Summary:
The Nautilus is a floating love letter to reinvention — a cabin, a tiny home, and a houseboat all rolled into one quietly wonderful idea. Moored beside 1 Big Sustainable Island, it lets you wake to gentle waves at your door, watch the sunrise from bed, and step straight onto a floating porch for morning coffee. It’s proof that with a little imagination (and a lot of care), something old can become something entirely new.
The Space:
Inside, the Nautilus keeps things simple and comfortable. A cozy queen bed, a convertible futon, and thoughtfully designed off-grid amenities make island living feel easy. You’ll find a compost toilet, hot shower (non-freezing seasons), cooking gear, solar lighting, and just enough battery-powered electricity to stay comfortable without breaking the spell. Outside, a hammock hangs over the water, a canoe can tie up right alongside, and evenings glow with firelight and loon calls.
Getting here is part of the adventure — and we make it seamless. Arrive by paddle, ferry, or your own boat, with free parking and island transport included. Once settled, you’ll enjoy private access to the Nautilus and shared access to the island’s trails, swimming spots, rope swing, docks, hammocks, and paddle gear. Daytime neighbors may pass through shared spaces, as island tradition allows, but nights are quiet and reserved for overnight guests.
The Nautilus is pet-friendly for well-mannered pups, welcoming to returning guests, and perfect for anyone drawn to creative reuse, gentle adventure, and life lived a little closer to the water. Come curious, pack light, and settle into a stay that floats — literally — on the idea that the best things are often made, not bought.
OUR FAQ:
HOW DO I GET TO THE ISLAND?
Every island adventure begins at our shoreside parking/dock area. From there, you've got options: Paddle, Ferry, or BYOBoat. See the details below for schedules, limitations, and FAQ. Know that we make island access for you, your crew, and your gear convenient, free, and part of your adventure.
RETURNING GUESTS: We appreciate folks who return year after year. If you've misplaced the Island Withdrawal Syndrome coupon code, remind us of your last stay and we'll send you a new one. We can't have you suffering from IWS, now can we! Also, if you are looking for an exception to minimum night requirements, please reach out.
COOKING OPTIONS: Cooking is easy, so pack heavy on food and light on gear. We supply: kitchen utensils, dishes, pots and pans, French press, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, and drinking water from our homestead well. You can cook on the propane grill and stove or you can cook over an open fire.
FREE STUFF: Every Maine Island adventure includes: free island transportation, camp chairs, unlimited firewood, lantern, fire starter, matches, canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board with life vests and gear. Explore Annabessacook Lake! On the island there is a rope swing, a mile of walking paths, benches and hammocks.
DOGS ON VACAY: We're dog people and the Nautilus is pet-friendly for most pups. We screen all four legged visitors right after the reservation is made so that every island visitor is safe and prepared. If you can answer "YES" to each of our screening questions, your pup will be approved: Does your dog get along with other pups and humans? Is your dog’s history bite-free? Are you willing to keep your pup on leash during your stay? And, are you willing to be responsible for any damages your dog creates?
If there's a "NO" in there, DON'T WORRY! Check out our stay at Naughty Dog Island. It’s a private island with a log cabin where ANY dog - even unsociable ones - can be leash-free and worry-free. Our pet fees are $30/night per pet, which gets settled up after the reservation and screening are completed.
LOOKING FOR A SHORT STAY OR WANT A SUPER DEAL? So that guests looking for longer stays have options, our minimum night stay requirements tend to start high early in the year and then drop by Summer. So if you've got a quick stay in mind and are surprised by our minimum night stay requirements, check back with us. The closer we get to an empty night, the more flexible we will be.
Same goes for our pricing: if you've got specific dates or stay in mind, book early for the sure thing. But if you're flexible on dates, flexible on which stay you want, and don't mind biting your nails while waiting for a price you like, then save the link and check back. We have a first-come, first-served booking policy, but our pricing gets lower, the closer we are to an empty night.
Guest Access:
Guests enjoy exclusive access to the Nautilus where they can enjoy privacy and shared access to 1 Big Sustainable Island and its facilities.
There's lots to do on 1 Big Sustainable Island and (as has been the tradition for generations in the neighborhood) visitors are encouraged to stop by (so expect some company from the neighborhood on the island during daylight -- after dark, however, the island is closed to the public). Activities in these shared areas include:
Hiking or walking on more than a mile of trails
Swimming
Cooking over an open fire
Watching the sunset from Sunset Rock
Resting in one of the hammocks sprinkled about the island
Fishing off the dock
Canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding
Sauna lake plunging
We are happy to provide safe luggage storage so you can enjoy FREE early arrival or FREE late departure. Guests can take advantage of the shared areas and activities either before check in or after check out.
HOW PRIVATE IS THIS?
Each of our eco-island stays is designed with privacy in mind. There are 6 stays on 1 Big Sustainable Island. Unless you go looking for neighbors, you probably wouldn't know they are there. Every site has its own corner of the island. You might find folks in the public areas of the island (ie bathroom, boat rack, ferry ride, rope swing, and trails), but your sleeping and eating accommodations are private. Also know that our Island support team, if they're not already on island, they're a text away, if you need help.
The Neighborhood:
Annabessacook Lake is our 1400 acre backyard of clear water, good fishing, and great neighbors. Whether they are year-round residents, summer vacationers, or visitors, most folks you'll meet will tell you that they have been coming here since they were a kid.
Getting Around:
Getting to the Island: You’ve got check in options
CHECK IN YOURSELF by:
* Bringing your own boat or boat plane - we have a public boat launch, free parking for your rig at our place, and free island dock space available.
* Paddling yourself - Take one of our canoes or kayaks and paddle the 30 minute trip across the lake to your stay. We can shuttle your gear on the next ferry if you want. Or,
CHECK IN WITH FERRY SERVICE:
Free ferry service to the island runs at:
* 9:45 Early Arrival - We’ll shuttle you to 1 Big Sustainable Island early and while your stay is being prepared, you can begin your “Island Time” early. We’ll safely stow your gear and let you know as soon as your accommodations are ready.
* 3pm and 5pm - With the standard checkin ferry, we’ll move your crew and your gear to the island and help get you settled in.
*. Pre-arranged Special Ferry Service is available at other times for a $60 one-way fee during regular hours (between 8pm and 7am, the cost is $100 and a hot cup of coffee for the Boat Captain). We'll transport your gear and all your guests on this 10 minute private boat ride.
FREE PARKING: Park in our private parking area for free. Cart your gear to our shoreside dock to begin your "Island Time" journey.
Interaction with Guests:
Kent, a Registered Maine Guide and Commercial Boat Operator, and our Island Support Crew are available if needed - either on the island or a text message away.
From dawn to dusk, the island common areas receive visitors from the surrounding community who want to hike, swim, explore, or take the rope swing for a ride! These are our neighbors, friends, and are our helpful "security guards". At night, the island is quiet, peaceful, and restricted to overnight guests. Four (soon to be five) other sites are remotely located on the island and share some of the bathroom and shower facilities.
