See all properties

Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED

Top rated by guests

Aerial view of home toward Monument

Living Room

Living Room

Living Room

View from property

9.4Outstanding

(44 Ratings)

"Absolutely beautiful view! House was nice and accommodated our group well. Would definitely stay again. Owners were prompt in answering questions. Mahalo"

Joel M.

Don't miss out! Price and availability may change

9.4 / 10.0

Outstanding(44 Ratings)

House in Kealakekua Bay, HI

10 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area

Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental

About this house rental

On the shores of Kealakekua Bay, a Protected Marine Conservation area, is an enchanting, 4 bedroom/3 bath, water front house called the Dolphin Retreat. This open and airy private home has all the amenities one would desire for a tropical vacation. The property is surrounded by fragrant Plumeria Trees and Coco Palms and includes a sun deck, hot tub and outdoor shower. You can enjoy your dinners watching the famous Kona Sunsets on the spacious lanai, which can seat 8 comfortably. The home has wireless Internet service, High Definition TV and an iPod compatible entertainment system. Kayaks for exploring the Bay are included as well.

It is an unusual morning when the dolphins aren’t frolicking with swimmers and kayakers in the crystal clear waters directly off our ocean front deck. The best snorkeling in Hawaii is found here at Kealakekua Bay. Turtles make their way along the shore to rest, while stunning arrays of tropical fish accentuate the pristine coral reefs. The Dolphin Retreat offers direct access to the Bay for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

You will not soon forget your stay at Dolphin Retreat.

Keywords: House

Amenities at Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED

Family friendly

Map of Kealakekua Bay, HI

city location on map

Nearby attractions

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Kahalu’u Beach Park

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area / Mauna Kea Forest Reserve

Things to know

Additional fees to expect

Cleaning & other feesWe include all stay related fees in the Cleaning Fee line, which may include cleaning, property manager, resort, tourism and other stay related fees. All Vrbo properties are professionally cleaned after each stay.

Booking feeNo booking fees, easy credit card payments.

Service feeThis helps Vrbo provide a safer and more secure booking experience.

TaxesTaxes on accommodation such as Occupancy Tax, VAT, or GST. May also include tourism fees.

Customer support

Customer support is handled by our partner Vrbo

$$$$

Top rated by guests

9.4Outstanding

(44 Ratings)

"Absolutely beautiful view! House was nice and accommodated our group well. Would definitely stay again. Owners were prompt in answering questions. Mahalo"

Joel M.

Don't miss out! Price and availability may change

$$$$

9.4 / 10.0

Outstanding(44 Ratings)

House in Kealakekua Bay, HI

10 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

Top-tier experienceA high end property in this area

Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental

Map of Kealakekua Bay, HI

city location on map

Nearby attractions

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Kahalu’u Beach Park

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area / Mauna Kea Forest Reserve

About this house rental

On the shores of Kealakekua Bay, a Protected Marine Conservation area, is an enchanting, 4 bedroom/3 bath, water front house called the Dolphin Retreat. This open and airy private home has all the amenities one would desire for a tropical vacation. The property is surrounded by fragrant Plumeria Trees and Coco Palms and includes a sun deck, hot tub and outdoor shower. You can enjoy your dinners watching the famous Kona Sunsets on the spacious lanai, which can seat 8 comfortably. The home has wireless Internet service, High Definition TV and an iPod compatible entertainment system. Kayaks for exploring the Bay are included as well.

It is an unusual morning when the dolphins aren’t frolicking with swimmers and kayakers in the crystal clear waters directly off our ocean front deck. The best snorkeling in Hawaii is found here at Kealakekua Bay. Turtles make their way along the shore to rest, while stunning arrays of tropical fish accentuate the pristine coral reefs. The Dolphin Retreat offers direct access to the Bay for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

You will not soon forget your stay at Dolphin Retreat.

Keywords: House

Amenities

Family friendly

Things to know

Additional fees to expect

Cleaning & other feesWe include all stay related fees in the Cleaning Fee line, which may include cleaning, property manager, resort, tourism and other stay related fees. All Vrbo properties are professionally cleaned after each stay.

Booking feeNo booking fees, easy credit card payments.

Service feeThis helps Vrbo provide a safer and more secure booking experience.

TaxesTaxes on accommodation such as Occupancy Tax, VAT, or GST. May also include tourism fees.

Customer support

Customer support is handled by our partner Vrbo

Ratings and reviews

9.4 / 10.0

Outstanding(44 Ratings)

10.0 / 10.0

Absolutely beautiful view! House was nice and accommodated our group well. Would definitely stay again. Owners were prompt in answering questions. Mahalo

10.0 / 10.0

Exquisite site on Kealakekua Bay, house spacious and open to the beautiful views, owner very helpful in setting up our stay, staff very responsive to any needs we had-- all in all a wonderful stay!

10.0 / 10.0

Our party of 5 had a great 1-week visit, the views from the backyard at sunset were incredible. The Host was very responsive and gave great tips for what to see and do around the island. The house was well furnished, and we didn't have any issues checking in.

10.0 / 10.0

Lovely spot perfect for our family!

10.0 / 10.0

Everything from check in to check out was grade A! The house is fully stocked with everything you can think of! The property is beautiful with perfect sunset views& the waves crashing at night is icing on the cake i can not wait to stay again!

10.0 / 10.0

The house is on the water on the most beautiful bay, with day after day of perfect sunsets and dolphins playing in that beautiful bay nearly everyday. This place is hard to beat. Check in was easy, plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy this gorgeous island paradise. Thank you for sharing

10.0 / 10.0

Our family was so blown away by this property. Not only was the set up so nice for our family of 6 with everyone having their own king bed and space, but the lanai and living room and kitchen provides a great space for everyone to hang out together. We loved getting up and drinking coffee by the ocean and taking in the breath taking view every morning. You truly feel like you are in paradise. Definitely need to keep everything put away and clean due to the open concept of the house to keep the buggies/lizards out, but as long as you do that we didn’t have much of an issue. The host is very helpful and made it very clear that she was only a text away if we needed anything at all. We will definitely visit this property again!!

10.0 / 10.0

The house was perfectly adequate for our 3 small families. But let’s be honest, this place is all about the location and it was beyond our expectations. It was such an amazing experience to have the sound of the waves lulling us to sleep and to sit on the ocean-side patio sipping Kona coffee in the mornings. We took the kayaks across the bay to snorkel by Cook Monument and watched the spinner dolphin pods cruise in and out of the bay on our crossings. It’s out of the way enough to feel kinda remote but still close enough to groceries to not have to stress about getting everything you need. Also being close to 2-Steps snorkeling was a big bonus. We will definitely be back!

8.0 / 10.0

Away from crowd. Good island experience. Loved the property manager!!!She works very hard .

8.0 / 10.0

We really enjoyed our stay. The views were just amazing. I will agree with another reviewer and say if you don't like bugs or spiders, you may want to look elsewhere. I really loved watching the geckos. The owner was very responsive. Kitchen and bathrooms a little worn but kitchen was pretty stocked with pot and pans. Cooked most nights. Might be good for houskeeping to go through spices. Some were very old. Eating on the large lanai for all meals was so peaceful and calming.

2.0 / 10.0

After a brief nearby snorkeling session, we arrived back to the Dolphin Retreat to someone burglarizing the house. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the individual made away with only minor items after being interrupted in the process. There's not a long list of things more startling than opening a door while inside of a house to find someone there (actually still a tad bit haunted by this honestly). The responding Hawaii five-0 said that there had in fact been a car forcibly broken into the night before right next door with valuables taken, and that in general, there's been an uptick in crime in the area. They also indicated that based on the perpetrator's behavior, it likely wasn't the first time to the Dolphin Retreat. Given this experience and the officers' info, we decided to depart, forgoing the majority of our remaining time at the Dolphin Retreat (and cut our losses of items stolen and groceries). It actually took a couple of days before we were able to get a response from management. I must say I was consistently surprised by the handling by the owner (e.g., kept referring to the burglary experience as an "inconvenience"). He initially said this had never happened before at the Dophin Retreat, but later acknowledged one prior burglary there (but sounded like it was a while ago so perhaps forgot initially). The owner indicated that they would reimburse us for half of the nights of our stay. Fortunately, I kept the conversation in VRBO bc VRBO was then able to follow-up with the owner to help have him eventually follow through on his reimbursement promise (though less than what was promised). Regarding the house, I don't know that I have much to add to what others have said- a great place otherwise with truly amazing views from inside the house and on the patios/deck. The snorkeling in the area is great. The diversity of coral, fish, and other wildlife was thoroughly enjoyed. We didn't see dolphins or whales but suspect we may have if we stayed longer. *It's warranted to take safety precautions much more aligned with those necessary in NYC than what might be anticipated in remote paradise (e.g., have everything locked at all times, leave no valuables in the car, etc. even though you are deep into rural Hawai'i). When we return to Hawai'i, we won't be staying in this area given the info provided by the officers.

10.0 / 10.0

We enjoyed our stay, mostly relaxing by the ocean. The set-up was great, with a separate apartment on the lower level with a master suite for us old folks, and the upstairs 2 bedrooms for the younger adults. Parts of the house are showing some age, but this is an oceanfront property and the sea air takes a toll after a few years. The property was clean and we had plenty of towels and such. The kitchen was spacious and well-equipped. Access to kayaks & SUPS is thru a property 2 doors down. We paddled across the bay several times & saw lots of fish & dolphins. If you like to sleep in , it's not necessarily a totally quiet environment since the sprinklers come on pretty early and folks in adjacent homes can make some noise. A couple quirky ducks and a goose kept us company, so we were glad for the hoses to clean off the patio. The house is open-air and you WILL get some critters inside, so keep food protected and clean up crumbs right away. The open air was SO nice, since it was hot, but we always had that wonderful ocean breeze in the living area. We BBQ'd fish, ate a lot of poke from local markets, read books and relaxed on the ocean deck, played cards on the lanai. There's a good grocery store in the village of Captain Cook, and the restaurants & markets of Kailua are 30-40 minutes away. Restaurants are all super busy right now, so we ate most of our meals at the house. I would definitely stay here again!

10.0 / 10.0

Our family of 6 adults had a wonderful time at this property! It is open to the outdoors with amazing ocean views. We had dinner almost every night on the lovely lanai (which could easily compete with the setting of any waterfront restaurant on the island). We cooked fresh fish from the local market and carried out Poke several times from Reel Aloha Poke in town. The kitchen was fully stocked with everything we needed. We took tours of local coffee farms and beautiful gardens - all within a 15 minute drive of this home. Incredible snorkeling is just off the rocks behind the house and off the beach at a nearby park. We took full advantage of the kayaks and SUPs provided and spent several afternoons paddling around the quiet cove. It is an easy paddle to the Captain Cook monument. We will definitely be back. ** Full disclosure - If you are squeamish about the spiders, bugs or geckos that live in this area, and occasionally make it into the house since it is open, this may not be the place for you. But if you do want to stay in a cool wide-open home in a quiet, naturally beautiful setting - book this home and you will not be disappointed.

10.0 / 10.0

If you love snorkeling and kayaking, I highly recommend this location. It was beyond beautiful and I feel restored and rejuvenated. The house has an authentic Hawaiian vibe. You will be mesmerized by the view. This is where you go if you need to get away and get reacquainted with nature. Our family group of 7 was very comfortable and enjoyed ourselves for 7 nights.

10.0 / 10.0

This place was absolutely amazing!!! The view never gets old! The sunsets were frame worthy every night! We ate dinner on the Lanai every night - you just can't get a better view anywhere else on the island! The "pier" right next to the property was the perfect place to jump in to snorkel. We did that ever single day. There are SO many different kinds of fish in this bay! We used the kayaks and took them out to the captain cook monument and that snorkeling was also beautiful and amazing! It never felt warm during the day because the whole house opens up completely so the breeze is wonderful. It is good to know that there will be spiders, geckos and bugs in the house, since the house doesn't close up, and you're in the rainforest! It is a bit sticky and a little hard to sleep without A/C, but the views were worth it for us. You MUST bring dinner home from the local Super J's Lau Lau!! It's incredible, authentic, delicious food, and they are SO wonderful and welcoming! This place was super private, and the spa and outdoor shower were a definite plus! Don't hesitate to book this place!

10.0 / 10.0

This was our first visit to The Big Island and I searched for a house that would meet everything we were looking for - this house was it!! We were traveling with my husband, three kids (20-22) and my 88 year-old father-in-law. The kids were able to have the space downstairs and we had upstairs. I can't say enough about Amma, the house manager. She was fabulous. The house was clean with fresh flowers placed in every room. I cooked while we were there and the house was stocked with pots, pans, spices and other things needed. We did not get a chance to use the kayaks and grill but they were available. We did get a chance to use the hot tub and that was very nice after a day of driving and hiking. The views from the back of the house are amazing!! The house ducks added a great touch and the kids loved taking care of them. Thank you!!

5.0 / 10.0

We LOVED our stay at the Dolphin Retreat! This may be the best property/location on the entire island. The place was extremely clean with fresh flowers placed throughout. The property manager Amma was then very helpful to meet us at check in and stay in contact via texting if we had any questions. A few things about this rental: 1) The House: it's a beautiful house located RIGHT on the water. It’s a different experience than staying at a resort but as far as vacation rentals go, this place was amazing! It is located down a long winding road in a lush and beautiful area. As Amma told us when we arrived, you are in the jungle! It's a tropical area so there will be bugs, spiders, and geckos. She instructed us to keep the kitchen very clean with all food put away because ants and insects do come in searching for food. The house is open air and you are never fully enclosed (you can shut all the sliding doors/windows, but air is still flowing). This keeps the ocean breeze moving through the house to keep it cool as there is no AC. We had no issue with this, but it is a different experience as everything is open to the outside air. We were there the first week of May and it was cool enough for us to not miss AC. Kitchen was well stocked with cookware and spices. We had an infant with us and there was a highchair and pack-and-play available. Yard is well kept and we used the back deck to do Pilates by the ocean which was a dream. 2) The Kayaks: We were concerned that there wouldn’t be enough kayaks as they are shared between three properties, but there is a large fleet of kayaks and we never had an issue going out when we wanted. The shared boathouse also has tons of life jackets, flippers, snorkels and masks, kids beach, and inflatables. The ocean entry can be challenging on rougher days. Make sure you learn when it is and is not safe to go out. 3) The Area: the Kealakekua Bay is AMAZING, and we saw dolphins and kayaked with them almost every morning. You do have to keep your distance, but they often come over to you! We would then kayak over to the Captain Cook monument and snorkel. Our other favorites in the area was Manini Beach – short 10min walk down the road. Two Step is a beach/snorkel spot that is a short 10min drive away and it was our favorite snorkeling! For local food, some are still closed or have limited hours because of COVID but we very much enjoyed the Honoaunau Poke Shop and Shaka Tacos. A wonderful trip! Thank you Dolphin Retreat!

5.0 / 10.0

Just returned a couple of nights ago, so here's a very recent brain dump. Good communication with Amma, the house manager, before our stay and the morning of our arrival (via phone call). Jessa at the property two doors down was a great asset. We walked down to check out the kayaks and gear available in the shed (life vests, cornhole, boogie boards, paddles, umbrella, soccer ball, chairs, etc). She showed us around that property and it looks great for a multi-family shared location. But, Dolphin Retreat is all to yourselves, and the ducks of course. We named them Rufus (the big brown male duck), Riley (the mostly white other male duck), Moira (the white and black one), and Betty (the white/brown/green one). By the way, they love the seeds in the cooler by the downstairs slider and will harass you for more! Make sure you also fill up their water bowl. Don't be afraid of the Argiope Appensa (Hawaiian Garden Spiders). They are everywhere outside and up in the rafters inside. Those things will eat up the mosquitoes (mostly). There are all sorts of spices and cooking items in the cabinets. The bar had lots of leave behinds (rum, etc). In fact, we left some light/dark ourselves, including some tasty Maui Brewing Co. beer in the fridge. Dump the top icemaker ice into the bottom one, because the bottom barely makes ice while the top one cranks it out. The hot tub was a nice touch. Hit Mode and turn it off Eco to manage the temperature up or down to a toasty level. The garage was unlocked and there's a propane grill (we didn't use it, but wished we did to grill some fresh fish), washer, dryer, extra trash bags, extension cords, and bug zappers, etc. We would certainly like to return, but it looks like it's all booked up through this time next year. Popular place. Historical place. Chat up the locals who hang out after work every evening down by the heiau. Loud music thumping out of their cars and cold beer (and some other stuff) to go around. Tell them the guy from Vegas who liked their Rolling Rock sent you!

10.0 / 10.0

My wife had just retired after 36 years in an incredibly stressful job. We agreed, whatever she wanted for her retirement trip. My job was to plan the transportation, first class seats. Her job was to plan where we would stay. First Class hardly does this place justice. We had a few snafus upon arrival, but each concern was immediately and professionally dealt with along with a call from the owner to make sure we were happy. We had friends and family join us for a few days - to a week from the Mainland, while at the same time having some quiet nights alone. We were blessed with spending 14 nights at this wonderful home. From snorkeling to sightseeing, to just hanging around the house, the time was great. My bride is sitting out on the front lawn as I type this. She is wishing she could stay another week. If you want the night life, head north to Kona. If you want the good life, stay here.

10.0 / 10.0

We spent 8 glorious days at the Dolphin Retreat in April. It is everything and more that we thought it would be!! The dolphins arrived each morning in the bay, the water is blue and clear, the sunsets are perfection! We kayaked to the Captain Cook Monument and snorkeled the waters there. Some of the best snorkeling ever. The house is beautiful, private, and a great place for relaxing and enjoying. We had dinners on the Lanai and watched the sunset. We also made the trip to Volcano National Park, should not be missed, snorkeled at Two Step, saw tons of beautiful fish, sea turtles, and swam with the dolphins in the bay. This is a beautiful property where you can create memories your family will never forget!!!

10.0 / 10.0

We are currently at the Dolphin Retreat and leave in two days. This house is perfect for families, 2 couples or anyone who loves the ocean. In our case, the grandparents are upstairs in one room, the aunt in another and then our family with two small children are downstairs. The pictures do not do justice. The beach to swim with dolphins is about 1 block away. The kayak launch is next door. We played catch in the backyard and ate lunch on the grass. We (including our 6 year old) snorkled with the dolphins. What an adventure! Down the road we swam with turtles and played on a rocky beach. The kitchen is perfectly stocked and we ate dinner each night with an amazing view. I cannot say enough great things about this home. I hope you have as much fun as we did.

10.0 / 10.0

The Dolphin Retreat was an amazing place to stay. The kitchen is so well outfitted it made cooking a pleasure. Having a cocktail, sitting on the lanai or waterfront deck and then watching the sunset was one of the highlights of our vacation. Of course being right on the water makes everything very special. We rented standup paddleboards from Kona Boys the second day of our visit and had so much fun with them that we kept them all week. We were out paddling on the bay most mornings. It was worth getting up early to see and swim with the dolphins, that really was magical. The Captain Cook Monument was a short paddle away and we were overwhelmed with the variety of tropical fish right at the shores edge. Everything was exactly as stated and we would recommend this rental highly!

Explore similar stays in Kealakekua Bay

Explore all rentals in Kealakekua Bay

9.6 / 10.0

Outstanding(20 Ratings)

Oceanfront Hot Tub! Kayaks! Snorkeling! Dolphins! WEDDINGS WELCOME!

in Captain Cook

12 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths

Family friendly

Experience the best of Kealakekua Bay with this House available for $1,365. This property is equipped with amenities including Family friendly, and more.

9.6 / 10.0

Outstanding(33 Ratings)

Oceanfront Kealakekua Bay Retreat w/ Breathtaking Views from Every Room

in Captain Cook

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

Looking to create some memories in Kealakekua Bay? Look no further than our House, Oceanfront Kealakekua Bay Retreat w/ Breathtaking Views from Every Room. Enjoy top-rated amenities including Family friendly, and more.

9.3 / 10.0

Outstanding(6 Ratings)

Manini Beach Breath Taker

in Captain Cook

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Kitchen or Kitchenette · Beachfront or waterfront · TV

This inviting House in Kealakekua Bay can fit your needs for many types of vacations, at $0 per night.

9.2 / 10.0

Outstanding(21 Ratings)

Oceanfront Home - Kealakekua Bay

in Captain Cook

12 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

This House for $1,371 in Kealakekua Bay, is perfect for your next (business stay, family stay, couples stay, getaway vacation, etc.)

9.7 / 10.0

Outstanding(89 Ratings)

Kealakekua Bay View

in Captrin Cook

4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths

Looking for a business stay, family stay, couples stay, getaway vacation, or traveling to Kealakekua Bay, at $273 per night for your next great vacation.

9.0 / 10.0

Outstanding(1 Rating)

Manini Beachfront Getaway

in Captain Cook

8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Kitchen or Kitchenette · Beachfront or waterfront · Balcony or Patio

Looking for the perfect place to call home during your trip to Kealakekua Bay? This House offers a comfort and style with top-notch amenities, including Laundry, Kitchen or Kitchenette and TV, and more.

9.4 / 10.0

Outstanding(33 Ratings)

Oceanfront Kealakekua Bay Retreat w/ Breathtaking Views from Every Room

in Captain Cook

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

Looking for the perfect place to call home during your trip to Kealakekua Bay? This House offers a comfort and style with top-notch amenities, including Family friendly, and more.

9.8 / 10.0

Outstanding(45 Ratings)

Oceanfront sanctuary with light-filled interior, lanai, W/D, & full kitchen

in Captain Cook

8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

Experience the best of Kealakekua Bay with this House available for $950. This property is equipped with amenities including Family friendly, and more.

You can save with One Key

10.0 / 10.0

Outstanding(45 Ratings)

Oceanfront sanctuary with light-filled interior, lanai, W/D, & full kitchen

in Captain Cook

8 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

The best choice in Kealakekua Bay for House, for $950 per night for your (business stay, family stay, couples stay, getaway vacation, etc.)

9.0 / 10.0

Outstanding(2 Ratings)

Eco-friendly Sanctuary on Kealakekua Bay. Charming Hawaiian Style with Air Con

in Captain Cook

6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths

Kitchen or Kitchenette · Air conditioner · Internet / Wifi

When traveling to Kealakekua Bay, if you are looking for (business stays, family stays, couples stay, getaway vacation, etc.) this is the perfect place at $0 per night.

10.0 / 10.0

Outstanding(1 Rating)

Oceanfront New House on Kealakekua Bay

in Captain Cook

7 guests · 4 bedrooms · 4 baths

Family friendly

This inviting House in Kealakekua Bay can fit your needs for many types of vacations, at $735 per night.

You can save with One Key

10.0 / 10.0

Outstanding(15 Ratings)

Quiet Paradise on Bay w/Aircon

in Captain Cook

6 guests · 4 bedrooms · 2 baths

Family friendly

The best choice in Kealakekua Bay for House, for $839 per night for your (business stay, family stay, couples stay, getaway vacation, etc.)