Floating Island Dome - Pet-Friendly Lake RetreatNew

Imagine falling asleep beneath a sky full of stars while gently floating on a quiet Maine lake.

Welcome to The StarGazer, a transparent dome perched atop a floating houseboat and docked at 1 Big Sustainable Island. Part glamping dome, part houseboat, part perspective adjustment device, The StarGazer offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to spend a night suspended between the lake below and the universe above. The StarGazer was built around a simple question: When was the last time you truly looked up?

Perched atop a floating houseboat and docked at 1 Big Sustainable Island, this transparent dome places you in a rare position: suspended between two vast worlds. Beneath you, the dark waters of Annabessacook Lake quietly reflect the night. Above you, stars emerge one by one, planets trace ancient paths across the sky, and the universe carries on with its patient, billion-year-old business.

Most nights, we spend our time beneath ceilings, screens, and schedules. The StarGazer invites something different. Here, your ceiling is the Milky Way. A passing satellite becomes an event. A shooting star becomes a small celebration. Constellations you haven't thought about since childhood suddenly feel worth rediscovering.

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 StarGazer and shared access to the island’s trails, swimming spots, 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 StarGazer is pet-friendly for well-mannered pups, welcoming to returning guests, and perfect for anyone drawn to gentle adventure, and island life lived floating on the lake while the night sky stretches endlessly overhead. It's difficult not to feel a sense of wonder as the world grows quieter, problems seem a little smaller, and curiosity returns.

Sleep between the lake and the sky. Wake up with a slightly bigger view of both.

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 over a mile of walking paths, benches and hammocks.

DOGS ON VACAY: We're dog people and the StarGazer 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.

Guests enjoy exclusive access to the StarGazer 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, and trails), but your sleeping and eating accommodations are private. Also know that our Reset Crew, if they're not already on island, is a text away, if you need help. 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 Special Ferry Service is available at other times for a $60 one-way fee during regular hours (between 8pm and 7am, the cost is $125 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. 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!

CAN WE HOST A LARGE GATHERING ON THE ISLAND? Yup, we do that - weddings, reunions, special celebrations, corporate retreats. We have two large event tents from June to September that operate as home base for these kinds of gatherings that can number up to 100 people. Our event console keeps the whole expedition tidy in one place — invitations, guest lists, lodging assignments, ferry plans, meals, and the day-by-day schedule. Each guest gets their own simple planning screen to choose arrivals, sign up for potluck items, and share what they’re bringing. The result: fewer logistics headaches for you, more time for the good parts of gathering people together.

CAN WE HOST A MEDIUM-SIZED GATHERING ON THE ISLAND? Yes — many groups do exactly that. Instead of reserving the entire island, you can combine several nearby island stays to create a comfortable base for your group, with shared time for meals, swims, and wandering conversations while everyone still has their own place to land at night. Once your group has a few stays reserved, our event console helps tie it all together — organizing guest lists, ferry arrivals, lodging, schedules, and potluck plans so the gathering feels coordinated without becoming a full-time planning job. 🌲🛶

CAN'T FIND THE DATES YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Check out all our eight Maine Island eco-retreat listings at 1 Big Sustainable Island.

Packing Advice for glampers: PACK LIGHT!

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? • Cooler with ice (Free replacement ice packs are available) • Favorite foods and beverages • Phone/laptop cords (We've got recharge juice.) • Sunscreen and bug repellent • Layers of warm clothing • Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries • Fishing permit if your over 16 • Water shoes for swimming • Curiosity and Sense of Humor

THIS IS GLAMPING, NOT CAMPING! (don't worry about these, we got it covered) • Free island transportation • Free canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, paddles and life vests • Free dock space for your boat (bring a boat, if you like) • Hammock • Camp chairs • Unlimited firewood • Out door fire pit • Indoor woodstove • Adjustable grill for cooking over the fire • Propane grill and stove • Pots, pans • Dishes • Utensils • Biodegradable soap • Sheets • Towels • Playing Cards • Lanterns • Dad jokes and exclamation points!

REMOTE WORK - Wifi, cell, and battery recharges Cell reception registers 3 bars and 5G on the island . So, with any smartphone, you can work remotely. Bring your cord and we'll take phone and laptop battery charging from there. If you need our data plan, we offer a mobile hotspot upon request. There might be a catch: Telling the office or the teens how easy it is to get ******** island adventure will be up to you! If you need us to keep this on the low down: mum's the word.

WHAT IS 1 BIG SUSTAINABLE ISLAND (1BSI)? 1BSI is a nonprofit, off-grid island retreat on Annabessacook Lake in Maine where curious humans come to unplug, wander, and remember how to breathe at lake speed. It’s part glamping getaway, part community experiment, part demonstration project, and part gentle mischief — a place where thoughtfully designed island stays (cabins, domes, tents, treehouses, and floating oddities) make simple living feel surprisingly luxurious. We handle the boats, the basics, and the behind-the-scenes magic so you can focus on the good stuff: nature, connection, quiet moments, and getting pleasantly reset by island life.