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.
Helpful Guides
The Nautilus Waterhouse - our floating off-the-grid stay. Not near the lake. On it.
Firelight, reflected. The lake holds the night.
Sleep where the lake lives.
Getting to the island is easy. Leaving is hard.
Connected if you want to be. Pretending to be unplugged is also allowed.*INT
Fish stories here require no exaggeration.
Grill, stove, or fire: Outdoor cooking, covered. Just add a cooler-full of your favorite foods*GRL
Composting toilets. (This is not an outhouse - Clean, sanitary, and nose-friendly).*TLT.
Night feels softer on water. The lake doesn’t rush you.
Meals float easily here. The lake sets the scene
Arrive by floatplane. Island bragging rights included.*BTG
The Nautilus feels far away. It isn't.
Arriving and departing are part of the adventure.*CHO
By day it's a couch. By night, it's a comfy bed.
Dock your boat at the floating porch.
Everything you need to cook. No gear lugging required.
Paddle to the Eagles's nest...
Meet Larry the Loon. Loons outnumber humans most days.
Wood stove warmth for ambiance on a cool night. Firewood included.*WST
Berry the Bass was temporarily unavailable.
Wake up floating. Bedside sunrise included.*SLP
S'mores belong here.
The fish bite at sunset.
Worth the rain. Silver linings included. *RBW
The stars like to show up here.*MTR
Meet your new time keeper.
Compare all of our eco-island stays.
A treasure map for island explorers.*IMP
You are here. Adventure nearby.*LMP
This stay works beautifully on its own — and it also plays well with others, combining with nearby island stays through our event console to create an easy basecamp for medium-sized gatherings. 🌲
Paddling gear included. Dogs welcome. Involuntary swimming possible.*BTG
Arrive by canoe, ferry, or bring your own boat or float plane.
Cozy, afloat. Still water below.
Hot Sauna. Cold plunge. Repeat.
An island visitor that quietly manages the place.
Gather ‘round. The fire’s on us with free firewood.*PIT
Off-grid floating comfort. The lake is part of the room.
Caution: this can be hypnotic.
Sunset Proposal Rock. Dog approved.
A small navy of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are waiting!
Clean, hot showahs — eco-friendly.*HSH
...fishing with your bestie.*FSH
Peter Tuttle the Painted Turtle.
This counts as a commute.*EXP
A whole lot of nothing out front. Exactly the point.
BYOB could also mean Bring Your Own Boat.*BTG
All kinds of island visitors.
Occasionally the sky has something to say.*NTL
The private hammock does the work. You do the lingering.*HAM
The Loon Point public shared beach. Seating for humans. Commentary by loons.
Guest Reviews from Revyoos — Showing 10 of 143 Reviews
We loved our stay on the island. Sunrise in bed each morning was amazing. We loved stepping out the door and jumping into the lake right off our front porch. Our dog had her first experience in a canoe! The island was really a paradise for the dog. We wished we could have stayed longer and we hope to go back. Kent was super communicative, helpful and interesting to talk to about the island project and the ecosystem.
We loved our stay at Big Sustainable Island! From the moment we arrived, Kent's warm hospitality made you feel right at home. His attentiveness and care truly added an extra layer of comfort to our experience.<br/>Now, let's talk about the island itself. The beauty of Big Sustainable Island is simply awe-inspiring. From the moment you set foot on its shores, you were captivated by the stunning surroundings. The cabin where we stayed was a true sanctuary, equipped with everything you needed for a memorable and relaxing stay. And how wonderful it was to know that if you needed anything else, all you had to do was ask. That level of service is truly commendable.<br/>The sunrise and canoe adventures were magical. Witnessing the sky come alive with vibrant colors as the sun rose above the horizon is an experience that stays with you forever. The beach and meditation dock provided and ideal spot to unwind and find peace. <br/>We highly recommend and WILL BE BACK! Thanks for the 5-star experience Kent!!
This was an incredible place to stay! We are already planning on coming back again. Kent was incredible and great to chat with! Can’t wait to check out some of the other sites on the island when we come back. :)
We enjoyed three sweet nights at the Nautilus House. Kent was a fantastic host and thoughtfully provided for all our needs and special requests. <br/>Taking in the sunrise and the morning light from its cozy bed is such a treat as is having your own private dock right out the front door.<br/>All in all, a restorative and lovely experience. Thank you, Kent!
Our stay on One Big Island was spectacular! We had a little trouble finding the launch, but Kent was very helpful and responsive. The surroundings are beautiful, the houseboat was clean and cozy, the bathrooms were clean and not smelly or spidery like camp bathrooms usually are. We had a campfire, strolled the island, swam in the lake, watched a storm roll in, and were rewarded with a beautiful double rainbow, watched a meteor shower, and woke up to a beautiful sunrise--all in one overnight trip.
Our stay was a very peaceful one. Although it was raining, we got to unwind and enjoy the fresh air. My partner and I went on a kayak ride, with a kayak provided by IBSI (one big sustainable island). I will be booking here again next time I am looking for an escape from the city life. Thank you to Kent, Heather, and the rest of the friendly crew.
We had such a lovely stay on 1BSL. The Nautilus was beyond dreamy and offered a cozy and private stay rain or shine. We loved our time inside, just reading and admiring the views, but we also got a lot out of the island's other activities (kayaking, swimming, rope swings, fungi-identifying etc.) Beyond the setting, Kent and Heather were wonderful and attentive hosts. We'd love to come back again soon!
This place was beautiful and unique. Great place to unwind and have quiet. Kent was the perfect host, always available to answer questions and ready to help if we needed anything. Would definitely recommend this experience to a friend!
Myself, my daughter and her 4 year old had the absolute best time on the island. Stayed a few days in the big tent and final night in the floating boat house “Nautilus”. Both accommodations were exactly if not better than expected. Hearing the loons all day and watching the beautiful sun set/sun rise each morning was nothing short of incredible. Would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for adventure or looking to settle down and relax!
We had a wonderful overnight stay at the island as we traveled through the NE states. I wish we could have stayed longer. Fishing was great off the dock. We enjoyed the kayaks around the island as well. Such a hidden gem. It’s a unique enjoyable experience for anyone that loves nature and the great outdoors. Kent was a wonderful host and went out of his way to ensue we had a great time.
Nautilus Water House FAQs
What's special about the Nautilus Waterhouse?
The Nautilus is a floating waterhouse docked at the island - offering a unique on-the-water stay with stunning lake views and immediate access to swimming and paddling.
Is the Nautilus Waterhouse off-grid?
Yes. Like all 1BSI stays, the Nautilus is off-grid by design, using thoughtful systems that balance sustainability with comfort.
What's included in this stay?
A cozy sleeping space, cooking gear, hot shower/bathroom access on the island, firewood, canoe or kayak use, and access to a hammock swim dock, boat dock, and swimming spots.
How do I access the Nautilus Waterhouse?
You'll arrive on your front porch by boat.
Ready to plan your overnight island stay?
Bookings go fast in peak season. We'll help you pick the right spot.
