Our little bit of Heaven at Dog Island
Contact Owner
Overview
| Bedrooms: | 3 |
| Bathrooms: | 2 |
| Sleeps | 6 |
| Per night | $180 - $200 |
| Per week | $1,250 - $1,350 |
| Type: | Home |
Description of the Dog Island vacation home rental
The large great room with a pit group (2 love seats and king size sofa bed) is perfect for game night,an evening of DirectTV HD with Showtime, or checkout shows missed with the DVR recorder or DVD movies or just enjoying the breath-taking dolphin watching and, panoramic view of the beach while looking through the 2 large glass sliding doors. The Master Suite/bath and the Front Bedroom (Parrot) have large glass sliding doors, also, to enjoy the water view. The Guest Parrot bedroom has Direct HD TV where others can watch a different show.
Our home, with its perfect floorplan, was designed by a leading Tallahassee Architect. The large Great Room separates the bedrooms and enhances additional privacy.
You can watch the sunrise and sunset from the Great Room sofas or while sipping coffee or cool/frozen drink in the Gazebo.
The four rockers and the 6 large Tub chairs on the screened porch are a "must" if you want to sit a spell while grilling your day's catch on the large 2 burner CharBroil Infra Red Gas grill, settling in with the latest novel, or enjoying a nice siesta.
3 Top Chefs (NY, New Orleans, Miami) gave our kitchen a perfect 10! So,if you love cooking, you'll love our kitchen. It's fully equipped for all your cooking, baking and drinking needs. It even has a waffle iron, food processor, frozen drink maker and a wok! The master suite has a large stand alone shower, and the guest bath has a tub/shower.'
While we have a water filtration system, we suggest that you bring waterbottles for drinking as our water will taste different than the water in your home. Some bring one large bottle while other guests prefer small bottles to take to the beach area. We have extra small coolers for carting food/drinks to the beach and one for the fish that you caught.
If you get too much sun...both porches have fresh Aloe plants. Break off a piece and wipe the cut side on your sunburn to cool the heat, the natural way. Use our Sand Fleas rake to scoop some up for fishing bait..
Birdseed is there to feed Mr & Mrs Cardinal, who live in the tree in front of the house and will "chirp for food" twice a day mornings and evenings.
Our SUV Izusu Trooper takes you to and from the Marina.
Beach chairs, umbrellas, noodles, pails and shovels and beachy toys are all available for the your use. Bring air card for wireless internet connection.
NO PETS OR SMOKING ALLOWED ANYWHERE ON OUR PROPERTY.
Area Information
No retail stores on the island, so bring all of your supplies,casseroles and zip lock bags of chili or food.
This is a perfect spot for year round shelling and finding sand dollars certain times of the year.
Absolutely NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED in or around our home!!!
Upon arrival our SUV Izusu Trooper will be parked at the Marina/dock, pack up and drive to our home. With no rain the roads are sandy like a soft sand beach you can get stuck, so islanders drive with caution and care..
Our rates are based on 2 to 4 people. Additional fees for more than 4. Our home accomodates a total of 6 people.
Rental Rates for Holidays are slightly higher than rates shown with a minimum of 4 (four) Holiday weekend nights..
Weekend Nightly Rates $200 with a Minimum of 3 Nights.
There is a $300 Security Deposit which is refunded upon inspection by our House Manager, for any damage or missing articles.
The Security Deposit must be paid immediately to reserve your dates. Payment for stay must be paid two months, in advance of your arrival.
Availability Calendar
Last updated June 19, 2013.
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Rates
| Begins | Ends | Week Night |
Weekend Night |
Weekly | Monthly | Min Stay |
| Mar 01 2013 | Dec 31 2013 | $190 | $200 | $1,350 | - | 3 Nights |
| Jan 01 2014 | Feb 28 2014 | $180 | $190 | $1,250 | - | 3 Nights |
| Check In: 3 p.m. Check Out: 11 a.m. | ||||||
| Lodging tax: 9 % | ||||||
| Deposits: Deposit is $300 and must be paid immediately (deposit refunded upon cleaning/damage inspection following visit) '' Rental payment may be immediately or may be paid in 2 payments, half of the amount must be paid immediately and balance must be paid one month in advance of arrival/occupancy date by Cashier's check or Money Order. Full refund will be issued based on circumstances. NO PETS ALLOWED. Last minute plans?...we will try to accommodate you. | ||||||
| Payment Options: Cashier's Check, Money Order | ||||||
| Other Fees: Ferry to island from mainland - $70 or $75 each way Schedule Ferry Run....$15 each way - call for Scheduled times | ||||||
Amenities
Beds
- 1 King Bed
- 1 Queen Bed
- 4 Twin Beds
- 1 Sofa Bed
Features
- Air Conditioning
- Dock/Boat Slip
- Outdoor Shower
- View (City Lights)
- Beach Chairs
- Full Kitchen
- Parking Included
- View (Ocean)
- Beach Towels
- Heating
- Patio
- View (Water)
- Beachfront
- Linens Provided
- Porch
- Waterfront
- Deck
- Oceanfront
- Screened Porch
Appliances
- Alarm Clock
- Dishwasher
- Oven
- TV (Cable/Satellite)
- Blender
- Gas Grill
- Radio
- Telephone
- CD Player
- Hair Dryer
- Refrigerator (Full)
- Toaster
- Ceiling Fan
- Ice Maker
- Refrigerator (Mini)
- VCR
- Coffee Maker
- Iron
- Stereo
- Washer/Dryer
- DVD Player
- Microwave
- Stove
Activities
- Beach
(onsite) - Deep Sea Fishing
(onsite) - Kayaking
(onsite) - Scuba Diving
(onsite) - Boating
(onsite) - Fishing
(onsite) - Ocean
(onsite) - Snorkeling
(onsite) - Canoeing
(onsite) - Hiking
(onsite) - Sailing
(onsite) - Surfing
(onsite)
Other Vacation Rental Amenities
Reviews for this vacation home rental in Dog Island, Florida
Beth Dobrozsi
Cincinnati
Reconnecting with family
June 18, 2013
My husband and I came down with our two youngest for a midweek stay at "Our Little Bit of Heaven" right after school let out. We are used to going to Cape San Blas every year, so this was our first try at vacationing on Dog Island. We were not disappointed, in fact, delighted. I've never seen all of us stay outside so much! We walked to the end of the island, fished every day, built a huge drip castle together, chased ghost crabs under the stars, and caught the biggest sand fleas I've ever seen. We saw less than 6 people all week--the peace and solitude was much needed and appreciated. The property brought out the kid in all of us; we smiled as we watched our teen daughter drop her cell phone and play on the beach endlessly. It was great family time and helped us reconnect with each other. We want to thank Delores & Doug for all of their thoughtfulness in preparing the house for us. Delores doesn't forget a thing, so if you do, she's got you covered. The Direct TV gave us the chance to watch the new "Oz" movie together, and the grill on the deck was an easy way to make delicious evening dinners. We especially loved the gazebo and hunting for seashells. The house itself is lovely and has fantastic views with terrific access to a snowy white sand beach and water as warm as your bath tub. Thank you for a wonderful stay--we are very grateful! --The Dobrozsi family
Owner's reply:
We appreciate your kind words, loved hearing from you midweek about how much your visit has meant to your family and how surprised your husband was to see hundreds of sand fleas! He couldn't believe with his first cast he caught a drum fish,and then caught 2 more after that .... right in a row!! The sound of the surf while eating fresh seafood just caught and cooked is hard to beat. Loved hearing about your family's star gazing and how close they seem, the big dipper, etc. Come back real soon.
Beth Wright
Murfreesboro , TN
Love Dog Island!
June 16, 2013
What a wonderful time our family had on Dog Island! The beaches are perfect, the water is clear, and the wildlife is abundant. We saw osprey, cardinals, starfish, puffer fish, conchs, hermit crabs, blue crabs, a tortoise, stingrays and even an alligator! This was the best beach vacation we have ever had! Although my husband isn't a beach lover, even he had to admit he loved it! My son son said it was the best vacation ever! Mrs. Dolores's house is so comfy and homey. The porch is a wonderful place to rock and listen to the crashing of the waves. My daughter and I spent hours walking the beaches and searching for shells. We found scallop, conch, olive, snail, whelk, cockle, and tulip shells- LOTS of them, especially when we walked down to the east end of the island. This is a must do! We drove to the inn and then walked about 2 miles to the east end. The first time we found so many big beautiful shells and even a message in a bottle! The second time we walked down was after a tropical storm. We found even more beautiful shells and saw an alligator! There is a wonderful boardwalk that takes you from the back porch of the house right down to the water. The gazebo at the end of the boardwalk is a great place to drink coffe in the mornings or a cocktail in the evenings! Beware! No need to pack anything besides bathing suits, and maybe 1 or two pairs of shorts! Forget the makeup, just enjoy the wonderful, virtually deserted beach. Be sure to take ALL the food you need!!! Including water!!!!!! The water doesn't taste bad but it has a strong smell. I would highly recommend bottled. Mrs. Dolores was great to work with. She called several times to make sure we were having a good time and even to warn us that a tropical storm was on the way. She has lots of good recipes and ideas so if you are a little intimidated about how to plan and pack enough food for an extended stay, just email her. She gave me some great recipes and ideas. My family and I are hoping that Mrs. Dolores will allow us to stay in her Little Bit of Heaven again next year. We loved it so much! I highly recommend a visit here. If you love clean, uncrowded beaches like I do you will love Dog Island! It's a treasure! Thank you for allowing us to share your lovely home Mrs.Dolores. Beth Wright
Owner's reply:
You folks were a delight and it seemed that you loved our island and home as much as we do. Knowing that your family had fun together and really enjoyed swimming, sand play and your hiking adventures reminded us of when our children were young on the island. Thanks so much for the compliments, we are counting you all coming back soon. There is a saying in Florida that if you get "sand in your shoes" you will return..
william wahl
Kentucky
Birds of Dog Island
May 6, 2013
During our stay we walked the quiet beach to find migrating shorebirds enjoying a banquet of fresh food. Red Knots were seen on several occassions, some wearing their beautiful breeding color. Chuck's-will-widows called during the evening hours. The quiet and seclusion of the island offered much in the way of birdwatching. The east end of the island is set aside for nesting terns. We stood behind the boundary signs and watched Royal Terns carrying fish toward their nest area. I posted my checklists to ebird where they can be read by anyone interested in seeing what treasures use Dog Island for nesting, resting and feeding.
Owner's reply:
We have always taken care to provide birdseed and water for our resident Cardinal families and any other migratory birds traveling North and South using Dog Island for a sleep/stopover or just some good old R & R.
You all certainly awakened our interest in all of the identities/names of the birds and the places some of them were traveling to and from. There is one time during the year when hundreds of robins stopover for a visit, they are everywhere on the island. We enjoy the same with the Monarch butterflies on their way to Mexico ....
We're so glad our feathered friends provided you with so much enjoyment!
Melody Burnette
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
It was a bit of Heaven
November 27, 2012
the most stress free 4 days we have ever had on a vacation. From the time Russell picked us up our worries disappeared. He was like an old friend to us and very helpful. Dolores is a delight and I felt like we have always known each other. The Maddox home was like being at home. Everthing was perfect. The views took my breathe away. The sunrise was in front of this home and I enjoyed it each morning. The hard part about the Maddox home was leaving it. The new flat screen TV has perfect for watching Alabama shut out Auburn!! Oh by the way the score was 49-0. That was the only time we had the TV on was Saturday to watch some SEC football. Roll Tide! This was our first trip to Dog Island and we are making plans to come back again and the Maddox's will be who we will call. We so enjoyed our stay in your home. Thanks for sharing it with us. Roll Tide, Melody & Rod Burnette Debbie & Glynn Wheat
Owner's reply:
We are so glad that Bama folks enjoyed our Gator home...goooo SEC! Our games were on at the same time so,,,, wanted you to know that the Gators beat FSU on their turf 37-26 ! Go gators!! Glad your "getaway weekend" was all that you all had hoped for and loved hearing about the fish you caught and grilled! We will look forward to you returning to Heaven and bringing the family.
Come back soon, Dolores and Doug Maddox
Lesley Harris
Tallahassee, Florida
Not A "Little Bit" . . . It IS Heaven!
November 26, 2012
Having lived in Tallahassee for 22 years I had never thought of going to Dog Island for vacation. Word of mouth pointed me to "A Little Bit of Heaven" in September for 5 days. I was seeking the "Beach" and was accustomed to driving hours east and west never finding Heaven. I found it just a short drive away. I would counsel the owners to remove "A Little Bit" in their title. I felt like I was walking into my own home stocked with everything (and more) I use on a day to day basis (yikes . . . even a waffle iron that I don't even own). I am a cook and was thrilled to find every spice I desired in the kitchen except the Rosemary which grows wild on the island (spent a few hours in Heaven picking it for a pork roast). I packed a blow dryer because it wasn't on the list . . . yet there was one there. I was overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of the owners. The cabinets were even packed with staples. I left unopened non perishable items for the next visitors. Cleanliness was over the top. No more driving east and west in search of Heaven . . . I merely need to drive south an hour and board the ferryboat captained by a wonderful, engaging gatekeeper!
Owner's reply:
We were so glad that our home provided the Rest and Relaxation that you were searching for. We now have "blow dryers" on our Supplies list...thanks!
Finding fresh rosemary across the street or picking it on your long walk with so many bushes and all different sizes, is fun. Using it as you did in olive oil for a bread dipper sounded...yummm. We so enjoy our guests sharing that Heaven has "all the comforts of home".
Jennifer Sachs Mayo
Nashville, TN
Like coming home...
October 30, 2012
Our family of four had a wonderful long weekend at Miss Dolores' wonderful home on Dog Island. After a long day of travel it really was like coming home as soon as we walked in the door! Our breath was taken away by the amazing view of the gulf as soon as we stepped in- simply breathtaking. It was such a relief to have a fully stocked home to come to especially since we were traveling with two little ones - toys, books, games, beach towels, bug spray, even sunscreen for adults and kids!! The kitchen had everything you could possibly need, even a Disney waffle maker and frozen drink maker - keep the kids and the mama's happy! Some of our favorite things were sunrise breakfasts at the gazebo while watching the dolphins frolic, even saw a sunrise shooting star one morning! Long runs in the morning, shell seeking walks during the day, having such a large sandbar right in front of the house - perfect for the little ones! Rocking away on the chairs on the porch while reading, sunset cocktails back at the gazebo. We loved it all so much we are proud now to be fellow Dog Islanders having purchased our own slice of paradise while we were there!!! Thank you so much for making our introduction to Dog Island so very perfect Dolores! :)
Owner's reply:
Looks like we lost a renter, but gained a neighbor! You all are the 2nd couple this summer who bought a home after staying at our house. Love it! I have always said, "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody's gonna' be happy", so glad our home kept you and your family smiling and the kids enjoyed life away from the Big city. Thanks for sharing with us your family time watching the sun's morning burst onto the horizon and pointing out all of the different multiples of stars which seem brighter after sunset, evenings at the island. Enjoy, Dolores and Doug
deborah williams
Scottsville, KY
Wonderful!!
October 8, 2012
The house was spacious, nicely decorated, and well equipped for cooking, grilling, lounging on the beach. The visit was outstanding. Our whole family enjoyed the peace and quiet and the privacy of the beach. Shells were great!! I highly recommend a trip such as this. We will definitely visit again. For my taste, I would recommend bottled water. I appreciate the opportunity to stay at the Maddox's little bit of heaven.
Owner's reply:
We were happy to hear that you and later your husband had a safe trip from Kentucky to "our little bit of heaven"....how wonderful for your family that he was finally able to join all of you. Sounded like you enjoyed a safe drive home, also.
We loved hearing from you, while you were at our home, how much your children were enjoying the sun, surf and seashells...staying on an island you get a better selection of shells and a lot more of them!
We would love to have you come back and visit again, anytime...Dolores and Doug
Jeanie Brice
Tallahassee FL
Labor Day Weekend Fun
September 10, 2012
We had a great time time at your home!! You had everything we needed for a great beach vacation!!! Our grandchildren enjoyed all your beach & sand toys--especially the large plastic alligators they rode in the waves!!! We will definitely contact you when we go back to Dog Island--your house was wonderful!!!
Owner's reply:
We are so glad you all had a chance to get together and enjoy each others company at Dog Island which is the perfect place for families. We loved hearing that the kids had a good time enjoying the surf and sand and hope all of you will come backfor a visit, soon...Doug and Dolores
Stewart Hendricks
Easley South Carolina
Great family vacation...
September 4, 2012
I have nothing but high praises for the entire Dog Island trip, Carrabbelle was fantastic, 2 Al's was great, the stay at the Marina, Dick and Vickie were great, the Maddox house was great, and even getting stuck in the sand was great (will use it in a sermon at some point about "warning signs", you know the kind where when there is a note on the fridge not to go past the signs that say DON"T GO PAST THIS POINT), the two (be careful Dick doesn't like'em) raccoons, the dolphins that came within 25yds. of us, jeez...where do I start.........I would recommend to anyone that a stay at your home would be utterly fantastic...and we will definitely be heading back at some point.....If it were in my budget, you would have had to have me removed from your house :)
Owner's reply:
How sweet of you to give us all of your wonderful praises! The blessing was that a member of your family with health issues, not only was able make the trip to Dog Island, but also was able to join in the surf and sand fun with the rest of the family. I must say that we do "try" with the "WARNING" signs, perhaps we need a larger font??? LOL :- )
It was so nice meeting you all as we left the island and you all boarded the Ferry to start your vacation. All of you were great renters and we would love for you to come back to visit real soon. Enjoy! Dolores & Doug
Mary O'Connor Lopez
Mount Prospect, IL
It is indeed a little bit of Heaven!
August 14, 2012
What an amazing time we had at your place in Dog Island! The home was exactly as we thought, and it was very comfortable for our big family (we have four children.) Even better was the location - you could not ask for a more perfect family vacation. We had such a great time playing on the beach and swimming in the Gulf. We saw dolphins, pelicans, all sorts of crabs and fish - even a sea turtle! Dog Island is truly a treasure - thank goodness it remains so unspoiled - we had an absolutely wonderful time. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Owner's reply:
Our home is only as perfect as our guests! It was our pleasure to hear how much you all enjoyed your stay in "Heaven" both adults and your four children. Bless you, bless you, bless you! We look forward to your next visit. Dolores and Doug
Charles Ferguson
Chickasha, Oklahoma
2nd stay at the Maddox's
August 9, 2012
Once again we had a fantastic time at the Maddox's home on Dog Island. The home meets all our needs. We love watching the nature around the house and in the ocean. Love feeding the crabs off the front porch and watching the birds. Sunsets at the gazebo or breath taking. They have everything you need in the home, all you need is food and drink. Very nice home and so comfortable. Love the screened in porch over looking the ocean, it's so very relaxing to sit out and watch the water and the pelicans and feeding the sea gulls from the gazebo. Just a true relaxing week..... thanks the Maddox's for another wonderful vacation. hope to go again next year...
Owner's reply:
Bless your hearts ....You all are the best! Dog Island is a nice spot to share with close friends from Chickasha,Oklahoma, as you all did. So you were the one feeding the hermit crabs ... leftovers were also appreciated by the seagulls and the raccoons. We will look forward to you all visiting with us again next year!! : - ) Dolores
Helen Mcdonald
Lucedale Mississippi and Houston Texas
A PIECE OF HEAVEN WILL NOT DISAPPOINT!!!
July 26, 2012
My family just got back from our 5th trip to Dog Island and second trip to this home. It has everything you need except groceries and whatever you need to bring to drink!! Caution bring everything you need to eat--I baked six loaves of bread--but I was prepared. Someone rested their feet on our bread during the ride over!!! Dick Vose gave us the ride over and Mr. Russell on the way back. We saw dolphins, a sea turtle, sharks (small), live baby starfish, racoons, and we fed the resident cardinals. They do tend to chirp on the post if you do not feed them. The gazebo is great, the walkway is all the way to the beach, and the beach is almost deserted!!! The shelling is wonderful--the problem is making the kids limit what they are taking. We never take live shells--check closely for life. Having a vehicle to take the garbage is very convenient. Some homes do not have a vehicle that is dependable. The home has a great porch and a nice grill on the porch. You need some OFF for the gnats early morning and very late for mosquitos. Dog Island is like no other place we have ever found. We stayed for 3 weeks here 3 years ago. Will visit again. I booked the house 3 years ago and my daughter Margie booked it this year. I vacumned packed pulled pork, a rump roast and gravy and brought a couple of butt hams frozen to keep out of the kitchen too much. I forgot to mention that we caught two really nice flounder and one trout--but we fished a whole lot. The tropical storm earlier might have messed with our catch. Well there is next year!!!!
Owner's reply:
Helen, it was so good to have had you and your family back in our home and your kind comments were very much appreciated. The food information you shared is not only helpful, but priceless for future guests who are coming to the island.
Tropical storm Debby brought extra mosquitoes and gnats which the winds blow away and help give some relief. If you saw lots of dragon flies they can devour thousands of mosquitoes for their lunch and dinner. Thanks for the great care you took of our home and for feeding our "will chirp for birdseed" Cardinals...aren't they a piece of work? : - ) You all are like family...do come to see us again real soon!!!
Woody & Libby Rider
Corinth, MS
Second trip to Dog Island
June 23, 2012
We just returned from our second trip to Dog Island. We were there last year and enjoyed it so much we came back this year and brought our extended family with us. This was our first stay at the Maddox home and it was great. The home was very comfortable, clean, and spacious. We had all the amenities of home. We especially enjoyed the large living area, screened porch facing the Gulf, and nice gas grill for cooking the day's catch. We caught redfish, trout, whiting, flounder, sharks, and a ray. We would drink our coffe in the mornings while watching the dolphins pass just off the beach. At low tide, the crew enjoyed hunting sea shells. Two ten inch conch shells, 3 starfish, and 40 sand dollars seemed to be crew favorites. You can't beat Dog Island for a peaceful, relaxing vacation that offers lots of family time and the perfect opportunity to enjoy God's beautiful creation at it's best. Staying at the Maddox home is a great way to experience this unique place. Thank you Mrs. Dolores for being a gracious host and sharing your beautiful beach house with us. Captain Rusty is also very accomodating. From helping to load/unload your gear at the ferry, to providing information, or picking up and delivering something you may have forgotten, he is always ready/willing to help.
Owner's reply:
We loved sharing Our little bit of Heaven with your wonderful family. You all were good tenants and took such very special care of our home. From surf to grill...yummm...seafood doesn't get any fresher than that! We are so happy all of your family enjoyed our home and Dog Island. You all are welcomed to come back any time. There are always shells, conchs and starfish to be found!!
P.S. Capt. Rusty appreciated the kind words and said it is always his pleasure to help nice folks like you.....
Rebecca Hickman
Potomac, Il USA
Wonderful Stay at Dog Island!
May 9, 2012
First we had a dolphin follow the boat out to Dog Island which already made it wonderful. The house was perfect, clean, everything we needed and more. The view beautiful. The teens used the boogie boards and hit the waves. My husband and son fished almost the whole time, they would surf fish, which the neighbor, Hazel, gave them great advice. And they would drive the provided Trooper to the ferry dock and fish. Captain Russel would tell them everything about fishing and about the island. They also put out the crab traps provided. We ate a variety of fish every day and meals of blue crab! We grilled out on the porch, very nice grill. My daughter and I enjoyed the sunshine, collecting shells on the beach. We all walked miles down the beach, saw no one which was like having your own island. We toured the island by Trooper on the one little sand road which was a lot of fun! It was so nice having all the things handy to play in the ocean, to fish, chairs for the beach, (Umbrella once sunburned), rockers on the porch, well supplied kitchen, any tool or utensil you could need, air conditioned house and vehicle, games for the evening, washer and dryer, and more I'm sure I'm missing. We loved seeing critters we don't see in Illinois. The dolphins, crabs, My son caught a sting ray out at the surf (broke the line at the last second, but it was fun), over fishing at the dock they had day one an alligator float by (locals said he just wants food tossed to him..lol), 2nd day had a dolphin throwing fish in the air to show how well he fished in comparison, 3rd day caught a variety of other fish we don't see here in the Midwest. My son who is 16 said when we left "this is the best vacation we have ever been on". My daughter 15 loved it. We loved it. We will recommend it to all our friends. And Delores is a wonderful person to work with. She communicates really well, makes sure everything is as it should be and then some. She is pleasant and fun to talk to. You will not be disappointed. Make sure to bring all your food, bait, sunscreen..and we found when the wind doesn't blow you need bug spray for the no-see-ums. (no stores), but that's the point of going to Dog Island...it really is a little bit of heaven, a place to relax, enjoy, get away from the crazy commercial life. I would go back in a minute...and just might :) Thanks Delores! We love it! We took lots of wonderful pictures to remember all the fun we had.
Owner's reply:
You all were the perfect guests. We so enjoyed hearing about all of your experiences while on the Island at our home. We loved that the teens were enjoying themselves and what they liked the most about the Island...everything!! LOL!!! You all took good advantage of our 2 crab traps and caught lots for dinner and had plenty of fish for your suppers. From surf to pot/pan and to table, seafood doesn't get any fresher than that : - ) !!!
Thanks so much for the very kind words and the wonderful review. Remember....You all come back and see us now...ya hear ??!! Dolores and Doug
Kenna Webb Wiles
Albany, GA.
It was a little bit of heaven
April 14, 2012
This house is an execellent accomodation on Dog Island. They had everything you need in kitchen and a grill! We liked that both bedrooms had a sliding glass door you could open to hear the waves and a door to close to den to decrease noise. The air conditioned truck to get back and forth to dock was a great assett as well. Took a lot of beautiful pics from the georgeous backyard/oceanside. Great place to stay! If you have never been to Dog Island is is peaceful seclusion. There are no stores or restaurants; just dirt roads and houses and of course the ocean/beach. You don't see too many people which I love! Water is clear and beautiful! Great Escape! Didn't want to go back to reality.
Owner's reply:
Our home was in absolutely perfect condition when you all left..thanks for the great care you took of it and also for helping to get it ready for another family that were coming in for Spring Break. Hope you all got Dog Island "sand in your shoes", as Floridaians say and come back for another visit real soon!
Doreen Carroll
Jacksonville NC and Waynesville, NC
Great place!!
March 19, 2012
Very nice home with plenty of beds. The two main bedrooms have access to the screened in deck overlooking the ocean. Very nice to fall sleep with the sound of the waves. Brand new state-of-the-art grill, HD tv, fully loaded kitchen with every spice imagineable, and all the comforts of home. The vehicle came in handy to get to the dock and back. We brought our laptops but never took them out as we were too relaxed to even think about work or e-mail. We will come back to fish and try out the crab traps! The gazebo on the beach was a great place for Yoga.
Owner's reply:
You all were the perfect guests and left our "Heaven" in perffect condition. Again, I am so sorry you all had to change a flat tire, the very first one we have ever had and we had just left the island, happens a lot we found out...result of a warm summer and very wet winter. But thanks for the Rave review, we so enjoy sharing our home. You all come back now!
Terry Fucik
Skokie,IL
Heaven on earth!
September 12, 2011
Truly a magical experience, a beautiful home, perfect in every way. The beach was breathtakingly beautiful. Surf fishing quite the payoff, great fresh fish dinner. Our own private dolphin show. Beautiful sunrise awesome sunsets! Wish I had more time, can't wait to go back. Thank you Maddox family for sharing heaven on earth! Teresa
Ronn Smith
Atlanta, GA
Great vacation on Dog Island
August 15, 2011
Our family took our first trip to Dog Island in August 2011. Takes a bit of planning to transport 2 kayaks and food for 7 people for a week, but it was worth it! We enjoyed the house and loved the beach. There were few people to be seen - the beach was nearly deserted throughout the week. We enjoyed running on the beach, kayaking (saw a few dolphins, but not as many as at St. George), and overall a very relaxing, enjoyable week. Water pressure is variable, and taste is, well, island quality so bring bottled water. Relatively good AT&T cell service, if that's important to you. If you're looking for exciting night life, this isn't the place. But for a quiet, relaxing, peaceful experience, it's a place I would recommend.
Cathy McFarlin
Tallahassee
Take care to wonder
August 7, 2011
My husband and I drove from Tallahassee in a thunder storm and arrived at the ferry with little sprinkles. We loaded up and enjoyed the ferry ride over to dog island and loaded our stuff in the car. Rusty said he felt like we were driving on the roads in Costa Rica. We spent 6 wonderful days with our brother- in- law and his family. This vacation was one of our most memorable. The house plan was so wonderful for our families. Our visit was very quiet and we didn't see many people walking the beach. Its a wonder to loose yourself into the hands of our creator who has blessed us with so many wonderful sites. The sunrise and sunsets were so beautiful. We felt like we were on our own little island. During our stay we went fishing, swimming, site seeing, and picking up many shells. Our dogs felt like they went to heaven -Dog island Heaven and we too got to experience such peacefulness and freedom. The Maddox home was home- away -from- home. When Saturday came we were saddened to leave but thought about how wonderful it would be to come back. Thank you Maddox Family. We love you and thank GOD for his goodness and kindness through your testimony. We would highly recommend this beach house because it was AWESOME!!!
Ray N Natalie Crawley
Norman , OK USA
Best Family Vacation EVER!!!!
July 27, 2011
I can not begin to explain how wonderful this property and the property owners are. We enjoyed 6 extraordinary days at this property with my parents and my brother’s family. The experience for me, and my family, has been one that we will never forget. The Maddox’s had everything that we could ever need and more. The house had: boogie boards and beach toys for the kids, a grill for grilling, binoculars and a telescope for bird watching and a view that takes your breath away. Furthermore, the floor plan of the house is a mother-in-law plan, which was perfect for our family. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath beach home, was everything we could have ever hoped for in a vacation home. Thank you Maddox family for sharing your wonderful home with us….it was truly one of the best vacations we have ever had!
Ricky G. Ward
Atoka,tn.usa
A wonderful getaway.
June 23, 2011
I was married on june fourth, and as soon as the wedding reception was over my new Bride, and I headed south to Carabelle Florida, with the Maddox home on dog island our final destination for the next two weeks. The home is very nice with everything you need. Just pack your food, bottled water if you wish, your fishing gear, and you are ready to go. If you love the coast, but do not like the crowds, then this is the place for you. the first week we were there we probably saw five people total, and during the entire two weeks on the island we saw probably not more than a dozen. The fishing is excellent. we caught flounder, whiting, speckled trout, redfish, and sailfin catfish. we also netted lots of blue crabs. the shell beds were abundant at low tide, and we found lots of very nice shells, as well as 30 or so nice sand dollars. You have a vehicle to drive, and exploring the island, and walking the secluded beaches was one of the most tranquill experiences we have ever had. From watching the ospreys fish for their breakfast to watching the black skimmers, and many other seabirds on the island made our honeymoon vacation the best vacation of our entire lives. My wife, and I will definitely go back. The Wards.
Nicole Frazier
Northeast Georgia
Almost a disaster, BUT.....
April 15, 2011
thanks to the owners, Dolores and the Colonel, our experience turned out memorable. Myself, my husband, three children and two dogs, spent the week on Dog Island to get away from the stresses of life and simply spend quality family time. Mid-week we had a terrible storm come through and knock out the power for close to 40 hours on 1/2 the island. We were one of the 'lucky' ones to lose power! Thanks to Dolores and her connections and knowledge of the Island, she hooked us up with plenty of ice from a neighbor who had power and we were able to recharge our cellphones, ipods and e-reader. We were good to go. The house was well stocked with games for all ages so we played a lot of board and card games together as a family, and we also read out loud, by flashlight, Scat, a terrific Carl Hiaasen book. We cooked meals on the grill during the power outage (including coffee in the percolator) and the kids said that the food was the best they ever had! Each morning we enjoyed watching the dolphins swim by and the sunrises were inspirational. We walked many miles on the beach last week and found great seashells and sand dollars. The accommodations were very nice and we had everything we needed from quality kitchen cookware to the beach gear that was available for our use. "Our little bit of Heaven" is a great place to decompress and spend quality time with our family. Even with three kids and no power for 2 days we had a terrific time. We will be back and can't wait!
Kevin Martinez
Kansas City
Stress Free
February 28, 2011
Wow! What a great family vacation. The seclusion and peacefulness is incredible. The property has all that you could ask for and more. Enjoy!
Julie Thornton
Orlando, Florida
9 Days of Sanctuary!
September 22, 2010
We thoroughly enjoyed our 9-day stay on Dog Island. From the moment we left the mainland, we could feel the stress and tension of the real world melting away from our bodies as we embarked on an island adventure that did not require us to wear shoes, watch or smart phone. We spent most of our waking hours on the beach, playing in the warm Gulf waters, fishing, building sand castles and just soaking up the beautiful sunshine while taking in the rare natural beauty that may only be found of lightly developed barrier island. In the evenings we would carry the bounty that we gathered from the sea (blue crabs & fish) and head up to the beach house to enjoy a cool drink and feast on the incredibly fresh seafood dinner we collected. After dinner we often headed to the balcony to watch the a gorgous sunset slip below the horizon in the west and wait in anticipation for the ultimate encore of a night star filled with twinkling stars and the occassional comet. The nine days we spent together as a family will always be cherished as time spent with God's fullest blessing. We highly recommend staying at this Dog Island beachfront home, just not the first week of September, because we plan to go back again next year!
Owner Supplied Testimonials
August 2010
We had a great time, but the time passed by too fast. This was our last beach trip before our son leaves for a University in the North. We are busy packing now...
You guys have a lovely beach place and we enjoyed it very much. It's well designed, well decorated and well stocked.
Dog Island was deserted -- we saw a total of 5 people the 4 days we were there and we liked that!
Hope to visit again soon, Jen
August 2009
This was the first vacation the entire family enjoyed! Daughter and son were estatic and loved your home. You thought of EVERYTHING and your home was not only comfortable and enjoyable....we just loved everything...surf, location and ameneties were the best....we will return!!!
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July 2009 & July 2010-Lynn & Michael (6 stars)
Your home is so perfect for our family of seven...lots of room and something for everyone. So many family experiences (the boys learned to cook). The skim/boogie boards were a blast for the kids especially the teenagers. Beach games while they split the family were loads of fun (the winning team handled it with class). Counting the days until our next visit. This is one place where Mom gets to Chill.....
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