Great Duck Island
Great Duck Island Retreat House is located on Great Duck Island, in the Gulf of Maine archipelago, 10 miles offshore, due south of Northeast Harbor and Acadia National Park. The island is 1.5 miles long, 0.5 miles wide, and contains 250 acres. Our property consists of 5 acres on the northeast point. Our house is the only private home on the island. The rest of the island is a bird sanctuary owned by the Nature Conservancy, except for a small p ...
Great Duck Island Retreat House is located on Great Duck Island, in the Gulf of Maine archipelago, 10 miles offshore, due south of Northeast Harbor and Acadia National Park. The island is 1.5 miles long, 0.5 miles wide, and contains 250 acres. Our property consists of 5 acres on the northeast point. Our house is the only private home on the island. The rest of the island is a bird sanctuary owned by the Nature Conservancy, except for a small piece at the southern end that has a lighthouse maintained by the Coast Guard, and an old lightkeeper’s house sometimes used by College of the Atlantic bird researchers. Although closed to the public, renters have permission to explore most of the island.
Location:
Great Duck Island is a blend of pointed fir forests, seaside meadows, wildflower and moss gardens, surrounded by popplestone beaches, granite cliffs, and hedges of wild roses. It is the nesting habitat for a large number of birds, including bald eagles, guillemots, eider ducks, petrels, and seagulls. There are also a large number of hares on the island, which are often seen scurrying about.
Accommodations:
House: A two-story, Victorian Gothic style cottage, built in 1986, with 1,440 square feet of undivided interior space. The house is completely furnished with no separate bedrooms. Beds are in alcove spaces on the first and second floors, including a queen-size bed, a double bed, and a futon couch that folds open to a double bed. Additional mattresses and cots are available. The house has hot and cold running water in the kitchen and bathroom.
Facilities:
Kitchen: Gas stove, large gas refrigerator, and stocked with cooking essentials.
Living Spaces: White wicker furniture set, dining tables, and chairs on each floor.
Heat: Two Jøtul woodstoves, one on each floor, with glass doors for viewing the fire.
Electricity: Gasoline-powered generator for lighting and other electrical needs.
Entertainment: iPod and CD player, DVD player, radio, cassette tape player, hammock, gas grill, children’s games, puzzles, library of books, and an upright piano.
Why You Should Choose Great Duck Island Retreat:
Great Duck Island is perfect for couples or families seeking solitude and an intimate experience of nature. Naturalists, hikers, meditators, writers, photographers, and those wanting to live deliberately without the distractions of modern life will love this place. The beauty of this magical island with its sparkling ocean, crashing waves, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and romantic mountain views will nourish and restore your soul.
Additional Information:
Activities: Hiking, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, swimming, exploring the woods and shores, discovering tide pools, star gazing, photography, and more.
Views: Extraordinary views from every window—open ocean glistening in the morning light, neighboring islands, beautiful mountains, and sunsets and sunrises visible from inside the house.
Wildlife: Tall ships, porpoises, whales, seals, and a variety of birds can be seen from the island.
Transportation: Fly into Bangor International Airport or the smaller airport in Trenton, Maine. Vehicles can be rented, or taxis are available. Boat transportation to the island is arranged through the Mount Desert Water Taxi, which includes a helper to assist with landing and baggage.
Great Duck Island Retreat House is located on Great Duck Island, in the Gulf of Maine archipelago, 10 miles offshore, due south of Northeast Harbor and Acadia National Park. The island is 1.5 miles long, 0.5 miles wide, and contains 250 acres. Our property consists of 5 acres on the northeast point. Our house is the only private home on the island. The rest of the island is a bird sanctuary owned by the Nature Conservancy, except for a small piece at the southern end that has a lighthouse maintained by the Coast Guard, and an old lightkeeper’s house sometimes used by College of the Atlantic bird researchers. Although closed to the public, renters have permission to explore most of the island.
Location:
Great Duck Island is a blend of pointed fir forests, seaside meadows, wildflower and moss gardens, surrounded by popplestone beaches, granite cliffs, and hedges of wild roses. It is the nesting habitat for a large number of birds, including bald eagles, guillemots, eider ducks, petrels, and seagulls. There are also a large number of hares on the island, which are often seen scurrying about.
Accommodations:
House: A two-story, Victorian Gothic style cottage, built in 1986, with 1,440 square feet of undivided interior space. The house is completely furnished with no separate bedrooms. Beds are in alcove spaces on the first and second floors, including a queen-size bed, a double bed, and a futon couch that folds open to a double bed. Additional mattresses and cots are available. The house has hot and cold running water in the kitchen and bathroom.
Facilities:
Kitchen: Gas stove, large gas refrigerator, and stocked with cooking essentials.
Living Spaces: White wicker furniture set, dining tables, and chairs on each floor.
Heat: Two Jøtul woodstoves, one on each floor, with glass doors for viewing the fire.
Electricity: Gasoline-powered generator for lighting and other electrical needs.
Entertainment: iPod and CD player, DVD player, radio, cassette tape player, hammock, gas grill, children’s games, puzzles, library of books, and an upright piano.
Why You Should Choose Great Duck Island Retreat:
Great Duck Island is perfect for couples or families seeking solitude and an intimate experience of nature. Naturalists, hikers, meditators, writers, photographers, and those wanting to live deliberately without the distractions of modern life will love this place. The beauty of this magical island with its sparkling ocean, crashing waves, glorious sunrises and sunsets, and romantic mountain views will nourish and restore your soul.
Additional Information:
Activities: Hiking, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, swimming, exploring the woods and shores, discovering tide pools, star gazing, photography, and more.
Views: Extraordinary views from every window—open ocean glistening in the morning light, neighboring islands, beautiful mountains, and sunsets and sunrises visible from inside the house.
Wildlife: Tall ships, porpoises, whales, seals, and a variety of birds can be seen from the island.
Transportation: Fly into Bangor International Airport or the smaller airport in Trenton, Maine. Vehicles can be rented, or taxis are available. Boat transportation to the island is arranged through the Mount Desert Water Taxi, which includes a helper to assist with landing and baggage.
