Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
This cottage includes 3 bicycles for your outdoor adventures. It accommodates 4 guests with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Enjoy water views from the deck, patio, and yard, while nearby attractions include Gwynn's Island Museum and Piankatank River Golf Club. The property is pet-friendly and features games for family enjoyment.
Highlights
Bring your furry friends
Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
Direct access to the beach
A rare find — enjoy uninterrupted access to the beach.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Discover nearby landmarks
Near Gwynn's Island Museum
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
On beach
Garage parking available
Dogs and cats allowed
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Explore the area
Grimstead, VA
Gwynn's Island Museum
Place, Gwynn's Island Museum
15 min walk
Deltaville Marina
Place, Deltaville Marina
26 min drive
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Place, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
54 min drive
Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)
Airport, Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)
59 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!
Gwynn's Island Cottage is a modest waterfront cottage on the Chesapeake Bay with panoramic views and sunsets over the water. The small, private beach is entirely on the property and not shared. We are pet friendly. During the summer months, we rent weekly, Sunday to Sunday.
The Cottage is located on quaint and historic Gwynn's Island with a public marina and terrific restaurant dining over the water 1/3 of a mile away. The Cottage sleeps 4 guests in 2 bedrooms.
On your private beach, you can swim, kayak, paddle board, fish and crab, bird watch, float on a raft, enjoy a good book or an adult beverage. The Shed is full of everything you don't need to bring: beach chairs, 3 kayaks, bikes, a stand up paddleboard, zero gravity chairs, crab nets, crab pot, floats, rafts, noodles, children's beach toys, life vests, a croquet set, and hammock. Hills Bay is clean, shallow, and sandy-bottomed, with little current, so perfect for children and seafaring explorers alike. You can fish right from the beach or from kayaks. Guests catch drum, trout, rockfish, croaker, spot and flounder. The crab pot or the fishing nets allow guests to catch crabs when they are in season.
After a quick rinse in the outdoor shower after your day on the beach or in the water, use the Weber kettle charcoal grill for cooking up the day’s catch or fresh seafood from a nearby market. Enjoy dinner al fresco on the deck overlooking the water as you watch that sunset... For cooler evenings, light a fire in the Bonfire Solo stove under the stars. With little light pollution, the night sky is often spectacular.
From the Cottage, guests experience bird life such as bald eagles, blue herons, ospreys, seagulls, white tundra swans, bufflehead ducks, loons, plus dolphins in the warm months. Boat watching is plentiful with a yacht club just across the water, with boat action in and out of Hills Bay from the Chesapeake.
Or bring your own boat. There's plenty of room on the long, circular driveway to trailer in and out. The island's public boat landing is 1/3 of a mile away, with parking for your trailer while you are on the water and a restaurant for provisions.
The Cottage is pet-friendly! Four legged guests enjoy the beach with its shallow, clean water. We provide doggie towels. We own the small woods next door where dogs can "get their sniffs on."
If you plan to bring your pet, just message the manager with the age, breed, gender, weight, and name of your animal/s. We charge a pet fee of $125 for all animals for your entire stay (less than kennels or pet sitters). They will enjoy being with you on vacay.
Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, we rent weekly, Sunday to Sunday. Just a two-night minimum the rest of the year.
We have a large capacity washer, dryer, and the laundry room has space to air dry. Our outdoor shower also has foot spigots. The Cottage has a 50" smart TV with cable and wifi. If you bring your electric/hybrid vehicle, we have an outdoor outlet (120v) for charging.
The Cottage has a retro Frigidaire Mini-fridge that chills 6 cans of your favorite beverage and doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. Take it outside to play your tunes on the beach or deck!
The Cottage is perfect for special occasions or gatherings (with approval of management) because photos with a water view are ah-mazing.
Please read the over 200 reviews from the Cottage's guests over our last 10 years of renting, with guests returning over and over again. Our positive reviews reflect the guest-centered experience that we try to provide, continually using our guests' suggestions to improve amenities.
We are sorry but smoking is not permitted in the house or anywhere on our property.
**Gwynn's Island Cottage is dedicated to welcoming all people regardless of their race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin or gender orientation.**
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Special events and parties with okay of management
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
With advance ok of management and pet fee of $125
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please do not drive or park in the woods in back of the Shed. Our septic system is located there and it will cause serious damage.
Guests' use of the kayaks, SUP, rafts, grill, solo stove, beach and the water is at your own risk. Use life vests and protective footwear.
Please do not use the Weber Grill or the Solo stove on the wood deck or stoop.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 821333vb
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 30
Note from host: Special events and parties with okay of management
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Gwynn
Located in Gwynn, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Chesapeake Bay and Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve, while Gloucester Museum of History and Deltaville Maritime Museum are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hunting.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 54 min drive - 80.6 km
Water Country USA - 56 min drive - 82.2 km
Langley Air Force Base - 60 min drive - 91.8 km
Getting around
Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.) - 55 min drive
Restaurants
Hardee's - 8 min drive
Subway - 8 min drive
Shun Xing - 9 min drive
The Hatchery Culture - 9 min walk
The White Dog Bistro - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!?
As of 25 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! on 1 Nov 2026 start from £584, 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 at Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Waterfront Cottage w Private Beach on Chesapeake Bay! located?
Nestled on the beach, this Gwynn cottage is 0.8 mi (1.2 km) from Gwynn's Island Museum and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Chesapeake Bay. Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve is 11.9 mi (19.2 km) away.
About the host
Hosted by CLewis
I'm the lucky manager of Gwynn's Island Cottage who enjoys introducing friends, family, and guests to Gwynn's Island, Mathews County, and the surrounding areas on Virginia's spectacular Chesapeake Bay.
Why they chose this property
People like family introduced me to Mathews County decades ago.
Friends introduced me to Gwynn's Island, a true slice of heaven.
What makes this property unique
The Cottage's private beach is the perfect place to lounge, launch a kayak or paddleboard, enjoy adult beverages, swim, crab, fish, watch a sunset over the water, or start a Solo stove fire on a starry night. It is located on our property and not shared with other properties.
The water views from the Cottage make guests feel like they are on a houseboat. From inside or on the deck or beach, guests enjoy spectacular sunsets over the water. Depending on the time of year, guests see blue herons, bald eagles, dolphins, swans, osprey, ducks, loons, seagulls and sandpipers. With a Coast Guard station on the Island and a yacht club across the water, guests enjoy lots of boating activity. Or they can bring their own boat as we have a long circular driveway and a boat marina 1/3 of a mile away.
Our Shed which has bikes to explore the island, 3 kayaks, a stand up paddleboard, a crab pot and nets, beach chairs, rafts, life vests of all sizes, a croquet set, pup tent, fishing rod, a Weber grill, grilling supplies, a folding table for crab picking in the yard, and more, free of cost.
Gwynn's Island, the location of the Revolutionary War battle which ousted the last British governor in Virginia, is rich in history. Hole In the Wall is a popular restaurant with outdoor dining overlooking the water just 1/3 of a mile from the Cottage. Gwynn's Island Museum is fascinating to visit. Guests step back in time and sloooow doowwnn their pace as soon as they cross the island bridge.
Mathews County has more shoreline than any other County in Virginia although it's the 2nd smallest geographically.
The Cottage is close to the idyllic water towns of Urbanna, Kilmarnock, and Irvington. A boat ride away is the Eastern Shore, Cape Charles, or Tangier Island. Historic Gloucester and Yorktown and its Battlefield where our country's freedom was gained are also nearby. Jamestown and Colonial Williamsburg including Busch Gardens and Great Wolf Lodge are an hour away.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests