Bringing a Big Dog to the Bay: A Hooper's Island Trip
A big dog and a lot of open space are a natural pairing, and Hooper's Island delivers the space. The Bayside Escape sits on 1.2 rural acres where a large, well-behaved dog can stretch out and be part of the trip. Pets are genuinely welcome here — with a $150 pet fee and a few sensible ground rules — and a little planning goes a long way toward a smooth stay for a bigger four-legged traveler. Here's what to know before you load up the crate.
Room to be a big dog: 1.2 rural acres
For a large breed, space is everything, and this is a rural property on 1.2 acres with a 10-car driveway and open yard. There's genuine room to throw a ball, let a big dog decompress after the drive, and generally spread out in a way a small townhouse rental could never offer. The setting is quiet and remote, which suits many dogs — fewer strangers and sudden noises than a busy resort area. Do keep in mind the property isn't fenced as a dog run, so a leash or a reliable recall matters, especially near the road, which you cross on foot to reach the water.
The pet fee and what to confirm at booking
Up to 2 dogs are welcome (no cats), and there's a $150 pet fee per stay — straightforward, and worth building into your budget from the start. Because every dog is different, the kindest thing you can do for a smooth trip is to be upfront when you book. A few things worth confirming or mentioning ahead of time:
- How many dogs you're bringing and their size
- That your dog is house-trained and comfortable being in a new home
- Any specific needs or questions about the property and yard
- Your plan for the times the dog will be alone at the house
A quick, honest note when you reserve means everyone's on the same page and your stay starts relaxed.
The simple house rules: off the beds and couches, clean up
The rules here are the same ones most considerate dog owners already follow. Keep dogs off the beds and couches — a big dog on the furniture is exactly the kind of wear that makes it hard to keep welcoming pets, so bring a dog bed or a blanket for their own spot. And clean up after your dog in the yard, both for the next guests and for the simple courtesy of it. Following these keeps the house pet-friendly for everyone who comes after you, which is the whole reason a place like this can say yes to dogs at all.
Get $100 toward your first booking
Create a free Bayside Rewards account and we'll drop $100 toward your first direct booking — sign in when you check out and the $100 comes off there. Then earn 8% back on every stay after that.
Packing for a big dog on a remote island
Because you're far from a pet store — the nearest full supermarket is about 29 miles away in Cambridge — pack as if you can't restock. Bring more food than you think you'll need, plus the crate, bowls, a leash, waste bags, a familiar bed or blanket, and any medications. Summer here means the marsh and mosquitoes, so keep your dog's flea, tick, and heartworm prevention current, and remember The General Store about five miles away carries bug spray for the humans. Having everything with you means the trip stays easy even though help isn't close by.
A good trip for a good dog
Put it together and a big dog fits right into a Hooper's Island stay: acres to roam, quiet rural surroundings, and a family that gets to keep their four-legged member along for slow mornings on the deck and evenings by the fire pit. Respect the few simple rules, budget the pet fee, and pack thoroughly, and your large dog can be one of the happiest travelers in the group.