Shell City – Your escape! Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, this bright and airy retreat on Lieutenant Island offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Spend your days kayaking, biking, exploring tidal pools, and catching breathtaking sunsets. With a fun Wii game space a dog-friendly policy, it’s the ideal getaway for families. Come experience island life and make unforgettable Cape Cod memories!
I respect the autonomy of my guests and can easily be reached by facetime, email, text, carrier pigeon, smoke signal, or yodeling. Communication with guests is important to us. Please be sure you have app notifications turned on for your phone as this will be our means of communicating with you before, during, and after your stay. Our digital guidebooks contain directions, instructions, and access information. It is your responsibility to review this information prior to arrival.
Quiet cul-de-sac in a family oriented neighborhood where we all watch out for each other. We are great friends with our neighbors!
The island is accessed by one road and you must be aware of the tides that are above 10 feet. (Tides are on our website, provided in our guide, and available online at any time as well).
Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, Shell City is a tranquil island escape where coastal beauty and natural rhythm create a forever memorable retreat. Nestled on Lieutenant Island, this inviting 3 bedroom home sits amid salt marshes, whispering beach grass, and windswept shores — a place where shell studded dunes, tidal explorations, and wildlife sightings become everyday pleasures, no matter the season.
As you arrive along the shell laid roadway, the landscape itself feels like a story unfolding — a reminder that this is a coast shaped by wind, tide, and time. With views that shift from wide salt marsh expanses at low tide to shimmering water reflections at high tide, Shell City puts nature’s show front and center.
Step inside and let the light filled living space welcome you. Plush seating and expansive windows make it easy to relax with a book, gather for spirited game nights, or stream your favorite shows after a day of outdoor adventure. The fully equipped kitchen with marble countertops invites casual meals or creative dinners shared with family and friends. When the breeze calls you outside, sliding doors open to a large wraparound deck perfect for morning coffee, sunset toasts, or simply breathing in the salty air.
Bedrooms are designed for comfort and ease, from the airy master with its queen bed and en suite bath to the family friendly second room with two full beds. Additional spaces — including bunks for kids and an extra twin — mean there’s room for everyone to rest and recharge. And with Roku streaming TVs in the living room and all bedrooms, everyone can find their favorite way to unwind.
Outside, kayaks await for peaceful paddles on Loagy Bay, bikes are ready for exploring island roads and nearby trails, and wide salt flats beckon for shoreline walks. Birdwatching at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary feels like a step into another world, where egrets glint in golden light and herons march along the marsh edges.
Sleeping Arrangements
• 1 Queen bed — master suite with en suite bath
• 2 Full beds — bright and roomy, great for family or friends
• 3 Twin beds — (children’s bunk + twin) flexible sleeping in additional rooms
• 1 Futon — perfect for lounging or gaming night
(Please note linens are not onsite for the futon and must be requested if using)
Bathrooms
• 1 1/2 baths — clean, comfortable, and convenient
• Outdoor shower — seasonal, refreshing after beach or bay excursions
Outdoor Highlights
• Expansive wraparound deck — dine outdoors, relax, or chase the sunset
• Kayaks and bikes available for exploring Loagy Bay and island paths
• Gas grill and patio furniture for casual al fresco meals
• Walk to serene Loagy Bay shoreline — shells, critters, and quiet views
• Large yard for play, fireside chats, or morning stretch in the sun
Indoor Amenities
• Fully equipped kitchen with marble countertops and ample space for cooking
• Cozy seating and plush sectional for gathering and relaxing
• Roku streaming TVs in the living room and all bedrooms
• Washer & dryer for your convenience
• Strong WiFi throughout the home
Comfort & Essentials
• Luxury linens, duvets, and Turkish towel sets provided for a comfy stay
• Eco friendly bath amenities — sulfate and phosphate free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash with no microbeads
• Central heat and AC units throughout for balanced year round comfort
• Award winning custom digital house manual with recommendations and local insights
• Minimum booking age: 25
• Professionally cleaned by a VRMA award winning company using detailed checklists and thorough sanitization
Dog Friendly
• One well behaved dog over 1 year old welcome ($100 fee). No cats, birds, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits, sloths, dragons, chocolate bunnies, or pet rocks — just a pup that says “woof”
Extras Available
• Vacation add ons such as Pack n Plays, Early Check Ins/Late Check Outs (seasonal/if available), Farm Fresh Eggs, Beach Games, Tours, Romance Packages, and more — full details provided after booking
Location Perks
• Situated on peaceful Lieutenant Island — a scenic and wildlife rich enclave
• Easy, scenic strolls to Loagy Bay shoreline for shelling, sunsets, and solitude
• Close to Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for birdwatching and marsh walks
• Quick access to beaches, ponds, hiking trails, and village charm
Booking Notes
We understand that plans can change, so we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for peace of mind during your Cape Cod stay.
For Airbnb: We only set two charges — a fair nightly rate and a cleaning fee based on what our professional team charges to reset the home. Airbnb adds its own platform service fee and collects local/state taxes separately. These are not controlled or retained by us.
Tides are the rise and fall of ocean water levels that happen every day. They’re caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth’s oceans. The moon’s pull is stronger because it’s closer, and it causes water to bulge out on the side of Earth facing the moon and also on the opposite side.
As Earth rotates, different areas move into these bulges, which is why we get two high tides and two low tides each day. It’s like the ocean is following the moon’s lead in a giant, watery dance.
Please check a tide chart for Wellfleet Harbor (in your guidebook) so that you can plan accordingly.