Planning a vacation with the family can be exciting, but finding the right accommodation to suit everyone's needs is key. A waterfront vacation rental offers fun in the sun, sand between your toes, and amazing views that will delight both kids and parents alike. This guide will walk you through how to find your dream beach house, lake house, or coastal rental for a memorable waterfront getaway.
Learn how to find the best waterfront vacation home rentals for families near beaches, lakes, and coastal destinations. Tips include using rental platforms, travel deal sites, and location-based searches to discover rentals with the amenities, views, and space your family needs.
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How to Find the Perfect Waterfront Vacation Rental for Your Family Anywhere You Want
Determine Your Family's Ideal Destination and Dates
The first step is deciding where and when you want to vacation. Popular waterfront destinations offer amenities families enjoy like swimming, boating, fishing, and beautiful natural scenery. Consider spots near:
- Beaches - Enjoy building sandcastles, swimming in gentle waves, beachcombing for seashells, and walking scenic shorelines. Popular beach towns with vacation rentals include Cape Cod, Outer Banks, Gulf Shores, San Diego, Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands, and more.
- Lakes - Rent a lake house for swimming, watersports like water skiing, laid-back days on the dock, fishing, paddleboarding, and gorgeous lake views. Top lake vacation rental spots include Lake Tahoe, Great Lakes, Ozarks, Lake of the Ozarks, and Finger Lakes.
- Coastal Regions - Experience amazing coastal views, whale watching, fresh seafood, biking, hiking, and charming harbor towns when you stay along the California Coast, Oregon Coast, Maine Coast, or North Carolina Coast.
Also decide the best travel dates based on weather, your schedule, crowds, and prices. Many waterfront destinations are popular in the summer when the weather is ideal for water play. But fall offers cooler weather while still comfortably warm enough for most water activities.
Use Rental Platforms to Search
Large vacation rental platforms make it easy to search by location and amenities. Simply enter your destination and travel dates to browse property listings complete with pricing, photos, calendars, and reviews. Leading sites to find waterfront rentals for families include:
- VRBO - VRBO lists over 2 million global vacation rental homes, cabins, beach houses, condos, and more. Refine by destination, dates, budget, property type, bedrooms, baths, and keywords like “family-friendly” or “waterfront”.
- Airbnb - Search for over 6 million vacation home and apartment rentals worldwide on Airbnb. Filter by location, price, property type, amenities like pool or hot tub, and more.
- HomeAway - Lists over 2 million global vacation rentals. Search by destination region, # of bedrooms, budget, amenities, property type, and your travel dates.
- Local Rental Sites - Don’t overlook regional sites listing area vacation rentals often at lower prices like Outer Banks rentals, Florida rentals, California rentals, or Caribbean Island rentals.
Once you find potential listings, reach out to hosts with any questions. Feel free to ask if they offer family-friendly amenities like water access, kids' toys or games, safety gates, and more.
Use Travel Deal Sites
Sites like Kayak Explore make searching rentals fun and easy. Simply enter your destination or browse the map to find top-rated accommodations with prices. Use handy filters like property type, traveler rating, price range, and more to narrow options. Other travel deals sites with vacation rental search features include:
Review listings with your family’s wish list in mind. Homes labeled “family friendly”, “kid friendly”, “waterfront” or with amenities like boats, pools, beach access, and game rooms are ideal.
Search by Location
Do a keyword search for rentals in your desired area using quotation marks around the town or region. For example, search "Gulf Shores rentals" or "Smoky Mountain cabins". Filter further by adding extra keywords like "on the lake", “oceanfront” or "with pool" to find options matching your family's preferences.
You can also simply browse accommodations on Google Maps for a visual overview of rentals near waterways like beaches, bays, lakes, rivers and marshlands. Toggle between map view and satellite imagery to scope out properties with ideal locations and water access.
Check Property Listing Sites
Vacation listing sites focused on certain destinations or property types also provide robust search features and photo galleries to evaluate options:
- Beach Houses: Beach Rentals, Beach House, Island Getaways
- Lake Houses: LakeHouse.com, Lake Vacations, Lake Family Vacations
- Coastal Homes: Oceanfront Rentals, Waterfront Rentals
- Region-specific: Carolina Beach Vacations, Florida Beach Rentals, Lake Tahoe Cabin Rentals
Browse gallery images, property details, and reviews to evaluate family-friendly amenities before booking your favorite option.
Compare Multiple Listings
As you gather top contenders for your family's next waterfront getaway, compare details using a vacation rental comparison tool:
- Overview – Browse photos, general location, property type, # of bedrooms/bathrooms, max occupancy
- Amenities – View features like pool, hot tub, boat dock, beach access
- Availability – Check the calendar to see if your travel dates line up
- Price – Compare nightly and total rental costs
- Property Policies – Important for families to check cancellation policies, smoking rules, pet policies, minimum age, and more
- Reviews – Read what past guests loved (or didn’t) about each property
Narrow down your family’s favorite one or two options from quality listings that work for your dates, accommodate your group, fit the budget, and offer desired amenities like waterfront locations and family recreation.
What to Look for in Family Waterfront Rentals
From beach bungalows to lakefront lodges, keep these family-friendly factors in mind:
Space Needs
Consider your family’s size and age as you evaluate bedroom/bathroom counts and maximum occupancy. Homes with multiple master suites or bunk rooms give privacy. Open floor plans, high ceilings, and outdoor living spaces also feel roomy for active families.
Location
Search rentals on or near swimming beaches, lakes or coastal areas with scenic water views. Central access encourages enjoyment and makes hauling toys/gear easier. Walkable communities near attractions, restaurants, and conveniences are also ideal.
Amenities
Kid-approved features include boat docks/slips, pools, outdoor areas for meals/play, and recreation rooms with games/toys/TVs. Families also appreciate fully-equipped kitchens, grills, laundry rooms, and Wi-Fi/cable. Don’t forget baby necessities like high chairs, cribs, and baby gates.
Safety
Look for alarm systems, fences, safety gates, life jackets, or other precautions around pools, docks, decks, and balconies. Ensure proper supervisory ratios of adults to children. Ask about potential dangers like drop offs, currents, or compliant railing heights.
Budget
Consider both rental rates for your dates and fees like taxes, cleaning charges, and deposits. Compare the costs of nearby listings with similar amenities. Weigh value versus “wish list” features your family can live without if needed.
Fun Extras
Special touches like game rooms with air hockey, foosball, and arcade games bring smiles. Outdoor gear like bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), boogie boards, and sand toys also enhance family fun. Welcome baskets with gourmet snacks or awards for spotting local wildlife make great memories.
Beach House Rentals for Families
Do your kids love building epic sandcastles and boogie boarding gentle ocean waves? Beach vacations promise sun-filled days enjoying water play, seafood snacks, beachcombing, biking, and more. Consider these popular beach destinations with vacation home rentals:
East Coast Beaches
Outer Banks, North Carolina – Swim, fish, kayak or kiteboard around barrier islands like Kitty Hawk. Watch wild horses roam beaches lined with vacation cottages and beach houses, some oceanfront.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Stroll the lively boardwalk, ride theme park thrills and revel in 60 miles of sandy Atlantic beaches. Book condos with ocean views and pools or inland homes near attractions.
Florida Gulf Coast – Anyone can enjoy the calm gulf waters around Destin or Sanibel Island. Look for homes with boat docks for easy kayaking, paddleboarding or fishing access.
Florida Atlantic Coast – Try Vero Beach, Delray Beach or Palm Beach for chill surfing waves. Huge resort rental communities offer amenities families love like kids clubs, pools, golf and more.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts – Historic coastal towns like Hyannis or Orleans have been family-favorite beach destinations for generations. Enjoy quaint cottages near kid-friendly beaches, seafood shacks, ice cream stands and the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard.
Other East Coast Options: Virginia Beach VA, Ocean City MD, Atlantic City NJ, The Hamptons NY
West Coast Beaches
Southern California – Soak up the laidback lifestyle in beach rentals near San Diego, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach or Laguna Beach. Book homes with pools and yard space near family attractions like LEGOLAND®, San Diego Zoo or Disneyland®.
Central California – The scenic Central Coast offers historic lighthouses, kayaking, wine tasting and amazing seafood from Santa Barbara to Big Sur. Find everything from beach shacks to luxury homes with ocean views.
Northern California – Picnic beside tide pools, beach comb for shells and agates or breathe salty air around fire pits along the Sonoma Coast, Mendocino Coast or just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Other West Coast Options: Oregon Coast, Washington Coast, Santa Monica CA
Top Island Destinations
Island life moves at a slower pace with beautiful tropical or subtropical settings. Leading beach house rental spots island-hopping families enjoy include:
Hawaiian Islands – Each island offers its own adventures, but all share amazing food, beaches and chill island culture. Maui, Kauai and Oahu have lots of condo/villa rentals great for families.
Caribbean Islands – Snorkel vibrant reefs in the Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, or Cayman Islands. Or explore jungle waterfalls and relax in luxury villa rentals in Jamaica, Barbados, Aruba or St. Lucia.
Vancouver Island, BC – Enjoy rugged Pacific Coast beauty near adventure towns like Tofino where you can try storm watching, whale watching or surfing.
Bald Head Island, NC – Accessible only by ferry, this car-free barrier island off the Carolina coast allows biking, fishing, crabbing, kayaking campfires on its beaches.
Other Top Islands: Outer Bahamas, Hawaii (Big Island), Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Captiva/Sanibel Islands FL
Lake House Rentals for Families
Trade waves for gentle waters that reflect towering pines, mountain peaks and dazzling night skies. Lake vacations mean easy swimming, boating, paddle sports and fishing fun along hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline.
Great Lakes
Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario surround Midwest states with banks dotted by vacation cottages and lake houses. Charter fishing trips catch salmon and trout while paddlers and sailors skim towering sand dunes and lighthouses. Lake Effect snow makes winter activities like ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing or snowboarding possible too.
Ideal for: swimming, boating, fishing charters, dune tours, wineries, winter sports
Where to Rent: Traverse City MI, Mackinac Island MI, Door County WI, Western NY, Toronto Islands
Ozarks & Midwest Lakes
Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks offers one of America’s longest shorelines. Arkansas hot spot Lake Ouachita brings crystal clear waters tucked in mountains. Minnesota’s Land of 10,000 Lakes brims with options like Lake Minnetonka. All deliver outdoor recreation rentals, marinas, dining and entertainment.
Ideal for: boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, fishing, caves, hiking, ziplining
Where to Rent: Branson MO, Osage Beach MO, Hot Springs AR, Brainerd MN
West Coast Lakes
Majestic mountain backdrop meets California/Oregon’s gorgeous Crater, Shasta, Tahoe or Klamath Lakes. Washington’s Lake Chelan stretches on for miles. Rustic A-frame cabins to luxe lakefront vacation homes tempt families.
Ideal for: houseboating, stand up paddleboarding, scenic drives, wine/beer tasting, hiking, biking, winter sports
Where to Rent: Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake National Park, Shasta Lake CA, Lake Chelan WA
Northeast Lakes
Pristine lakes spread across New York’s Adirondacks and Finger Lakes regions, New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee area and Maine’s Belgrade Lakes district perfect for summer escapes. Quaint communities offer adventure, shopping, spas, outdoor concerts and more.
Ideal for: kayaking, leaf peeping, mountain biking, zip lining, skiing, snow tubing, local shops/eateries
Where to Rent: Lake Placid NY, Saranac Lake NY, Lake George NY, Squam Lake NH, Moosehead Lake ME
Other Notable Lake Vacation Destinations
Lake of the Ozarks MO, Table Rock Lake MO, Toledo Bend Reservoir TX, Lake Lanier GA, Dale Hollow Lake TN, Lake Lure NC, Kentucky Lakes, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Banff National Park AB
Coastal Vacation Rentals for Families
Coastal regions merge amazing ocean experiences with vibrant cities, quaint towns and scenic country escapes. Search vacation rentals along America’s rugged Pacific Coast, historic Atlantic seaboard and Mexico’s fabulous Costa Alegre to find family bliss.
West Coast
Oregon Coast – Rent beachfront homes, cottages or condos along nearly 400 miles of breathtaking Pacific Coast Scenery featuring windswept dunes, forests, lighthouses, whale watching and temperate rainforest. Top family towns include Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay, Newport, Florence and Bandon.
Northern California Coast – The scenic route from San Francisco to Oregon offers oceanside rental gems on Half Moon Bay, in Santa Cruz or Half Sur. Enjoy Pacific views, hiking, biking, kayaking, surfing, wine tasting and indulgent dining.
San Diego Coast – Ideal year-round weather means endless fun enjoying both San Diego’s awesome zoo and LEGOLAND® plus beaches ideal for surf lessons. Search vacation rentals steps from kid-friendly La Jolla Shores or Mission Beach boardwalk.
East Coast
The Hamptons, New York – This ritzy region on the South Fork of Long Island offers both bay and ocean beaches. Families enjoy amenities like tennis courts, trails, parks and farms offering horseback riding. Rentals range from mansions to cottages in tony towns like Southampton, East Hampton and Montauk.
Cape May, New Jersey – Quaint Victorian charm meets family fun along New Jersey’s southern shoreline. Beach and bay vacation rentals sit near wildlife refuges, amusement/waterparks and icon lighthouses. Take dolphin watching cruises and catch free summer concerts.
Outer Banks, North Carolina – These remote barrier islands deliver nonstop recreation and natural beauty with over 100 miles of sandy beaches kissing Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Vacation rentals range from soundfront cottages to expansive oceanfront beach homes ideal for multi-generational gatherings.
Mexico Coast
Riviera Nayarit – Stretching along Mexico's Pacific coastline north of Puerta Vallarta, this emerging luxury destination woos families with some all-inclusive resorts, surf beaches, paddleboarding, jungle zip lines, fishing villages, mariaches and more.
Costa Alegre – Find beach bliss in vacation homes renting by the week overlooking the Pacific Ocean around traditional fishing vilages like Melaque, Barra de Navidad and Tenacapita. Kids enjoy sandcastle contests, turtle releases, banana boating, and local cuisine.
Los Cabos – Dramatic desert meets sea attracting spring breakers and families to Cabo San Lucas and quieter San Jose del Cabo. Outdoor adventures like camel rides, ATV tours and snorkeling await along with excellent dining and resort pools.
Cancun/Riviera Maya – Convenient flights transport families to white sand beaches and ancient ruins. All-inclusive resorts dominate but private vacations rentals dotting coastal communities from Playa del Carmen to Tulum offer flexible fun.
Booking Your Family Waterfront Rental
After gathering rental options that match your trip vision, compare total pricing. Determine base costs for rental fees, taxes, cleaning/service fees. Ask about security deposits and if they are refundable. Don’t forget travel incidentals like airfare, car rental, activities, dining and more.
When you find the perfect option for your dates and budget, follow booking prompts to reserve online if available. Or reach out directly to hosts confirm availability and arrange payments or deposits.
Carefully review all rental policies, rules, restrictions and instructions provided before finalizing your reservation. Reach out with any clarification questions. You might inquire about things like:
- Minimum night stays or age requirements
- Pet policies and associated pet fees
- Parking availability (# of cars/RV support)
- House access information (lockbox codes, keys)
- Amenities included (kayaks, bikes, toys)
- Cleanup expectations upon departure
- AppropriateSUPERVISORY ratios for children near water *Availability of items like HIGH CHAIRS, PACK AND PLAYS, BABY GATESfor infants/toddlers
Pack your sunscreen, swimsuits and sense of adventure. Then get ready to soak up special memories made in your family’s dream waterfront vacation rental this year!
Frequently Asked Questions about Booking Waterfront Vacation Rentals for Families
What months are best for renting waterfront homes?
Peak rental seasons vary by destination, but generally run Memorial Day through Labor Day with highest prices and demand. Spring and fall offer mild weather with fewer crowds and lower costs. Snowbird, winter and holiday stays often require minimum night stays.
How far in advance should I book our vacation rental?
Ideally, 6-12 months if possible, especially for popular destinations in peak summer months. Last minute deals can happen but may lack features or locales your family prefers.
What payments or deposits does a vacation home rental require?
Typical deposits run 10-50% with final balances due 30-60 before arrival. Damage protection fees, taxes and cleaning fees often excluded from deposit so budget accordingly.
Can I bring our dog to a beach or lake rental?
Check the rental listing for pet policies first. Expect possible size limits, breed restrictions and extra pet deposits/fees ranging from $100-$300 on average. Work with rental agents to identify needs like fences, turf grass, and clean-up supplies.
What should I look for in a kid-safe waterfront rental?
Secure safety gates around pools/balconies, proper flotation devices on boats, anti-slip mats in bathrooms, protected railings on decks/docks, first aid kits and clear water depth markers prove useful. Don’t assume all homes cater to families so ask questions if concerned.
