Cozy cottage on quiet tidal bay with kayak and rowboat access
Cottage in Southwest Harbor, ME
6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsPool, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
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About this cottage rental
Be sure to watch the video at the end of the photo gallery to see the true setting of the Tides Cottage. The Tides Cottage is waterfront gem located 3 miles to down town Southwest Harbor on the quiet side of MDI. There are several entrances to Acadia nearby, Seawall, Wonderland and Ship Harbor to name a few. Our Cottage has a heat pump providing electric heat or cooling on those hotter days. There is a wood burning stove and wood is provided. The vaulted ceilings, white washed pine walls and a glass front make the living area very spacious, and the perfect place to watch the changing of the tides. Towels and bedding are provided for the 2 bedrooms and sleep sofa. We are on the western side of Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. There is a shared dock with two other cottages, row boat, and kayak at the water's edge for use of our guests. Tides has a gas grill, picnic table and hammock for outside relaxing. The waterfront is tidal, so be sure to plan your kayaking around the tides. Swimming is best at area beaches only 1 - 6 miles from Tides. Back Beach is an oceanfront pebble beach, great for exploring what the sea left behind, and Thurston's Wharf ,a restaurant out over the harbor, are within a mile from the cottage. All of Acadia is just a few minutes away from this peaceful spot and the call of the loon is a memory you won't soon forget. Take in all the sights and sounds of Acadia National Park. Explore the natural beauty and adventure on your own or join in one of the many Ranger talks and guided tours. Take a carriage ride or bike Cadillac Mountain. Relax on the deck or in the hammock.
Bike Acadia!: Enjoy all of the activities of Mt. Desert Island - Hiking, fishing , bicycling on carriage roads, kayaking on lakes and ocean, visiting museums and a lighthouse, whale watching, shopping, dining at lobster pounds and restaurants, sailing, and riding ferries to outer islands. Visit Bar Harbor and watch a world class cruise ships come in to Frenchman Bay.
Bike Acadia!: Enjoy all of the activities of Mt. Desert Island - Hiking, fishing , bicycling on carriage roads, kayaking on lakes and ocean, visiting museums and a lighthouse, whale watching, shopping, dining at lobster pounds and restaurants, sailing, and riding ferries to outer islands. Visit Bar Harbor and watch a world class cruise ships come in to Frenchman Bay.
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Dishwasher
TV
Map of Southwest Harbor, ME
Reviews
10.0
We enjoyed our stay on the quiet side. Great views, clean, comfortable place. No problems. Will return.
10.0
Amazing cozy cabin on the quite side that was great for our family. We spent time kayaking everyday and enjoying a more relaxed trip to MDI.
10.0
The location was an easy commute to the attractions but out of the commotion of town for a quieter feel. My kids loved the dock and exploring at low tide. No dishwasher which was fine but was listed as having one.
8.0
We have been to Tides in the past with friends who rent the house next door. The location is very quiet and a short drive to Southwest Harbor. The house is very clean and well maintained. The dock is available for a few hours a day only as at low tide the bay is empty and muddy. When the tide is in, it is wonderful to kayak. We swam but it was chilly! (It's Maine!) We will come back.
10.0
We had a lovely time visiting Acadia. We enjoyed being on the “quiet side” !
10.0
We had a wonderful week staying at this property. The area was very quiet, and the house was clean. The entire process (checking in and out) was seamless. If we ever come back to the area, we know where we will be staying! We have no negatives to say about this rental.
10.0
We enjoyed our stay! Everything we needed was there already. We didn’t really use the kayaks like we thought we would though because the timing of low tide didn’t really work with the other things we had scheduled for our stay, but it’s a cute place in a quiet location.
10.0
This was a wonderful spot; easy access to many nice places on the island.
10.0
This cottage was both well-appointed and clean, and also so quite and serene. We would absolutely come back! Thanks for having us!
10.0
We enjoyed our four nights at the cottage. It was very clean, well-maintained, and had some great touches - like the cabinet lighting in the kitchen and beautiful quartz countertops. The view from the deck was amazing, and we enjoyed watching the seagulls, ducks and geese in the mornings and evenings. The cottage was extremely close to Acadia National Park, allowing us access to multiple trail heads on the quiet side of MDI. Overall, a great stay.
10.0
This house was so perfect for our needs. The views are unmatched! Beds and linens were super clean and comfortable. Close to everything. Our expectations were highly exceeded!
10.0
We thoroughly enjoyed this idyllic cottage!
10.0
Our stay at the Tides Cottage was great! The property was in a great location with amazing views. The house was clean and as describes the owners listing. The check-in/check-out process was very easy. We look forward to coming back to this part of MDI soon.
8.0
Very nice property. Very scenic location. Quiet and secluded. Everything that you need is provided, even binoculars to view the wildlife. Wonderful vacation.
10.0
We loved our stay in Maine at this cottage, especially the porch overlooking the water and the wood burning stove in the living area. The property manager was quick to respond when we had questions. Would definitely stay here again.
10.0
This property is clean, well kept, and has amazing views. It feels like a wilderness experience while also providing all of the modern amenities of a home and access to the surrounding area. I would stay here again.
10.0
We enjoyed The Tides Cottage immensely! The location is beautiful—we loved watching the birds and the effect of the tides. Mornings and evenings on the deck were delightful. The cottage is lovely, well equipped, and convenient to wonderful attractions but away from the bustle. Southwest Harbor is a friendly&fun place, Acadia always gorgeous, and the Bass Harbor Cruises provided a fantastic nature tour.
10.0
Everything was perfect in this house . Great communication from the host as well!
10.0
Tides offered a delightful retreat tucked away amidst the woodland by the waterfront. We cherished the captivating sunrises and the refreshing, comfortable climate that made us feel right at home. Its convenient proximity, just a 40-minute drive to Bar Harbor and near Acadia Park, made it an ideal base for our explorations. A highlight of our trip was a visit to Jordan Pond House, where we indulged in their mouthwatering popovers; the lobster popover was truly extraordinary. We also ventured on a scenic two-hour drive to Lubec, a charming coastal town nestled near the Canadian border. The journey itself was a feast for the eyes, and the destination proved equally enchanting.
10.0
Stayed in the cabin with my husband for 3 nights before the long Labor Day weekend. We explored Acadia from there (maybe 20-30 min to Bar Harbor side) but really enjoyed that it was much quieter and we avoided the holiday traffic / crowds. Also took the kayaks out to explore the bay. Would highly recommend
10.0
Great cabin with amazing waterfront view and great location. Awesome bird watching - we saw herons, egrets, loons, ducks, and osprey. Can’t wait to visit again!
10.0
My husband and I absolutely loved our stay at Tides Cottage! It was the perfect place for us and our friends to unwind, relax and enjoy the beauty of MDI. The cottage has a gorgeous view of the ocean and we spent many afternoons sitting on the deck overlooking the water, listening to the birds and enjoying the Maine weather while sipping a glass of wine or bourbon. The recently updated kitchen was well equipped to allow us to cook our own meals, and having a gas grill was a huge plus! Centrally located to most attractions, the location could not have been more perfect for our vacation. We would certainly stay here again in a heart beat.
10.0
Very new looking and clean. From parking to waterfront view. Lodging was impeccable.
10.0
Great place away from the tourists of Bar Harbor, yet short trip to the Harbor. Loved it.
10.0
A cozy home with a wonderful view and a cast-iron fireplace that warms the place right up. We had a lovely time despite less than perfect weather and would happily come back again!
10.0
Amazing view each morning! From, NW Ohio!
Forrest and Vickie
10.0
Loved the location, setting, dock with kayaks and rowboat. Hosts were very friendly and gracious! Couldn’t have been happier with our choice!
10.0
Perfect, cozy spot for a short vacation. Enjoyed the views, close proximity to Acadia and other wonderful sights.
10.0
We were very pleased with the cottage. Everything that we needed was there. The landscaping was beautiful.
The views were great. The first night we stayed up to watch the full moon and tide come in. Watching the birds at low tide was fascinating.
One of our members was recovering from extensive broken heel surgery and used a knee scooter. He had plenty of room to move around safely.
I am so glad that we ended up on the quiet side of the island. Plenty to see and do without getting into the Bar Harbor crowd. (which we did do)
We loved having the Lobsters delivered to our door.
10.0
It’s a nice quiet location to watch the tides come in and go out. Having the kayaks there was a plus and after seeing the tides change it was obvious why you have to do a bit of homework to make sure you are where you want to be when low tide comes. When we arrived, the door had blown open in the rainstorm and the foyer was soaking wet. Fortunately, we brought our own towels and mopped things up. Other than that is was a peaceful several days.
10.0
My family and I totally enjoyed staying at the Tides Cottage. We woke up every day at dawn just to watch the sun rise from across Bass Harbor. Not only every sunrise was different but it can change hour to hour if fog sets in. At night, there are so many stars out and you can see the Milky Way from the deck. My sons and I grabbed kayaks and paddled down to the lobster boats in the deeper part of the harbor. We watched them unload the day's catch. The tide will come in and out so you will need to make sure you pay attention as this end of the harbor can be pretty shallow.
You will need to drive 20 minutes to a half hour to get to Bar Harbor and the busier parts of Acadia NP. Don't let that deter you from staying on the quiet side of the island! This cottage is nestled away from roads and sits right on the shore of Bass Harbor. It is a great getaway.
The cottage is clean and updated. There is cable TV, Roku, and wifi. There is a side yard area with a picnic table, chairs, and a fire pit. The dock is shared with another rental property next door and that is not a problem (Stacy manages both properties). You can sit out on the deck or in the breezeway. There are plenty of windows and ceiling fans for ventilation. There is also a mini-split heat pump for heat and AC. Each room has its own electric heater and there is a wood stove in the great room if you get cold. There is a full kitchen and a grill for cooking. Up the road in Southwest Harbor, there is an IGA grocery store or you can go to the Hannaford in Bar Harbor. You can also drive 35 minutes to the mainland to get to a Shaws or a Hannaford in Ellsworth (Ellsworth Hannaford has Tesla Superchargers around back).
Stacy is a fantastic person and is very responsive. The Tides Cottage is a wonderful place. Someday, we would love to come back to it or a different property Stacy manages.
10.0
Cutest little cottage by the water, easy access to park and away from the busyness of Bar Harbor. Great dock. Nice and clean. Loved it!
10.0
Great place to be. The cottage is fully equipped, and even beyond.
10.0
We stayed at Tides cottage for a month with our two young children and it was a beautiful, convenient place to stay.
10.0
Wonderful!
Even though there was a slight problem with the directions, Stacy and her family did everything possible to get us to the correct place. They came to the house to make sure we found the correct house. Once we got to the house we were in heaven. The house looks better than the pictures! We had a wonderful time there. It was a great place to start and end the day.
10.0
Great!!!
we had a great great experience and would love to come back!
10.0
Awesome
What a great place to stay !! We had everything we ever wanted for a week retreat! The sunrise was so beautiful each morning and dark as we slept . Just perfect and we will be back next year for sure
8.0
Southwest Harbor stay
We arrived with no difficulty and enjoyed the weekend in the house. Then we tried to travel around the island and it was so crowded we couldnt stop to enjoy anything.
10.0
Family Vacation
A Great Vacation
6.0
Nice
Cabin is small but clean. Nothing is fancy, everything is what you would expect to find in a rental. The laundry being next to (really, in the same room) as the dining room and living room is really annoying, especially as they’re so loud. Beds are very good! A lack of curtains was annoying (I’m light activated so I need it dark). The grounds are very nice, but that doesn’t do much for me. The view is interesting but not pretty, at all. We would stay here again.
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in Southwest Harbor?
The average price for a rental in Southwest Harbor is $509 per night. This rental is $208 above the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Cozy cottage on quiet tidal bay with kayak and rowboat access. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Cozy cottage on quiet tidal bay with kayak and rowboat access. Enjoy the water!
Is Cozy cottage on quiet tidal bay with kayak and rowboat access pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this cottage is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Cozy cottage on quiet tidal bay with kayak and rowboat access?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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