Eco-Island Events: Weddings, Families, Retreats

Summary:

A private island on Annabessacook Lake for weddings, family reunions, retreats, or big gatherings.



Sleep in whimsical stays, eat under event tents, paddle pristine water, and reset together in nature. Bring clothes, friends, off-leash pups & lots of food. We’ve got the rest: easy transport, comfy-real-beds, cooking options, hot shower & super clean, Maine Guide hospitality.



All levels of nature lovers.



The Space:

Welcome to Eco-Island Events — your 14-acre island playground in the heart of Maine’s Annabessacook Lake. This isn’t just a venue… it’s a shared experience where comfort meets curiosity, and nature meets intentional mischief.



Bring your crew — family, friends, colleagues, or that eclectic group you’ve been meaning to celebrate with — because this space was made for big memories and big laughs. From unique glamping stays to communal gathering tents, every corner invites connection, play, and wonder.



Here’s what you’ll find:

✨ Five cozy, character-filled living spaces — treehouse, A-frame, glam tent, dome, and floating cabin — each with comfy beds and quirky charm.

✨ Two spacious event tents — for dinners, celebrations, retreats, or your own island shindig.

✨ Lots of hammocks, fire pits, and a cold plunge sauna.

✨ Compost toilets + hot shower, thoughtfully designed for comfort and eco-fun.

✨ Unlimited free boats & paddles — canoes, kayaks, SUPs — for exploring the lake.

✨ Miles of trails waiting for barefoot wanderings.



This is glamping with intention — wild enough to feel real, soft enough to feel kind, and supported by an experienced hospitality team. We'll help your crew settle into the rhythm of island life and return your crew refreshed, renewed, and inspired. For groups larger than 20, we offer the same logistical support, but with BYOTenting for the overflow crowd.



OUR FAQ:



HOW DO I GET TO THE ISLAND? Your Adventure Begins at the Dock.

Get here your way: paddle, ride the free island ferry, or bring your own boat. We make access part of the fun — no puzzles, just possibilities. Once you’re on island time, every day has options:



* Swim, canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard

* Walk more than a mile of paths and find cozy nooks

* Sunset rock views that whisper “stay a little longer”

* Hammocks begging for naps and whispered secrets

* Fireside chats under starlit Maine skies



RETURNING GUESTS: Got Island Withdrawal Syndrome? We hear you. Tell us your last stay date and we’ll send a new IWS coupon — because someone’s gotta make sure you come back. Minimum nights? We’re happily flexible for those who’ve played here before.



COOKING AND GEAR - Pack food, not gear.

We provide:

* Pots, pans, dishes, French press, coffee & tea

* Propane grill + stove + open fire cooking

* Drinking water from our well

* Camp chairs, lanterns, fire starter — and friendly instructions

Because cooking over flame tastes better when you’re laughing with friends, not unpacking a suitcase-full of stuff.



PUPS ON VACAY: We're dog people — most pups are welcome here! Just answer a few quick questions so we know your four-legged adventurer plays nice. If your dog prefers zero rules and lots of zoomies, check out our Naughty Dog Island listing instead. The dog fee is $30 per night per dog. Request permission by sending us a picture and brief description of each dog's demeanor toward other pups and humans. With the entire island for your event, dogs can be leash free and worry free.



LARGE GROUP PRICING: For pricing above 16 guests, please send us a message and we'll work up a quote.



FREE PLANNING TOURS: Yep, we do that. If you want to scope out the island ahead of time to see the potential of the venue for your event, we're happy to give you a tour. It's best if your reach out to schedule while the leaves are still on the trees!



DANCE PARTY ALL NIGHT? Sound carries on the lake, and we love our neighbors. During the quiet hours (sunset to sunrise) we offer a silent disco headset system for music you might want to play (add $500 and 2 week advance notice). Create your own mix, play it from your phone, and dance till the moon sets.



FREE STUFF: Every Maine Island adventure includes: FREE island transportation, camp chairs, unlimited firewood, lanterns, fire starters, lighters, canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddle boards with life vests and gear. You just need to bring coolers of food, vacay clothes, and a curious sense of adventure.



Guest Access:

ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT:

* Walking more than a mile of trails

* Swimming

* Cooking over an open fire

* Sunset Rock

* Hammock swim docks

* Fishing from dock or boat

* Canoeing, kayaking, and SUP

* Sauna/lake plunging

* Indoor games: cards and board games

* Outdoor games: Corn hole, Capture the Island Flag

* Two 20x30 event tents for dining and gathering.



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.



DAY VISITORS? Sure! It's your private island. Of course you can have visitors who don't spend a night. If you have friends and family who want to visit for a ceremony, a meal, or just an afternoon of island fun: no problem. We'll fit them into the existing ferry schedule or do a special ferry service at their convenience ($$).



The Neighborhood:

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 Around:

GETTING THE CREW TO THE ISLAND:



CHECK IN & CHECK OUT WITH FERRY SERVICE:

We offer three round trip ferry services daily, during daylight hours, at times that work for your crew. We can transport up to 25 people with gear at a time on our two pontoon boats and floating side cars.



BYOBOAT

Bring your own boat or boat plane - we have a public boat launch, free overnight parking for your trailer at our place, and free island dock space for convenient boat tie-up. Or, you can rent a boat from a local partner.



PADDLE THE LAKE

Take one of our canoes or kayaks and paddle the 30 minute trip across the lake to a stay (weather permitting and during daylight only). We'll shuttle gear on the next ferry trip, if you want.



FREE PARKING: Park 20 vehicles in our private and secure parking area for free.



Other Things to Note:

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 building our toilets facilities, we did something different. Through management of airflow, separation of liquids and solids, application of saw dust, and optimizing the force of gravity, we created a 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!



I HAVE A SMALLER GROUP:

If 14 acres and 5 stays is too much for your needs, check out our smaller private island adventure at Naughty Dog Island, suitable for a group size of 1 to 8. It's private, remote, leash-free, on the same lake, and just as convenient - only for smaller groups.



THIS IS GLAMPING, NOT CAMPING, WE DO THE WORK, SO YOU CAN PACK LIGHT!



WHAT TO BRING?

• Cooler (Free replacement ice packs available)

• Favorite foods and beverages

• Cell phone/laptop charging cables (We've got juice to keep them charged.)

• Sunscreen and bug repellent

• Layers of warm clothing

• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries

• Fishing permit if you're over 16

• Water shoes for swimming

• Curiosity and a good sense of humor



FREE stuff you DON'T need to bring:

• Free island transportation

• Free canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards paddles and life vests

• Numerous dock spaces for parking boats

• Hammocks

• Camp chairs

• Unlimited firewood

• Out door fire pits

• Indoor woodstoves

• Adjustable grill for cooking over the fire

• Gas grills and stoves

• Pots, pans

• Dishes

• Utensils

• Biodegradable soap

• Sheets

• Towels

• Playing Cards

• Lanterns

• Dad jokes and exclamation points (we're WAY overstocked on these!)



REMOTE WORK - Wifi, cell, and battery recharges

Cell reception registers 3 bars and 5G on the island . So, with any smartphone or laptop, remote work gets done. 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 online on your 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, 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.



Interaction with Guests:

Kent is a Registered Maine Guide and Licensed Commercial Boat Operator. Our 5 person Reset Crew is available for all sorts of event support, setup, and breakdown. They are available when needed, checking in on things, and happy to gopher this and gopher that, but otherwise the private eco-island resort will be all yours.