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
Our hosts, Kent and Heather, were incredibly responsive and provided detailed, helpful information every step of the way. The unique Maine island setting was peaceful and surrounded by nature—truly unforgettable. We’d love to visit again and strongly recommend this experience!
What an absolute pleasure it was staying in the floating home on the island. It was everything we wanted it to be. We will make this an annual trip.
The best stay ever! The nautilus was so cozy and peaceful. We really enjoyed fishing off the dock, sitting by the campfire, and warming up by the woodstove after canoeing in the rain. Waking up to the waves and birds chirping was amazing and we loved exploring the island! Everything was absolutely perfect, can’t wait to return!!
1000/10 recommend. We only booked it for one night and that was a huge mistake. Kent made the process of staying off grid, painless and so easy. Anything and everything that could possibly be needed, was provided for us. Will most definitely be back!
Perfect Lake Getaway!<br/>This floating house was the ultimate relaxing retreat. Everything was provided—fishing gear, kayaks, grill, hammock—you just need to bring your clothes, food, and mosquito repellent. The location is peaceful and private, perfect for unwinding and spending quality time with family.<br/>The host was incredibly thoughtful and responsive—a true superhost! Our dogs had the best time swimming and exploring. We fished at sunset, cooked together, and soaked in the calm lake views. It felt like a little slice of heaven.<br/>Highly recommend if you're looking to disconnect and recharge in a cozy, scenic spot. Will definitely be back!
Such a beautiful place. Between the trails to walk the dogs and the sweet sounds of Nature, it was a peaceful experience. We stayed at the Nautilus, literally felt like we were floating on the water. The cute little wood stove made it even cozier!
The Nautalius on 1BSI was our favorite Airbnb stay yet. Waking up to the views from the lake each morning, the raindrops on the tin roof, listening to the calls from the loons, fishing right off the deck, reeling in a fat smallmouth bass on my second cast of the trip, cooking meals over the fire, relaxing in the many floating hammock options, and canoeing around the lake were all such special and unforgettable experiences. Kent and Heather’s hospitality goes above and beyond, and their system for getting you on and off the island with all of your things was so smooth and painless, even if you overpack like we did. We were so sad to leave, but are already planning when we can return.
Truly unique and beautiful experience. If you want to unplug, experience a beautiful bit of Maine nature, and enjoy lake life, you need to try this place. My wife and I...and our husky, loved it. Beautiful sunsets, sunrises, and wildlife, including a bald eagle on the last day. The trails around the island are a plus.<br/>Kent has put so much work into making this a one of a kind place to visit. We will be back
Stays don’t get much better than this. Kent is such an amazing host and makes sure you have every detail you need to have a perfect and comfortable stay on the island. We love how dog-friendly and easy this little vacation was to plan for and enjoy. It is clear that Kent and Heather are deeply passionate about this place and love sharing it with others. We can’t wait to come back!
Hade a great time celebrating our 4th anniversary!
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.
