Entire home

Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED

Photo gallery for Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED

Aerial view of home toward Monument
View of Home from the water
Lanai
Sunset from the Lanai
Lanai

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10229.0 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
82-6039 Puuhonua Rd, Captain Cook, HI, 96704
  • Kealakekua Bay
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Kona Coffee Living History Farm
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Captain Cook Monument
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Kailua-Kona, HI (KOA-Kona Intl.)
    ‪46 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Double Futon

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED

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

Property manager

Donna or Gary

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
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

Important information

You need to know

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number TA-013-157-3760-01, GE-013-157-3760-01

About the area

Captain Cook

Located in Captain Cook, this holiday home is on the beach. Kona Country Club and Holua Tennis Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Keauhou Shopping Center and Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative and Bay View Farm are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Captain Cook, HI

What's nearby

  • Kealakekua Bay - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Kapahukapu Manini Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park - 8 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Kona Coffee Living History Farm - 9 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Captain Cook Monument - 20 min drive - 10.9 km

Getting around

  • Kailua-Kona, HI (KOA-Kona Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Menehune Coffee Company - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Shaka Tacoz - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Gypsea Gelato - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Oceanfront - Dolphin Retreat - KAYAKS INCLUDED located?

Nestled on the beach, this Captain Cook holiday home is steps away from Kealakekua Bay, Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Hikiau Heiau State Monument. Kapahukapu Manini Beach and Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 36 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 42 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sharon L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Lovely spot perfect for our family!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome Place
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

adriana p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Definitely booking again
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!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas Barry J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location
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
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronald A., Perrysburg, OH

Awesome property!
A beautiful location. Nice acccomisations. Snorkeled right outside our house. Snorkeled with dolphins. Nice, relaxing, beautiful sunsets viewed from your own lanai.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F., Campbell, California, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional location
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible Ocean Views
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!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay M., CA

Can't be beat!
This beautiful home is spacious, well-appointed and carefully maintained. The location is amazing, right on the water with gorgeous sunset views! The property is large and very peaceful with beautiful foliage. The jacuzzi and outdoor lava rock shower make it a true paradise. I loved drifting to sleep each night to the sound of the waves. Included in the rental was access to kayaks and the boat launch located just two houses away. We had such an amazing time kayaking out to the spinner dolphins each morning and hopping in for the most exceptional experience! The snorkeling at the monument is world class. Also just 4 miles down the road is The City of Refuge "two step" which had great snorkeling as well. Our family ranged from our little kids (age 3 & 5), to our teenagers (15 & 18) and my in-laws in their 70's. Everyone had a great time. There is truly something for everyone here. We will definitely be visiting the Dolphin Retreat again as soon as we can. There is something magical about this place!

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise!
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!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

2/10 Terrible

Michael C.

Liked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication, location
Burglarized While at Dolphin Retreat
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.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Annique J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kayaking Paradise!
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!
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rae S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

kit m.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joel S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our group of families had a wonderful stay.
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!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Fay S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Good getaway. Older home with great views. Plenty of crawling creatures!
Away from crowd. Good island experience. Loved the property manager!!!She works very hard .
Stayed 13 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Christina M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Views
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.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura N., Spokane, WA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
relaxing oceanfront stay
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!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen S., Salt Lake CIty, UT

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical week at this amazing waterfront gem
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.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Donna B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Hawaii Vacation
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!!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bryan V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Location on Kealakekua Bay
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!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carole D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dolphins paradise
Amazing house in a beautiful bay. Saw dolphins in the bay almost everyday. Easy access to kayaks that allows you to enjoy a beautiful snorkeling spot near captain Cook monument. Would definitively stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Fay K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good family rental
Great experience. Saw spinner dolphins and whales. Children loved playing in water in front of home and finding a lot of sea shells. Mike was very helpful and gave us good tips on things to do.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

cindy z., Galesburg, Illinois USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Private Oceanside house
We truly enjoyed our stay at Dolphin Retreat!! Our group of three couples spent 2 weeks at Dolphin Retreat. The house felt private and secluded allowing us to relax and soak in the Hawaiian life! Our group had plenty of space for everyone. The kitchen and house nicely stocked and we truly only needed to bring clothing. Our favorite spots were the upstairs lanai and the ocean sun deck. At night we would sit on the sun deck for hours looking at the stars and watching the waves. Who needs TV!! (We also spent time everyday in the hot tub). This house is a great get away from the hustle and bustle of busy towns. We thought it was wonderful having the use of kayaks, snorkeling equipment and ocean access at our fingertips. Spinner dolphins and rainbows, who could ask for more! Captain Cook village is just a few miles up the hill so you can pick up groceries, Shaka tacos or adult beverages. Captain Cook also has a fun Sunday market. Fair Winds tour was one of our favorite adventures as was Wiapio Valley Shuttle. This island has so much to see and enjoy! Rent a car, explore the island and come back to Dolphin Retreat to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii. Mahalo!
Stayed 13 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Erin W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay!
Our family had the best vacation staying here! We highly recommend this house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Burt R.

A Great Week with entire family
This place is pretty remarkable for the beautiful overview of the ocean and the access to kayaking and snorkeling. The house is well equipped and the hot tub got a lot of use during the week our extended family of 8 was there. It was big enough for people to have their own space with comfortable beds and other furnishings.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019

About the host

Hosted by Donna or Gary

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

What makes this property unique

Languages:

English