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Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island

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Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island

Photo gallery for Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island

Property grounds
Property grounds
Exterior
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, bed sheets
TV, books

Overview of Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island

Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Beach viewBeach viewBeach view

Explore the area

Map
Tawas, MI
  • AirportEast Tawas, MI (ECA-Iosco County)31 min drive

Space details

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 8
195 sq m
Bedroom 1
    2 twin/single beds
Bedroom 2
    2 twin/single beds
Bedroom 3
    2 twin/single beds
Bedroom 4
    2 twin/single beds
Common area
    1 queen bed

Room options

About the area

North America

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island

New for 2022. Due to the rising costs of Fuel and logistics of getting back and forth to the island we have instituted a 6 six night minimum. Preferred "check-in days' will be Fridays. Departures for the Island will be aboard a 30 passenger boat that will leave from the Au Gres, Area. There is an additional charge for the transportation to and from the island that is paid directly to the Captain of the boat when boarding. That fee was $350 last year and may be higher due to inflation we are experiencing this year.
The departure will be from Browns landing & RV park on dyer road, Tawas, Michigan.

We are limiting occupancy to 3 adult couples. In the case of families
we are limiting occupancy to two families.

We want to stress the island is located 10 miles from the mainland. This is an ideal venue for those looking for quiet time. If you have older kids they may get bored unless they are really into enjoying the outdoors and fishing.

The fees for extra People are for adults. We will not charge for children under 16. If you are a couple with 2 or 3 or 4 children the rate is as listed for up to 4 adults.

The Lighthouse and keepers quarters are located on the very northern tip of Big Charity Island, a heavily wooded Island with 3 miles of shoreline located10 miles offshore in the very middle of 20 mile wide Saginaw Bay.

The home is powered by Solar Panels and Wind turbine with backup Generator. If you google search the Big Charity Island you will be able to zoom in on the property. The light keepers home is incorrectly labeled as Charity Island lodge. The lodge is actually a two bedroom chalet about a mile down the shoreline and is not identified on the google map of the island.

Zooming in on the northern tip of the island you will see the lighthouse and property around the home in quite a bit of detail. The pic was taken after we had 7 years of low water... the lake is higher now so the shoreline is quite different, in a good way..

The Home has a full bath and four bedrooms upstairs, each bedroom has a trundle bed so each upstairs bedroom sleeps two persons. The master bedroom located downstairs has a queen size bed and 3/4 bath.

A additional half bath is located downstairs off the living room that features large windows providing unique panoramic views of the Lake Huron..

The galley style Kitchen comes complete with modern conveniences including microwave and gas range and full size electric refrigerator. (no garbage disposal, compost pile).

This two story home has a wrap-around deck with a dozen comfortable wicker chairs. Little charity Island just 3 miles south is always in view from the porch.

Maritime history surrounds this privately owned home with history Kiosks that relate highlights of the lighthouse' past service located outside around the yard.

90% of the Island is managed by Federal Fish & Wildlife Service as Wildlife Sanctuary. Bald Eagles are a common sight from the house as are white pelicans that come to Saginaw bay each year from the Gulf of Mexico.

Song Birds are abundant. Island Wildlife includes Fox, Mink, raccoons, chipmunks, three bald eagles nests , dozens of swans, geese, wood ducks. Spring and fall Snowy Owls are often sighted on the island.

Various Wildflowers are abundant through out the year.

In addition, World Class fishing surrounds the island and can be enjoyed from a dock at in the Island marina located 10 minutes from the house or by wading off the rocky shoreline in front of the home.

There is a chicken coop on the property and, provided raccoons don't get them , a half dozen chickens will be residing there, so Fresh eggs may be part of the amenities. If so, you will be expected to make sure they have water every couple of days.

The rental fee Includes all linens, appliances, etc.,

Other Amenities include – Fire pit on beach, gas grill on Deck, TV, Radio, Cd player.
There is a 6 night 7 day minimum.

Be Advised:

The light tower is connected to the lightkeepers home but it is in poor repair. We are attempting to initiate a effort to get it restored. Because of its condition we do not
recommend people going inside and climbing up the tower. We don't prevent people from going up there but it is at your own risk.

Also:

On certain days, a tour boat "may or may not " arrive between 11am & 12 noon with visitors/tourists who bring a picnic basket to enjoy at the dining pavilion located 150 feet from the lighthouse. These visitors will have time to take pictures of the lighthouse and read some of the history panels that are on the north side of the lighthouse. Typically these people are gone by 3:00 to 3:30 pm.

NOTE:
Most days you will have the whole island to yourself however, in the interest of full disclosure please note the following: Decades BEFORE we rebuilt the lightkeepers home Charity Island had long been a popular stopping place for local boaters in the area. Many just drop anchor and sit on their boat for a few hours then leave. Many will wade to shore to come up to the tower to check it out and they are typically back on their boats within 30 minutes or so.

I have more information posted on my charity island . net website including details on the wind and solar systems that power the home. You may have to google charity Island Dinner Cruises to get to it as VRBO wont allow that information on their site.

If you have more questions you can get my contact number off that site as well and I am happy you answer additional questions when you call.

robert


Property manager

Robert Wiltse

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach sun loungers
  • Beach towels

Parking and transportation

  • RV, bus, and truck parking on site
  • Car not required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator (full size)
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Toaster
  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Towels provided
  • Soap
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV
  • Books
  • Games
  • CD player

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Yard
  • Gas grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit
  • Dock

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak on site
  • Power boating nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Marina nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Composting
  • Unit size: 2100 sq ft (195 sq m)

Policies

Check-out

Check-out before 2:00 PM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island Au Gres

Charity Island Lightkeepers Home Big Charity Island Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews" "

8.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing end of summer vacation
I stayed at the keeper's house on Charity Island in mid-August with my parents, daughter, and nieces (ages 8-10). It's such a unique stay and very peaceful. The house is spacious and fairly well stocked, though we spent most of the time outside. There are two beach areas- one rocky and one sandy- and the water is shallow (<4 ft) quite a ways out, which was perfect for the kids. We walked the trail through the island, kayaked around it one day, and fished off the docks. The sunsets were incredible every evening.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

kevin b.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Interesting
*** SUPER IMPORTANT: a book with instructions for the entire house needs to be set in a prominent place* This was a once in a life-time unique island venue in the middle of Saginaw bay, Michigan at an historic lighthouse that sadly, could have been so much better than it was. It was also a chance to experience life truly off-the-grid in an adventurous way. I found it intriguing how the problems of providing potable, safe water and power were solved. I would describe this situation as camping IN a large house WITH the comforts of soft beds, furniture, cooking indoors, indoor toilets and showers. The experience wouldn't appeal to everyone, however. The beaches are wonderful, sandy and also full of amazing soft, round pebbles that were perfect for skipping contests. There are a few large sandbars nearby that can be walked for quite a distance. Somewhere on the island there is a spring fed pond that attracts many nesting birds, but we never ventured there. The main issues with this rental had to do with a lack of overall cleanliness, general information about how the rental works: i.e- do we leave the dirty sheets on the bed, or does a cleaning crew take care of that? (Super important since water and power are at a premium here). And instructions on how to work the solar array (we did figure out that we could turn it on the third day.) Also, there was not a supply of candles, matches, or lamp oil to speak of that we could find anywhere. Kind of important when the power might abruptly kick off at 10:00 for no reason. (We were careful with power usage). Our family runs an organic chicken farm. We're used to bugs, compost and dirt. We're far from picky. But a minimum of clean in the house is necessary for good health, IMHO. And WE manage this, so anyone can. My suggestions for overall improvement, are as follows: -pay a professional crew to clean house top to bottom -weekly clean, or clean between patrons -drawers/cabinets all need to be cleaned. -inside of freezer had dead flies. Eww. -invest in new pans once/year. (Most folks are terrible at maintaining the cast iron pans provided.) -throw out old liquor. -label drawers. Organize them. -floors dirty. They really need a clean. -toss food in between patrons. -we found old bait worms in the frig. Eww. -toss any stained, old kitchen oven mitts. -have a convenient place for storing bed linen -ER candles, lighters, lamp oil -figure out how to get rid of drain/filth flies. They collect on the windows.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brian M., New Haven, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Very unique vacation experience!
If you want a unique vacation experience, this is definitely it! A one hour boat ride to the island, you definitely feel remote once you arrive at the Lighthouse and get settled in. The lightkeeper house is spacious and homey. Bob was kind enough to make a trip back out to the island with fishing rods, tackle box, and nightcrawlers for my son and I to go fishing in the harbor -- the harbor is PACKED with fish and I caught a walleye right away. We had some rough weather come through while we were out there and the Bay got too choppy for our charter to pick us up at the end of our stay, so we ended up getting an unplanned extra day on the island until the Bay settled down and the charter could get out to the island to bring us home! Overall, it was a pretty good experience! We learned the hard way the first night that the inverter can only handle so much during the night - we had a few fans, two lights, my cpap machine, and of course the fridge plugged in and we overloaded the inverter. After that first night, we were more thoughtful of what we had plugged in and we opened up the windows to take advantage of the continuous breeze flowing over the island. It looks like there's gas-powered lighting throughout the house but we weren't sure how to turn them on and I wasn't about to put a lighter to it to try to ignite it. We bought a few bunches of wood at the nearby gas station in Au Gres but the wind was too strong for us to feel comfortable having any bonfires out on the island. We loved being visited by the little chipmunks during the day and a curious racoon each evening haha. Kitchen is well stocked with everything. The exterior and interior of the property could use more TLC - there's a lot of poison ivy around the grounds and on the trail to the beach area. There's mold/mildew growing on the bathroom ceiling and a nasty patch up at the top of the stairs. The ceiling above the kitchen table is sprinkled with dirt. Within the first hour of getting into the house, our 4 year old daughter stepped on something by the door that gave her a sliver in her heel - it was obvious that the house wasn't vacuumed by the previous group before we got there. One thing that I was kind of surprised about is that all of the smoke alarms were missing with just the wiring left behind - not a huge deal, but a 6 pack of 10 year battery smoke alarms are cheap insurance for sleeping upstairs. Overall we had a great time and loved our unique vacation experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rita S., Bloomfield Hills, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Island Getaway
We had a great time on Charity Island. The house was clean and everything you may need was there. Our German Shepherd had a great time running around and swimming. Beautiful beaches to walk on and we loved being away from everything. Will definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Will be back!
An amazing place to stay. We will be back:)
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

8/10 Good

Sarah T.

Can't Wait to Go Back!
Lovely 5 day stay on big charity island! Perfect spot for relaxation and adventure. We spent days on the beach. Explored Lake Huron in the kayaks and shot breath-taking photos from the the top of the lighthouse. Thanks to other reviews we knew to bring some essentials like charcoal, soap and wipes. Be prepared to tidy/clean.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kim R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical!
You will not regret booking this experience. There are vacations, trips, and getaways, but this was truly an experience like no other! Time to be in nature and connect with family, in a setting that will take your breath away, cannot be duplicated. Thank you for an amazing adventure!

10/10 Excellent

Jay K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Totally Relaxing
From the moment we saw the picture of the Lightkeeper's house on Charity Island, we knew it had to be the place for us to vacation! Thankfully, even in the year of COVID, it was a place we could have almost no exposure. We had a very informative ride to the island with Bob's wealth of knowledge about the history of the island. We were able to relax and enjoy the beauty of the water and the wonderful breeze from the porches every day. Living off the grid was a new experience for us but there were no difficulties at all, in fact, it was rather satisfying to see the solar panels and the wind turbine supplying all of the energy we needed! It was a lovely place, with a wonderful host and we didn't really want to return to the 'real world!'
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Fantastic Getaway
From clear night skies, to boundless fresh air, with the embrace of nature and unplugging from the world, I would highly recommened this spot. We had a wonderful time unwinding and getting away from normal life.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Gwen K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Island Getaway
We loved our stay on Charity Island. The house was clean upon arrival and exactly as pictured. The house has its quirks as you can imagine with solar and wind power running everything, but it was all very manageable. The beach area on the side of the house was our favorite spot to just float in the water or kayak. The sunsets were amazing and we watched every one. There were cute little frogs, chipmunks, and even a raccoon. We saw pelicans, oriole, and barn swallows with babies. Also, Bob was great. We had a snafu the first night and he was very kind, helpful, and responsive. I am already looking to book for next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020