by to the sights. We really loved it and would stay here again if coming to this area. I would recommend this place highly to anyone wanting a peaceful, relaxing vacation while staying in a lovely home. My husband and I drove to Hampton for golf and we did a day trip to St John city and the Reversing Falls but our favorite part of the trip was at the house and surrounding area. It was definitely worth the trip and makes us want to come back to see more of the New Brunswick coastal areas. My parents especially were amazed by the tides and we found ourselves looking at that quite often to see the difference over time and enjoyed walking the beach looking for rocks. It’s an entrancing place and we are glad we happened to find this listing. Thank you Valerie and Matt for a simply special little getaway in your beautiful home.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

ginna s.

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

Fun at Fundy

Beautiful property! Lovely views, neighborhood. House very clean and well stocked. Owners very helpful and nice to deal with
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher K.

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

Fantastic!

What a great place to stay on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick! There's really nothing more I can think of that we would have wanted. Well appointed kitchen, two full bathrooms, a closet filled with family games, excellent wifi (we needed to do some work while away), streaming, and a fun collection of DVDs. Very clean, and plenty of space for our family of four to both be together and have our own space. Loved the expansive views of the bay! AC was on when we arrived but we were able to open the windows and turn it off for most of the visit. The porch facing the bay extends the length of the house. Plenty of seating and a really nice propane grill. Expansive lawn extends down to the tidal estuary (? - I think that's what it would be called) with access to the bay. Safe and easy paddling as the tide comes up and down. And oh those tides! We took some amazing hikes at low tide - stunning rock formations not too far from the house, accessible at low tide. St. Martins sea caves are really wonderful. Great views also from the nearby lighthouse trail. Cell phone coverage (roaming for us) was strong. The town of St. Martins was super charming with some great seafood, ice cream and a great little sundries store for limited supplies. Valerie was very communicative as needed, but also allowed us to just be; she was available through the VRBO app (and by phone/text) if we needed her. So glad we stayed here and would recommend to anyone heading to the area!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gord R.

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

Great property and great cottage

Cottage was everything described, very clean, all the amenities and if needed the host were easy to get a hold of. My son and us went out to the beach almost every day at low tide, only 45 min to St John, St. Martin a couple minutes away, couldn't of asked for a better spot. First time through VRBO, will definitely do it again, very pleasant experience
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elaine A., Stratford

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

Cottage with huge view

What a great spot. The view was incredible. The cottage was as expected. Clean and cozy. It had everything we needed. Comfy beds, well equipped kitchen and a great porch to sit and admire the view. Beyond the view you see from the cottage is a great beach. It is only a few careful steps to get there. Water shoes are needed. The property is huge with lots of room to run around. Overall we had a great time. Unfortunately we had to leave early due to hurricane Fiona on its way. I hope the cottage and property withstood the brunt of the storm. We would definitely recommend this cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Valerie Mawhinney

Host profile image
Greetings from Valerie & Matthew Mawhinney! As former innkeepers, we have an innkeeper's attention to comfort and hospitality. We have endeavored to appoint Shipyard cottage with all of the amenities you expect in a luxury cottage.

Why they chose this property

We built the cottage in 2001 as a second home and convenient base for Matthew's spring lobster fishing season in St. Martins. We recently added lovely new furniture including the dining set, leather sofa and chairs and new bunk beds with premium mattresses.

What makes this property unique

The cupboards are stocked with beautiful handmade pottery by local artisans at Happy Fish Pottery. The beds are appointed with Valerie's handmade quilts.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests