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Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit

Riverfront vacation home with private pool and kitchen

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Photo gallery for Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit

Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Property grounds
Marina
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, stereo

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 82123 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Ruskin, FL
  • Place, Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Ruskin Family Drive-In
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, E.G. Simmons Regional Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

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About the neighborhood

Ruskin

Located within 2 miles (3 km) of Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park, this vacation home places you within a few miles (5 km) of Tampa Bay. The vacation home includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a patio.
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What's nearby

  • Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park - 2 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Ruskin Family Drive-In - 3 min drive - 1.9 miles
  • E.G. Simmons Regional Park - 4 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • Apollo Beach Dog Park - 7 min drive - 5.1 miles
  • Gannon University Ruskin Campus - 7 min drive - 5.2 miles

Getting around

  • Tampa Union Station - 29 min drive
  • St. Petersburg, FL (SPG-Albert Whitted) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Beanie's Sports Bar - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taqueria Los 7 Hermanos - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Little Harbor Tiki Beach Bar - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit

Welcome to The Blue Heron House! A beautiful 4 Bedroom home with private heated pool, fire pit, kayaks, & private dock on the Little Manatee River that leads to Tampa Bay. Relax on the dock or by the pool and enjoy the picture perfect sunset while watching the dolphins and manatees swim by. Enjoy local waterfront restaurants or stay in and cook in the well equipped kitchen. We have both charcoal and propane outdoor grills available to you as well. Bring your boat, or charter a local captain to take you down river and into Tampa bay!
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a patio. There's space to spread out with 4 bedrooms and a dining area. Guests can enjoy a Smart TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a washing machine, and a coffee maker.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Smoking allowed on pool deck, just use ashtray.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,123 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

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

Rules

Return lawn furniture and fishing gear/Kayaks to their original place and lock up the shed before you leave.
The pool heater is set to 85 degrees year round. Do not attempt to adjust the valves or a $100 fee will be added for pool service tech.
We do not permit the use of fireworks on our property or dock.

Pets

  • This property doesn't allow pets

Children and extra beds

  • Note from host: We have baby gear!

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed on pool deck, just use ashtray.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 21

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

Home away from home!
Tampa Bay area stunner! 4 Bedroom waterfront oasis!

Frequently asked questions

What's there to do close to this vacation home?

This vacation home is located in Ruskin, close to Manatee Viewing Center, E.G. Simmons Regional Park, and Little Manatee River State Park. You'll also find Tampa Bay and Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park within a short drive.

Is there parking available at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer parking.

Is this vacation home next to a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool.

What do couples enjoy most about Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit?

This riverfront vacation home offers many amenities for couples such as a private pool, private pools in some accommodations, as well as an outdoor pool.

Does Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit have a hot tub?

No, but this vacation home does have a heated pool.

Does this vacation home include breakfast service?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?

No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

No, there aren't connecting rooms at this vacation home.

Where is the closest airport to this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is St. Petersburg, FL (SPG-Albert Whitted), which is about 12 mi away. Another top airport is Tampa, FL (TPF-Peter O. Knight), which is around 13.5 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit?

Yes, every accommodation at Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit comes with a deck with some featuring water views.

Blue Heron House | Private 4 BR Waterfront w/ Heated Pool and Fire Pit Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 58 out of 61 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 61 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 61 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 61 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 61 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Orlando S.

Liked: Cleanliness
We loved this home, we all agreed if we met in the tampa srea again we'd stay here again, great layout and location!Owners were nice and went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brittany W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our family of seven had an unforgettable getaway at this stunning home. The property was not only beautifully decorated but also meticulously clean, creating a welcoming atmosphere right from the start. Nestled in a peaceful neighborhood, we enjoyed the serene surroundings, where friendly neighbors added to the charm of the area. The highlight of our days was splashing in the inviting pool and exploring the nearby waters with the kayaks. To our delight, we even spotted a playful dolphin while out on the water! With such an incredible experience, we are already looking forward to our next stay at this lovely home.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alexa D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Blue heron home

Very clean, beautiful home
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian M., Alexandria

Liked: Cleanliness

Water front retreat

House had everything we needed for a wonderful stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

JOAN B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Didn’t like the neighborhood

Rooster next door woke us at 4 each morning, location was far from downtown Tampa Listing shows up as being in Tampa,We did think the house was very nice
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Manatee river

Very satisfied
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Exceeded expectations

Everything was immaculate, perfectly decorated and extremely well stocked. The icing on the cake was the beautiful view from the dock where you can catch both the sunrise AND sunset. Oh, and watching manatees swim by was also a huge plus! Sadly part of our group wasn’t able to make it, but we will definitely be back so they can have a chance to experience it as well.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Kimberly L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great time had by all

We had a short stay for Spring Break. Bigger beaches were busy and traffic was heavy getting to and from. If we had more time we would have liked to explore the area closer to the property as there was a nice park nearby with a small beach area. Property was clean and worked well for our group of 8.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

lori g., NOBLESVILLE, IN

Liked: Cleanliness

family getaway

Great visit!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hannah D.

Liked: Cleanliness

great place

loved it
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Troy S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect!

This house is right next to family we have in Tampa, so we will be using this location many times in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome place

The house was great had everything you could possibly need. The pool was wonderful
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Family Getaway

This was the perfect place for our family to come together. The house was clean and fully stocked with everything we needed. It’s a great location, close by to Apollo Beach with great restaurants and some shopping. The owners were communicative, friendly, and quick to respond anytime we had a question.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

patricia t.

Liked: Cleanliness

Pool and kayaking

The house is large and very comfortable. We spent most of our time on the lanai, in the pool or on the canal. Very relaxing holiday in a quiet neighborhood. The house is very well stocked. No need to buy spices condiments or cleaning products
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stefanie F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lives up to the description

Eight of us stayed at the Blue Heron House over spring break. There were 4 adults and 4 kids under 12. 1. The house is spacious, updated, and extremely clean. I found it to be the cleanest VRBO I've ever stayed in. When you first arrive, the place looks small from the street, but it certainly is not. 2. The kitchen is updated and has most everything one would need. We noticed we could use a little more small sized tupperware for leftovers. Other than that, it was perfect. 3. The bedrooms are very comfortable, and each room has a TV with Netflix loaded on it. The kids stayed in the queens, and the adults stayed in the King beds. I found our bedroom to have good soundproofing. 4. Living Room- We brought our own firestick from home for the living room TV... because we were staying during march madness. There was more seating than we all needed, and the couches were very comfy. There was also plenty of games, toys, and art supplies for the kids. They were very happy. 5. The bathrooms were clean and updated too. Great water pressure. The 4 year old struggled to get on the toilets, so a step stool would be our suggestion. 6. The laundry room has a brand new washer and dryer. We did a lot of pool towel drying, and we were able to wash our clothes before heading home. 7. The backyard lives up to everything you see in pictures. I think the pool is bigger than some hotel pools. The heated water was perfect. We highly recommend this place!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Clarice F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Go Big Red

Everything was great from the booking, to the checking in, to the checking out. The house had everything we needed. We would stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cory G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome place, worth the stay!

The listing shows everything almost exactly how it was when we arrived. The pool is just as big as the listing shows (it's also about 6' deep at the lowest part) and the indoor living area is nice and big. Decorations are really nice and gave me some inspiration for my place even. We visited over Thanksgiving and got lucky enough to see manatees in the inlet in the backyard. So cool! Would definitely recommend. The only real thing to note is that there's no garage or carport, just a driveway. Didn't bother us but figured it should be noted.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Earl B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Yearly Fraternity Brothers Weekend

Every year a few of my fraternity brothers and I get together for a weekend of fellowship. This year we chose Tampa as our destination. I researched several properties and we decided upon Blue Heron based upon the reviews and photos. When we arrived we weren’t disappointed. The property looked much better then the photos depicted. The property is beautiful, rooms are spacious, clean and had everything you could want for a vacation. It sits on the inland with a screened in pool overlooking the water. If you’re looking for a nice place for a family vacation I would highly recommend Blue Heron.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Garret B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Guys trip

We came from San Antonio, Tx. for a guys trip, house was clean and very nice! Quiet neighborhood as well:
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Phenomenal!

The Blue Heron house was perfect for my family. The attention to detail was not overlooked. The host provided toilet paper, paper towels, towels (bath and beach), shampoo/conditioner, soap, kitchen and dishwasher items to name a few! My children LOVED the toy box. They played for hours. My favorite had to be the door alarm to the pool area. It gave me an extra sense of security with the children. The deck on the canal was very beautiful and peaceful. We all enjoyed the mango tree in the front yard…bonus! The neighborhood is very quiet and friendly. The location could not be beat. We were near grocery stores, and between some of the best beaches. We drove to Indian Rocks beach one day (beautiful water!) and Siesta Key the next (the best sand!). I had an issue with the grill and the electricity going off briefly. The host was very quick to respond and transparent with the issue. Excellent communication and very friendly. I would 100% recommend this house and would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lotta C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved loved loved it!

The entryway floor mat said it all- Welcome Home. This house felt like home. It is spacious and welcoming and the river and pool bring a peacefulness that made us want to stay! I enjoyed sitting on the dock in the early morning having coffee and watching the birds and the water. I hope to come back to this little piece of heaven!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cierra T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cool waterfront home

The house was very clean. We really enjoyed the pool, amenities, and kayaking. Some rooms were cooler than others but other than that everything was good. There were fans in the closet that my friends used who had the warmer rooms.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Demetrius S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing

Loved the open space and cleanliness of the property. Very gracious host even allowed us to check in early due to flight and travel. Will definitely rent again if I'm ever in that area
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie B., Kuwait

Liked: Cleanliness

Unforgettable

This property is exactly as pictured but what you don’t see are all the little details that made the stay exceptional. The beds are very comfortable (even our Goldilocks found a bed that was just right). The kayaks and paddle boat where great fun and there were plenty of pool toys. Labels on the light switches made it easy to find the correct switch and so many more details made our visit unforgettable.
Stayed 10 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Roberta B., Katy, tx

Liked: Cleanliness

Blue Heron House - Perfect Setting !

Very nice house, perfect size and close to all the activities we wanted to pursue. The pool and pool area were fantastic. Sons in law had a blast fishing off the dock.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2023