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
