How many guests does The Bayside Escape sleep?

Up to 24 guests across 6 bedrooms and 5 queen sleeper sofas. Sleeping breakdown: 1 King, 4 Queens, 4 Twins, and 5 Queen sofa sleepers (all in the main house).

Is The Bayside Escape pet-friendly?

Up to 2 dogs, $150 per stay. No cats.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out is at 10 AM. Early check-in and late check-out are not available — back-to-back bookings require full turnaround time.

How do I book The Bayside Escape directly?

Book direct at thebaysideescape.com: there's no platform service fee, you earn 8% back in Bayside Rewards credit on every stay, and you deal with the owner directly.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund if you cancel 14 or more days before check-in. For a stay 14 or more days away, a 30% deposit is charged at booking and the remaining 70% balance is auto-charged 3 days before check-in; closer in, the stay is paid in full at booking. Inside the 14-day window, the booking is non-refundable.

Is parking available at The Bayside Escape?

Yes — the driveway accommodates 10 cars, including space for boat trailers.

What is the Flex Barn at The Bayside Escape?

The Flex Barn is a 1,600 sqft multi-use space included free with every booking. It features 16-ft ceilings, a 16-ft sliding barn door (drive-in capable), and rubber flooring. Perfect for yoga, corporate workshops, indoor games, movie nights, or gear storage. It is not a sleeping space — all sleeping is in the main house.

Blog/Sunrise on Hooper's Island: The Quiet Magic of Early Morning on the Bay

Travel Planning4 min read· June 2026

Sunrise on Hooper's Island: The Quiet Magic of Early Morning on the Bay

Everyone talks about the sunsets on Hooper's Island — and they're spectacular. But the island is a thin ribbon of land with water on both sides, which means the sunrises are just as good, and you'll have them almost entirely to yourself. If you can manage one early alarm on your trip, make it this one.

Calm Chesapeake Bay water at first light from The Bayside Escape

Water on both sides

Most water-view rentals give you one direction. Hooper's Island gives you both — open water to the west for sunsets, and water to the east that catches the very first light of the day. At dawn the marsh and the Bay turn pink and gold, the air is cool and still, and the whole world seems to be holding its breath. It's a different kind of beauty than the evening show: softer, quieter, and entirely yours.

What the morning looks like

Early on the island, the water often lies glassy and still, with a low mist rising off the marsh. The working watermen are already out, their boats humming faintly somewhere across the water. Herons stalk the shallows, ospreys call overhead in summer, and the birds come alive all at once. Wrap your hands around a hot mug, step out onto the deck, and just watch it happen.

The backyard at The Bayside Escape in the soft morning light, with the shoreline across the road

How to spend the early hour

Coffee on the deck. The simplest and best option — just you, the mug, and the view across the water.
Golden-hour photos. The first light is gorgeous and gentle; put the pergola, a boat, or a heron in the frame for scale.
A dawn paddle. Mornings are usually the calmest, glassiest time to kayak the marsh.
The early bite. First light is prime time for fishing and crabbing, before the day warms up.
A quiet walk. Stroll the island lanes while it's cool and still and the day hasn't started yet.

Wake up with the Bay in view

The Bayside Escape faces the water on the Chesapeake Bay in Fishing Creek, MD — front-row for sunrise and sunset alike. Create a free account and get $100 toward your first direct booking.

Create account and claim $100 Check your dates

A few quick tips

Check the sunrise time when you arrive and set a gentle alarm — you only need one morning.
Dress warmer than you think; dawn by the water is cool even in summer.
Bring the camera and a tripod for steady low-light shots.
Keep it quiet and let the morning unfold — that's the whole point.