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
Arrived with my girlfriend and departed with my now fiancé! It was a perfect weekend. The floating cabin has windows all around, which give wonderful views of the lake and sunrise. The cabin size was great for the 2 of us plus our dog. The various cabins are spaced well around the island to make it feel like you have it all to yourself. So much we wanted to do, but didn’t have the time (kayaks, hammocks, sauna). This will forever be a special place for us- we’ll definitely be back!
Such a cool experience! It felt like camping, but all essentials were provided and the cabin was cozy. The island is well equipped with firewood, drinking water, boating activities, great views, and great vibes. Kent and the staff were all friendly, helpful, and knew the area really well. It’s clear they care about their visitors having a good time. We received lots of communication about the area ahead of time so we knew what to expect. Pulling up to our own private dock by boat was really unique and exciting. Hope to visit again some day!
Enjoyed my time at the nautilus very much!
Kent is amazing and the stay was whimsy and relaxing
This stay was not exactly what I expected but everything I needed. You are essentially camping and your tent is a floating cabin. That being said, it was the best camping experience I have had. The staff were very attentive and they did a great job of explaining what to pack and what to expect. <br/><br/>The cabin is secluded and quiet. The birdwatching and stargazing was amazing! I was able to watch a family of bald eagles hunt and even mate! We also had a blue heron that hung out with us most of our stay! My husband and I saw several shooting stars sitting out on the floating dock. <br/><br/>Long story short: this vacation felt like a series of "lazy Saturdays" and it was amazing! If you are looking for an experience that is quiet, slow, and free of time limits or obligations, this is a vacation for you!<br/><br/>While the cabin has solar powered lights and technically an outlet, it will not support a CPAP machine or serious electricity use for more than a couple of hours in our experience.<br/>
What an amazing stay! We had everything we needed provided like towels, water, batteries, and ice packs so that we could focus on enjoying our stay. The lake is beautiful and full of nature that was literally at our door step. Easy way on and off the island was provided so we could come and go if we wanted to go explore further out. The stay was so private and we felt very taken care of. Reccomend this stay for nature lovers and for a peaceful and relaxing time.
What a glorious place! The lake is stunning and having the dock attached to the cabin meant that we were in and out of the water all day. It felt private and quiet even though all the other cabins on the island were occupied. The various helpers were SO helpful and very responsive whenever we reached out. The cabin is very small but was cozy even when we were stuck inside during a rain storm. A very special spot!
The Nautilus was beautiful, rustic, and incredibly peaceful—a little haven on the water. I loved fishing and canoeing right off the dock, and the sunrise was stunning. Hearing the loons call across the lake was the highlight of my stay. Even with other guests on the island, the floating cabin felt surprisingly secluded and private. Kent was exceptionally responsive, and the cabin had everything needed for a comfortable stay. A truly special place.
Thoughtfully engineered glamping. Kids and I absolute loved it.
PERFECTION. Location- space -systems -communication.
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.
