The Ackley family has been in Maine since the 70's. Kent, a Registered Maine Guide and commercial boat operator, is dedicated to teaching, learning, sharing, and experiencing island life on Annabessacook Lake. Guests typically enjoy a boat ride to and from the island via pontoon boat and then have access to canoes and kayaks to explore the lake throughout their stay. He is available if needed. During the daylight hours, the island receives visitors from the surrounding lake community who want to hike, explore, or take the rope swing for a ride! At night, the island is quiet, peaceful, and restricted to only overnight guests. 4 other stays are remotely located on the island, as well. VACATIONING WITH YOUR DOG? We are dog people. Request permission by sending us a picture and brief description of each dog's demeanor toward other pups and humans as there are times when others might be on the Ferry. We'll charge the pet fee, once approved. It's expected that your dog (and all others on the island) should be safely leashed unless you're given written permission otherwise (which we will do, if we can - safely). OUTHOUSAPHOBES: We're with you! New guests might wonder about our island, off-the-grid bathrooms. Rest assured that our compost toilets are designed with usability in mind. They smell great! We have all been to rural outhouses where this is not the case. It's the number 1 complaint (or is that #2?). Which is why, when we built each of our toilets facilities, we did something different. Through management of airflow, separation of liquids from solids, application of saw dust, and optimizing the force of gravity, we have a composting toilet system that has been in place for years with very little odor and maximum sanitation. So rest easy: if a member of your party is an "outhousaphobe", know that so are we! 1 Big Sustainable Island inspires the naturally curious to explore, create, and enjoy island life.

Sleep comfortably, cook your favorite meals, nap in the hammock, bask in the glow of the fire or woodstove, listening to the calls of the loons. Play on the rope swing, canoe or kayak the lake, and walk the trails of this 14 acre wooded island. We greet you at our dock on shore, ferry you and your gear to the island, and ease you into island-life until you are settled. Enjoy hot showers with super clean, Superhost, Maine Guide hospitality. Sleep soundly in a comfy queen size bed made up with extra blankets and a comforter. Modern amenities include: a compost toilet and hot shower (available during the non-freezing seasons) with towels and soap nearby. Island life is barely "roughing it", even though there is battery-limited electricity and unconventional and effective plumbing. RETURNING GUESTS: We appreciate the many folks who return year after year. Remind us of your last stay and we'll have a discount code for your return visit. If you are looking for an exception to our minimum night requirements, please reach out. COOKING OPTIONS: Cooking is easy, so pack light. 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 gas grill with a side burner in the outdoor kitchen under the gazebo or you can cook over an open fire nearby(with free infinite firewood).

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 share areas include: Hiking or walking on more than a mile of trails Swimming Swinging off the rope swing into the lake Cooking over an open fire Watching sunset from Sunset Rock Resting in an "Emergency Hammock" sprinkled about the island Fishing off the dock 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 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 Ferry Service is available at other times for a one-way Fee. All paddled boats need to be off the water by sundown. Seats on all of our ferry services are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's important to make your reservation early.