Dream Vacation Alert! You Can Rent a Historic Lighthouse on an Island in Maine
Few escapes are more romantic than spending the night in a lighthouse, and now you can indulge in what might be the ultimate lighthouse vacation fantasy by renting an entire keeper’s quarters on a remote island six miles out to sea along one of Maine’s most rugged and picturesque stretches of coast.
Or buy it and have it all to yourself.
The getaway in question is Isle au Haut Lighthouse and Keeper’s House, perched on the island of the same name in Penobscot Bay near Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. Built in 1907, the Keeper’s House adjacent to the small and sturdy light tower operated as a beloved inn for decades.
But this summer, the whole four-bedroom/two-bathroom building and small guest cottage are available only as a vacation home rental, meaning you and your fellow lighthouse lovers can take over the place for a week of Down East escapism. Six-day stays cost $2,500, and weeks are available in June, July, September, and early October.
Related: Best Lighthouse Getaways in America
Set on a spruce-studded parcel of two acres with views of the bay, surrounding islands, and the Camden Hills in the distance, Keeper’s House is off the electric grid, relying on photovoltaics and a generator (your fresh water comes from the sea, thanks to a reverse osmosis system). The guest rooms are done up featuring double beds with antique vibes, and every room (plus the cottage) has beautiful views.
More than half of Isle au Haut is part of Acadia National Park, which ensures the protection of the wild beauty surrounding the property (and provides 17 miles of limited-access wilderness shoreline plus mountain trails to explore). And there are just enough creature comforts: The island is home to a small lobster-fishing town of the same name with a grocery store, a gift shop, and even a food truck that operates during the summer.
The rental comes with the use of a vehicle for errands and the support of an on-call caretaker, should you need it. The mainland is a 45-minute boat ride away on the “Mail Boat” ferry.
Ready to rent? Check availability here. And if you’re ready to own the fantasy, Keeper’s House is available for sale for $1,975,000. For more information, contact the Knowles Company or call 207-276-3322.
Related: Stay the Night at This Adorable Lighthouse and You Might Meet Its 'Friendly Ghost'
