Dolphin Bay House

Loved it! The photos don't do it justice. I told my husband I would love to transport the master bath home with me. Bed in master bedroom ... oh so comfy. The birds around the house can get a bit noisy at night. We sang back to them and they changed their tune. So for light sleepers bring a set of ear plugs for the birds! How hilarious is that. The grounds are very well maintained and landscaped. There's a beautiful outside shower. My daughter and new husband took the separate apartment downstairs to give them privacy. Every bedroom had a lanai plus off the kitchen and the family room. Then there was a beautiful place inside to eat when the weather is a bit wet. There's kayaking down the street within 150 feet for a 2 person kayak it was $60 for the whole day. It's one of the most beautiful bays on the Big Island. Snorkeling was also great at two-steps 4 miles away by City of Refuge. It was a great vacation. I liked it because the neighborhood was quiet and you get away from the tourists in Kona. There were peek-a-boo views of the ocean out of the windows from two different directions. You can hear the surf at night. All in all a beautiful property. (Reviewed on 3/23/2018)

Very nice clean, well maintained house with all the comforts of home plus close to a very nice snorkeling spot. (Reviewed on 2/8/2018)

Great space! It is set out of the way so factor in extra driving, but seclusion is nice! Hosts were very easy to deal with. Great value too! (Reviewed on 11/14/2017)

We had a wonderful stay here in March 2017, staying for four nights. Stock up food from the Safeway or Walmart in your way from the airport and enjoy a stay secluded from it all. The house is extremely well furnished, with gorgeous bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen. Both top floor bedrooms are comfortable and spacious, with a third downstairs. Washer and dryer were super useful and there's a wealth of loaner goggles, fins and beach shoes for venturing out Snorkeling. Manini Beach and Kealakekua Bay are gorgeous, but for the best snorkeling on Big island, head down to Two Step, a short drive away. Turtles, coral and more fish than you can imagine await off a black lava beach. Do bring some ear plugs though, as the dawn chorus of tropical birds will likely disturb those committed to a 10am lie-in. (Reviewed on 4/25/2017)

To get it out of the way right away...why only 4 Stars? The neighborhood could be quieter, particularly at night. We did reach out to the caretaker and to their absolute credit they contacted the neighbors with the barking dogs and things got MUCH quieter after the first night. Sounds like the owners are going to work with their neighbors to improve this situation. That out of the way...we would absolutely stay here again. If we come back to the Big Island, we'll certainly check here first to see if they have availability. The home is beautiful. It's a block from an amazing bay looking out at the sunset. It's secluded without being overly remote. The house is well appointed and in great shape. Really, it has everything we could have wanted and fit us just fine. Be aware that the 3rd bedroom is fully separated from the "main" living area. We were under the impression it was fully incorporated in the floorplan. This wasn't an issue for us, and actually suited our group well, but if having one bedroom that is detached from the main living space is a deal breaker for you, be aware of it up front. Krista, the caretaker, was fast, responsive, and helpful. Martha, the owner, was pleasant, kind, and seemed genuinely interested in our feedback from our stay. Things to note, the grocery store up the hill in Captain Cook is so-so. If you want better selection of produce, meat, and fish then we recommend shopping at KTA in Keauhou. We had a great scuba experience with Big Island Divers; a two tank dive split between daytime and evening including Manta Rays. Thank you to the Big Island for accommodating all our needs while we were here, we had a wonderful trip and hope to be back. (Reviewed on 2/2/2017)

One block to wonderful bay, great snorkeling, dolphins, breaching whales. Lovely home, everything in great working order. Good beds/linens/stove, etc. No complaints. (Reviewed on 2/2/2017)

An amazing home! The house was well appointed and stocked with everything we needed. We cooked all our breakfasts and all but one dinner at "home" and had everything we needed. There is a guest journal on the bar in the kitchen and the kids had a great time reviewing all the stories from other guests. The upkeep is very good and the master bath didn't disappoint! The 3rd bedroom is downstairs with it's own entrance, so for younger kids this might not been the best -- sort of a "mother in law" setup. The grill and outdoor space is excellent as well. The covered patios were a perfect place to wake up with a cup of coffee and watch the birds. The neighborhood is tight on space -- single lane roads, etc not a problem but it would make a caravan of vehicles difficult to park. We would certainly stay here again. (Reviewed on 1/31/2017)

House was very clean. Great layout with kitchen, dinning and relaxing. Bathrooms all very, very nice. I would have liked to know in advance that one bedroom was outside and down stairs. Outside area very nice. Close to ocean as stated. Great outdoor shower, and patio. Lots of water equipment which was very nice. Kitchen very accommodating with utensils and cooking equipment. House very much true to expectations. (Reviewed on 12/8/2016)

Our family had an absolutely wonderful stay in Napoopoo and the Dolphin Bay House was a perfect home base. The house was extremely well equipped including all the beach gear and snorkel equipment my young boys could hope for. The location is literally steps from some of the best snorkeling we experienced on the big island and the secret about Manini beach is clearly out - it's always a great sign when people are coming from elsewhere to check out your local beach! The house itself was incredibly clean and well maintained and the yard is amazing - fruit trees, tropical plants and lots of room for kids to run around without disturbing anyone. We didn't use the downstairs suite as our boys were too young, but it would be perfect for families with older children or a second couple traveling with them. My parents rented the cottage next door on the same property which was a great set up - family dinners on the downstairs breezeway and a great view of the sunset from the upstairs lanai. Napoopoo is about 15 minutes down the hill from the shops, restaurants and groceries in Captain Cook and was exactly what we were looking for. (Reviewed on 3/9/2016)

We stayed at the Dolphin House for one week in late March 2015 and we loved it. The house is beautiful and it is in a very good partially secluded location. It fit our family perfectly; we were my husband and me, our daughter and son-in-law, their three children (aged 13, 8, & 21 mos.), and our son. Everybody loved the house--the beds were very comfortable and the bathrooms quite nice. The spacious kitchen has everything you need for involved cooking and the appliances all worked well. The open and airy living/dining area and small office/library area were comfortable and well equipped and the small lanai is very nice. The ground-level private eating area with barbecue, full laundry, equipment room, and landscaped yards are useful bonus features. The house is very close to Manini Beach Park (two-minute walk), which is a great place for relaxing and snorkeling--there is an opening in the lava rocks that allows for easy access to the bay--the grandkids loved it. Kristin was wonderful to us and she was always available for assistance and advice. Also, very helpful was the Hawaiian docent at Manini Beach Park--she provided detailed information about Hawaiian culture and local history. We loved the Dolphin House and we highly recommend it. (Reviewed 5/20/2015)

This was our 5th stay at Dolphin Bay House. Yes, we love it and keep going back. It is in an absolutely beautiful part of Hawaii and the house is huge, super clean and always in excellent condition. This time we were a family group of 6 and had plenty of room to spread out, find privacy or to gather together comfortably. The bathrooms and kitchen are a real treat, much better than home. We had everything we needed: the kitchen is fully equipped with spices, some basic food staples, all paper goods, great cooking pans and utensils. There is a gas BBQ, beach towels, lots of snorkel gear and other beach toys. Coolers and beach chairs too. The breezeway is a fun and relaxing place to hang out in the afternoon, love the ceiling fans there and throughout the whole house. The yard is always perfectly manicured and each time we return we find little gems like a new plant in bloom or ripe fruit. This time it was yummy white pineapples. The beautiful and spacious outdoor shower is always popular with everyone-get in line!

The location is ideal, a quiet and friendly neighborhood, away from the touristy Kona area. The local beach has a big lawn, shade trees and palm trees and great snorkeling. It is within kayaking distance to the Captain Cook monument across the bay, which is also a popular snorkeling area. Many mornings we saw dolphins in the bay. One morning they came right up to us while we were on our SUPs, does it get any better? Well, there is the evening time at the point to watch the sun settle into the ocean. The point is about a 5 minute walk from the house.

We've visited many parts of the island over the years and we are always so happy to return to Dolphin Bay House as we feel it is the best place on the island. If you enjoy peace and quiet, with great beach access in walking distance (2 minutes) it cannot be beat. We've gotten to know the neighbors over the years and always feel welcomed back, like family coming home. The whole area is what the world should be like. On the road out of the area are a couple of roadside stands where you can buy local fruits, flowers and lei's. These stands are serve yourself and you pay on the honor system. No one is there to collect your money. An incredible thing in today's world. (Reviewed on 7/25/2016)

We absolutely loved this house; it was perfect for our group which included a baby, 3 children and adults. The house was impeccably clean, high quality furnishings and kitchen and beautiful views from every room. The outdoor space was a treat, with a great yard and sitting area in the shade. And the outdoor shower was a total hit with everyone!!! The neighbourhood is quiet and friendly, away from the crowds. The nearby Manini Beach Park offers spectacular snorkeling and perfect hangout space on the grassy shade for kids. We definitely recommend this house and would love to stay there again! (Stayed March 2017)

Owner Response: Mahalo Christel for your great review. So glad Dolphin Bay House was a hit. We look forward to welcoming you back. Aloha

From the moment I stepped foot onto the Dolphin Bay estate I felt like I had entered another world. The landscaping was out of a tropical wonderland (many yards of rentals are the least attended to aspect of the property.) The house was furnished and decorated in the exquisit decor of a well-loved home (nothing had the feel of a rental property, from the gormet kitchen to the well-appointed office area, art work and interior and exterior archetectural details.) I went snorkeling every morning with the clean, up-to-date gear provided at the estate. The bay is teeming with colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, eels, even dolphins at times.

The spaciousness of the three individual living spaces provided me and my extended family with privacy. The kitchen, dining area and family room gave us a place to gather and plan our adventures around the island. We made memories that will last a lifetime.

I highly recommend Dolphin Bay House and Cottage to any family wanting to visit the Big Island and stay in a property that truely feels like home.

Mahalo Lois for your great review! So glad your enjoyed the yard, decor and neighborhood. It brings us joy to know that you appreciated our "well-loved" home (it is). Thanks also for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back. Aloha nui loa, Martha

The house is cozy and comfortable, has plenty of room and is well located near the park. Definitely get a feeling of community here.

Everything that we needed was available. We liked the outdoor shower a lot.

An amazing home! The house was well appointed and stocked with everything we needed. We cooked all our breakfasts and all but one dinner at "home" and had everything we needed. There is a guest journal on the bar in the kitchen and the kids had a great time reviewing all the stories from other guests. The upkeep is very good and the master bath didn't disappoint! The 3rd bedroom is downstairs with it's own entrance, so for younger kids this might not been the best -- sort of a "mother in law" setup. The grill and outdoor space is excellent as well. The covered patios were a perfect place to wake up with a cup of coffee and watch the birds. The neighborhood is tight on space -- single lane roads, etc not a problem but it would make a caravan of vehicles difficult to park. We would certainly stay here again.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Dolpin Bay House this past August. What a gorgeous, well loved and maintained house. Looking out the main living area you are surrounded by lush greenery and are a half-block from the beach. We first came to Kealakekua Bay last summer and returned this year when we had a chance - and were so pleased to stay at Dolphin Bay House. There is nothing better than to take the two minutes to stroll to the beach to do some world class snorkeling, swim or take in the sunset on Manini Beach's grass lawn. We would come back anytime. Dolphin Bay House is very comfortable and its kitchen has everything you need. We are both cooks and we appreciated the wide variety of pans, cooking utensils, etc. at our disposal. Krista, Dolphin Bay House's caretaker was very helpful and accessible. We were three, just using the upstairs but Dolphin Bay House seems like a great place to visit with extended family. You could use the downstairs bedroom and rent out the studio. We often stay at vacation rentals while traveling and Dolphin Bay House ranks amongst the best. I highly recommend it.

Whether walking to the nearby beach park for some snorkeling and local culture or venturing off to explore the island, the Dolphin Bay house made for an ideal home base. The quality craftsmanship and floor plan allowed the four of us (two adult couples) to feel at home with ample room for dining and relaxing. An outdoor shower allowed us to leave our beach gear downstairs ready for the next sea adventure. At the end of our stay packing our things reminded us how at home we felt during our time in the house and we longed for a return trip. The Dolphin Bay house was a wonderful vacation destination.

Our family had an absolutely wonderful stay in Napoopoo and the Dolphin Bay House was a perfect home base. The house was extremely well equipped including all the beach gear and snorkel equipment my young boys could hope for. The location is literally steps from some of the best snorkeling we experienced on the big island and the secret about Manini beach is clearly out - it's always a great sign when people are coming from elsewhere to check out your local beach! The house itself was incredibly clean and well maintained and the yard is amazing - fruit trees, tropical plants and lots of room for kids to run around without disturbing anyone. We didn't use the downstairs suite as our boys were too young, but it would be perfect for families with older children or a second couple traveling with them. My parents rented the cottage next door on the same property which was a great set up - family dinners on the downstairs breezeway and a great view of the sunset from the upstairs lanai. Napoopoo is about 15 minutes down the hill from the shops, restaurants and groceries in Captain Cook and was exactly what we were looking for.

We (2 couples) stayed at Dolphin Bay house for 9 nights. The house itself is perfect, and even better than we expected from the photos. The rooms upstairs are spacious, and get great ocean breeze at night. We wouldn't have used AC even if it was available. We didn't use the downstairs room but it looks like it would be a great place for parents/teenager etc. to have some privacy. The house had everything we needed. You can get glimpses of the bay from the deck and living area, and it's less than a 2 minute walk. Most of the time there's less than 10 people at the nice shady and grassed beach park, which has a caretaker there during the day who is very helpful with tips on the local area and ocean conditions etc. There's really no sand left at the beach, but it has a little cove for a calm place to cool off in the ocean and a channel through the rocks for easy access to the bay for snorkeling. You can rent a kayak right by the house too. The road down from Captain Cook to the house is pretty narrow and windy, so be prepared for that, but it's worth it to be close to the bay. Other than the beach there's not anything else within walking distance, but if you're ok with that it's all part of the appeal of having your own paradise. Would stay here again 100 times before staying in Kona itself, much more peaceful, scenic and just felt like Hawaii.

OWNER RESPONSE
Mahalo for your review! You've perfectly explained what a great place Napoopoo is for those who want to be away from the hustle and bustle of Kailua Town. Dolphin Bay House gets those tropical breezes to keep it cool, along with ceiling fans in all the rooms and ample outdoor space to enjoy the property and its gardens. Great to hear you'd come again and we'll be happy to have you join us for another stay!

The house was very comfortable, bedrooms were roomy and lots of room for a large family. The close proximity to a great park and beach was really ideal. The backyard and covered seating area is wonderful to cool down on hot days.

If you want a unique experience that is not 'resort like' this is one we would highly recommend. Swimming with dolphins is a once in a lifetime experience.

What a fantastic house for a great family holiday in rural Hawaii! Our family of three couples felt very privileged to stay in this outstanding house: great style, modern superbly equipped, very clean and impeccably maintained. We enjoyed the diverse indoor and outdoor living spaces for all times of the day and all kinds of weather. We all truly enjoyed the house, its very creative garden setting and wildlife in lovely Kealakekua Bay and the surroundings. Thank you, Martha, for sharing this treasure with us.

Owner Response:
Aloha and thank you so much for your kind review! We are so happy you had a great experience and truly enjoyed the house with your family. Sharing our Hawaii home with others brings us joy, especially when the home and grounds are so appreciated. We hope we can welcome you back in the future. Mahalo!

We have stayed at Dolphin Bay House for 2 weeks every year for the past 5 years. It is an absolutely beautiful place. The whole area is what the world should be like. On the road out of the area are a couple of roadside stands where you can buy local fruits, flowers and lei's. These stands are serve yourself and pay on the honor system. The pictures on the web site are not exactly accurate. The house is much more beautiful and roomy than the pictures portray.

We stayed at the Dolphin House for one week in late March 2015 and we loved it. The house is beautiful and it is in a very good partially secluded location. It fit our family perfectly; we were my husband and me, our daughter and son-in-law, their three children (aged 13, 8, & 21 mos.), and our son. Everybody loved the house--the beds were very comfortable and the bathrooms quite nice. The spacious kitchen has everything you need for involved cooking and the appliances all worked well. The open and airy living/dining area and small office/library area were comfortable and well equipped and the small lanai is very nice. The ground-level private eating area with barbecue, full laundry, equipment room, and landscaped yards are useful bonus features. The house is very close to Manini Beach Park (two-minute walk), which is a great place for relaxing and snorkeling--there is an opening in the lava rocks that allows for easy access to the bay--the grandkids loved it. Kristin was wonderful to us and she was always available for assistance and advice. Also, very helpful was the Hawaiian docent at Manini Beach Park--she provided detailed information about Hawaiian culture and local history. We loved the Dolphin House and we highly recommend it.

It should be featured in an architectural magazine! If you’re going to do the Big Island, there’s no better place to stay . . . This has to be the most friendly place in the world! My future trips will bring me back to the serenity of this little spot of heaven on earth.

My wife and I stayed at Dolphin Bay House during the last two weeks and wanted you to know how much we enjoyed our stay. We would definitely like to return next year at about the same time . . . we will be in touch as soon as possible to make the arrangements.

There come s a time when I want a true vacation—one that is easy and beautiful, relaxing and restoring. Dolphin Bay House offers all that and more. Once can enjoy seeing the deep blue ocean during the day and hear the waves while falling asleep at night.