Waterfront nature-lover's retreat on wildlife refuge in Prime Hook Beach

5 stars!! This was a great choice! Julie was fabulous to work with. The house was clean, very well decorated, had many games to enjoy, had an huge kitchen area, and was stocked better than any other house we have rented over the past 20 years. Julie even provided a basket of misc toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant in case you forgot yours. And there were wonderful instructions in places where they were very helpful. The large windows open to a gorgeous view of the wildlife refuge and some glorious sunsets. It really is just as pictured in VRBO and even better. The beach was convenient and enjoyable to walk along. We helped a few horseshoe crabs get back into the water and hope they make it. A great blue heron visited just outside our bedroom window multiple times, the barn swallows were busy flitting around and we loved listening to the red-winged blackbirds. The area provides some great (mostly flat) hiking/walking opportunities. The Prime Hook trails were well-maintained and easy to find. The Bombay Hook area just north was nice with a great boardwalk trail, an observation tower, and a blind….but bug spray is an absolute must. We heard and saw so many varieties of birds as well as deer, fox, bunnies, toads, butterflies, and dragonflies.We are very glad we chose this house and hope to be back soon!!

The Shorebird home is lovely, clean, comfortable, welcoming, quiet and tranquil. There are plenty of windows to view the beauty beyond and enjoy the sunsets. The kitchen is fully stocked to meet a variety of needs. Our hosts were attentive keeping us informed prior to and during our stay. The welcome book sent prior to your stay covers everything so beautifully. There is something for everyone here. We found this to be a perfect place for our family gathering and plan to return.

My family and I had an amazing time staying here, and we felt that everything about this home was perfect. From the flow of the house and the amazing views of the refuge to the fully stocked kitchen. All the light switches are labeled, so you don't have to figure out which switch controls what light. There's an abundance of games and puzzles, which helped with a couple of chilly days we had during our stay. If we had a question, Julie always got back to us in a timely manner. It was a perfect stay, and we'll definitely be back!!!

Perfect vacation rental for my family. Exceptionally clean, plenty of space to spread out. What really sets this rental apart are the “extras” - well-stocked kitchen, cooking basics (like oil and spices), beach towels, a garage loaded with well-maintained bikes. Beautiful refuge views.

If I could give The Shorebird 6 stars I would. The beds are incredibly comfortable and the bedding is soft and cozy. The furniture is comfortable and welcoming and every single little thing has been thought of: whisks, can openers, coffee scoops, A KITE. There was nothing we looked for and didn't find, and Julie is an incredibly attentive host. But more than anything else..... THE VIEW. This lovely home really is one with the marsh and we simply watched the birds all weekend. Cannot say enough good things.

Everything you could need and more was provided! The kitchen is equipped with everything needed and the coffee bar is to die for! Coffees and teas and all the accessories. The dishes, cookware, spice cabinet and more were completely provided. The bedrooms have everything needed and the beds are very comfortable. There are games, puzzles, books, bikes, kayaks and more to help you enjoy your time here. The sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. I can’t wait to come back!

We are frequenters of VRBOs and this is one of the very best we have experienced, and by far the best in terms of amenities provided, especially for children! Can’t think of anything that was missing. We loved the house and the views of the wildlife refuge. The beach was super convenient, and totally uncrowded. The only nightlife came from the animal kingdom. Julie was an excellent communicator. Can’t wait to come back!

The house was beautiful and very well stocked. We really appreciated the kid toys and books that kept our toddlers entertained on a rainy day. The beach is easily accessed across the street. This was one of my family’s favorite rentals!

Perfect beach get away! Would 100% come back again.

What a beautiful home. Jill was wonderful and communicated all the details plus more. She thought of everything as the house is equipped with everything you need to feel completely at home. The beach is natural and the neighborhood is so quiet. We highly recommend staying at the Shorebird. We can’t wait to go back!

Wow! What a beautiful property - both the location and the house itself. Julie and Donovan have thought of everything - there was nothing that wasn't immediately available to us. The views were stunning, especially the sunsets over the reeds behind the house. It was magical sitting in the screened porch listening to birdsong - we could have done that all day long. It was a magical getaway for us!

We had a restful stay, great communication from the host, amazing view of the marsh and wildlife. The kitchen was easily the best supplied we've ever experienced in a vacation rental. We appreciated all the family games and attention to creature comforts. The property is peaceful and close to nature, even while taking time indoors. I loved watching the wind through the marsh grasses with the diverse birds hunting and walking on the sandbars at low tide looking at the bay's creatures.

There are images that stay in your mind, for the rest of your life. For these images, photography is optional, at best. It's hard for me to describe the feeling in my heart, as I watched my wife, cradling my nephew's ten month old daughter, in her arms, while they examined her new toys, carefully, one at a time. I, of course, cheat, and take dozens of pictures on my cell phone, most as similar as the others, with me seeking to find that best shot.So, here we are, all of us, cradled in the luxury of the Shorebird, whose owners have taken every care and consideration possible in preparing such a wonderful place to stay, and have been as warm and welcoming as anyone could ever ask. Everything at the Shorebird contributes to a peaceful, quiet, relaxing time: quiet mornings, at sunrise, on the front porch, spending time gently strumming my guitar, while the birds accompany me in some soft songs; quiet evenings, at sunset, watching the birds, the rabbits, and even the deer, enjoying their sanctuary with them; the comfortable and luxurious furnishings, which afforded each of us, whether lounging in the family room, watching an old movie, or, getting a restful night's sleep on the luxurious bedding in each of the bedrooms.Everything about the Shorebird is positive. I would definitely stay at this property, again, when in the area. Thank you, so much, Julie and Donovan!

We had an incredible stay at The Shorebird! Everything has been completely renovated/updated and thoughtfully stocked with all the essentials—and then some. The house was spotless and beautifully maintained. We have never stayed in such a welcoming rental, it instantly felt like home away from home. The location was absolutely stunning, with a peaceful nature reserve right behind the home and large windows that let us take in the serene views and the small private beach just across the street. It was the perfect spot to relax and unwind. We especially loved watching the beautiful sunset over the water every night from the back porch, Julie & Donovan also went above and beyond with entertainment options—bikes to explore the neighborhood, a great selection of games and puzzles, and a record player we absolutely loved. They had something for everyone with their selection of records. It was the perfect addition to a relaxing stay and created such a cozy, nostalgic vibe.Our family had a blast escaping the hustle and bustle in this quiet, isolated island town, yet we still enjoyed the nearby shopping and local brewery, just a short drive away. We have never vacationed in Delaware before, but we can almost promise more visits in the future. Absolutely no complaints—this place exceeded our expectations in every way. We’ve found our new happy place and can’t wait to book again!

The house and surroundings are incredible. We enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the birds and from the living room windows. The rooms are large and the owners provide everything you need and more. Very clean! This house borders the National Wildlife Refuge and the views are stunning. We were able to kayak in the Refuge area. The staff at the visitors center were very helpful. It is quiet and peaceful and a short drive to Dewey and Rehoboth. We highly recommend this location for a stay in the Delaware Bay area. Our rating would be a 10!

Can’t say enough about this wonderful vacation home. The house is incredibly clean, comfortable, and beautifully decorated, the location is amazing. House is very well stocked with everything a family might need, bedding is fresh and new and comfy. Views of the nature preserve are stunning, and the calm and quiet private beach is only steps from the door. We were over there multiple times a day, for beachcombing and walks (April weather was lovely but too chilly for swimming). A quiet location and easy to get to the busier beaches and towns nearby, we did lots of exploring around the area. It was a perfect fit for our family of five. Julie the host was fantastic - very communicative, shared lots of details about the house and nearby amenities that helped make our stay even more enjoyable. Highly recommend. We hope to be back soon!

My husband and I had a wonderful, relaxing stay at this very comfortable and charming house. The views of the nature sanctuary are beautiful. Its a very short walk to the beach. Its a wonderfully untouched natural beach. The owners are very kind and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. We'll be back. warmwr.littlehaeveveverythiout

We had a great visit! Host answered all our questions about the area before we arrived and we're responsive to questions when we arrived. Checkin was seamless and everything was as shown in the listing. Kitchen was well equipped and we were able to cook a full thanksgiving meal without issue! This area is beautiful and we enjoyed beach walks and the wildlife refuge. If you want a quiet getaway with no crowds but lots of nature and great house this is the place!

This house is perfect for a serene getaway. We came for a long weekend in November, so definitely the off season for a beach community. It was wonderful to sit on the back porch and not hear a single human sound, just the birds and the breeze rustling the marsh grasses. The house itself is sunny and clean and beautifully decorated. We especially loved the fireplace and the amazing kitchen. I'm already dreaming about coming back!

Our stay at *The Shorebird* was magical. From the moment we arrived, we felt at home, as though we’d known the owners for years. The house was beautifully curated, impeccably clean, and decorated to perfection, setting the stage for an incredibly relaxing and memorable family getaway. The thoughtful design and decor truly made the house feel like a retreat, providing a welcoming space for unwinding and reconnecting. The location couldn’t have been more ideal. Everything we wanted to do—bird watching, beachcombing, bike rides, crabbing—was either a short walk away or a brief drive. Waking up to the peaceful surroundings of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge and having the private beach just across the street was beyond special. We spent early mornings watching sunrises over the bay, enjoyed family crabbing excursions, and ended our days with beachside fires under the stars -- and comets! Communication with the owners was easy, quick, and comfortable, which added even more warmth to our stay. They clearly put a lot of thought into creating a well-stocked, welcoming environment with everything a family could need—from quality, comfortable bedding, to beach and bike gear. The Shorebird gave us the rare chance to slow down, reconnect with each other, and soak in the beauty of this unique place. We left refreshed and grateful for such a wonderful experience. Highly recommend to anyone seeking a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path escape.

We’re so happy to have found such a wonderful place to stay. So very impressed with all that Julie & Donovan had to offer. They were readily available to answer any question & help along the way. Their place far exceeded our expectations. They had all the amenities of home and so much more. Gorgeous views & sunset !! Hope to return in the future