Verified
10/10 Excellent
Martha M.
11 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bucket list stay
Martha M.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Entire home
Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!
Photo gallery for Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!
At Sandcastles Beach House, you can unwind on your deck overlooking the dunes and take in the beach's sandy expanse. With a fully-equipped kitchen, washer & dryer, and Wi-fi available in each unit, this beautifully finished pine beach house is perfect for relaxing with loved ones.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7
Popular amenities
- Ocean view
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!
- With Sandcastles Beach House a mere three minute walk along the path to the finest beach on the island and our beach's sandy, broad expanse and gentle slope it is perfect for relaxing and unwinding. You can walk for hours and never run out of beach. From your deck you can take in our spectacular dunes and you'll see the surf conditions so you'll know if it's a smooth swimming or a boogie board kind of day. In addition, we are in the enviable position of being the only rental having MacKay Pond border its lawn so you'll see eagles, herons, osprey and cormorants all day and end it all with blazing sunsets dancing off our waters. No neighbors separate you from your view of the dunes. Staying at Sandcastles is like having a series of natural works of art offered up to you all day long.
Sandcastles Beach House is a beautifully finished pine beach house with two independent units: Duneside and Meadowside. Each unit has two bedrooms, a full bath, washer & dryer and a fully-equipped kitchen, including dishwasher.
Sandcastles easily fills the needs of everyone from individual couples to groups of up to 14 celebrating reunions of families or groups of friends. We can customize in this way because we have two units which are adjoining and yet fully private and self-contained. So you can rent just one side and soak up all the beauty our location offers. Or, if you are with a larger group you can rent both sides, sharing meals and good times when you choose and yet still have the freedom to enjoy the privacy of dining and relaxing in your own unit. If you wish to book Duneside, please do so here. If you wish to book both Duneside and Meadowside, please book Duneside here and Meadowside on our other listing: "Sandcastles Beach House - Meadowside: Special Springtime Offer!" (also found under Darnley, PEI).
We supply all modern conveniences including Wi-fi, a 55" 4K UHD Smart TV with Chromecast and satelitte, and we have a convenient, fully private outdoor shower. Sandcastles Beach House is minutes from 8 golf courses, deep-sea fishing, fine dining and galleries. You'll be pleasantly surprised with our prices. Our rates are in Canadian dollars and include taxes. We do not charge extra for additional guests (up to 7 per side). So....be sure to check the final cost of other sites when comparing. Our guests tell us that Sandcastles is "enchanting" and our location is "breathtaking". We hope that you'll visit Sandcastles Beach House and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Property amenities
Beach
- Beach nearby
- Beach loungers
- Beach towels
Internet
- Available in the cottage: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
- Car recommended
- Parking on site
Kitchen
- Blender
- Coffee/tea maker
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Dishwasher
- Electric kettle
- Hob
- Lobster/crab pot
- Microwave
- Oven
- Paper towels
- Refrigerator
- Spices
- Toaster
Dining
- Dining table
Bedrooms
- 2 bedrooms
- Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
- 1 bathroom
- Bathtub or shower
- Hair dryer
- Outdoor shower
- Soap
- Toilet paper
- Towels provided
Living spaces
- Dining table
- Living room
Entertainment
- Books
- Games
- Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
- Balcony
- Barbecue grill
- Firepit
- Garden
- Outdoor furniture
Laundry
- Laundry facilities
- Washing machine
Comfort
- Heating
Pets
- No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
- If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
- No lift (single-level property)
- Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
- Iron/ironing board
- Limited housekeeping
Location highlights
- In a rural location
- Near a health/beauty spa
- Near the bay
- Near the marina
- Near the sea
- On a lake
Things to do
- Basketball nearby
- Birdwatching nearby
- Ecotours nearby
- Fishing nearby
- Golfing nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Motor boating nearby
- Mountain biking nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Swimming nearby
- Wildlife walks nearby
- Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
- No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
- Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
- Fire extinguisher
- Deadbolt lock
General
- Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 19
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Lock the doors
Please close the windows.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
Please empty the garbage before checking out. Carefully sort garbage, compost and returnables according to posted guidelines.
Please close windows before going out for the day if there is threat of rain.
Do not drive or park beyond the parking pads as this would damage the septic system.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: We are family friendly!
Events
No events allowed
No large gatherings please.
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
Note from host: No large gatherings please.
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Darnley, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. Keir Memorial Museum and Lucy Maud Montgomery Birthplace are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Darnley Greens Golf Course and French River Golf Course. Shining Waters Family Fun Park and Burlington Amusement Park are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and windsurfing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking/biking trails. Visit our Darnley travel guide
View more Cottages in Darnley
Darnley, PE
What's nearby
Cavendish Beach31 min drive - 38.2 km- Burlington Amusement Park3 min walk - 0.3 km
- beach near Morrisons Pond16 min walk - 1.4 km
- Anne of Green Gables Museum11 min drive - 11.6 km
- Shining Waters Family Fun Park30 min drive - 37.2 km
Getting around
- Charlottetown Alexander B. Campbell Airport (YYG)58 min drive
Restaurants
- Ship to Shore Restaurant & Lounge7 min drive
- Malpeque Oyster Barn14 min drive
- Seashell Motel11 min drive
- O'Neil Home Gallery9 min drive
- The Kitchen Witch Tea Room
Frequently asked questions
Is Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach! located?
Situated by the sea, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Burlington Amusement Park and 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Darnley Greens Golf Course. Malpeque Outer Range Lighthouse and Keir Memorial Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Sandcastles Beach House - Duneside: On PEI's Best Beach! Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new windowRating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 26 reviews
10 - Excellent
21
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 26 reviews
8 - Good
5
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
4 - Poor
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Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews
2 - Terrible
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10
Cleanliness
10
Location
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mischa L.
21 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I cannot explain how amazing this property is. Steps from white sand beach, red cliffs, and beautiful ocean! We kayaked in the lake behind the cottage, spied a bald eagle having a bath, and took full advantage of the superbly maintained house. Brian was an amazing host, ensuring we had everything we needed to make our trip perfect! It was also a perfect location to explore the west end of PEI, and get lost on all of the back roads.
Mischa L.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Byron R.
17 July 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot for us
Great location with the best beach
Byron R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Josiane D.
18 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a magical place! A short walk from a wonderful beach! Everything we needed and more in the cottage. Very family friendly place! Jane and Brian and wonderful hosts and always available to help out! Would/will definitly go again!
Josiane D.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sean M.
4 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing week
Great location with ready access to the beach, and stunning views from the back deck of the house. We’re two adults and two kids (13 and 11), and the house was a perfect size for us.
Sean M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Heather M.
24 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location!
We had a great vacation a couple minutes walk from one of the best beaches on PEI. The cottage also overlooked a pond so we could sit on the deck and watch the cormorants, herons and gulls. Very helpful and friendly hosts. We plan to return!
Heather M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Karen Fiona C.
11 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean cottage in a great location
The cottage was clean and well-appointed. We loved the location for the proximity to the beach. Brian was very accessible and responsive before, during, and after our stay. We would go back.
Karen Fiona C.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022
Archival
8/10 Good
Byron R.
7 Sept 2017
Great location, could not get much closer to the beach
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Byron R.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lynn L.
4 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ok
Top notch
Lynn L.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lise M.
22 Aug 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beau séjour
Paysage magnifique vue sur un bras de mer avec oiseaux et vue sur les dunes. Coucher de soleil. Accès rapide à la plage qui est peu achalandée. Chalet bien équipé Très beau séjour
Lise M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Scott A.
5 Oct 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A perfect getaway
We really enjoyed our stay in Darnley. The beach was quiet, and absolutely gorgeous. It was our favourite beach on the island. The property is charming, and equipped with everything you need. You can even walk barefoot to the beach from the property! With views of the sand dunes, decks overlooking the pond, an eccletic collection of board games and movies, we really felt spoiled. Brian and Jane were the perfect hosts and we would definitely reccommend this place to anyone!
Scott A.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Mary H.
30 Oct 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Yellow Duplex on the Pink PEI sand dunes!
amazingly comfortable and homey, with lots of space and very very clean. The owner is a very attentive, informative, personable guy who always responds to your questions in good time. Views are spectacular and proximity to the beach is wonderful. being on the shores of a pond with hundreds of birds is a bonus. Loved the area and so much to see within a 150 mile radius. Fresh Seafood abounding nearby and so close to grocery stores, coffee shops and local restaurants with great food. Would highly recommend this rental.
Mary H.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Deborah L.
16 Oct 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place on PEI
We stayed September 26-29 which is at the end of the shoulder season on PEI. The duplex was spotless when we arrived. Nice location and friendly owners. The ocean was a short walk over the dunes. Excellent vacation.
Deborah L.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
From a partner site
8/10 Good
4 Oct 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a gem! Right on the beach and close to everything!
This property was everything we imagined and more! Sitting on such a pretty pond with hundreds of birds to watch in the morning with Binoculars supplied by the owner. our dog was mesmerized by the birds and sat on the deck all day just watching the activity. at the break in the dunes where the pond is fed by the ocean, you can see the ocean! From the upstairs master bedroom deck, the ocean is very visible in all it's majesty and force, which we saw first hand on a couple of windy days when we first arrived. LOVED it! A short walk over pink sand dunes took us to the pink beach...think Cuba but pink and flat! the expanse of beach and the expanse of soft sand makes this location a hit in my books. Although it was October and we did have a couple really nice days for strolling on the beach, the summers at this rental would be awesome for kids and adults alike. NO way this private beach access for this neighbourhood would ever be crowded as there are miles of beach to explore at low tide in both directions! the Duplex itself is so comfortable, clean, spacious and well stocked including washer/dryer/dishwasher/satellite TV. There isn't a thing the owner forgot. the Property is big and a great place to bring the family and rent both sides of the duplex. The decks outside are wrap around and make a super place to just chill and take in the views that are spectacular.
We loved that the location was only an hour or two from any PEI landmarks, national parks and seafood outlets for lobster, mussels and oysters...Malpeque oysters are some of the best in the world and it was only a 10 minute drive. Kensington and Summerside are both within 30 minutes drive and everything you want in groceries, coffee shops and restaurants are there. We ate at a great pub in Kensington called the Old Stone Pub..food was delicious and craft beer on tap. I cannot say enough good things about this rental.
I sure hope we can return some day and enjoy the summer in PEI and use the outdoor showers!
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
1 Oct 2019
Great location on PEI
We stayed September 26th-29th which is at the end of the shoulder season for PEI. A quiet location. The duplex was very well maintained and clean on arrival. The owners were friendly and helpful. The beach is a few feet away over a dune. Great weather and a lovely vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
christian d.
25 Aug 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Très bien situé des plages et des dunes.
Bel emplacement près d’une superbe plage tranquille. Beau chalet très propre avec une belle vue sur le paysage, les dunes et de beaux couchés de soleil.
christian d.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
14 June 2019
Sandcastles Beach House
We loved our stay and would definitely come back.
Thanks!
Debby and Bob
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sandy B.
13 June 2019
A blissful stay!
Everything a person could ever want is provided in this quaint two bedroom dune side location. A short jaunt over the dunes and you’re at the magnificent ocean with crisp breezes and beautiful red sand. Early sunrises and late sunsets allowed ample time for both leisure time and island discovery. I would highly recommend this wonderful place for both single and family vacations. The host and hostess were very accommodating and some of the nicest people I’ve met in a long time! Thank you so much for a memorable experience!
Sandy B.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019
Verified
8/10 Good
Sue S.
11 Oct 2018
Lovely site.. clean, relaxing and a beach stroll next door!
We stayed 3 nights in September. Sandcastles Beach House had all we needed.. a lovely view, deck to sit on, space and cleaniness we like.. and a fabulous beach right at our back door. Its a way out of town(s) - but thats what we looked for - a place which was peacefull to relax at day end. It was great!
The owner, Brian, was very timely in responding to any needs. Would go back again when the time comes....
Sue S.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
bonnie M.
4 Oct 2018
Great location lovely couple clean well equiped
Lovely
bonnie M.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
10 Sept 2018
Comfortable, all the amenities, great beds, wonderful area
Very relaxing, great walks on the beach, lovely PEI, super accommodation. Brian was great, lots of good info and quick responses.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jamie G.
27 June 2018
Wonderful cottage within walking distance of one of best beaches on PEI!
Sandcastles Beach House-Duneside is a treasure! It's centrally located on the beautiful northern shore of Prince Edward Island. The setting is amazing with a pond filled with bird life right off the deck and then over a short dune walk, you find Thunder Cove Beach, one of the prettiest beaches on the island. The owners are wonderful. They are very accommodating, easy to work with, and anything you could need is provided. We rented both Duneside and Meadowside to have more space to spread out which is a really nice option. Renting both sides would be great for larger families, family reunions, or just to have more space. Just be aware that the cottages don't have an adjoining door inside. But each cottage is very spacious with a wonderful view. Very reasonably priced as well! Highly recommend!! We had a wonderful time here!
Jamie G.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dinah C.
17 June 2018
Beautiful, clean, peaceful view of the lake
Brian is a great host. He went out of his way to make sure we had a great time!
Dinah C.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2018
Archival
8/10 Good
Ann P.
18 Sept 2017
beautiful setting
We really enjoyed our stay in this great location. The unit was clean and the beds were comfortable. Seeing a pair of eagles circling the pond was a real treat. We stayed in September and it was quiet and relaxing - just what we were looking for. The owners were very nice.
Ann P.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
maureen w.
1 Aug 2017
Great spot and would definitely return!
Our family and dog enjoyed the cottage immensely. It had everything we needed and then some. The location was central and we easily traveled to Cavendish, North Rustico, Kensington , Charlottetown and Summerside. It made a comfortable vacation stay and a great home base. This was our first visit to PEI and we loved everything about the island and our vacation rental. One item of note, the other side of the duplex was rented by another family. We could hear them, as I am sure they could us, through the walls, but nothing disturbing, just the footsteps on stairs, washing machine and murmured voices. This was not a problem for us, but there may be some who would be bothered if the tenants were not respectful of the close proximity.
maureen w.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017