Entire home·Private host

Exclusive Island Getaway ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ Includes Kayaks!

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Exclusive Island Getaway ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ Includes Kayaks!

View from property
Exterior
Miscellaneous
Interior
3 bedrooms, WiFi

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Lake view

Explore the area

Map
AuGres, MI
  • Albert E. Sleeper State Park
  • Charity Island Light
  • Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
  • East Tawas, MI (ECA-Iosco County)
    32 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

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

Exclusive Island Getaway ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ Includes Kayaks!

A 400 acre wildlife preserve with 4 miles of pristine, undeveloped shoreline with an inland harbor. Charity Island is a nature lovers paradise complete with a mature hardwood forest canopy covering most of the Island and a night sky unblemished by artificial lights. Charity Island lodge has a master bedroom with a queen bed and a loft with 4 twin beds. The new Bunkhouse contains 6 queen bunks and a bathroom with shower. The Lodge kitchen has an electric refrigerator, gas range and a coffee percolator. The cupboards are stocked with dishes and cooking utensils as well as most common cooking spices. Please do not bring electric cooking equipment as our power is limited but propane is plentiful. There is also a gas grill and a grate over the fire pit for outside cooking. Our water system is an NSF approved system that draws water from Lake Huron and is filtered and treated with Ultraviolet light and stored in an elevated storage tank for continual water service to the Kitchen and bathroom.

Charity Island Lodge added an off-grid power system in 2019. The cottage has 24-7 power via a battery bank that is charged by wind and solar and is backed up by a generator. The cottage is completely wired as any cottage on the mainland. New in 2022, we have screened in the front porch of the lodge!
Charity Island Lodge is the only cottage on Charity Island with the exception of the historic Charity Island lighthouse. Seven miles from the closest land, you will feel the isolation as recreational boaters depart the surrounding waters of Charity Island and the spectacular sunset sky begins to unfold. It's now bonfire time and the spacious fire pit is the place where stories unfold and lasting memories are made. Folding chairs are provided.

Whether you like hiking, fishing, kayaking, recreational boating, bird watching, night sky watching or just chilling out on a secluded island beach, Charity Island Lodge will be your new favorite destination in Northeast Michigan. There are no stores or restaurants on the Island so come prepared.
..
Beginning in 2023, we are requiring 4 night minimum stays due to the extensive logistics and time required in getting to and from the Island and making it available for guests. If you require transportation, that can be arranged separately from either Brown's Landing in Tawas City or Captain Tom Cariveau in Caseville. Both services offer ample room for all your passengers, gear and are Coast Guard licensed vessels. You can also come via your own boat (no cost) and tie up to our 24' dock. The fishing around the Island is legendary and having your own boat is nice to have! Lastly, as with any back country experience, mosquitos and black flies can be bothersome on the hottest days and when the breezes do not cooperate. We have two kayaks for exploring the 4.5 miles of shoreline on these days and usually you can find some wind on the other side.

Dear Fall Guest to Charity Island, September and October are absolutely our favorite times of the year to enjoy the island. Autumn sun, cool nights, minimal bugs and total tranquility make for an amazing experience! With all of this grandeur however comes the reality of unstable fall weather patterns that can disrupt travel to and from the island. Lake Huron can turn vicious in a matter of a few hours so we must always be monitoring the weather. When we see potentially dangerous weather in the making, we will contact you and advise you of options. In short, travel can be delayed or postponed to and from the island We will never make an unsafe crossing for ANY reason and it is conceivable that your departure could be delayed or you could get stuck on the island for an extra day or two. We do provide full refunds when weather prevents safe travel.
During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from Lake Huron. Enjoy your stay with amenities like a kitchen and 2 bathrooms in the cottage.
  • The cottage offers a kitchen, 2 bathrooms and a patio
  • Steps from Lake Huron and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Exclusive Island Getaway ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ Includes Kayaks! offers its guests barbecue grills and a garden. The front desk is open around the clock.

This cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Dean P. Wiltse

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 1:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that 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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Exclusive Island Getaway House AuGres
Exclusive Island Getaway AuGres
Cottage Exclusive Island Getaway AuGres
AuGres Exclusive Island Getaway Cottage
Exclusive Island Getaway House
Cottage Exclusive Island Getaway
Exclusive Getaway Au Gres
Exclusive Island Getaway Cottage
Exclusive Island Getaway Au Gres
Exclusive Island Getaway Cottage Au Gres
Vrbo Property
Exclusive Island Getaway

Exclusive Island Getaway ~ An Outstanding Secluded Experience ~ Includes Kayaks! Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome stay
Good times
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing getaway
what a fantastic vacation. if we would have brought extra food, we would have stayed a couple extra days. Host Dean was very fun, helpfull and informative on everything. A lot of neat ingenous things on the house and property. All of which worked to the T. Good thing we brought some warmer clothing, as it gets a little chilly when the wind comes in from the lake. we had 6 unbelievable sun rises right on the front porch. We had an ATV to use to go check out the lighthouse property and go to the beach on the other side of the Island. Huge tip...when going to the beach, DO NOT drive off the main trail. Its only a 2 minute walk. there are rare and sensitive plants on the island. the beach is definitly wotrh the walk. we will be back. also, our 3 dogs had a blast
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joe L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway
Had a great time staying on the island! It's an adventure destination, so it is not for everyone. But me and my family had a great time. The island is very peaceful, especially on the weekdays. Stargazing is the best in Michigan as light pollution is no-factor. You still get decent phone reception if you stand in the right spot, so you are not totally cut off from the mainland if you should need to reach out. Everyone we met from the ferry captain to our host was super helpful and accommodating. Don't be afraid to ask questions, Dean is always happy to help. The bugs were not bad for us at all. We landed in mid-August, and this had a lot to do with it. Previous tenants recommended immediately retreating to the other side of the island if the flies were bad, as their location was wind dependant. The beach on the sandy-side of the island is totally amazing. You will likely have a mile stretch of beach all to yourself. It is a bit rocky for the first few feet of water, then quickly turns into a gradually sloped sand bottom. Great for the kids. The fishing in the harbor is great for the kids also. Lots of small aggressive sunfish. We thought we'd catch something big, but weren't experienced enough to land anything. Saw some large smallies jumping around and teasing us. The house was very clean, though this may depend on the previous tenants because there is no cleaning service on the island. The off-grid power system could be a bit challenging. I would go in expecting to only run the basic utilities of the house and maybe the chance to charge your phones. Generator power is available, but if you don't want to hear the noise, plan for minimal consumption. Overall a great experience and a great value. Would recommend it to anyone wanting to get far away from everything without wanting to go very far!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mark L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
This place is great to get a short taste of off grid living. A couple of hiccups to be expected with off grid houses. Exactly what we expected and Dean was a great host. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

David W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Escape
We had an amazing adventure to Charity Island. We would highly recommend this escape to those that enjoy connecting with each other and the outdoors. If camping is in your repertoire, this is your place. Like any “outdoor” adventure, weather dictates many things. The beauty of the island are the options that exist from one side to the other. The right amount of adventure!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Laurie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer family get-away
We had a wonderful time---kayaking, swimming, hiking, camp fires, relaxing... We had a problem with the generator but the owner talked us through that. Thankfully it was windy and sunny, so we had electricity most of the time. Unique get-away.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Courtney D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
This was one of our favorite vacations thus far! Highly recommended if you enjoy being in the wilderness, exploring, and water. One of a kind getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melissa R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unplugged Adventure
We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Charity Island. The water was a bit choppy on the way to the island but was perfect for our ride back. We relaxed by the fire, spent time playing games, explored nature, and just enjoyed the sound of the waves. The cabin is well furnished and had all of the comforts of home minus the WiFi and television. The cabinets were also well stocked with food if we had ran out of our own. I will say you should bring your own sheets and pillowcases. As well as plenty of drinking water. I wish we could stay longer! Thank you to both our captin Damon and the host Dean.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome adventure
We loved our time on the island. Damon was an awesome captain and helped my husband with our luggage. Dean was very kind to answer our questions about the cabin. My kids enjoyed exploring and swimming each day! They also became pro sorry! players. Beware of trying to kayak around the island if the water is rough or you’ll end up in the middle of Saginaw Bay (at least it felt like the middle)!

10/10 Excellent

Regina C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Secluded and very relaxing
Great place for relaxing and just to get away. Beautiful views of lake. We love to be near water and love to be in nature and this covered both areas. Internet and cell service is spotty on island but we didn’t mind. Will definitely be back!

10/10 Excellent

Jeff H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Great experience, very clean. Had a great time and can't wait to go back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Nada A.

Liked: Cleanliness
As described
Beautiful log cabin, beautiful water when it’s not windy and secluded. I will visit again under different circumstances! You have to do some work such as shutting off generator at night, making sure the power battery is charged, and pumping water. However, Dean is very responsive and friendly. Showed up on time and helped load and unload all of our belongings.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jared R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Paradise
If you’re a nature buff seeking a chance to disconnect, or just someone wanting to get away for a bit this is the place for you. Absolutely gorgeous views of the sunrise, cool clear waters, and a chance to have a small taste of what life is really like will really ground you. You can forage for your own firewood, fill up the water tank and pressurize it, and cook over the fire for every meal. Kayaks provided on site at no extra charge, otters nearby, and you’re own personal wading area out front complete with rocks to look at and fossils to find. It’s an experience everyone should have. Damon and a nice woman helped us load our stuff into the boat, which was very heavy, and gave us a little history about everything in the area. Then we chartered off towards the island so far in the distance you couldn’t even see it. What a journey.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Tom M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
My family and I loved the trip to Dean’s cabin, he is fantastic! It was the perfect place to unplug and we can’t wait to come back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Dana Z., Detroit, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and Peacful
My husband, 5yo son and myself had a great time on Charity Island. We stayed 4 nights, which was a perfect amount of time. We enjoyed kayaking, fishing, and exploring the island. We had a few rainy morning and there some board games and Keva building blocks to keep us busy. Dean was a great host who answered all out questions and checked in with us by phone while we were on the island. We would love to go back next summer.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Zach S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome!!!
The stay was amazing. Lots of outdoor activities ( kayaking, swimming, fishing and fires.) Windy days are best to have the least amount of nuisance insects. Rainy days were awesome with the amount of board games provided and acoustic guitar. We made sure to visit the light house, beach and took full advantage of ALL of the outdoor activities. Dean is an amazing host with lots of knowledge of the island and very helpful with any questions before and during our stay. Cell phone service is dismal in most places on the island which made our disconnect from the world that much better. If you want seclusion and serenity, this is your place!! We cannot wait to come back again! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Billy M., Elburn

Paradise Island
I agree with the review that says this location's favorability is weather based, but I think it's really wind based. Also I don't think there is any bad, just different ways of enjoying it. The scene changes there based on where you are on the island and wind. For instance, we had a westerly wind that left it pretty hot, calm and yes slightly buggy cabin-side the first day but then we expected that. Meanwhile the opposite side, (which you can hop to with provided buggy) was a sweet breeze. Next 3 days were glorious for us: easterly winds and the place was paradise. We cooked over open fire every night, kayaked, floated in the refreshing water, fished off the dock, watched the sunrise from the back patio mornings (thats the pic they should include on this listing!) and even took the buggy to the opposite side of the island to see sunsets. We did all of this having 2.5 and 1 yr old babies with us! If you're all adult party, you could kayak around the whole island, no doubt! We too were a bit nervous about supplies, but it works itself out. I gave the cleanliness 3 stars because being so remote the owners have limited cleaning resources and the crew before us was a guys fish fry trip - still it was not that bad, and we honestly didn't care we were so comfortable. Only real complaint from my wife was the handmade wooden rocking chairs - the legs are sharp and she stubbed her toes at least 3 times! Watch out for them, other than that - if you're reading this, and there are available dates, better bookit!! Best family retreat we've ever had! -Billy & Lauren
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unforgettable vacation
We had an amazing time! It was so nice to unplug and spend quality time together! Dean was so friendly and helpful with all questions we had. Thank you for an unforgettable time!

10/10 Excellent

Josie P.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Wonderful Adventure
The property was well kept and clean. The owners were wonderful as well. It was so peaceful and quiet. We were there right when the baby frogs were emerging and they were everywhere along the shore by the lighthouse. When the breeze came in toward the cabin the surrounding area stayed cool and bug free I enjoyed a nice rest in the hammock. The water was stunningly clear and crisp. And great fishing if that is something you enjoy. I hope to visit again one day.

8/10 Good

Todd L.

Rustic location. Comfortable accommodations!
This is the kind of vacation dictated by the weather. Windy days are best as the black flies can be brutal. Fortunately it’s almost always breezy. Trail directly to the beach was nice. Used the mule to cart out beach stuff within 50 feet of the water. Views were fantastic but overcast every night so no star gazing. Kayaking was limited to the calm mornings for us but a younger crowd could go any day. Gas lights were convenient and bright. Grilled every night, campfires as well. We had to leave a day early due to 7ft waves on our scheduled departure day but that’s an island vacation! Great variety of flaura and fauna and warm water in August. Got to do it at least once!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Total Getaway
Beautiful location. Beautiful cabin. Peace and quiet. Opportunities for adventure. All the comfort a person needs. Let your cares float away. Do bring drinking water and a book. You may not want to run the generator to recharge your phone or tablet. This is not your run-of-the-mill rental. A few days here will provide a lot of happy memories.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

karin j.

Relaxing and peaceful!
We stayed for four nights in late June. First of all, the trip was logistically much easier than I was expecting -- the house is stocked with the basics like drinking water, paper products, and even some toiletries, condiments, and spices. The prospect of having to think of everything to bring should not deter you from booking this place! Captain Greg, who took us there and back, was awesome, and even helped my son pick out fishing supplies before we headed over and showed us how to work everything in the house. Dean supplies a golf cart, cornhole, board games and books, kayaks, life vests, firewood for the fire pit, and grill. There is a dinner cruise on weekends that ends at the lighthouse, and we joined for hands-down the best perch dinner ever (additional cost) and an interesting history of the island (look for the Wikipedia entry on Charity Island for the basics). We kayaked several times a day, even kayaking around the island one afternoon (it's about 3 miles). The sunrises from the porch are stunning. The only drawback was the bugs. We tried a variety of sprays and some worked for a while, but the bugs were a challenge on some parts of the island/some times of day. And they affected us differently (one kid got particularly swarmed). Dean and the captain were responsive and made everything easy for us. We'll be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Very secluded, rustic setting with private rocky beach out in the middle of Saginaw Bay.
Enjoyed a long weekend in a rustic cottage on the mostly deserted island. Cottage had all the amenities, but with electric generator and water tower it required some know-how to tend. Loved use of single kayaks for exploration of the coast and off road vehicle for runs to the lighthouse for sunset gazing. Brother of owner operates a dinner cruise to the island lighthouse and was on site for advice and supplies as needed. His knowledge of the island's history was impressive and added much to our appreciation of the site. For those who love secluded and quiet natural settings, it was an island paradise, with no large mammals to dodge. Birds, frogs, snakes, butterflies, and chipmunks added to the charm. Insects were ample, too, but winds off the lake kept them down. Watched meteors one night from the completely dark shoreline. Owner and brother were very friendly and responsive to any needs we had.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017

8/10 Good

sarah p., Michigan

Definitely will plan a trip back in the future!
My husband and I decided to take a 4 day getaway to the island. It was a great getaway. Loved our piece and quiet. We kayaked around the whole island. The bugs were a little buggie. But the water was nice and so was the weather. We will be back for sure. Thanks Dean! And thanks Bob for the ride back. The Pridemores
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017

8/10 Good

Tamie B.

Wonderful 4th of July!!
We stayed the week of the 4th of July and had a wonderful time. The cabin is nice and clean. They took really good care of us....!!! We enjoyed trips to the light house and kayaking. The location is spectacular and the solitude was appreciated. It's a nice getaway but make sure you bring plenty of bug spray and lots of books.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017