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.
Helpful Guides
The StarGazer Houseboat - a place to relax, restore, and reset.
Your ceiling is the Milky Way.
Fall asleep watching clouds drift by, meteor showers streak overhead, or stars slowly emerge one by one
For most of human history, people fell asleep looking at the stars. The StarGazer isn't a new idea. It's a very old one with better bedding.
Paddle to the Eagles's nest...
The StarGazer wasn't built to guarantee a sky full of stars. It was built to make sure you don't miss whatever the sky decides to do tonight.
Worth the rain. Silver linings included. *RBW
Occasionally the loons outnumber the humans on the lake.
Island Treasure Map.*IMP
You are here. Adventure nearby.*LMP
Island life is dog heaven.*NOP
Fall asleep floating on a lake, watching the stars.
Most places make you choose between sleeping under the stars and sleeping comfortably. The StarGazer politely refuses.
The sky always has something to say.*NTL
Peter Tuttle the Painted Turtle.
This counts as a commute.*EXP
From inside or out, enjoy the quiet lake view.
Clean, hot showahs — eco-friendly.*HSH
A small navy of canoes, kayaks, and SUPs are waiting!
The Big Dipper has been helping humans find their way for thousands of years. Tonight, its job is considerably easier. Just look up.
Arriving and departing are part of the adventure.*CHO
Hot Sauna. Cold plunge. Repeat.
Paddle with your besties...
Berry, the Bass, was temporarily unavailable...
Some stays help you disconnect. The StarGazer helps you look up.
Paddling gear included. Dogs welcome. Involuntary swimming possible.*BTG
Fish stories here require no exaggeration.
No need to get out of bed for sunrise.
2400 acres of clear water lake to explore.
The daybed/couch for tagalongs.
Compost toilet is lake-friendly and super convenient. (This is not an outhouse - clean, sanitary, and nose friendly).*TLT
Your outdoor kitchen and campsite.
Caution: this can be hypnotic.
The StarGazer was built for sleeping under the stars. It turns out sunrise likes it here too.
Guest Reviews from Revyoos — Showing 10 of 20 Reviews
Staying in the Stargazer was a magical experience, even during a storm, which was happening on the first day we arrived. While the floor of the main cabin was wet, the dome stayed dry and cozy and was beautiful to experience in the rain. We were treated with cloudy days and sunny days, and they all had something special to offer. We loved swimming (yes at the end of September) and then jumping in the sauna after! All in all, a beautiful place allowing for a truly unique, and restorative experience. We will certainly be back!
Stargazer was an amazing stay, and the whole process is incredibly well thought out. It is a wonderful getaway I would recommend to anyone!
Kent is an amazing host! He was so helpful getting us and our gear ferried out to the island and right to our door. We enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor and interesting snippets of history about the area. The stargazer was a magical experience that we won’t forget! We lucked out and had gorgeous clear weather so both nights we got to watch the stars from our bed. We will absolutely be back to enjoy this beautiful place of serenity.
We had an amazing two-day stay at the StarGazer dome! Kent was well-organized and provided absolutely everything we needed—we only had to pack our food and clothes. He even saved the day by lending me a charger when I forgot mine. The stargazing was breathtaking, and our dog absolutely loved the trip too. Highly recommend this unique getaway!
Very friendly host and easy to follow instructions. Love being out on the water, staring up at the sky and stars. We enjoyed the amenities on the island including cornhole, kayaking, and canoes! Thanks for a peaceful trip!
An amazing experience I won't soon forget. I loved my time on the house boat!
This is a beautiful little island. My husband enjoyed the ability to fish from just about every angle on shore as well as by kayak & canoe. Unlimited firewood, cooking utensils, grill, propane, linens, etc. made this an easy adventure.
This was an amazing experience! I loved the island and the attention to detail! Everything was perfect and well thought out and so easy! And the location was so serene and blissful! Highly recommend and I hope to stay here again!
Kent is very kind and accommodating! Very cool experience.
We had such a fantastic stay! This was our 2nd stay on 1BSI and certainly won’t be our last! We had a lovely paddle out and Kent had our things waiting for us on our private dock when we arrived. The houseboat was perfect with so many thoughtful touches. The fairy lights and tea lights lit up the dome so beautifully at night made for a truly unforgettable experience with the water rocking us to sleep. To anyone on the fence about booking this stay, DO IT!
StarGazer FAQs
What makes the StarGazer special?
The StarGazer is designed for sleeping under the sky. It's all about night views, stargazing, and falling asleep with the constellations overhead - weather permitting, of course.
Is the StarGazer comfortable in different weather?
Yes. The StarGazer is thoughtfully designed to balance openness with protection, making it cozy, breathable, and memorable across the season.
What's included with a StarGazer stay?
A comfortable sleeping setup, cooking gear, firewood, paddling equipment, and access to showers, trails, docks, and a hammock swim dock, boat dock, and swimming spots.
How do I get to the StarGazer?
Guests arrive at the island by canoe, kayak, ferry, or private boat, then walk or paddle to the StarGazer location.
Ready to plan your overnight island stay?
Bookings go fast in peak season. We'll help you pick the right spot.
