Waterfront at The Velvet Crab~Amazing Sunsets

Eastham, Massachusetts
$569 avg/night
Bed 1

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home Cottage

Property Type

Sleep 4

Max Sleeps

Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, The Velvet Crab is a serene, dog-friendly waterfront escape on Minister’s Pond, where every season brings its own beauty. Wake to golden light on the water, paddle through calm reflections, or gather around the firepit under the stars. With pond views, an outdoor shower, and cozy charm inside and out, this one-of-a-kind cottage invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and savor the magic of the Cape.

I respect the autonomy of my guests andcan 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.

Very central to everything. Close to Cape Cod Rail Trail (bike trail), Arnolds, Coast Guard and Nauset Light beach, Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham Windmill, and First Encounter beach.

The cottage is located on the waterfront. You must read the directions in the guide provided or else you will go to the wrong place. Do not rely on GPS!!!

Brought to you by the Heart of Cape Cod, The Velvet Crab is a timeless waterfront cottage perched on peaceful Minister’s Pond—where every season unfolds its own magic. In spring, wildflowers hug the water’s edge; summer hums with sunlit swims and paddle days; autumn lights the trees in amber and gold; and winter’s hush wraps the pond in peaceful stillness. Whether you’re sipping morning coffee on the deck, drifting across mirrored water in a kayak, or unwinding beside the fire pit under a blanket of stars, this special retreat invites you to slow down and savor Cape Cod’s gentle rhythm.

Inside, sunlight pours through oversized windows framing serene pond views. The airy living space blends classic coastal charm with modern comfort, while the fully equipped kitchen makes meals — from casual breakfasts to relaxed dinners — feel effortless. The main bedroom overlooks the water, and the second bedroom offers two twin beds — perfect for friends or family. As evening falls, stroll to the shared pond beach to gather around the firepit, grill a feast on the deck, or rinse off in the open air shower under Cape Cod’s endless sky.

Sleeping Arrangements
• 1 Queen bed — bright, restful, and overlooking the pond
• 2 Twin beds — charming and comfortable for friends or family

Bathrooms
• 1 Full bathroom — thoughtfully appointed and convenient
• Classic outdoor shower — seasonal, refreshing, and quintessentially Cape Cod

Outdoor Highlights
• Gas grill & patio dining furniture — for leisurely meals with water views
• Fire pit on the shared pond beach — perfect for s’mores and starlit evenings
• Spacious deck overlooking the pond — sunrise coffees or sunset toasts
• Canoe and kayak provided — gentle paddles and quiet water exploration

Indoor Amenities
• Fully equipped kitchen — ready for relaxed, home cooked meals
• Coffee bar with drip coffee maker, French press, kettle, and a selection of teas and regular/decaf coffee — always complimentary
• Large streaming TV and strong WiFi throughout — easy streaming or cozy nights in

Comfort & Essentials
• Luxurious linens, duvets, and Turkish towel sets with charcoal infused bamboo washcloths for a serene stay
• Beach towels provided in the summer
• Eco friendly bath amenities — sulfate free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash with no phosphates or microbeads
• Heating and cooling throughout for year round comfort
• Award winning custom digital house manual with local recommendations
• Minimum booking age: 25

Location Perks
• Prime waterfront setting on Minister’s Pond — serenity and seasonal beauty
• Close to Salt Pond Visitors Center and scenic bike trails like the Cape Cod Rail Trail
• Minutes from the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, Arnold’s, and local favorites

Dog Friendly
• One well behaved dog over 1 year old welcome ($100 fee). No cats, birds, ferrets, hamsters, or pet rocks — just a pup that says “woof”

Extras Available
• Optional add ons like Pack n Plays, Farm Fresh Eggs, Beach Gear, Romance Packages, Tours, and more — full details provided after booking

Booking Notes
Because plans can shift like the tides, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance for peace of mind during your Cape Cod getaway.
For Airbnb: We set only 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.




The property is very large so GPS down to the cottage is not reliable. Specific directions and instructions for arrival are given in the award-winning house manual and recommendations guide provided upon booking (and a provided again a few times thereafter).

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Rates & Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    Pet Friendly
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    1 Bedroom Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 567 Sq Ft (53 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Microwave Oven Refrigerator Stovetop Toaster
  • PARKING

    Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    Free WiFi
  • OUTDOORS

    Barbecue Grill Patio
  • BATHROOMS

    1 Bathroom Hair Dryer Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Games Smart TV
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Air Conditioning Heating
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    On The Lake On The Waterfront
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 4

Map Map

School District Rates & Availability

Review Review

  • Emily A.

    Submitted Feb 17, 2026

    Stayed Feb 14, 2026

    Perfect size home for a family of 4, welcoming and cozy! Having -All towels and linens and shampoo, body wash and conditioner all included made for a much easier stay! Highly recommend.

  • Lynn B.

    Submitted Oct 9, 2025

    Stayed Sep 20, 2025

    The Velvet Crab was just as pictured. What a haven. We wanted to do some different exploring on the Cape, since it's been a few years, but it was really hard to leave this sanctuary. We'd go out for a few hours and then couldn't wait to come back and just hang out. Loved the kayak, being on the pond, just everything. We'd love to come back. Tara and her people were very responsive, and we appreciated them letting us check in a few hours early.

  • Ketrin L.

    Submitted Aug 10, 2025

    Stayed Aug 2, 2025

    Check-in was super easy. Tara was great to communicate with. This place had everything anyone would ever need. Beds are super comfy. Place is super clean. The pond is gorgeous. The house is setup so cute. The week flew by. One of my favorite places at the cape and we’ve been coming here at different places for the past 25 years. Love this place. Love heart of cape cod. Awesomely dog friendly.

  • Anna T.

    Submitted Jun 1, 2025

    Stayed May 30, 2025

    Everything was great, we really enjoyed our stay!

  • K B.

    Submitted May 23, 2025

    Stayed May 20, 2025

    Cozy and clean. Well appointed. Private, surrounded by trees and sparkling lake views. A lovely getaway.

  • Heather L.

    Submitted Nov 3, 2024

    Stayed Nov 1, 2024

    Stay was great. Great pricate spot. The bed and couch very uncomfortable needs to be replaced.

  • Michele P.

    Submitted Oct 23, 2024

    Stayed Oct 16, 2024

    This is a beautiful and cozy cottage to relax and rejuvenate in. Lovely decorations, comfortable furniture and an amazing super comfy bed! Made it hard to get up in the morning! The view from the bed of the water is so calm, peaceful and beautiful. We were welcomed with treats and made to feel very welcomed and pampered. The sunset!! The sunset, breathtaking. We enjoyed our stay and were able to catch our breaths after some challenging times in our lives. It was heavenly.

  • Laura W.

    Submitted Jul 18, 2024

    Stayed Dec 31, 1969

    Our family of 4 had a great week staying at the Velvet Crab. The house provided all we needed for a great week of rest and relaxation. They don't skimp on anything, the beds were comfy, the linens and pillow were nice quality and the kitchen provided a little bit of everything. The Canoe and Kayak was a nice touch for my boys to keep busy. The outdoor shower is a must for our after beach day sand. I gave 5 stars because we were very happy but would add a couple minor things. I wish there were either more hooks to hang things for drying in the bathroom or outside. And since it was a dog friendly rental, the rug in the living room did have some reminisce of a previous dog (we didn't have a dog) not a big deal to us but just a minor detail. . Over all a great experience. We've rented from Heart of Cape Cod in the past and every time has been top notch and we will always look there first before other sites. Their houses are always well maintained and well thought out for a carefree Cape Cod Vacation. Thanks for a great week and stay!

  • Liz J.

    Submitted Apr 23, 2024

    Stayed Apr 19, 2024

    Everything about the house was perfect. Impeccably clean, views of the lake from the living room and master bedroom, complimentary coffee and cookies, treats. Touches like you find in a hotel like soap, shampoo, face mask, toothbrush. Minutes to the National Seashore by car. The host, Tara, communicated completely. She has written a guide about the house, good restaurants nearby and things to do. All in all, a terrific experience.

  • Deborah L.

    Submitted Oct 22, 2023

    Stayed Oct 16, 2023

    Wonderful get away, great location right on the pond, quiet and peaceful. The Velvet Crab had everything we were looking for at the Cape. Sparkling clean and spacious with all the comforts of home with a cottage feel. We canoed, fished, relaxed near the water and had morning coffee on the deck. Thank you for hosting us.

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$569+
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